Jun 21
  1. Are you insured? Can you supply me with proof of liability?
    Many responsible business owners carry liability insurance to protect their businesses and the consumer. Many locations are beginning to require proof of liability. Ask for proof of liability insurance. Disc Jockey’s receive a Certificate of Liability which can be used as proof.
  2. Will you be willing to play requests and discuss music ahead of time?
    A versatile Disc Jockey is willing to listen to your suggestions, give you feedback and play from your desired song list. A professional Monterey Disc Jockey will also accept the fact you may not want certain songs played. A professional Monterey Disc Jockey cannot know everything about your musical preferences and entertainment needs without communication.
  3. Do you use Professional Equipment?
    Ask whether your prospective Monterey Disc Jockey works with professional audio equipment. If you are not sure, ask for their equipment list and check with a local music dealer or N.A.M.E to verify they are using professional-grade sound gear. Remember that professional gear does not guarantee an entertainer’s talent or service level, but is simply a tool for building an exceptional event.
  4. Do you provide backup equipment at my event?
    Although equipment failure is rare, do you really want your special occasion ruined because your Monterey Disc Jockey did not come prepared? It is also important to know if your Disc Jockey has a back-up plan in case of illness or an accident. Members of N.A.M.E. have many resources available to them in case of an emergency.

    Booking a reliable Monterey Disc Jockey is a very important decision for the success of your party. Selecting a Monterey Disc Jockey who is an active member of the American Disc Jockey Association will provide you with the confidence that you have selected a trained professional. N.A.M.E. members are more likely to be involved with other Monterey Disc Jockey’s who can help them out with an unexpected situation.

  5. Does the Disc Jockey know the proper etiquette for your type of party?
    A professional Disc Jockey will assist you with the planning of your special day. Most professional entertainers will coordinate, emcee and provide the music that you desire. Ask if they have experience with your type of event.
  6. How much time do you allow for set-up?
    Punctuality is a necessity. Most Monterey Disc Jockey’s arrive at least two hour prior to the start time you’ve given them. Your entertainer should be setup and in-place before your first guest walks through the door.
  7. Do you provide a written contract?
    It is extremely important to have your booking confirmed in writing. Ask for a written agreement, especially if you are paying an initial retainer. The standard initial payment for entertainment services is 50%. If you are expecting a specific entertainer, make sure you get it in writing as well.
  8. Will you be suitably dressed for our occasion?
    Specify the type of apparel that your Monterey Disc Jockey is expected to wear for your occasion. Formal attire or coat & tie are the most popular forms of attire. If you are having a “themed” event, make sure your entertainer is informed.
  9. Do you belong to a professional organization or trade group?
    Although belonging to an organization or trade group does not guarantee the talent or professionalism of a disc jockey, it may indicate the company’s willingness to network, learn and grow. Monterey Disc jockeys can learn through local chapter meetings, national DJ conventions and seminars geared toward the entertainment professional.

Other Items to Note
Disc Jockey rates vary based on talent, experience, emcee ability, service, coordination, equipment needed, music knowledge, mixing ability and personality.

Rates for theMonterey DJ industry vary greatly, ranging from $500.00 to over $3,000.00 with an average of $1,200.00 for a 4 hour booking. The best price is not always the best deal, especially if you are planning a Monterey Wedding. As a matter of fact, surveys conclude that nearly 100% of brides would have spent more money on their entertainment and made it their #1 priority in hindsight.

A full-service Monterey disc jockey company will normally invest 12 to 30 hours to your special event but it may appear that you are only paying for “4 hours”. Consultations, music purchasing & editing, preparation, set-up and tear-down, education and other business related endeavors add up to the overall success of your special occasion.

Apr 29

As is often the case in society, some things or ideas become trendy with little thought to practical implementation. A few years ago, it was the idea of a “sponsored wedding” that somehow everyone would want to donate their services to you in the hopes of getting business from others. Sounds like a good idea, but never really took off because all the vendors realized that a sponsored wedding only generated more requests for sponsored weddings, not more business for them. So people that overspent on some items counting on the reception being paid for by others soon were in trouble as their budget was gone and they were still missing major parts of their event program.

Today, the trendy topic is DIY receptions by using an ipod and a rented sound system instead of a professional wedding entertainer, the DJ. This idea is fraught with peril, because a great event is more than simply gear and music. It is the talent that a qualified professional brings to the event that matters most. It is what allows for a smooth flow to the event, with no embarrassing surprises. A Professional DJ from the ADJA provides you with confidence that your event will flow smoothly and will be an event that you, your family and guests will never forget, instead of one they would like to.

Apr 23
wedding music
Your Monterey wedding will be one of the most important aspects of our life; it needs to be a memorable event. It needs to be fun and jovial.  Here are few tips that can help you.

Make the music a cocktail:

Every age group has different tastes and what appeals to the people of your age group may not be the same for the people of another age group. So be sure that your music has the flavor of all music right from rock to soft music, on which people could groove after they are tired.

Consider the choices of your guests:

On a card ask your guests which would be the song that they would like to groove on. This technique will add an excitement in to the guest and you can easily drive them up to the stage. Playing the music on the choice of your audience will ensure a jovial environment in the wedding.

Do not forget the older generation

The old age groups are among the first people to leave the parties so do not forget them and cater to their needs. What you can do is to play a few 40’s and the 50’s songs and then the rest of the songs you can keep it reserved for the younger crowd. Ensure that songs need to be high beat in the initial stage then go in for the light track songs. Avoid playing very soft music songs as they do not drive the people to dance.

Get the dancing started earlier

Initially the floor use to rock only after the cake has been cut but these days people start the dance as early as possible. The entire function has dance and there would be a break only for eating. So in your function start the dance as early as possible so that there are positive vibes in the party throughout. I have seen instances were even before the bride and groom are announced the dancing starts. I would suggest you to go for the announcement of the bride and groom first and then just rock the floor.

Apr 22
wedding music
Taesun Williamson asked:


If you are planning a wedding soon in New York and need live music at the reception you are in luck, because New York is loaded with plenty of great music acts to choose from. You do have to be careful when signing deals with everyone that is going to provide everything for your wedding though, because even a small problem at your wedding can leave you scarred with horrible memories that can last a lifetime.

With regards to your live music it is so important that you get everything right and by taking a few vital steps you will be sure that the party will be great. You will want to have concrete understandings in writing with the band that is going to be playing the gig so prepare a solid contract for them to sign.

To avoid having some drunken tattooed roadies plowing through your food and liquor and pawing women at your reception cover that issue in writing. Also, you will want to get it written into the contract exactly when the band goes on stage and how long they are going to play.

You will want to also get it written in to the contract how many breaks they are going to take and how long they will be. You will see a video tape or DVD of the band playing when you are interviewing their rep and you want to get it written into the contract that all of the musicians in the tape or DVD are the musicians that are going to be playing the gig.

You may also want to review a song list and see if you can make some selections that you would like played if they have an extensive repertoire. The music business is full of flakes so it is always best to hire your band through an agency that has pre screened the music acts that you will be selecting from.



Caffeinated Content
Apr 21
Music has been an integral part of every wedding ceremony since several decades. Originally just the church hymns and other religious music were the only part of wedding celebrations But with the trend of more destination marriages, music has become quite popular. Secular music is being chosen by most of the couples these days for their weddings as it suits their taste and personality. For a perfect religious touch and belief, the religious music is still preferred. A bit of contemporary touch in the wedding music works great for more interest and enjoyment of the guests.

The music plays a vital role in every marriage ceremony and helps the guests to make them comfortable in the environment. In order to avoid the guests getting bored, and shun away the irritating sounds of babbling allover the marriage venue, it becomes your duty and a necessity to entertain your guests with some music.

The wedding processional music is another form of music; it mainly depends upon the size of your wedding party. The music and the songs should be dedicated to the bride on receiving the news of her arrival.

Next is the mid ceremony music. You can either hire some professionals or your friends can participate in this musical service. This is carried out when the candle ceremony takes place or while signing the registry.

Then is the recessional music which mostly engages some upbeat or celebratory music for setting the mood of the guests for a dance. When the guests start bestowing blessings on the couple and begin congratulating both the families, then the atmosphere should be filled with either a soft jazz or some love songs. At this point of time, the couple can perceive a few solitary moments before marching to the reception hall.

The reception carried out at the last is traditionally the time for acknowledging your family members and friends. Music of different styles is usually woven with dance steps at this time. The soft romantic tones with various dance numbers get hold of the mood of the guests during the whole wedding ceremony.

Apr 21
wedding music
Music is something that is a key element in any good wedding. Deciding what type of music you’d like to play is one of the trickier aspects of planning a wedding. Not only do you have to find music that you like, you also have to choose music that the guests would enjoy. Playing nothing but sappy love songs for hours on end will not only bore the guests, but overdo the whole celebration. So, what type of music should be played at a successful wedding? Variety!

Yes, love songs are to be expected, but they should also be limited. Playing ten love songs back to back can get very tiresome. And no one wants to slow dance for ten consecutive songs, except maybe the love birds. But remember, not everyone that is celebrating your wedding with you is in a relationship. A good idea would be to mix things up a bit. If you’d like to play a lot of romance songs, doing them back to back wouldn’t be the best idea. Perhaps playing a love song, and then something different in between would be a better idea. The top most played love songs at weddings include, “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” by Aerosmith, “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston, and “Your Song” by Elton John. These songs tend to sum up quite a lot of emotions that couples may not be able to vocalize themselves. Which is why for the first dance these songs, and songs similar, are ideal, but for other parts of the wedding these songs are best to be avoided.

Parts of a wedding where music is to be expected can be broken down into groups. We start off with the ceremony, where the traditional songs can be played. After that music begins to be more of a challenge as we enter into the celebration. There should be different music for the bride’s dance with her father, the groom’s dance with his mother, the first dance (which was previously touched upon), the garter and bouquet toss, the cutting of the cake, background music for dinner, music for the celebration, and finally music for the last dance.

For the mother dance and the father dance, similar music can actually be used. Both dances are thanking the parents; therefore the music should be thanking the parents as well. Music for the celebration should be a wide variety, since your guests will also be all ages and have very many different music variations that they like. These songs can be anything from an Abba song, to a Justin Timberlake song, or even if you want a song from Queen.

More of a laid back song can be used when cutting the cake or a funny song that plays with the idea such as “Cut The Cake” by Average White Band can be used. And how amusing would it be to have the song “Wild Thing” by Tone Loc plays as the groom strips off the garter. The bouquet toss can take on a different approach. An amusing song such as “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper can play, or a softer song may be selected.

As the celebration comes to an end, a song for the last dance should be played as well. The guests are leaving, and the couple will be beginning a new life together. A song for goodbye to the guests, but hello to a new life would be a perfect song. “Last Dance” by Donna Summer would be a good song for this. But overall just remember to play music that you like, because in the end this is your day, and you’ll remember every piece of it. Remember it with good background music!

Apr 21
wedding music
A wedding is often the most important day in a woman’s life. It is the day you finally say those two little words that mean so much: “I do.”

Of course, every woman wants her special day to be perfect, especially when it comes to the reception. The music at a wedding, both during the ceremony and at the reception, seems to highlight the occasion in a very special way. Throughout history there have been couples that have walked down the aisle to such works as Bach’s “ Sleep May Safely Gaze,” Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” or Mendelssohn’s widely know and historic “Wedding March.”

There is also special music for the end of the ceremony when the newly wedded couple makes their way outside. This will often include Wesley’s “Choral Song” or Windsor’s “Toccata.” The decision is ultimately yours, naturally, and these days there are all kinds of different music to choose from to set the perfect mood for each phase of your special day. The reception, of course, is the key event of the day that provides the setting for the celebration of a new beginning, and where most of the day’s “musical program” will take place.

This is your “day of days,” and you will want to share it with your friends and family. Surrounding you with great food, a loving ambience and some jamming music to both slow dance and groove to, the reception is often considered the best part of a wedding celebration. It is certainly the loudest, liveliest and most entertaining!

Choices and budgets

Many brides-to-be decide that hiring a DJ is the best way to go, while others may prefer a live band. The first rule before hiring any professional DJ or band is to do a little research to ensure that they are reputable and can really perform. Whatever the choice may be, and whomever you decide to hire, you need to decide what the genre of the music will be ahead of time, as this will affect how you make your list of possible performers.

You must consider what type of music you and your groom like the most, but also consider the kind of guests you will have. Make sure that the DJ or band can offer a wide selection of all types of music from different eras, and with all kinds of different tempos. The DJ needs to be provided with a nice, long list of your favorites. That way the fun can keep on rolling well into the night, while the DJ can also meet your guest’s requests. If you want to cover all bases with a live band, you probably should select jazz musicians, who are the most versatile. A rock band will probably not be able to play Cole Porter’s “I Get a Kick Out of You” for your grandparents.

Planning ahead is the best way to budget for the music. The bride’s parents do not fund all the weddings anymore, as they did in days gone by. If need be, set aside some separate savings for all of the things you will need for your reception. DJ’ s and live bands will usually average about $1000 dollars in most medium-sized to major U.S. cities, or more if you’re planning to hire an act with a local, regional or national reputation. If your reception is to be a short one, and your needs more modest, you may save up to 50% on this estimate. Of course, it is always easy to spend more, but don’t do so without getting additional value, such as a recording of the event or an extra set to cap off the evening.

Making the deal

There are hundreds of web sites to visit in order to gather some helpful hints. They can offer insight on DJ services located in your area, tell you what types of music to choose, show you how to “book the gig,” advise you on the cost of the entertainment and, at individual performers’ sites, even display a calendar as to what dates they are available. It is very important to book the entertainment well in advance. That is the only way to guarantee that it will happen in accordance with your plans.

It is every woman’s desire to have a dream wedding. After all of the planning and expense that you will have gone to, it will be nice when things go smoothly. You want your family and friends to shed a tear at the ceremony, but then have a blast at the reception and leave with a smile. The smile you take home yourself just might last you a lifetime.

Apr 20
If you’re about to be married, you, know that the most important part of the wedding is the actual wedding ceremony itself. And one of the most important aspects of the wedding ceremony, besides the exchange of vows, is the music.

“Music has the power to set a mood, evoke emotion, and give moment cohesiveness,” says Nina Calloway of About.com. “Are you a traditional Wagner’s “Here Comes the Bride” and Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” type of couple? Or are you more contemporary, looking for a song that captures your spirit like Norah Jones’s “Come Away with Me”?”

Experts say the most important factor in choosing wedding music for the ceremony, is where you are holding the event. “If your ceremony will not be in a religious setting, you can choose just about any kind of music you like — although you will want to stay within the bounds of good taste!,” according to WedAlert.com. “On the other hand, if your ceremony will be in a church or synagogue, or conducted by a clergy person at another location, you will probably need to stay within guidelines set by the clergy person or the church.”

There are several distinct parts of the wedding ceremony and each merits different kinds of wedding songs. In the prelude, for instance, when guests are gathering in anticipation of the beginning of the ceremony, it is often advisable to have gentle jazz or chamber music, according to elegala.com “The music should not overpower the mood; rather, it should complement the budding excitement,” says the site. On the other hand, the music for the bride’s entrance should reflect the excitement and be dramatic and sweeping. “The traditional selection is Wagner’s Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride), but many brides are not afraid to insert something a little more reflective of their unique personality,” says the site.

You might also choose to have a vocalist singing anywhere from one to four wedding songs during the ceremony, according to WedAlert.com: “Appropriate places in the ceremony for vocal selections, depending on church guidelines, may include: (1) during the seating of the mothers or lighting of candles by the mothers; (2) immediately before the processional; (3) before the vows; (4) during the lighting of the Unity Candle; and (5) during the serving of communion to the congregation, if this is included in the ceremony.”

In order to find just the right songs for the vocalist, you can ask her for her own suggestions and then ask to hear her sing a few selections. “Before deciding whether the songs suggested by your musicians are really what you want, you should go to a store that sells sheet music and songbooks and browse in the wedding section,” advises WedAlert. “Chances are, you may find something that more closely expresses what you want to say than the songs suggested by your musicians.” Further, you might even want to hire a songwriter to pen a custom wedding song just for you.

However you choose your music for that special ceremony, keep in mind that the music is bound to be one of the things your guests remember most. If it’s special to you, it will be special to them, as well.

The Web has all the information you need to select the right wedding songs for your special occasion. Be it instrumental wedding music or wedding love songs for vocalists, you can count on sites like Ez-Tracks.com to provide a full complement of musical alternatives. Saying “I Do” has never been this much fun!

Apr 19
wedding music
Downloading music, searching for music, searching for lyrics, and listening to music online are some of the most popular things to do on the Internet. Every single day hundred of thousands of people go to sites like song meanings, metro lyrics, and azlyrics. Obviously the reason for going to these sites is for finding lyrics to your favorite song but you can do much more. For example, if you just heard a song on the radio that you really like you can go to Google and put in a line from the song, once you put in a line of lyrics, you can find the exact song that you heard. On top of the regular lyrics sites there are also specialty sites such as music from movies, music from TV shows, and other things such as weddings.

There are some really cool wedding lyrics sites online, some of these sites just have lyrics and others have things like top tens, search engines, games and much more. I’ll admit it I love a lot of love songs as well as a lot of wedding songs. But that’s not saying much considering a lot of wedding songs that aren’t traditional, are just regular songs played at weddings. Some of the top sites you can go to right now for wedding songs and lyrics are:

- Popular-Wedding-Songs: These are some of the most popular wedding songs.

- Romantic-Lyrics: Featured artists Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Seasons Of Love.

- TopWeddingSites: this is a great site to go to if your looking for examples of songs as well as to hear samples of songs.

- OurWeddingSongs: Categories like bouquet toss, wedding dinner, introduction, cake cutting, father daughter, first dance, garter toss, last dance, and wedding party are included.

If you’re also looking for more sites that allow you to listen to songs or download free samples you can obviously go to other sites and search for wedding and love songs specifically for your wedding. Simply go to Google and search for sites relevant to wedding song samples. Some examples have been listed below:

- Project-Playlist: This site has a lot of really great music you can search through and find the perfect song for you.

- Myspace: Not to be too cliche but this is a great site to go to if your looking for music. Not only can you find various artists but you can also find pretty much anything your looking for, it doesn’t matter if the song is new or old!

- Wed Alert: Includes categories and subcategories of different wedding songs.

- Todays-Weddings: Check out their song library

Apr 19
wedding music
You will definitely want to work with a contract and if you are dealing with a professional act they will have a contact of their own that they will want you to sign. Go through it and scratch off anything that you don’t like such as their demand for special food or their own room to party in. They may also demand in the contract that you allow a certain number of their friends or “roadies” to come along to party at your event and you really should consider scratching that also.

If they refuse to budge on the contract negotiations then find a new band to work with. You will also want to have a contract of your own that covers exactly what they are going to deliver for the money that you are paying them. Get it in writing exactly what time thay are going to go on stage and exactly what time they are going to play to.

Also, get it in writing how many breaks they are going to take what time the breaks will be at and how long they will last. You will for sure want to see a demo tape or DVD of the band and get it in writing in the contract that all the musicians in the tape or DVR are going to be the musicians playing the gig and remember to keep a copy of the tape or DVD.