How much does all of this cost? Music Source offers three levels of event sound and light system support. SILVER LEVEL: Basic sound system ONLY support. This is for a NON-DANCE event (convention P.A., announce booth for a fundraiser, etc). Silver level pricing is $75/hr. for professional sound system, tri-pod mounted and skirted speakers and one operator. GOLD LEVEL: This level provides a complete dance event system with sound and light support, complete music library and two operators. Gold level performances are intended for all dance events OTHER THAN weddings. Gold Level support is perfect for class reunions, birthdays, Christmas parties, school dances, anniversaries and more. Gold Level support costs $125/hr. for each hour played (3 hour minimum). PLATINUM LEVEL: This is our wedding package. Music Source specializes in wedding receptions and our Platinum level support pulls out all the stops. You get our quarter century of reception planning experience, consultation, our exclusive reception planner, complete pre-planning support, on-site coordination with caterer, photographer, hall, videographer and all other support and service personnel, professional announcements and introduction of the wedding party PLUS the absolute best sound and light system for an incredible evening of dancing and entertainment. The complete Platinum package costs $750 for the entire reception (4 Hours minimum/6 hours maximum with additional hours at $125/hr.). ADD THE CEREMONY: You can add complete professional sound support for your ceremony for just $250 more.

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What will you be wearing at my event?
Dress clothes. Our aim is to dress as well as your guests. Our male operators wear dress shirts and ties with slacks and dress shoes. Sometimes a suitcoat but it's not required because load-in and load out can be hard on clothes. Female Music Source personnel wear pants suits or a blouse and nice slacks. Sometimes you'll see a female MS operator in a dress, but a dress just isn't very practical when you have to carry equipment and crawl around on the floor during setup. Bottom line: we will always be dressed appropriately and you will never see us in blue jeans, T-shirts or tennis shoes. If there is a special dress code for your event (for instance, we've played Hawaiian Luau and Western Bar-B-Que themed parties) just make sure to let us know and we'll adjust our dress accordingly.

The Tux Issue: At Music Source we do NOT wear tuxes to any event. We believe that the tux is the uniform of the wedding party. If we wear a tux, especially to a wedding, we're stealing the attention away from the groomsmen and the groom. It's their day, they should get all of the attention that comes with wearing a tux. Also, don't be fooled by a D.J. that claims to wear a tux to an event. D.J's in general have a notorious reputation for faking the tux. An actual tux of any quality runs about $600 and it really should be dry cleaned following every wearing to eliminate odors like smoke and sweat. A lot of D.J.'s who claim that they wear tuxes are actually wearing only the tux shirt and bowtie (a cost of about $60). They wear the tux shirt along with a pair of dark pants. This outfit appears to pass for a tux but you'll never see them wearing the coat. This "fake tux" also cuts down on dry cleaning bills because the shirt can be laundered normally.

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What do I have to provide for you?
Very little, actually. We need two chairs and a place to plug in. That's it. We bring all of our tables and control consoles. We carry hundreds of feet of extension cord. We do need to be close to the dance floor and we require about 20 feet of frontage onto the dancefloor. We include a sheet in with your contract that you can hand to your hall manager so they'll know how to set up for us. Our goal is to make it easy. You have a lot of other things to worry about. That's why, once you've hired Music Source, you can stop worrying about your entertainment. We've got it covered.

Note to Brides: We also need you to return your wedding planner. The Music Source Reception Planner is an incredibly powerful planning tool that we'll use extensively during your reception. Getting that information back is as important as returning your contract but, you don't need to get your Reception Planner back to us until about a month before your event.

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Should we meet to discuss the show?
There is really no need for a face-to-face meeting. Since 1982, for more than 2500 clients, we've only had one or two face-to-face client meetings and there was no difference in the quality of those shows versus the hundreds of others where all of the consulting happened on the phone. Unlike other party service providers, such as a caterer or a cake artist or even a photographer, the visual part of what we do is the same every time. The music selection is the key to making a great party and that's a very organic thing that grows out of the wants of the crowd and the attitude of the evening. Because people's tastes are so unpredictable, we bring everything to every show. What's everything? More than 30,000 titles covering more than 100 years of music - all genres, eras, styles and artists. We have EVERYTHING and we take requests all night long. (For all the details on our incredible mobile music library, check out the "Music Library" section of the site.) If you'd like, you can include a list of favorite songs, artists and eras when you return your contract. We can also discuss your selections on the phone or via e-mail in advance of your party. But it's not absolutely necessary. Plus, throughout the night we'll be taking requests from your guests so we'll know exactly what they want right at that moment. And, because we do have so much music right there at our fingertips, we'll be able to fill an average of more than 90% of those requests.

SPECIAL NOTE: You may have run across DJs or deejay websites that highly recommend an in person meeting prior to your show. Based on more than two decades in the mobile deejay field, we just don't understand the motivation behind this request. Don't misunderstand: by all means, be sure to check out your deejay before you hire anyone. At Music Source we are more than happy to invite you to one of our events as a spectator (just in case you haven't seen us already) and we would be glad to provide you with references from any of our many satisfied clients. But, when it comes to a face-to-face meeting or, in the case of some deejay services, several meetings, we just don't feel that the meeting will accomplish anything that can't be accomplished on the phone or through the use of our reception planner.

So why would a deejay insist on a face-to-face meeting? It's possible that the deejay is unorganized, inexperienced or unsure of themselves, but most likely, in our opinion, it's a way of justifying their rate. Many of the same deejays who insist on a meeting will also tell you that the payment they receive for a show is not just for the time spent playing, but is also payment for the time that they spend working on your show prior to the performance. The hours spent in meetings with you fall into this category. As we've mentioned elsewhere on this site, a deejay can't schedule their work the way a plumber or an electrician can. A deejay only puts in billable hours on party nights. Nobody has a party Tuesday morning at 10am. But, if a deejay could schedule a meeting with a client for Tuesday morning at 10am and use the time spent on that meeting as an excuse to raise their hourly rate by 20 or 30 dollars, it would almost be like playing a Tuesday morning show.

At Music Source, the phone consultations are free and unlimited and our reception planner is a standard part of our wedding service. If, after gleaning all of our insight and wisdom through phone calls and printed materials, you feel that a face-to-face meeting is still necessary in order to finalize the planning of your show, we'll be happy to meet with you. But, before you schedule your meeting, please review the beginning of the answer to this question...we do this every weekend, we create the most incredible party experience that most people have ever encountered...and we do it all without face-to-face meetings. The results speak for themselves. Just ask anyone who's been to one or our events. The savings to you is reflected in our incomparably low rates.

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How far ahead should we book Music Source?
Our bookings are handled on a "first-come, first-served" basis. Music Source operates one mobile unit, so we have the capacity to handle a single event on any given date. Once that slot is filled for a date, we are forced to turn down additional bookings. We do not book our unit for two events in one day regardless of scheduling availability. Music Source takes bookings for up to two years in advance of the performance date. Once a contract is issued, you have thirty days to accept the contract (you signal your acceptance by returning the signed contract with a $100 deposit. The deposit is deducted from the total amount due for you show). If a client has called expressing interest in a date but has not requested a contract, or returned an issued contract, we still grant the client first right of refusal on that date if another potential client calls for the same date. If you have an operator preference, we make every effort to honor operator requests. Calling early gives you a better chance of securing the specific operator for your event. Due to completely uncontrollable factors involving operators (illness, injury, change of location, etc.) we never guarantee a specific operator for any event but we do make every effort to meet your operator requests.

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How Many Hours Should I Book for my Event?
This decision is entirely up to you, but we can offer a couple of pieces of advice: first, book fewer hours than you think you're going to need and second (you could start with our 3 hour minimum and build from there), always remember that the contract is open ended and you can add on as many hours as you need the night of the show. Once you have committed to a certain number of hours on your contract, we can't reduce that number because we use pre-booked hours to do all of our budgeting and planning. So, if you think you're going to want us from 5pm until midnight, book your contract from 5pm until 9pm and add on the additional hours the night of the show. We'll stay as long as you want us. As a general rule of thumb, start with 3 hours for all non-wedding events (Class Reunions, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Christmas Parties, etc.). For our Platinum Level wedding reception package, one price guarantees a four hour minimum with a maximum performance time of 6 hours. Additional hours are available as an add-on for $125/hr..

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Will you send me a contract?
Yes. Music Source has a standard, one page contract that we generate in triplicate. It contains all of the information about your show including time, date, location and your personal information. You will be sent all three copies. Sign all three copies. Keep the one marked "Client" for your records and return the other two copies to us with your $100 deposit. As soon as you book us, we put your event on our calendar. Once we've received your signed contract and deposit, your date will be locked in. If you've booked us for a wedding reception, we will also send you a copy of our reception planner as soon as we receive your contract and deposit.

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Do I need to pay a deposit?
Yes. At the time of contracting (see above) you will need to send a $100 deposit to lock in your date. This deposit is deducted from the total cost of your event. The balance, plus the cost of any additional hours that you might decide to add, will be due upon completion of your event.

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What if I change my mind about the start time?
When you first reserve your date, the number that we're most concerned about is total hours for the show. We recommend a starting block of 4 hours for a wedding reception and 3 hours for all other events. Once we've set the length of the show, we can include a price on the contract. That allows you to get it signed and back to us. As we get closer to the event, you'll need to determine a start time for the show. A start time is very important because we base all of our scheduling and our arrival on the set start time. If, as we get closer to the event date, you decide that the start time might be too early or late just give us a call and we can slide the block of time that you've reserved either forwards or back (i.e. a 7p to 11p event could be adjusted to 8p to Midnight). The only thing that you won't be allowed to do is reduce the total time of the event. You can continue to adjust the start time up until one week before the scheduled date of the event. By then, our planning will be strongly tied to the start time and we will need you to commit to a locked in start time.

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What if I want to go longer?
Do it! Our contract is open ended, which means that we can add hours at the same $125/hr rate (for the Gold Level Dance Performance package and from the 7th hour on at the Platinum Level Wedding Reception Package) for as long as you want us to stay. We book one unit with one show in one day. Your operators don't have anywhere that they need to be. They're yours for as long as you want to keep the party going. FYI: Usually the restrictions put on the hall by their liquor license or other commitments that they might have become the factor that forces a party to shut down. If you're anticipating a late night barnburner, make sure to double-check for any curfews or out times that your hall might have.

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Do you guys need a stage...if so, how big?
Let's put it this way...we prefer a stage but, no, we don't need one. We do need to be at the edge of the dancefloor in order to accommodate the positioning of the sound system and light show for maximum effect. If you have a stage, it needs to be at least 12 feet deep and 18 feet across. It must also be able to hold at least 1500 pounds. The weight requirement is important, especially if your hall is using a portable stage. We are a very large show, much larger than most other mobile D.J. services you'll find in Central Illinois, and we have buckled portable stages in the past. REMEMBER: We do NOT need a table. Remind your hall, it will save them time when they're setting up and it saves us time moving the table out of the way once we get there. Not only can we not use a table, it's actually in our way.

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Do we really need lights?
Oh, yeah. We consider the lightshow to be so important to the overall performance that we don't even offer it as an option for any dance event. We have lights up everytime we appear anywhere for a dance performance. We can't stress enough how important the light show is to setting the right mood, creating a party atmosphere and getting the audience onto the dance floor. The intensity of the lights is variable based on the crowd. That's why each Music Source mobile unit has a light operator whose only job is to create custom lighting sequences and patterns that enhance the music and the overall effect of the show. We've used lights in every possible environment from a 5th grade party in a middle school gym to a Valentine's Dance at a retirement home (youngest partier: 63 years old). Everybody loves the Music Source lightshow. It's as important to what we do as our music library. NOTE: If all you need is sound reinforcement (a P.A. System) you can request the Music Source "Silver Level" sound support package for $75/hr. This is a NON-DANCE option for any event that only requires professional level sound support and an operator/announcer but you don't plan to do any dancing.

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How loud is it going to be?
How loud do you want it? We have a volume control and we're not afraid to use it. We try to keep it loud enough that the partiers on the dance floor can enjoy the music while those sitting to the back and sides of the room can still talk without too much difficulty. Some tips regarding volume management: try to put the dancefloor to one side of the hall, not in the middle of the tables; put those people who you think might be most offended by louder music to the sides of the dancefloor (we direct the greatest energy to the center of the floor); if it's ever too loud TELL US! We want you to be happy with what we're doing.

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When will you be getting to the hall?
We will be arriving to your event site approximately one hour prior to the start time listed on the contract (one of the reasons that having a set start time is so important). Please make sure that the hall is open or that someone is there to meet us and let us in. Also, if you're not going to be there, either tell someone where you want us to set up or put a chair where you want us with a sign that says "DJ" taped to it. It really only takes us about a half an hour to get everything up and active. As soon as we have power to the speakers we start rolling some background music and making announcements to any guests who might be on hand. We get to your place a half an hour earlier than necessary just in case we run into obstacles that might slow set-up (elevators, tables and chairs in the way, etc.).  

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What are Music Source policies on smoking and drinking?
No Music Source operator is ever allowed to smoke or drink alcohol while performing at an event (this includes set-up and teardown). It is absolutely forbidden. We are a PROFESSIONAL disc jockey service and you have hired us to do a job. You would never hire an electrician who drinks on the job. You wouldn't go to a doctor who smokes while he's examining you. So why would you want to hire a disc jockey that is going to smoke and drink while working for you? We, of course, hope that you choose Music Source for your event but, whoever you hire, keep this in mind: your deejay is not a guest at your party and should not expect to enjoy the same perks as your guests. The deejay is providing a service just like the bartender, caterer and photographer. Unfortunately, many deejays forget that they are working and wind up drinking and partying with the rest of the crowd. The result is a slipshod, subpar performance. You don't have to settle for that kind of treatment. Contact Music Source for your event.

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Where are you based?
We get this question a lot. Since we do our work wherever you want us, it doesn't really matter but, since you asked... Music Source is a Central Illinois firm. The 800 number rings into our office in Springfield, IL. and our mobile equipment is based in Springfield. We regularly travel all over the state but we are forced to charge a small additional fuel fee for events that take us more than about 40 miles from the home base of the mobile unit.

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Do you use outside contractors?
Definitely not. Music Source is an Illinois Corporation that maintains a staff of employees. Each of our deejays and light people are exclusive employees of the corporation and work regularly in their positions. All personnel have all been trained by Music Source to assure that each event is conducted in a professional and uniform manner. We believe that the "Music Source Way" is the right way to handle an event and each employee understands what their duties are when it comes to ensuring that you get a "Music Source Performance".

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Do I have to tell you what to play?
No, not at all. We welcome your input regarding song selections but you by no means have to tell us what to play. During your show we will be incorporating any song lists you may have provided along with the crowd requests that we will be taking all night. The final program will ultimately be the combination of a wide range of requests coupled with our years of ability and experience. And what if nobody is making requests or the requests just aren't good party tunes? We can read a crowd and assess feedback and reaction in order to craft a music program that gets everybody dancing. An Important Note: No Music Source operator ever chooses a song because it's "what they want to hear". Every song played at every show is chosen because we believe that it's the right song for your crowd. Our personal tastes never enter into the decision.

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Do you use a set playlist?
Absolutely not! There is no way to predict what a crowd is going to want to hear. Even the same crowd will want to hear different things on different nights. Every Music Source performance is entirely unique and directed toward the needs of your crowd on that particular night (see previous question). Sure, certain "standards" tend to show up from performance to performance but even those are only by request.

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Do you do Karaoke?
No, we don't. To tell you the truth, we love a good night of Karaoke but we feel that Karaoke is only appropriate in certain venues, like a nightclub. We don't believe in offering it for a couple of reasons. First, we work to include everyone in the partying at an event. Karaoke only involves the one person who's singing and their friends who are cheering them on back at the table. Plus, if it's a wedding, most people are already afraid of being embarrassed in front of the new family so they are likely to pass on the karaoke. We also believe that there is a big difference between a deejay service and a karaoke service. They are very different in the way they set up, the equipment they use and the way that they present their shows. We've never seen one service that can offer both types of presentation effectively. We've seen great karaoke shows that are lousy deejays and we're sure that, although we're great deejays, we probably wouldn't put on the best karaoke show.

A fully trained Music Source Disc Jockey. We are not a booking agency for other DJ services. We will never tell you that we are available when we are not, take your money and send you some other service. If we cannot do your show because we are already fully booked, then we will tell you so.

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. 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..."

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.

Bad DJ Type 3: Refuses to take song requests. This is the DJ who thinks he always knows what songs to play for your guests and won't have anybody telling him otherwise. We think this would be a lot like a waiter telling you what to eat or a bartender telling you what to drink.

Bad DJ Type 4: No light show. This DJ simply doesn't understand the concept of great party atmosphere or the job of a mobile disc jockey.

Bad DJ Type 5: Limited music library. This guy thinks that because you can only play about 15 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.

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.

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.

Bad DJ Type 8: Gets drunk and makes numerous mistakes. This guy forgets that he's not a guest at the party but is supposed to be "working" the party. You wouldn't expect your caterer, photographer or florist to drink at your reception. Your deejay should not be drinking at your reception either.

Bad DJ Type 9: Plays the music way too loud. This type of Bad DJ thinks he's running sound for Black Sabbath. With Music Source you have complete control over the volume of the music at your event.

Bad DJ Type 10: Uses substandard, non-professional "home" audio equipment. It looks bad and it sounds worse. Only professional audio equipment is acceptable at your event.

Bad DJ Type 11: Inappropriate dress. This guys shows up at your formal wedding reception wearing cut-off shorts and a tee-shirt. This DJ doesn't understand the difference between band roadie and disc jockey. 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.

Avoid these "Bad DJs" with one call to the Music Source Professional Disc Jockey Service.

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Do you show videos?
No, we don't. Our primary goal at any event is to get the most people on the dance floor for the longest possible period of time. Ideally, we want everybody dancing all night long. Showing videos, whether video of the crowd or music videos, gives the party goer an excuse to sit and watch instead of participating. The visual part of the presentation that we concentrate on is always the lighting. Lights can get people on the dancefloor. Video can cause them to sit down.