In this installment of our Sarasota Best DJ Tips informative blog, let’s take a few minutes to consider what constitutes a great wedding or special event disc jockey. If you’re looking to book a DJ to provide great wedding or event music, you are probably considering the price, the experience level, the DJ’s music collection, and possibly a few additional factors (professionalism, demeanor, visuals, and more).
While price may be the single largest factor in your decision to book entertainment for your special event or wedding, it is certainly not the only consideration. After all, the old saying about “getting what you pay for” is often true. However, that said, it’s not uncommon to find decent local Sarasota DJs (or disc jockeys in any part of the planet for that matter) who will perform at a reasonable rate for your event. With the digital music revolution of the last couple decades, it has simply become easier to disc jockey than in the past, leading to an influx of at least reasonably competent DJs. While they may not be club performers, or set the world on fire with their creativity, they can certainly cover the music portion of the job.
It’s important to note that simply being able to DJ, and having a good music collection is just a small part of the equation. You’ll want the DJ that you hire to be comfortable handling MC duties, including introducing the wedding party, various announcements during the party, etc. You’ll also want the DJ to have good, reliable equipment, and be professional acting. Spending a little more may help to ensure a better entertainment experience at your party.
Getting an experienced DJ will certainly increase the odds of your party being successful. When considering the DJ’s experience level, it’s not always just about how long they’ve been doing their thing. It’s just as critical to make sure he/she has worked the type of event you’re planning (wedding, corporate party, Mitzvah, etc.). Even an extremely talented DJ who’s used to doing local clubs and festivals could screw up a wedding if they have no idea what happens at a typical reception, or can’t handle the stress-load that frequently accompanies weddings.
Moving on to the topic of a DJ’s music collection, it’s important to note a few things. First of all, don’t be easily wowed by your prospective disc jockey when he or she talks about their music collection. It’s not uncommon to find DJs bragging about having thousands of songs in their library, or even tens of thousands in some instances. What’s more important is the quality of those songs (both in terms of popularity, and perhaps audio quality, too). After all, hypothetically, having a few thousand of the biggest hits ever recorded across multiple genres is more important than a DJ who has a personal collection of 30,000 songs, 29,000 of which are too obscure for anybody to care about at a party. Also, your DJ should be using quality audio files, not low-fidelity junk ripped off from YouTube (yes, it happens…lol).
Hiring a disc jockey who is truly professional acting can be kind of hit or miss, as well. Large agencies should be researched, particularly if they are given the flexibility to send anyone to DJ your event. Talking with your DJ directly on the phone should give you a pretty good sense of where they’re at, with regards to professionalism. There’s really not one indicator of whether your prospective DJ will be great. Reviews are reasonably helpful. However, they can’t always be trusted at face value. Same goes for fancy websites, videos, etc. The technology age provides aspiring DJs with lots of tools, and even some smoke and mirrors, that will certainly try to convince you to hire them. While reviews, videos, etc. certainly help to find a great DJ, nothing beats a good phone conversation.
Lastly, it’s important to consider the visuals. I’m referring to a couple of things here…the appearance of the DJ and his/her rig, as well as lighting, etc. We strive to have a very neat appearance on stage here at David Turner Music, dressing nice, and keeping cables and extra stuff tucked away and out of sight. We typically use a six foot table, covered with a black scrim as the foundation. On top of that, our rig is laid out in a way that is visually appealing and balanced. Our light bar features wash lights, pattern effects, laser effects, and even a strobe. It’s a perfect balance of looking good, without detracting from the focus of the party, which is the bride and groom/client/guests/etc.
Well, that’s probably a great place to leave it for now. If you’re interested in booking David Turner Music for your wedding or special event in Sarasota, FL or anywhere else, give us a call today. We’re always more than happy to discuss entertainment options for your wedding or event. And, don’t forget that we also serve Tampa, Ft. Myers, Naples, Orlando and beyond!! Thanks for tuning in!