Agree Chalky
I'm not really that active at actual soul nites or nighters, I do get an idea from SS on what is getting played and what people are buying
DJ's with attitude and balls were around in abundance in the late 80's early 90's - but from many playlists I've seen on SS , most tend to play really BIG expensive records
Nothing wrong with playing known records, but they don't all need to be worth thousands!!!
The are obvious exceptions on gigs, but on the whole that is what I have seen
Russ - must admit I'd travel and pay money to hear RS play an upfront fresh northern set too - the other guys in your list I'm sure could be tempted to DJ again at the right venue
One for me would be Ady Harley from Halifax (now in Australia) - a man with balls indeed - remember him playing Marvin Gaye "what's going on" in the middle of a pure northern spot when he Dj'd for me at Allanton/Shotts - now that takes BALLS