DJ's Are NOT Created EqualThe DJ is the GLUE that holds your party together!Preliminary InfoThe ENTERTAINMENT IS YOUR PARTY! Turn off the music and the emcee and turn up the house lights and what do you have? No matter how good the food is, no matter how pretty the room looks, the ENTERTAINMENT is the life blood There are different levels of experience and skills in all jobs and professions. In the vendor business for receptions, there are different levels of photographers, caterers, and yes, mobile disc jockeys as well. The most common "Mobile Event" DJ that performs for receptions is what I call the LEVEL 1 and LEVEL 2 DJ's, and because these DJ's put on a bland show at best, and because they book for low fees, they are often hired by consumers who do not understand what they are buying, and many of the guests leave that reception party thinking all DJ's must be "just like this one". That's a MISTAKE I'll try to correct in this article. If you are someone who is concerned about the quality of your party because you know there are some "cheesy" DJ's out there and you have high hopes for your day being fun, classy, eloquent, tasteful, and as close to perfect as it can be, you should find this information helpful because you will be interested in finding a LEVEL 3 or 4 DJ. . If you are someone who is more interested in price, you'll still find this helpful because the LEVEL 1 or LEVEL 2 DJ is the DJ who will meet your criteria. This article covers the MOBILE DJ and mainly his ability to entertain as a wedding reception mobile disc jockey. Real CLUB DJ's do not partake or even show an interest in receptions as they specialize in mixing music for night clubs. Most realize they are not entertainers and focus on mixing for clubs as they have different goals than the mobile DJ entertainer who strives to be great with reception venues.
LEVEL 1 - The NoviceAbout 35% of the novices may tackle receptions
HIS ROOTS: His DJ education as it were, would be elementary. While he may be happy to host your reception party, his level of "class" and lack of proper training and experience prevent him from happily satisfying a client seeking a quality party for their friends and guests. He's never been mentored by a professional. Mostly, he sits behind his booth, and plays his Top40 tracks, making announcements only when he must. Regardless of his size, he appears small in posture because of how he carries himself. He puts little or no planning into his music. He doesn't attempt to bond with the audience. If they dance or don't get involved, fine, whatever. He believes what he's doing is enough and it's all he knows.. He's price is CHEAP, so for folks that want to hire someone for virtually nothing and are NOT concerned with the quality of his performance, OR the quality of their party, he's their guy. He fumbles through the event and plays request without thought, mostly to a bare or dull dance floor. There is no wit, no charm, no professionalism in working the audience, no teasers for the bride and groom, he can't assist with line dances, he doesn't know what a dance mixer even is, and his hip-hop and rap tracks contain foul language. There are many times when nothing but boredom is happening. He likely waits to do something until someone comes up to him for example,and says "we're ready to do the toast". If he's young and a rookie, he may focus on the usual Top40 all night, hip-hop/rap, mostly. He has trouble reading the crowd. He's in over his head. His lack of entertainment skills is obvious. But remember, he's cheap. Understand, he believes he's an entertainer, a professional DJ. Sadly, people live through this and believe this must be what most DJ's are like. I don't think we really need to talk about the expected result of your day, right? Is this the guy for your son or daughter's reception? LEVEL 2 - The Cheesy Reception DJ60% of the reception DJ's will fall into this classification!
HIS ROOTS: He was LEVEL 1 DJ but now he's been doing this for several years so he has evolved into LEVEL 2. Because he's performed a number of receptions now, he considers himself a seasoned professional entertainer. In reality, he does all the WRONG things and he does them well. In other words, he's well experience in being a seasoned LEVEL 1 DJ. His habits have changed very little. He's raised his prices a bit because he now considers himself a main "player" in the market. He lacks the flair of a quality DJ. Many work without an entertainment agreement. This DJ knows his self worth and the value of his services so he typically works cheap. He is sloppy. He may not even wear a suit or nice slacks and shirt. He's more concerned with getting in the buffet line and eating dinner than what he should be focusing on FOR the dinner hour. Real PROs eat before they arrive on location. He may sit down behind his booth and lazily play his music. Real PROs NEVER sit down unless they are disabled, period. That's akin to seeing a security guard in a bank sitting down. You should always present an image of being alert and attentive and in the zone. So if you hire a DJ who is dressed like he's going to Walmart, has a tacky setup presentation, jumps in the buffet line and eats like a goat, and sits on his backside for much of the evening, and if you didn't sign an entertainment agreement and if the DJ isn't insured, and if there is dead air and often confusion about what's next and when, you have probably hired a LEVEL 2 DJ on the cheap. LEVEL 3 - Professional DJ - a rare breedOnly 5% of the mobile DJ's that work reception parties meet this standard of excellence!
Roots of the Professional DJ : Many DJ's are brought up in a franchise and they are mentored by senior DJ's that came help them become PROS. Some belong to DJ associations where the association is a club that holds training seminars for the success of DJ's in entertainment. Some have their own unique methods of learning by studying top DJ's and likewise, witnessing bad ones. If you read my DJ RESUME, you know that for nearly a decade, I was a wedding videographer and I was privileged to see every type of DJ you can imagine in person and again in the editing studio! This was like going to a DJ college! When I did my first reception, I was very confident and it was second nature for me. I had nearly ten years of studying DJ's and also heard what brides, grooms, parents, and guests often thought of those disc jockeys and in all cases, I got to see how people responded to these DJ's.
LEVEL 4 - Dwight Berry!No one else in the area has the leadership skills, the experience, and the training that I brought to Clarksville. Your guests will remember YOUR reception because you chose the best. My reception parties are unique to the Montgomery County area. . Why risk your hard earned money with a poor imitator or novice? You have one chance to do it right! Dwight Berry is ONE STEP UP from a LEVEL 3 DJ.As a consumer, I hope you find this information helpful. If you're more concerned with price than quality, a LEVEL 1 or 2 DJ should get your nod. If you're in search for someone who cares about your reception as much as the bride or her mom, and if you want your guests to have more than just a good time, but one that you and they will remember for years, and if you want to be able to trust your DJ to handle the party flow and entertainment without worry, then the LEVEL3 (or 4) professional DJ is your insurance ticket. Many families realize the importance of such a day and know not to trust it to just anyone. Contact me today! |
of the evening. What shall it be? 
enormous opportunity to observe the best and worst DJ's in an area for many years, akin to going to "DJ school".
