Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A DJ friend of mine with 15 years of experience reached out recently.
He got invited to play a silent disco at a major music festival. Top ticket seller gets a main stage or second stage slot. Sounds great on paper. But the pay was purely commission based on tickets he sold himself.
He asked me — should I do it?
Here’s what I told him.
When you’re trying to break into a new scene — you’re starting over. Doesn’t matter what you’ve done before. New audiences. New promoters. Totally new game.
Here’s something nobody wants to hear.
Your fanbase ages with you. The people who followed you 15 years ago aren’t necessarily going to the same events anymore. If you want a new audience you have to go find them where they are. Not where you used to be.
I’ve done it three times in my career:
— Rippin Rich in the 80s
— DJ Rich in the 90s
— DJ Riddler — 2000s until now
Every time felt like starting over. Every time was worth it.
Consistent content. Great live shows. Maximize every opportunity.
You don’t need a lot of followers. You need content that people share and save. The algorithm rewards that more than likes.
Don’t just show up and play. Document everything. Post it. Tell the story.
Every opportunity is a marketing opportunity if you treat it that way.
It can be done. You just have to be willing to start over.
I’m doing it again right now at 55 years old. And it’s working.
Subscribe for more music industry insights and live entertainment advice from DJ Riddler — Director of Entertainment at Warehouse Live Midtown Houston.
#djriddler #houston #musicindustry #djlife #reinvention #personalbranding #contentcreator #djcareer #liveevents #houstonentertainment #djadvice #musicbusiness #warehouselivemidtown #Shorts
A DJ friend of mine with 15 years of experience reached out recently.
He got invited to play a silent disco at a major music festival. Top ticket seller gets a main stage or second stage slot. Sounds great on paper. But the pay was purely commission based on tickets he sold himself.
He asked me — should I do it?
Here’s what I told him.
When you’re trying to break into a new scene — you’re starting over. Doesn’t matter what you’ve done before. New audiences. New promoters. Totally new game.
Here’s something nobody wants to hear.
Your fanbase ages with you. The people who followed you 15 years ago aren’t necessarily going to the same events anymore. If you want a new audience you have to go find them where they are. Not where you used to be.
I’ve done it three times in my career:
— Rippin Rich in the 80s
— DJ Rich in the 90s
— DJ Riddler — 2000s until now
Every time felt like starting over. Every time was worth it.
Consistent content. Great live shows. Maximize every opportunity.
You don’t need a lot of followers. You need content that people share and save. The algorithm rewards that more than likes.
Don’t just show up and play. Document everything. Post it. Tell the story.
Every opportunity is a marketing opportunity if you treat it that way.
It can be done. You just have to be willing to start over.
I’m doing it again right now at 55 years old. And it’s working.
Subscribe for more music industry insights and live entertainment advice from DJ Riddler — Director of Entertainment at Warehouse Live Midtown Houston.
#djriddler #houston #musicindustry #djlife #reinvention #personalbranding #contentcreator #djcareer #liveevents #houstonentertainment #djadvice #musicbusiness #warehouselivemidtown #Shorts
