Keynote DJ - FAQ's - Wedding Disc Jockey, Disc Jockeys, DJ's, DJs

FAQ's

What does your light show look like?
What types of events do you do?
How many and what types of songs do you have?
I have some unique songs on a CD. Can you play them?
Do you take requests?
Do you charge for setting up, and how long does it take?
Do you do karaoke?
Do you provide props, prizes, and party favors?
When do you need a deposit and when is the balance due?

What does your light show look like?
Please note it may take several seconds for the videos to load.

At your option, I can include an excellent light show for free. My light shows consist of several "sound-active" lighting effects. That is, the beams of light move with the beat of the music, or "dance", if you will. The videos on the right are samples of my "derby" lighting effects. Various manufacturers come up with their own unique and strange names to label these types of lights, such as Bird Of Prey, Aggressor, Vertigo, etc., but most DJ's who have been around awhile refer to this class of lighting as "derby", dubbed by one of the first manufacturers. I also use a 12" mirror ball (some people call it a "disco" ball) and "moon-flower" effects which are great for slow dances. Brides & Grooms, I know what you may be thinking...No, I don't use anything tacky like police beacons, sirens, strobes, or black lights for weddings. In fact, if you're not sure about multi-colored effects, I can even scale back my light show to only white lighting but still have the sound-active feature.

If elegance is not so much a concern for your event, then at your request, I also have available black lights, strobes, fog machines, and bubble machines. Please note that fog machines can set off fire alarms, and many facilities won't even begin to allow DJ's to use them. Fog creates a wonderful, mystic effect, but if your event is at a major hotel or country club, then I may not be able to use it.

What types of events do you do?

I provide full MC and DJ services for all types of special occasions for all ages (from kids graduating from elementary school to couples celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary). I like to specialize in wedding receptions simply because I find them most fun. Nevertheless, I have performed at birthdays parties, anniversaries, corporate events, school dances, and even parties just for the sake of having a party.

How many and what types of songs do you have?

Currently, I have around 10,000 songs in my collection, and it is forever growing by at least 100 songs per month simply due to new hits arriving on the market. Like many of my competitors, I am a member of RPM (Radio Programming & Management, Inc.) from which I receive regular shipments of all the latest hits. I even get the hits before they start climbing the Billboard charts because RPM bases a song's rank by the number of requests made to radio programmers rather than the number of sales (thus, Billboard is always a little behind). My music collection covers all types of music, and I bring my entire song collection to every event even if I don't intend to play a particular category. Most of my music is listed on my Song List.

I have some unique songs on CD. Can you play them?

Yes. 99% of the time, I can get songs for even the most obscure requests. Nonetheless, if you already have them on a CD, I'll be happy to play them from your disc. For example, I had a client who was from an Irish family, and many of her family members were trained in Irish step dancing ("Riverdance") with specific Irish folk songs. I have a few Irish songs, but that was a case where her CD's were necessary for the exact sound and instrumentation the dancers were looking for.

Do you take requests?

Absolutely. In fact, I not only accept requests, I encourage them. Typically weeks before the event, I initially obtain requests from my clients by asking them to complete an Event Guide located on this web site to give me an idea of what kinds of music they are wanting to hear at the event. While at the event, I usually receive numerous song requests from the guests, such that I don't need to solicit song requests. However, if the list of song requests gets short, then I'll use the microphone to solicit requests. Song requests are not imperative, but often they help me "feel out" the crowd.

Do you charge for setting up, and how long does it normally take?

No, I don't charge for setting up. The time quoted on the contract is the time of my performance. In other words, if you have me booked from 4 PM to 8 PM, then I will be playing for 4 hours. The time to set up is free. I don't know of any DJ's that charge for set-up, but it certainly doesn't hurt to ask and make sure. It usually takes me about 30 minutes to set up my equipment, but I normally arrive about 1 hour early so I'm not rushed and to give myself plenty of time to deal with any unexpected obstacles (stairs, etc.) in setting up.

Do you do karaoke?

I can, if necessary. Although I don't focus on providing karaoke, I'm probably better suited for it than the average DJ because I sing quite well (in fact, I sing at wedding ceremonies if you are looking for a singer). Typically, a karaoke DJ has to "break the ice" by singing a couple songs to get other people involved. I rent karaoke equipment from fellow DJ's who have it, and I patch it into my sound system. I charge $150.00 for karaoke.

Do you provide props and prizes?

Yes. We've teamed up with one of the largest online distributors of party supplies. Just click on the logo to the left to visit our party store. We've got just about everything you could possibly imagine. Get personalized champagne flutes or even beer mugs with your own customized logo! Brides & Grooms, remember to get wedding party gifts to give to your bridesmaids and groomsmen at the rehearsal dinner. When you're leaving for the honeymoon, forget about the bird seed getting under your collar (Believe me, I've been there). Consider going out with a flurry of bubbles by providing your guests with bubbles in little heart-shaped bottles. Capture every candid moment of your wedding reception by providing your guests with disposable cameras. I always make an announcement to the guests to use the disposable cameras when they're provided. If you really want to go crazy, order the Village People hat kits for the "YMCA" or maracas for a conga line!

When do you need a deposit and when is the balance due?

When you are ready to book me for your event, I will need to get a signed contract and a non-refundable deposit from you promptly. Deposits are usually around $200 to $250, depending on the overall total for your event. The purpose of the deposit is to secure the date in which you are interested. Until I have received the deposit, your date will not be secured, and I reserve the right to consider other clients interested in your same date. Normally, I don't have to press pending clients for deposits, only when another customer has shown a sincere interest in booking me for the same time slot of the pending client. In those situations, I try to call the pending clients immediately to let them know that I need their deposit because another customer is ready to book me for their date. With respect to the balance due, the balance is due at the event.