Martha Stewart’s DJ Blog Post?

I heard about this article from a friend and I seemed it immediately. I was quite surprised that I agreed with most of what she had to say. The only suggestion that I question is, “ The best way to find a disc jockey is…you can also ask your wedding coordinator, caterer, photographer, florist, or banquet manager for referrals.” I disagree with this because I’ve seen too many vendors receiving “kickbacks” for their referrals. For example, a vendor receives a 5-15% finders fee for the referral. Given the opportunity to gain a commission, what vendor wouldn’t recommend a fair or worse, a poor DJ for an extra few bucks? With this temptation, I would question the validity of vendor referrals. Don’t get me wrong, many vendors will recommend good DJ’s, but the temptation might be too great.

Here is Martha’s Post:

Martha Stewart Weddings, Volume 13 2000

Even the most versatile and talented band on earth could never provide the range of songs and performers that a disc jockey can. The best way to find a disc jockey is through referrals from friends who have had a good experience using one; you can also ask your wedding coordinator, caterer, photographer, florist, or banquet manager for referrals.

What to Look For

Since most disc jockeys' music libraries are huge, you will rarely find musical reasons to hire one deejay or service over another. Focus instead on credentials and references. Ask about rates; if they are considerably lower than the industry norm ($500 to $1,000 for a four-hour event), there may be a reason. If they are higher, ask for justification.

Meeting With the Deejay

Never hire a deejay you haven't met in person. This is your opportunity to assess his personality and style. Viewing a videotape of a disc jockey's work can be helpful, but you must bear in mind that what you are viewing has been edited to include only the most flattering material.

Equipment and Backup Plans

A professional disc jockey will bring professional digital equipment, not just an impressive home system. In addition to a dual-CD player to ensure continuous music and a good-quality amplifier and speakers, a disc jockey should be equipped with a wireless microphone for announcements and toasts. Make sure that the deejay has adequate backups because equipment failures, though rare, can occur.

Selecting the Music

When you meet with a disc jockey, he will generally give you a list of his most requested tracks -- often ranging from several hundred to a thousand titles -- from which you can select songs. You should also feel free to add any favorites that may not be included in his library. You can either supply them yourself or ask the deejay to purchase the CDs. At most weddings, requests from guests will be encouraged, unless you direct otherwise. But tell your disc jockey about any songs, or even genres of music, you don't want played (even if requested).

Booking the Deejay

Try to book a deejay at least six months ahead of your wedding day. You should both sign a detailed contract specifying all logistics of the reception: date, location, time (including setup time; one hour prior to the start of the event is the norm), and projected length. Other things the contract should do is stipulate price and overtime charges (with a guarantee that the disc jockey will not leave for another event if you need him to stay beyond the scheduled end of the reception); list the sound equipment the deejay will be using and specify that backup equipment and personnel are available; and indicate that the disc jockey is covered by liability insurance. It could even spell out what the disc jockey is expected to wear.

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/226871/hiring-disc-jockey

Not So Loud!

Headroom is very important when planning your event. Some might ask, “What exactly is Headroom and why should I worry about it?” Head room is the space in the speaker needs with peaks in sounds to still be able to reproduce the sound without distortion. Most wedding planners, brides and grooms understand very little about headroom. You want to be sure your entertainer(s) understand this concept to ensure crisp clean sound for your event. Distorted sound is painful to hear; something you don’t need at your event!

Headroom can be overcome with quality and multiple speakers. First factor is quality! You’ll find inexpensive speakers available at most sound equipment distributors. These distributors always offer an inexpensive brand. These brands often appear to be high quality, but it’s the internals that really make the difference; the speakers, crossovers and amps. The quality (professional) gear will have significant head room and ability to absorb a full range of sound. in expensive speakers are fine, if the sound is kept very low. When the volume is increased, you’ll hear the difference.

The second factor is the number of speakers. How many speakers do you need? That depends on the size of a venue and the number of guest. Think of it like this; you have a small portable iPod speaker. That speaker in a small bedroom is fine. That same speaker in a gymnasium is not fine. I’d also add the number of guest. If you have 10 people in a room, that small iPod speaker would work just fine. If you have a couple dozen friends over, you’ll want to have more power like a home stereo. Move into a gymnasium with a couple hundred people and you won’t hear that sound. This is because sound is absorbed with bodies and furniture. Most weddings have linen on majority of the furniture pieces. This linen will absorb significant amounts of sound. Granted, you could use two large, (1000watt) speakers, but that would deafen the people near the speakers and your guest at the other end of the room would barely hear the music and announcements.

Working with your DJ and entertainers, you can plan for these factors, taking all the considerations into account. You might only need two speakers, but then again, you may need multiple sets. Our policy is to ensure a great event; headroom is one of many factors we have to account for to ensure your event success.

Here’s a video describing headroom.

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Why can't I get a quote?

The most asked commonly asked question by brides to their DJ, band or entertainers. I believe this question is asked most because many brides do not know what questions to ask, prior to booking an entertainer. How many times have you booked a DJ for an event? Most young brides never have booked an entertainer.

We, entertainers, offer a variety of services to meet each clients unique needs. What are those needs? Some of the needs include the number of guest, location, length of event, size of venue, style of music, lighting, setup, design, microphones, table lighting, and much more. As you can see, depending on your needs, this is a difficult question to answer. It would be like calling a car dealer and saying, "I need a car, how much are yours?" Well the cost would depend on a lot of your preferences. If you want a used cheap car, it would not be expensive. If you wanted a high class car, it will cost you significantly more.

Image Source: http://wedding-day-bliss.com/2013/02/15/outdoor-wedding-5-ikea-lanters/

"So why can't you just tell me the cost?"

Again, it depends on what you are looking for with services. In Maine, the average cost starts at $800 for about 5-6 hours. The more hours you add to an event, the cheaper your cost. The less hours, the more you'll pay per hour. Then there are all the options and services you might be expecting when paying, let's say $800. Good DJ's will not give you a price over the phone or in an email without all the details because of this expectation. If you were to pay $800 and expect a full uplighting package and you found out on your wedding day that this only covers the music, you'd be very disappointed and frustarated with your DJ. Good DJ's have learned this lesson the hard way and will not just book on one flat fee.

How can I plan my budget if DJ's won't tell me the cost?

Good question. Below is a table of basic average cost for the State of Maine. These cost projections are only estimates. We will not honor prices posted online.

	Bronze Package	Silver Package	Gold Package	Diamond Package
Style & Look	Shabby Sheik Very Clean & Simple	Clean Look Some Dance Lighting	Adding Uplighting and Monograms	Maximum “WOW” factor
Hours Included:	4	5	6	6
Sound:	Minimal	Adds speakers and subs (125+ people)	4 Speakers up to 2 subs, very loud.	Maximum  Sound with remote speakers and sound processing
Lighting:	NONE	Dance Lights	Uplighting Dance Lighting Moving Heads Monogram Cake Table Pinspot	Uplighting Dance Lighting Moving Heads Monogram Cake Table Pinspot Individual Table Pin Spotting Gobo Breakup Projections.
Package is best for:	Simple and short events.  Family Reunions BBQ Shabby Sheik Budget Wedding	Simple Weddings up to 125 guest. Some “Wow” Factor Low Budget Weddings Small Parties Reunions	Traditional Weddings up to 175 guest. Lot’s of “Wow” Factor All Out Parties Class Reunions Sweet “16” Bat Mitzvah	Totally Astonish your guest. Maximum “Wow” Factor. This is like stepping into a movie. This package provides those amazing photo opts.
Cost:	$600-$700	$800-$1500	$2000-$3000	$3000+

What you'll want to think about prior to contacting your DJ is, "What type of wedding are you looking for? Simple or extremely elegant." Your DJ will help you in figuring the cost. Just remeber, the more the DJ does, the more you can save. DJ's are best at lighting and sound, don't trust a venue.

As you can see, the cost of DJ's is not cheap. Here is a break down of the most basic system:

Basic DJ Equipment Cost

4 Speakers $1,000 each = $4,000

Subwoofer = $750

Microphone Wireless = $450

Mixer = $800

Mixer Case = $200

Power Conditioner = $200

EQ or Maximizer = $300

Tripods = $75 each $400

Table = $50

Table Cover = $25

Cables (stereo) = $300

Total for the most basic system: $7,450

What’s not included: Music = $$$$$, Insurance, Advertising $$$ and more. As you can see even with the most basic system, you're looking at a $10,000 investment! When you rent any tool or equipment, you usually pay 10% of the cost of the product. We have yeat to factor the cost of labor. Yes, we DJ's still need to get paid; it's why we're DJing in the first place.

Hopefully this makes more sense as to why cost begin around $800. If you wanted an uplighting package with monograms and custom programmed lighting, your DJ will most likely be bringing $30,000+ of gear. The cost of $2,000 for the equipment, labor and advertising doesn't seem too bad, does it? When you talk to your DJ, think about what you want and what you need; cost is based on equipment and labor. 

New Year's Eve 2012-13

I'd like to thank Michelle Haskel for a great event on New Years Eve. The Mariner's Church was rocking and decked out for a big welcoming of 2013. This event included dance lights, moving head lights, and basic uplights. At the stroke of midnight we had a balloon drop and confetti cannons shooting confetti 25' in the air. Thank you for a great night. Here's a link to images and video. 

Getting a simple quote! Did you know?

Why can't I get a simple quote?

"Why can't I get a quick quote?" is by far the most asked question by potential clients. As DJ's we hear this all the time and are often caught between a rock and a hard place. We want to be able to offer the best service as a low cost, but often what clients seek is much more than a "Basic Package Price." Our future clients are expecting much more than speakers. As a result, we become educators of sound, light and service.

What clients often don't understand is the complexity of variables in making a quote. Granted we all want to offer something at a discount or free, but even with incentives, we still have to make a profit. Often my clients are amazed at the number of variables involved with quoting an event. The basic variables are of course sound and lighting. Many never factor for layout, time, travel, expenses, location and most importantly, the date. Why do these factors matter?

The sound variable is the most critical factor. Many people don't understand venue sound and how it affects the volume and clarity of music. As you add people to a venue, each body absorbs sound. I explain this with a bucket of water. If fill a buck of water and drop in a couple sponges and they float around, it's the same as a room with an adequate sound system. If I keep adding sponges (people to a room) eventually, I'll run out of water and not all the sponges will be equally wet. Just like sound, if you over fill a room or under drive the sound, you're left with some who hear the music and some who don't. Similar to sound is lighting.

Have you ever seen an event with one light? What happens when a guest walks in front? Ever try cooking in a kitchen with just one over head lamp? That's right, the number of people and type of lighting greatly affect the room. Sure, plain white light is crisp and clean, but it doesn't announce "Party." What is the really point of a reception? You want to have people dancing and laughing. This said, the placement of the lights chosen is also critical. 

The placement of lights with a well though out layout also affects the cost of an event. If you need to run speaker or lights to multiple locations or even rooms, then the time and expenses will increase. Careful layout will help to maximize lighting and sound, with keeping cost down. If specific layouts are needed, then it takes time to calculate, setup and add for the changes.

We DJ's enjoy what we do. I've personally DJ'd some events that were booked at 3 hours and I work 3 hours and 30 minutes. But, I've also DJ'd events with a contract of 3  hours and the event resulted in 12 plus hours. (Hard lesson learned) Our time to complete our job defiantly affects the quote. I remember a client who asked for 3 hours of service and was more than willing to pay the going rate. But, she wanted me to set up at 9:00 AM and be gone (leaving my equipment) until noon time and then begin spinning at 1:00 pm! Again, I don't mind donating some time, but waiting 4 hours is not reasonable for anyone! Personally, I charge less per hour for waiting or breaking the play time up. I'm not driving around and wasting gas, so I charge a different rate for waiting than traveling.

The cost of gas today affects every business. Gone are the days where DJ's will travel hundreds of miles at no cost for a client. Trucks, to haul the gear, not good on gas. Driving a hundred miles could cost a DJ $60 plus dollars for the trip. No charge for excessive travel could gobble up the funds. 

Traveling also can result in other expenses, tolls, food, lodging. Often these expenses are never considered when calculating an event. If I DJ past 11 PM and I'm more than one hour from my home, I require lodging. Driving a truck after working 6-12 hours at 1 in the morning is just plain dangerous. Local jobs are always preferred when they're accessible. 

 The clients location greatly affects the cost. I took on a client at a school on a local island to help some kids have a fun dance. The kids had a great time and the 3 hours of work was fun. The location was not fun. First, I had to drive across town and park in a garage. I then asked to roll all my gear to a loading dock, load it on a boat, ride to the island, unload the boat, load into another truck and then into the building. The best part was the return trip in the rain. Needless-to-say, that 3 hour job became close to 10 hours and it was only 10 miles from my home. Location also impacts access to the load in time. If your event location is on the top floor of a hotel or down a long winding unpaved path, this all takes more time.

Finally the day a client chooses for his or her event will drastically impact the cost through supply and demand. Obviously, many people want a DJ during the holidays or New Year's Eve. Looking at the date alone is not enough. We also have to look at events occurring during that time. There are many times when my services were requested during events such as festivals or fairs. The previously mentioned variables and date, add up to cost.

So why can't I just throw out a quote? In order for DJ's to make a living, we have to account for all these factors. Tell us the specific details of your plan through a free consultation and we'll give you the most accurate and reasonable quote we can.

iPhone App for Wedding Music Selections

During the consultations in planning a wedding many of my clients ask for suggestions for music. Believe me, I know the difficulty in just thinking of "That Great Song" with little notice. Add the stress of planning a wedding and all of a sudden, you can't remember any songs that you want played at your event. Now, my friends at DJ Intelligence (a disc jockey software company), has created an application to help you with this.

"Fun Wedding" is an application designed to show you the most requested songs for various types of dances. You can search the "Tops" list, decades tops, specialty dance tops, make favorites, email them to your DJ and even find a DJ. You don't have to worry about the latter, you're already here!

As an experienced DJ, I can contest that this applications Top or Most Requested list are quite accurate. Granted, its almost impossible for one company to create the "Perfect" list since you're competing with reqest from around the country, from different generations and cultures. But, knowing these list are a mix and every song listed shouldn't necessarily be played at your event is valuble information. If you see AC/DC, DMX, or Wagner on one list, don't worry they won't be and shouldn't be played in seccession.

On the the Parts of the the program:

TOP 200

The Top 200 is a vast list that calculates the top 200 played songs. As previously mentioned, there is an eclectic mix of music here. This is a great place to start looking for a mixtue of rock, dance, rap, classics in one location. As you can see, "I Gotta Feeling" has a Gold Star. This is a way to favorite songs you like as you move through the various songs. More about this latter.

Decades List

Next up is the "Decades List." This list is helpful for narrowing down your search of a particular decade. It ranges from the 1950's to today. I'm starting to use this application with guest at weddings and dances. I turn it on my iPad and visit tables introducing myself. When guest say, "Play something from the 60's" I can show them this list and I can quickly compile a list of songs by marking them as favorites. Then when I go back to the DJ table, I can load them into the request list. I'm finding more guest are interested in picking a song from a list, rather than trying to recall a song.

Specialty Dances

Now we have the Top 50 Songs for each Specialty Dance for weddings. This tool is great to allow a couple to sit down and review songs without being at at computer. If you're at a coffee shop or out to dinner, you can review these songs. You can also favorite multiple songs because some songs you just want to hear at some point during the event.

FAVORITES

Now we get to the good part. As I mentioned earlier, as you move through the various list, you can favorite songs that you want to hear. From this point, you can email those songs directly to your DJ! That address would be DJ@MRKE.biz

Emailing Favorites

YOU CAN ADD YOUR WEDDING DATE

Finally, you can even find a DJ if you need one through the program. But remember, the DJ you're looking for is DJ Michael at www.mrke.biz! If he can't perform at your event, he'll help you find a DJ who can meet your needs and be availble for your date. 

Find a DJ

What don't I like about the application? Prelistening to songs can be a little clumbsy. 

I'd like to see a song, genre, and advance search.

Add DJ Reviews to the "Find A DJ"

Since this is part of a DJ Software Company, I'd like to see direct integration to your request list. At this time, you have to email yourself the list and then go to your DJ's online request list and type them in. 

Add a "Client Log-in" for users to access their time lines, guest list and such.

All and all, I'll give this 3.5 Stars out of 4. Add the above and I'll raise my rating. I will say it's a nice application to have at $.99 Given the low cost, I'd suggest, if you need help finding songs, to purchase this application. If you're a DJ with DJ Intelligence, then absolutely purchase it for your event and consultations. You can find the application here: Fun Wedding

To Cancel School Dances or Not?

This blog post is written with teachers, administration and staff of schools in mind. 

As we think back about dances and schools, we can all remember a time where teachers were not happy about attending a dance as a chaperone. Personally, I don't blame you! This is boring job. But, when we think of the alternative options, the options become increasing scary! Imagine kids in a basement or worse a night club that allows students in after hours. I've seen and even worked in clubs that did this. I can contest, it's a truly dangerous situation for any minor. Drunk people dancing with minors is never a good solution for entertainment. To get back to the reminiscing, we had options that allowed kids to dance and have fun in a safe environment. What do the kids have now? Those places are now littered with drug dealers and perverts looking to prey upon a young teen.

So, going back to not wanting to hold dances, the reality is we need too. Hosting a dance provides a safe place for kids to let loose and have fun. We (as adults) do this all the time; ever been to a wedding? What is the best part? Dancing? Yes, dancing is a natural part of our expression and it gets kids moving! This brings us to the dreaded grind.

Why do kids grind up on each other? Well, the dance technique (yes it is a dance technique) was adopted from Latin Dance into Hip Hop; like many dance moves are. Since Hip Hop durived in the underground movement of the inner-city club districts. These clubs were often crowded, dark and loud with bass. So, dancing with a partner, you had to be close. Giving that and the beverages, you can see how this would become successful. 

Now, Hip Hop has become Mainstream Music. That previously night club music has exploded and your students are addicted to it. I'm not suggesting changing their musical taste, only being aware of it. When the kids come to a dance, you can bet they want to hear Hip Hop and Dance Music. Being aware of you environment and music selection can help with calming the grinding. 

Kids are dancing this way for a few reasons, 1) It's normalized. Kids see it as appropriate dance for their age group. This turns into peer pressure that forces kids to dance this way. 2) They see it on T.V. Watch 10 minutes of MTV or BET and you'll see grinding. College kids, stage dancers and the like all do it. 3) It's easy to do! Duhh! It's true. Grinding takes no skill at all. In fact, I think some kids do it to hide fact they can't dance. 4) How many school dances are lighted properly? That's right, most schools choose not to have adequate lighting and the result is a nice dark dance floor. 5) Kids love bass. Any DJ will tell you at school dance every other student will ask you to turn it up, in other words, "Pump up the Bass!" Do you see the pattern yet?

When you talk to kids they'll tell you that it doesn't hurt anyone. This isn't true. If you ask the same kid, "Would you dance this way at a wedding or with your parents here?" They'll say "no!" So, that opens the door for all of us. Kids identify that the behavior is not appropriate and they can see the difference. Now we have something to work with. 

There are many ways to get kids to dance appropriately. The Venue, music, lighting, theme, music, and BPM's (Beats Per Minute) are just a few. Book Now with DJ Michael and allow him to help you create a fun safe dance for all your students. 

Don't send out kids to the basements or after hour clubs to dance and have a good time, when you can create a better atmosphere at your school while making money for a club or good cause. Don't get discouraged. Seek out support from DJ Michael. DJ Michael is a State of Maine Certified Teacher who works in the puplic education sector. He understands these complexities and can help you create a safe and fun atmosphere.