Being Prepared. The Boy Scouts know what's up!

What separates a solid DJ from a great DJ? Preparation and execution. This worksheet will focus on all of the commonly used techniques a great DJ will use to be
completely prepared for their performance.

The following are the “behind the scenes” responsibilities you should take note of.

• Call your client EARLY! 2 weeks or more out and discuss date, time, location, music selections (first dance, parent dances, intro or cake cutting music etc.), party dances, special
  requests and announcements and what your approach to the event should be
  (lively, less-interactive, somewhere in between).

• Create a burned CD of all of the most important selections (intro, first dance, parent dances, bridal party dance, cake, garter bouquet and special
  dedications). By creating this one disc with all special dances in the order
  will make it easier to manage the music and eliminate miscues (playing the wrong
  song) and fumbling for the song.

• Before the event date, check your collection to make sure you have the songs you need. Check to make sure the CD is in the sleeve. Pull it out to make sure
  it's not cracked (last weekend a DJ pulled out the first dance and the CD had a
  crack across it).

• Leave plenty of drive time. Arrive 1 hour to 1 ½ hours before the start time. Take your time unloading and setting up. Rushing through a load in and set-up can
  cause your performance to suffer. Before you leave the car, check your contract
  and refresh yourself with the names of the bride and groom. Be prepared if you
  happen to bump into them or family members. Also a plus to show the banquet
  manager you are familiar with who you are performing for.

• Greet the Banquet Manager to quickly go over place to set-up and time line of events. You must have a Pros T-shirt on and look professional.

• Test your sound and microphone before guests arrive. Check your sound in front of the speakers. You sound should be bass-y and muffled behind your equipment. Don't
  adjust from there. Evaluate the sound from the dance floor. Check your wireless
  microphone. Walk out to the dance floor. Change the battery if the light is
  dimming.

• Organize your music. Lay it out on your table in the order it will be played.

• Take a business card, turn it over and write the bride and groom's names on it and place it on your mixer in plain view to refer to during the evening. Refer to
  the “bride and groom” by using their names, “John and Mary.”

• Meet with the bride and groom about 20 minutes before show time to go over names and order. Also confirm whether parent dances will follow first dance or will be
  after the cake cutting (most will opt to do them together at the beginning).
  Rewrite the names phonetically if they are difficult to pronounce.

• Go back to your equipment and recheck your cued music to make sure it is ready. Practice names over and over as you wait.

• Return to the bridal party and assist the banquet manager in the “line up”. Go over names with each couple one last time and they are getting lined up. Return to
  your equipment and wait for the sign from the banquet manager.

• Hit Your Introduction...and off you go!

Thought for the Month
"The one thing worse than a quitter is the one who is afraid to
begin."



~unknown

Holiday mixers and contests - Lottery Ticket Giveaway

Buy a couple of Holiday themed scratch lottery tickets, place a business card on each chair and put a number on the back of each business card. During dinner ask everyone to check their card, if they have the one with the number you call on it they could win up to (whatever the top prize is on the ticket you bought). Ask the winner to come forward. Have them scratch off the card while you wait, and emcee it. If they.... win GREAT! If not tell everyone to hold on to their card because there is going to be another drawing later. If you have another drawing that's fine, if you don't then your card is in their pocket.

Try this for any party or occasion.

Holiday mixers and contests - Santa Clause Line Dances

Have the boss or leader of the group start the dance off by wearing a Santa hat and strutting down Santa Clause lane. Use Elvis Prestley's version of "Here comes Santa Clause" for the dance.

Try the electric slide or your favorite line dance to Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helmes just do the dance a bit slower or speed up the pitch of the song.

Rudolph Locomotion: Ask the crowd to choose their leader. Then dress the leader up in antlers and a red nose. Ask RUDOLPH to choose his 8 tiny reindeer. After selecting them, set them up in a standard locomotion or choo choo train line. Send them into the crowd. Run run Rudolph is a Great song to use.

Holiday mixers and contests - 12 Days of Christmas!

The 12 Days of Christmas

Ask the members of the committee to assist you in selecting 12 people to
assist you in this activity (or pick them yourself). After they have
been selected ask them to stand in a straight line facing the audience.
Inform the crowd that these people are the (insert their company name
here) Holiday Choir. Assign each of them an appropriate "day" of
Christmas. Ask the crowd to join you in singing the chorous to the 12
days of Christmas, then go to each of the people and ask them to sing
their day of Christmas. Going immediately to the next number down until
you reach "a partridge in a pear tree". Then immediately go to the
chorus again, then on to day two, and so on and so on. Make sure to
choose someone appropriate for the fifth day of Christmas (Five Golden
Rings). Don't allow people to just say their parts. Encourage them to
improvise, sing it loud! The most fun with this activity is the screw
ups, that will inadvertently happen.



Just in case you forgot, here they are:



The Twelve Days of Christmas



A partridge in a pear tree

2 Turtle doves

3 French hens

4 Calling birds

5 Golden rings

6 Geese a laying

7 Swans a swimming

8 Maids a milking

9 Pipers Piping

10 Ladies Dancing

11 Lords a leaping

12 Drummers Drumming

Are You A Good DJ or a Lazy DJ?

Let's focus on the little things that separate the Good DJs from the Lazy DJs. Some of you will read this column and say to yourself,“I've been doing it my way for years and it works fine, I'm not going to change” and to you I say “That's a shame”. None of us are ever so great that we cannot improve.

Now we are going to tackle one of the many problems in making a good first impression at your party – Introductions. In the course of handling complaint calls from our clients, I've come to notice that one of the biggest problems DJs have with the introductions is the fact that they don't take charge of the situation. When do you start to take charge of the situation? During the phone call. While you are talking to the bride on the phone, it is imperative that you get the order of the bridal party and the correct pronunciations of their names. It is too hectic the day of the event to get all of this information correct and maintain an impression of professionalism. In addition, before you line up the bridal party you should be practicing the pronunciations of their names. This way when you do line them up and you rattle off the correct pronunciation of their names, they will be impressed. (GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION). There have been countless times where I have nailed the pronunciation of somebody's difficult last name during the line up and they turn to me and go “damn you're good”. (Yep that's right pencil neck, now listen up bridal party, I'm the man and I'm in charge)

Do not allow the catering staff to take your intro sheet and run off into the hallway to line the bridal party up unaccompanied (Go with them). If you don't go with them and there are changes or problems, you are going to be informed of them second hand and that is where the problems can occur. Take the initiative and line up the bridal party yourself, even if the staff offers to do so. However, if the staff insists on doing it themselves, go with them and be cooperative. As the staff lines them up, follow up behind and confirm the names yourself. Be a good DJ, not a lazy DJ.

The purpose of lining up the bridal party is multi functional. 1. Make sure you have the correct order for the introductions. 2. Confirm the pronunciations of names. 3 Evaluate the Child Factor (are they coming in, are they sleeping, are they coming in with Mom and Dad, are they screaming, are they being a pain, are they shy, etc). You need to be aware. 4. A last minute confirmation of the days events with the Bride and Groom. (First Dance, Toast, Grace, etc.) 5 Lastly, it allows you to get a feel for the Bride & Groom, the Parents and the Bridal Party and pump them up for the big day.

Leave nothing to chance when you walk out to the CENTER of the dance floor to do your introductions. If you do, then you leave open the possibility to make a mistake, look confused and make a bad first impression. You are the ring leader, this is your moment, be confident, be poised and be prepared. Be a good DJ, not a lazy DJ.

What NOT To say to or ask a DJ

CHECK BELOW FOR YOUR REQUEST



1. PLAY SOMETHING GOOD...SOMETHING WE CAN DANCE TO!

The D.J. has to play for more than one person...so, what you may hate
may be another's favorite song and EVERYTHING played here can be danced
to one way or another.



2. WOULD YOU PLAY SOMETHING WITH A BEAT?

BE SERIOUS! We know of NO songs played in a club that don't have some sort of a beat!



3. I DON'T KNOW WHO SINGS IT AND I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF THE SONG, BUT IT GOES LIKE THIS...

Please don't sing for the D.J.! They have to put up with smoke-filled
rooms and dangerous decibel levels all night. Do them a favor and DON'T
give them a rendition of your favorite song!



4. EVERYBODY WANTS TO HEAR IT!

Oh sure, you polled EVERYONE in the club and, as their spokesperson, you are requesting the song.



5. I CAN GET LAID IF YOU PLAY IT!

If you are GOOD ENOUGH, you can get laid to anything!! (also been known as "buy the album and get laid for a month!")



6. I WANT TO HEAR IT NEXT!

The only people who can get away with that statement write the D.J.'s paycheck or tip him $50!



7. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANNA HEAR...WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

It's a lot easier for you to go have another beer and figure out what
you want to hear than it is for the D.J. to recite the name of EVERY
record in the booth!



8. HEY YO, NOBODY CAN DANCE TO THIS!

It is not advisable to say this when the dance floor is packed (but,
some people do anyway)! However, even if there is only ONE person on the
floor, it STILL contradicts the statement.



9. EVERYBODY WILL DANCE TO IT IF YOU PLAY IT!

The D.J. won't...I guess that blows a hole in that theory!



SOME ASSORTED THINGS NOT TO SAY

If you ask for a song and the D.J. says he just played it, DON'T SAY,
"Well, I just got here." It makes absolutely no difference. DON'T SAY,
"Is this the only kind of music you play?" If you go to a Chinese
restaurant, you wouldn't ask for Italian food. Rock clubs play rock,
alternative clubs play alternative, discos play disco, etc., etc.,
etc... If you ask for a song, BE SPECIFIC. DON'T SAY, "I wanna hear
something, anything but this!" Try going to the bar and saying, "I wanna
drink something, anything but this..." You can't complain if you're not
SPECIFIC. HOWEVER, if you ARE specific and the D.J. says he doesn't
have the song, DON'T SAY, "What?!! What do you mean you don't have it?
What kind of D.J. are you? Why don't you get into the wonderful world of
fast food! You obviously don't know what you're doing as a D.J.!"...

HE MAY SHOOT YOU!!!

Special Note

A nightclub D.J. gets very little respect. They are expected to play
everything for everybody. It is impossible to satisfy all to the people
all of the time, yet club jocks are expected to do just that. If a radio
jock tells his listeners a song is a hit, the majority of the people
think it must be "because they said so on the radio." However, 80f the
time, that same song was being played in a club long before the radio
DISCOVERED the NEW song. So, give the D.J. a break! The next time you
request a song, stop and

THINK before you speak.

And above all, if the DJ has one hand on the mixer, one hand on a TURNTABLE - wearing headphones,

DON'T BUG HIM OR HER!!! "

OTHER Things not to say to a DJ

when asking him for a song....

1) When are you going to play something good? - Firstly, you're saying
my music is crap. Secondly, you appear to expect me to read your mind
and work out what you like. I suggest you leave before I stab you with
this ballpoint pen. Sod Off!!


2) If you play XXXXX everyone will dance! - Nothing is guaranteed to be
further from the truth. If I play this track everyone will flock off the
dance floor leaving you stood on your own in the middle. Until you feel
stupid and leave. Having killed the atmosphere. Thanks a bunch.


3) Why you playing this shit? Nobody likes it! - That would explain the
packed dance floor would it? If you don't particularly care for it sir,
please wait 10 minutes and the music will change. To something else you
can whinge about.


4) Can you play XXXX in the next 10 minutes because I've got to go home?
- No. I'm trying to entertain those who are staying for the whole
night. I'm not going to destroy the atmosphere I've cultivated to play
The Village People at 9:30. You want to hear it, you wait until 11:00ish
when it'll actually go down well.


5) Have you got any dance music? - Would that be House, Garage, Trance,
Hard House, Disco, Euro pop, Hi Energy, Techno, Vocal House, Drum n Bass
(ugh!) or Happy Hardcore?


6) Can I have a look at your CDs? - No. They are the tools of my living.
They are arranged in a specific order. They are also a convenient size
to hide under a jacket as you leave. You thieving little pikey.


7) What have you got? - Look, I carry over 250 CDs, with over 5000
tracks. I’m not about to list them for you. And no, you can't look. No.
You can't press that button either.


8) When are you going to play something recent? - Oooh. About 30 seconds
ago. And I'll probably play some more as soon as I've played some 70s
for your Mom. Patience is a virtue. Now sod off.


9) Can you play [insert heavy metal tune]? - No. This is a wedding. You
are the only person in this room who actually like to make his/her ears
bleed. I know you have a bedroom wall full of their posters and you
tattooed the lead singer's name on your arm with a compass and ink. But
believe me, no one else likes them. And, contrary to your firm belief,
the sight of you standing alone in the middle of the dance floor
flicking your long greasy hair backwards and forwards, killing off your
remaining brain cells, will not make young women weak at the knees.
Queasy in the stomach maybe.


What your DJ actually replies;    "Certainly. I'll try and fit it in if I've got it."

The Singing Wedding Gram

This is an activity you can include the bridal party in or any group of people, but the Bridal Party works best. Durring the end of inner you ask the entire bridal party to line up (Boy girl, boy girl) in front of the bride & groom. Have them interlock arms and hand them a lyrics sheet you have copied with the words to a Cute wedding song. I use Going to The Chapel by The Dixie Cups, but you can use whatever song you want. Just make sure you copy the lyrics for the people. You start the song have them sway back and forth and sing the song as you take your cordless mic and put it in front of each person in the line as they sing a bar or two of the song. You can build up the hype and call it your gift to the bride & groom. At The end have the audience give all of them a round of applause.

The Lyrics to Going to the Chapel are as follows:

CHORUS

Goin' to the chapel, and we're, goin' to get Ma-aa-aried,
Goin' to the chapel, and we're, goin' to get Ma-aa-aried,
gee, I really love you, and we're, goin' to get Ma-aa-aried,
goin' to the chapel of love.

1) Spring is here The-e-e shy is blue,
Birds all sing as, if they knew,
Today's the day, we say I do,
and we'll never be lonely anymore, because we're

CHORUS

2) Bells will ring, The-e-e sun will shine,
I'll be his and he'll be mine,
We'll love until, the end of time,
and we'll never be lonely anymore, because we're

CHORUS

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Top 21 Bits of Advice. Can You add more??

1) Contact your clients at least 1 to 2 weeks before the party to go over information
2) Get great directions before you leave
3) Arrive AT LEAST 1 hour prior to your party's start time
4) If you tell your client you're gonna do something. DO IT!
5) Save ALL your DJ Related receipts (Tolls, equip, music, batteries, tux cleaning, etc.)
6) Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you
7) DO NOT Keep our equipment in your Car Overnight
8) Review your schedule regularly
9) Hand out your Business Cards at Every party
10) Mention Your Name & Your Companies name at your party A LOT
11) Make sure you have all equipment, music, clothes, party items, etc. before you leave your house
12) Check your area & make sure it is clean before you leave your party
13) SMILE and Always be polite and courteous
14) Never consume alcohol or do drugs
15) Work well with other Professionals at your Party (Banquet Manager, Photographer, or Videographer)
16) Always say good-bye to your client at the end of the night. TIP!
17) Keep an open mind: Always seek to improve as a DJ/Entertainer
18) Never argue with your client or guests at a party
19) It is not a good idea to let people look through your music. Just ask what they want instead
20) Only YOU can make your party GREAT! Live up to your potential.
21) Know who the "players" are.Just because someone says they are the Mother of the Bride doesn't mean you should be doing what they are telling you the bride told them. Ask your customer if anyone is designated to be able to give you additional direction on the day of the event. If the client wants to assign authority to another person thats fine but well intentioned family and friends can ruin a party for your client with one bad piece of direction or advice.