• Operate my business in an ethically sound manner while maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.
• Abide by all laws and regulations governing my professional activities.
• Use legal forms of music and performance materials in the conduct of my entertainment services.
• Be honest and realistic conveying talent, abilities, and level of services to my clients.
• Deliver products and services to my clients, as promised, to the best of my abilities.
• Use a written contract clearly stating all charges, services, products, performance expectations and other essential information.
• Provide a safe work environment with adequate protection for my clients & their guests.
• Maintain adequate and appropriate insurance coverage for all business activities.
What Should You Ask A DJ BEFORE You Hire Him/Her?
The American Disc Jockey Association strongly recommends that you ask the following questions of any DJ:
Q: Have you committed yourself to follow the ADJA Code of Professional Conduct?
Any responsible business owner will be committed to living by the ADJA Code of Professional Conduct. This is just one of the commitments that legitimate entertainment companies will make to you. As a member of the ADJA, I commit myself to business excellence and I will:
Q: Are you insured? Can you supply me with proof of liability?
Responsible business owners carry liability insurance to protect their businesses and the consumer. Most venues require liability insurance by any vendor working on their premises. Ask your venue about their rules and ask any DJ you are talking to if they are insured. Disc Jockey's receive a Certificate of Liability that can be used as proof. This is not a rider on some homeowners policy that only covers the equipment while in the home. This is liability insurance of $1,000,000 or more, designed to protect YOU if a guest gets injured.
Q: 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 Disc Jockey will also accept the fact you may not want certain songs played. A professional Disc Jockey cannot know everything about your musical preferences and entertainment needs without communication. This is why meeting with the DJ prior to you event is important.
Q: Do you use Professional Equipment?
Ask whether your prospective 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 the A.D.J.A. 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.
Check Out the Professional Grade Equipment We Use Here: http://musicsourcedj.com/aboutus/equipment
To See What Other Services We Can Provide For An Additional Fee, Go To The Bottom Of This Page Here: http://musicsourcedj.com/packages
Q: Do you provide backup equipment at my event?
Equipment failure does happen and do you really want your special occasion ruined because your 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 the A.D.J.A. have many resources available to them in case of an emergency. You may also reach our Hotline number to get a Disc Jockey when you have an emergency. The toll-free number is 888-723-5776.
Booking a reliable Disc Jockey is a very important decision for the success of your party. Selecting a 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. A.D.J.A. members are more likely to be involved with other Disc Jockey's who can help them out with an unexpected situation.
Q: 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. Ask if they have a Reception Planner if you are planning a wedding.
Q: How much time do you allow for set-up?
Punctuality is a necessity. Most Disc Jockey's arrive at least one hour prior to the start time you've given them. Your entertainer should ideally be setup and in-place before your first guest walks through the door.
Q: 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. If you don't have a contract, you don't have a DJ.
Q: Will you be suitably dressed for our occasion?
Specify the type of apparel that your 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.
Q: 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 does indicate the companies willingness to network, learn and grow. Disc jockeys can learn through local chapter meetings, national DJ conventions and seminars geared toward the entertainment professional. In this day and age where your auto mechanic is certified, your hair stylist is licensed, and your financial & insurance professional must complete continuing education every year, why shouldn't your DJ be held to the same standards?
Q: How do you obtain your new music that you will play at our event?
Your DJ should only use music acquired legally through legitimate channels. Not only is this the law, it also assures that your DJ is using only the highest quality music source for superior sound.
Q: How many events does your service book on one day and how do I know which DJ I get?
A multi-op service will employ more then one DJ and therefore have more then one event scheduled the same day as yours. Make sure you get the DJ that you actually hired, and if a single op, that your event is the only one booked that day.
Q: How long have you been a DJ and how many events; like the one I'm considering hiring you for, have you successfully worked?
As with any profession, a Disc Jockey should be professionally trained and continue to network with other DJ's, attend seminars and strive to get better. While every DJ had to be new at some point, you really don't want them making mistakes at your expense. Hiring a seasoned veteran who's dedicated to the profession is always your best choice.
Q: Will you be working alone or with an assistant for our event?
Depending upon the type of event you are having, it may be to your benefit to hire a DJ that has an assistant that works along side him/her at your event. This is particularly true with wedding receptions where there are a great many activities. This way your DJ can focus on the wedding party and the formalities, while the assistant can attend to the minor details and focus operating the light show for example. This can make for a very smooth evening so you can enjoy your event too.
Q: Wedding Receptions – Does the DJ provide a formal reception planner in advance?
Wedding receptions can be smooth and flowing to rough and choppy, depending upon how well prepared your DJ is for your event. Preplanning for you as well as your DJ is essential for a smooth and elegant event. A professional DJ is also your MC, as well as your coordinator of all of your formalities with you and the other wedding vendors actually working your event that day.
LET'S FACE IT. THERE ARE WAY MORE BAD DJ's OUT THERE THEN GOOD DJ's. SO WHAT KIND OF PERFORMANCE SHOULD I EXPECT IF I HIRE MUSIC SOURCE PROFESSIONAL DISC JOCKEY SERVICE?
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In a single word... PROFESSIONAL. There are many different types of bad disc jockeys out there that and we strive to avoid being like any of them. Maybe that's why we're still in business after 30 years? We've all seen one or more of these Bad DJ Types at some event in our lives. In no particular order...
Bad DJ Type 1: Afraid of the microphone. You didn't even know he had a microphone until you thought you heard him say: "Uh, I have a set of car keys that somebody found..." For most events the DJ is also the MC. If you do not like his vocal delivery on the phone or in person, it is not going to be any better "IF" he gets on the mic. Bad DJ Type 2: The opposite of #1. This guy talks way too much. He thinks the show is all about him, loves to hear his own voice and he's going to let you know about it too. Shut up and play some music we can dance to! Bad DJ Type 3: Refuses to take song requests and/or has bad music flow and/or simply gives up. This is the DJ who thinks he always knows what songs to play for your guests and won't have anybody telling him otherwise. Or maybe NEVER playing a slow song or only playing one genre of music the entire night. We think this would be a lot like a waiter telling you what to eat or a bartender telling you what to drink. Or he/she has bad music flow constantly jumping from one genre to another after every single song. Disco to country to rock to hip hop, back to country, with no rhyme or reason, no speaking on the microphone to ease you into the next genre. Or because nobody is dancing early on, just gives up and does what he wants. When you hire Music Source it is our job to get people dancing, and we won't stop trying until the night is over. Bad DJ Type 4: No light show or all the lights are on the entire night. This DJ simply doesn't understand the concept of great party atmosphere or the job of a mobile disc jockey. Can you imaging going to a concert with no light show? Can you imagine going to a concert where all the lights were on doing their thing the entire night, non-stop? Neither can we, but I've seen it happen. This is one reason Music Source always has a light jockey working along side the disc jockey. Bad DJ Type 5: Limited music library. This guy thinks that because you can only play about 17 songs in an hour, that a 1,000 song library is enough. We understand that having that unique and rare song on-hand can be the difference between an okay show and a memorable event. And new music, well it's is an absolute must have! So we now download brand new music weekly from Top Hits USA / R.P.M. Bad DJ Type 6: Shows up late or not at all. This DJ doesn't run his service like the business that it truly is. He doesn't care about the success of your event nor you. It's all about the money so if can get a better paying event he takes it and leaves you high and dry. Bad DJ Type 7: Expects a tip and won't leave until he gets one. His ego won't allow for payment as agreed upon. Tips are for exceptional service above and beyond what was expected. If a DJ never gets tipped, then he needs to lower his prices or raise his level of service. Music Source is NOT the least expensive DJ service out there. It is not our goal to be the cheapest, just the best. Steak costs more the hamburger and Cadillac's cost more the Chevy's... and there's a reason for that. You don't go into a fine restaurant and expect to pay McDonalds prices. Nor do you go into McDonalds and expect a fine steak dinner. If you like the job that Music Source did for you throughout the entire process, we will gladly accept a tip and thank you for it. But we will never expect it. Bad DJ Type 8: Gets drunk and makes numerous mistakes and curses over the microphone. This guy forgets that he's not a guest at the party but is supposed to be "working" the party. You don't drink at your job so your deejay should not be drinking at your reception that he is working. Bad DJ Type 9: Plays the music way too loud. This type of Bad DJ thinks he's running sound for KISS. With Music Source you have complete control over the volume of the music at your event. Additional remote speakers may be recommended for your venue which means more speakers, strategically placed and less volume. Bad DJ Type 10: Uses substandard, non-professional "home" audio equipment. It looks bad and it sounds worse. Only professional grade audio equipment is acceptable at your event. Bad DJ Type 11: Inappropriate dress. This guys shows up at your formal wedding reception wearing worn out jeans and a concert tee-shirt. This DJ doesn't understand the difference between band roadie and professional disc jockey/emcee. Music Source operators always dress appropriately for your event. Bad DJ Type 12: Makes fun of your guests at their expense. This DJ thinks he's an insult comic, but he's the only one laughing. Self centered and unaware is not what you want in a DJ. A DJ who wants to please you and your guests and understands that his next customer is in the audience, now that is the DJ you want. Bad DJ Type 13: No contract, no insurance, no backup equipment on site. This guy is cheap and doesn't want to be held accountable. It's never his fault, it's always someone else's fault.. The problem is without LIABILITY insurance in the NAME OF THE BUSINESS, if someone gets injured as a result of the DJ's negligence, you and the venue are going to get sued. Avoid these "Bad DJs" with one call to the Music Source Professional Disc Jockey Service.
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