Home   Spalding   News   Article

Subscribe Now

Veteran mobile DJ Tinsel Tim from Sutton Bridge still loves his job after five decades — and revealed his top five party tracks




A veteran mobile DJ who has been spinning records for the last five decades has said he still loves it - even though punters are becoming more demanding.

Tim Daymond, has been a professional DJ known as Tinsel Tim since 1976, began his career with a floor-to-ceiling vinyl collection and turntables.

He's upgraded to stereos, QR codes for requests and livestreamed wedding parties to those who can't make it.

Mr Daymond, 64, said DJing is a 'very hard job' and he is seeing a rise in customers interfering with their work and not taking him seriously.
Mr Daymond, 64, said DJing is a 'very hard job' and he is seeing a rise in customers interfering with their work and not taking him seriously.

But Mr Daymond, 64, from Sutton Bridge said DJing is a 'very hard job' and he is seeing a rise in customers interfering with their work and not taking him seriously.

He said: "We get so much abuse now that we didn't used to in the past.

"People come up and demand 'I want it now' or 'I want it next', they'll come up and mess about with the equipment.

Tinsel Tim has been a DJ since 1976
Tinsel Tim has been a DJ since 1976

"You feel like you have to interact with people coming up to you filming things on their phone while you're playing. They wouldn't like it at their place of work.

"There are also DJs out there who will play at it but not at a professional level. It's a very hard job and people don't realise how much work goes into it.

"You've got to learn seven decades of music, know what's effective that performance and you have to be fluent in ten or fifteen different trades."

Tim's equipment has changed over the years
Tim's equipment has changed over the years

The Mobile Disco Network DJ said he doesn't believe in 'banning' songs or having a 'no-play' list.

He said: "If the audience wants it then it gets played. I like to keep things clean, no swear words especially when people request 'WAP' with little kids knee high running around.

"Last Christmas at a function a group of girls requested 'The Birdie Song' thinking 'he'll never play it' - but I did and I got them out on the dancefloor.

"You might have a technical issues like a loss of signal or electrical problems and other DJs tend to panic and that's when it really goes wrong.

"I like to think: 'Stop and take a step back'. Although I have almost blown myself up once or twice.

"It's all about making it fun. It's not just about the music, it's about caring about the people in front of you."

Tim Daymond, of Sutton Bridge
Tim Daymond, of Sutton Bridge

Mr Daymond has always been a showman and began ballroom dancing from the age of 11.

In the 1970s, the DJ and his friend worked together to start performing 'discos' - complete with a cabaret act.

Mr Daymond, who believes the profession should be taken more seriously, said: "It was the era of John Travolta and Saturday Night Fever.

"The name 'Tinsel' came from five clothes changes in one night.

"I had the most horrendous, out of this world standing ovation once by an entire hall. It was an international business function for my dad's company.

"A big smile came across my dad's face and the managing director of that company came up to him afterwards and said your son has put on the most mind-blowing show tonight.

"My work has always been dedicated to the people I've love and lost, it's not about me.

"Back when I started, you either did a good job or you were out on your ear and never showed your face at the venue again.

"Nowadays, people will drop a customer at the last minute if they get offered a better job.

"In all my years, I've never failed to show up to a gig even with bronchitis and a temperature of 103. My bones are playing snap, crackle and pop."

Tim Daymond, has been a professional DJ known as Tinsel Tim since 1976. He began his career with a floor-to-ceiling vinyl collection used for playing tracks. But as times have changed he's upgraded to QR codes and livestreamed wedding parties to those who can't make it
Tim Daymond, has been a professional DJ known as Tinsel Tim since 1976. He began his career with a floor-to-ceiling vinyl collection used for playing tracks. But as times have changed he's upgraded to QR codes and livestreamed wedding parties to those who can't make it

Mr Daymond has won multiple national and regional awards for his work and recently became the first mobile DJ to achieve Trusted Trader status in Norfolk.

He added: "An all-day wedding can be a 16 to 20 hour day with no breaks.

"I've had to bail out other DJs at 7pm when they've bailed on a wedding and I've got there for the first dance at nine.

"It's a seal of approval and it validates what I do and the standard other DJs should be working at."

Tim's top five most requested tracks:

1. Dancing Queen - Abba

2. Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) - Backstreet Boys

3. Sandstorm - Darude

4. Insomnia - Faithless -

5. We Like to Party - Vengaboys

What do you think? Would those tracks be on your party playlist? Let us know in the comments below…



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More