Music Central is a member of the C.D.J.A. (Canadian Disc Jockey Association)

Date: 2010.04.14 | Category: Music Central News | Response: 0

Music Central is a long standing member of the South-Western Ontario Chapter of the C.D.J.A. (Canadian Disc Jockey Service).  A long standing and active member since the late 1980’s,  I have served as co-president and for the last few years acted as treasurer. 

Why be part of an association?  A good part of it is that I take this thing called DJing seriously.  I care about what we do and want to do whatever we can to do it as professionally as possible.  Music Central is one of the most respected providers of entertainment in the region and want to make sure we do everything we can to maintain the level of confidence our clients and the people in the industry have in us.  I believe being a member, participating as much as possible and most certainly attending as many meetings as I can, gives me a better perspective on the industry in general.  Keeping me up to date with any trends or changes.  It allows me to meet on a regular basis with my colleagues in the business and gives us a chance to talk about the various aspects of the industry.  This is definately one of the key benefits, among many, that come with being part of this group.

What are the benefits to you the consumer to hiring a C.D.J.A. member?  Well to make it easy on myself I will simply cut and paste nine of the advantages below right from their website.  However, to summarize, it really comes down to professionalism.  The annual fee is affordable and the benefits far outway any costs so there really is no reason not to for those that are serious about what they do. 

All CDJA Members:

1. must have Liability Insurance to be a member.
2. must have some form of AVLA Music (copying) Licencing.
3. must provide evidence of equipment back-up or support back-up.
4. Are serviced with a huge support system of educational material for professional development which effect performance for customers’ events.
5. Are supported by a long list of promotional benefits that lessen costs to the DJ and allows the savings to be passed on to customers.
6. Have the strongest Constitution, Code of Ethics, Privacy Policy and Mediation Service in the DJ business scene.
7. Must provide National with a copied proof of their Business Registration.
8. Must provide National with a copy of their Business Contract.
9. Must sign to accept these provisions in order to become a member of the Canadian Disc Jockey Association.

Feel free to check out their website at http://www.cdja.ca/.

When hiring a DJ certainly consider membership in this association as a plus.  Another important thing to consider when hiring a DJ is whether they use legal and licensed music but that can wait for another blog.

For information on this and other aspects of the business feel free to contact us.

  http://www.musiccentral.ca/contactus.html

Thanks,

Rob Aitken

Manager

Music Central Entertainment

The H.S.T. and Music Central

Date: 2010.04.05 | Category: Music Central News | Response: 0

Recently I spent a day learning about the new Ontario Harmonized Sales Tax (H.S.T.) and how it will affect our company and our clients.  Normally spending hours learning about such things wouldn’t necessarily be my cup of tea but I must say that both Revenue Canada and the Ministry of Finance put on a really good event.  I was fortunate enough to have some one on one time with not just one, but two Revenue Canada representatives and asked some very detailed questions specific to Music Central.  Although the new tax is pretty straightforward, there are some details in the initial integration and transition that you should be aware of.

Given that we are a service, the H.S.T. is going to come into play in a big way.  Please note that these details are specific to our company and how we have handled our accounting in the past so therefore may not be an accurate representation of other companies practices.  Here is the breakdown:

1. As of July 1st we will be charging 13% (H.S.T.) on all our services versus the 5% we charge now.  This represents the merging of the P.S.T. and G.S.T. on services that were prior to this exempt from the provincial tax.  Just a reminder to our corporate clients that they will be able to use the entire amount as an input tax credit.

2.  IMPORTANT IF YOU WANT TO AVOID THE NEW INCREASE!  If you have not yet booked for an event being held after July 1st, you must do so BEFORE MAY 1st.  That means that a verbal go ahead must be given prior to that date so that the paperwork can be sent out with an April 30th or before date.  As far as a deposit, it can arrive later but we need confirmation prior to May 1st.

3.  If you have not booked yet, but your event is prior to July 2010 then you only have to pay the G.S.T. (5%).

4.  If you have already booked with us for a date after July 1, 2010 and paperwork has been sent out with just the G.S.T. then you will continue to pay just the G.S.T..  An advantage for booking early!  If you have yet to send your deposit in please do so as soon as possible to make things official.

When I originally heard the Ontario governments plans to implement this harmonization I was concerned.  The Disc Jockey business has and always will have a large ’cottage industry’ componant to it.  There are alot of legitimate single operators who because they may make under the $30,000 in annual business revenue do not have to apply for this.  And there are also alot of not so legitamate people as well (another blog for another time).    I had a very frank discussion regarding this with the Revenue Canada people and they are aware that this may escalate the underground economy even further.  We will counter this by continuing to provide an excellent service and striving to give more than required (the extra 10% as I like to tell the team).  We will continue to explain the advantages of working with a multi-op company.  And, there maybe, for a period of time, an offer, some kind of discount, to soften the blow of the increase.  We are still giving this serious thought and will be sure to let you know by May, though just a heads up, that the advantage will still be to book prior to May 1st.

Hope that clears things up at least as far as our part with the new harmonized tax.  As always feel free to contact us with any questions.

Here are a few links to check out:

Preparing for the HST – What You Need to Know Checklist

cra-arc.gc.ca/harmonization

ontario.ca/taxchange

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/hrmnztn/on/menu-eng.html

Thanks,

Rob

Manager

Questions?
feedback.rev@ontario.ca or call 1 866 ONT-TAXS (1 866 668-8297)

28 years later | Are you still doing that DJ thing?

Date: 2010.03.02 | Category: Blogs by Rob | Response: 0

Funny, but I run into friends from my past who always ask ’so you still doing that DJ thing’. I can’t blame them as I think that one of these days I should get a real job and then I give my head a shake and think this is just too cool a career to ever give up and why would I think that I wasn’t anything but blessed to have developed a skill that allows me to bring people such enjoyment on a weekly basis. And so, I continue happily spinning away… Read the rest of this entry »

Video files: Karen & Johnny

Date: 2010.03.02 | Category: Blogs by Rob, Video files | Response: 0

I had the pleasure of playing at the wedding for Johnny & Karen (of Gala Galore, a London Ontario decorating company). It was an amazing day and a fun wedding, as you’re about to see…