Will I get to meet the actual DJ that will DJ at my event before the event?
Yes, I personally meet with everyone I work with/for. We’ll meet with you as many times as you would reasonably like. Typically 1-2 times is essentially satisfactory. In the event you are booking a multiple event on the day I am booked, you will meet with the DJ associate whom will be working with you to assure you are happy and satisfied to their abilities and qualifications prior to the night of the event.
Does the DJ have a plan and a complete understanding of the event/wedding process?
Yes, we are triple trained wedding and event planners as well as experienced master of ceremonies and a wedding officiate to you as yet another option. We thoroughly discuss the flow of the event and the options you may consider to entertain all in attendance. We have both written and online documentation that we use to assist with the planning and will make recommendations to you about the timeline of events. A log In ID and password is assigned to you to plan your event, create a rough timeline, and a music database to select your music. You assist in selecting the music YOU want hear by selecting three categories of music: Must Play, Play if Possible, and Do Not Play lists. We customize each event whether wedding ceremony or receptions for our clients.
Do you have a professionally written contract and agreement for services?
Yes, reviewed by many clients including an attorney, so we are obligated to show up and the client understands their expectations as well as our stated deliverables, contract price, play times, and other important details.
Do you carry general liability insurance (so you are not liable if anything goes wrong)?
Yes, through RV Nuccio, and issued through Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. We are responsible for our actions and always seek to safely and effectively set up, perform, break down, and load out without any damage or incident whatsoever to any facility or guest attending any event we perform at.
Do you have Backup equipment on site (in case any equipment fails-what is their plan)?
Yes. We have both backup equipment as well as complete systems typically very close by if not with us. We arrive two to three hours early to set up, test, and feel confident that we have no performance equipment issues.
How many weddings or events do you DJ per month or per year?
Generally about 2-4 weddings per month although we have performed as many as 45 events per year.
If for some reason you are sick or an emergency occurs do you have other DJ that could cover for you?
While we have never missed a paid performance and contract, the short answer is….Yes my roommate is a seasoned DJ professional AND I have 4-5 wedding DJ associates that work with me and have hands on experience with my clients . In addition, we know many other DJs through our industry contacts that we could contact to cover us in an emergency situation.
Where do you buy and obtain your music?
We buy national radio distribution licensed music used for promotional play. Promo Only, RPM, Prime Cuts, Amazon.com, Best Buy, local used CD store, ERG, and TM Century.
How up to date is your music collection?
When the radio has the song and artist, we have the song and artist. We subscribe to various top 40 promotional DJ music services often the same used on the radio. Annually, a significant investment is made on music alone.
What do you do to keep up to date on your music library?
We keep up with Billboard charts, listen to XM Sirius satellite radio, speak with my clients for their preferred playlists and consult music services for DJs.
Will you visit the location of my wedding reception before the wedding day?
Yes, we will often visit the venue with the bride so we can discuss any lighting, set up and entry to the venue, more especially if we have never performed there.
Is it just you that shows up or do you have another person there like an assistant?
We attempt to always bring a DJ assistant to venue to help with the set up and breakdown of the equipment. There may be occasions when we do not have an assistant but we want that to be the exception, not the rule
When do we show up? Do they show up 2 hours before the event?
Yes, we do. If we are performing for both the Ceremony and the Reception of a wedding as well, we frequently and routinely show up 2.5 or 3 hours before the Ceremony, should the facility allow us in that early.
How many times will the DJ meet with you before the wedding?
We will meet a client as many times as they would like to meet to discuss the music, announcements, and other events. We are always accessible via email, cell telephone, text, and face to face meetings as may be reasonably required and necessary.
Are you/they members of any professional organizations like the national DJ association (ADJA) or International Special Events Society (ISES), Meeting Professionals Inc (MPI), or NACE?
We are currently life time members of the Association of Wedding Professionals (AWP) after serving as the President for two years. I am currently the Past President and serve on the ethics Board of Directors. We use to actively belong to and attend the DFW American Disc Jockey Association and served on the DFWADJA board of directors for many years before it disbanded.
How much time to you invest in the event/wedding (meeting, building playlists of music, showing up early, performing, breaking down, loading in and out, etc.)?
Typically we meet with a bride/groom 2-3 times, visit the site before the event, attend the rehearsal if contracted to do so, show up at least 2 hours, 3 or more when possible, before the event, etc. We often spend 15-60 plus hours on an event or wedding prior to arrival depending upon the size and requirements of our clients.
Are there any additional or hidden costs with your pricing?
No, we provide a sheet of all pricing elements including flat rate pricing and our time covers the evening/event (within reason) and your contracted hours of service. Any and all upgrades are presented as priced add on’s such as a ceremony system, a custom photo montage, a personalized GOBO and lighting system rental, etc, etc. We evaluate up front the equipment requirements at quote and contract you in advance. We’ll stay at an event for overtime if needed at a pre-quoted contractual amount up front provided at time of contracting, you authorize. Often times, our competition quotes a lower price to get in the door and then they anticipate up-selling you on additional time or charging for microphones, additional speakers, or charge you for things that should be included (speakers, microphones, requests, etc). We sell you on what you need at the very beginning and outline our scope of work on a formal written contract. Some DJs even charge more money for requests which we feel is completely unacceptable.
Is your pricing an all-inclusive price or do you charge for overtime?
Within reason we are pretty much flexible as long as you are not taking advantage of our generosity. We have families waiting at home just like you do. We have an overtime rate clause that is used when necessary and at our discretion. Our price is typically all inclusive for a set period of time and hours which includes a primary system, backup system or key components, up to 4 speakers if contracted as such, up to 2 or 3 microphones (wireless lapel, wireless handheld, and a corded microphone if there are ceremony requirements included .
If you have wireless microphones how old are they and are they on the 700Mhz frequency?
Yes, we have wireless microphones that are within current recommendations for professional performers as well as back up wired microphones. We use Electro Voice and Shure 58’s as our standard microphones and have other brands such as Seinheiser. We don’t use microphones in the 700 MHz frequency. Along with the change from analog television to digital (HD) TV the FCC reallocated the 700 MHz frequency to city police and fire. If someone is using a microphone that is over a year old they could be in violation of FCC laws. In addition, you could get some random interference or pick up conversations on city fire and police radios during your event. Not something you would want to hear during a speech, toast, wedding ceremony, etc.
What type of speakers and equipment do you use?
We use what professional sound equipment sound engineers have recommended to us. The sound engineers that I know recommend Bose, Mackie, Yamaha, and JBL speaker and subwoofer systems primarily. I use the same speakers for my mobile business as I use in the studio and in my own home personal requirements.
Do you use a professional DJ mixer? If so, what kind?
Yes, I use a variety of professional mixers including the high end Pioneer DJM-800. Most Mobile DJs don’t even use a mixer and use an iPod or cell phone sometimes a computer only. If they are actually using a mixer, it is unlikely they are using a DJM-800 for their mobile business. It is a very good and is cost prohibitive to most DJs.
How long have you been DJing?
Since 1977or about 35 years.
What is your DJ background?
Since the age of 5 I was always listening to music and spending my lunch money at the record store buying albums. In high school I played the Bass Guitar and played in the Jazz Band. My mother once asked me, why I was spending all of my money on albums and music. I truthfully responded that I was spending the equivalent of what my friends were spending each week on cigarettes and alcohol. She never questioned my album buying again.
Officially, I started DJ’ing in skating rinks after performing for youth groups in my church and local community. While I never obtained my FCC broadcasting license or worked at a radio station, I had a true passion for music and performing for groups of people. Although, I worked a professional job in telecommunications, I worked in record stores at night and sold car stereo equipment on the weekends. I volunteered for any church work involving sound or lighting or recordings. I worked as a relief DJ at some of the Dallas country bars and performed for local dance groups hosting their fund raisers, holiday dances, school dances, and any other venue I could obtain work in. Around the late I rented a building and started a local dance and event revenue called Expressions. It was a little over a year old when my professional work took me out of Sate for employment. It remains a great memory of many fun times. In 2002, I founded Pinnacle Elite Entertainment, bought out a competitor and obtained his company name of Music Man Entertainment which I have as an outstanding DBA. I attended two local wedding planning training the first being Dallas Wedding Planner and then the AACWP class course scoring 398 out of 400 possible points and then mail order classes of the American Association of Wedding Planners to better my skills. Later I purchased the brand name A Princess For A Day Weddings and Events for my own use. I do not actively market nor compete against any wedding planner and use my wedding and event company and credentials for very low end clients who cannot afford services which I typically donate free of charge. I became an ordained clergy to perform personalized wedding services for my clients meeting their expectations whether religious, semi religious, or a civil ceremony with family and friends.
Do you beat match or beat mix (when playing top 40, club, or hip hop)?
No. I am not a club DJ and therefore play for an older more mature audience and not rave type parties. If this is what you are looking for, I am happy to refer you to DJ’s who beat mix. I am a wedding professional DJ more appropriately described as a Master of C. I am a wedding professional DJ more appropriately described as a Master of Ceremonies.
Is beat matching important?
It is a personal preference to younger people primarily. I have never been refused a contract on not being able to beat mix. Weddings are normally the same with family and friends whereas a Club type environment is neither the goal nor focus of the evening.