The Savannah Wedding DJ

The distortion (or lack thereof) is in the details.

thecoastaldj@gmail.com — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:59:00 GMT

I ran into a good friend of mine, Randy Thompson, at a wedding professional networking event this week. Randy is a wedding photographer. We last worked together at a reception in October. After catching up a bit, I asked him to send me a couple of dance floor pics from that reception. Great group, awesome bride and groom that were a joy to be around. Just a fun, fun evening.

He sent me the photo you see here and (as of this writing) on the front page. I was so happy to see this picture, because it put me right back in that moment with those folks and that bride and groom. I remember one of the tables requesting 'Sweet Caroline' (it was already on the bride's 'please play' list) during dinner and causing the entire room to join in singing "BUH BUH BAAAAH" at the top of their lungs during the chorus. I remember the guy in the upper left of the photo, the one dressed kind of like Pee Wee Herman, dancing just like Pee Wee after the groom asked me to dedicate 'Tequila' to him. [Disclaimer: this does not happen at every wedding... every one is different and fits the bride and groom like a well tailored suit if I have anything to do with it.]

I remember a small, intimate gathering of friends and family that, in terms of outright fun, ran neck and neck with any of the larger events I worked at that month.

One thing I did not remember is folks talking during the dancing portion of the evening (upper center of the photo). Not saying that's a bad thing, it's just that I'm focused fairly intently on the dance floor later in the evening and just didn't notice that happening. It's a good thing, and it brings me to my point (YES, there's a point); do you see the ease with which that conversation is happening? No one leaned in, cupping an ear. No pained expression indicating a recently blown eardrum. Just an easy, three way conversation among loved ones - right next to an active, and very happy, dance floor.

In one of my planning meetings with my brides and grooms (normally there are two meetings, sometimes more), I always remind them that the room will be filled with folks that have not seen each other in years, have much to say, and may not get a chance to chat it all out during dinner. I always promise that they will have that opportunity.

"But wait, Eric" you are thinking "you're a DJ, you're supposed to be loud and obnoxious." No. At least I hope not. If that's your thing, there are several folks on Craig's List that can provide loud and obnoxious. If you're visiting this website, and have made it down the line to this page, I have a feeling that you are a bride or groom that doesn't want your DJ to be loud and obnoxious either.

There are a few moving parts here. I'll bullet point this thing so we can wrap up and you can get on with your day:

- I pride myself on being a master of ceremonies. As such I communicate with your guests in a fun, clear and concise fashion that lets them in on the order of events without dominating their conversations.

- My speakers, FBT Maxx 2a's, are the absolutely best available for their mission: providing clear, room filling sound with just enough 'thump' to fill the dance floor while remaining crystal clear at higher volumes. This allows me to provide a great sound on the dancefloor without pushing distortion all over the room. [You can read a review of my Italian built FBT's Here] In the case of larger rooms, I have enough speakers to scale my sound to fit.

- In the case of rooms with challenging acoustics (Notice all of the brick in this photo? It's good for more echo than the Grand Canyon), I have enough sound reinforcement experience to tweak out undesirable sound dynamics.

- Talking is great, but I'm going to do my best to put some feet on the dancefloor as well. Just look at how happy that bride is! And check out her Mom getting down right behind her! Let's party!!

When you are choosing your DJ, ask a few questions about their equipment. You don't have to be a gear head, just google what they tell you and make a determination yourself. You get what you pay for. Ask that DJ what his or her philosophy is as far as sound levels and how they take care of your guests that may not intend to dance. Ask if they will arrive to the venue in time for a proper sound check (yeah, this is a biggie).

Hopefully I've given you a sound foundation for a conversation with a potential DJ. Or, if you can stomach that horrible pun I just made, give me a call... we'll come up with something that resonates.

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Tags: distortion,sound,speakers,gear,equipment,dance floor

Nothing wrong with being happy!

thecoastaldj@gmail.com — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 01:13:00 GMT

Those who know me know that I am a huge fan of internet 'memes.' Horrible word, but really fun to look up at 2am when you have insomnia. One of my favorite searches on YouTube is "worst wedding dj." Oooh. Hours of horror. There are a few videos, in fact, that are so ghastly as to be, um, let's say non family friendly. One video that gets unfairly lumped in with the "worst ever" crowd is that of German DJ der guten Laune titled "Happiest DJ on Earth." C'mon. Worst ever? I've seen much worse. For one thing, he's playing a pretty good Dave Guetta track. His equipment looks a little sloppy, but obviously does not sound distorted.

His crime? He's just really freaking happy. Just watch:

See? Joyous. Fired up just to be there. Obviously wants everyone to have a great time. Now do you want him to DJ your wedding? Probably not. Do I get this fired up when I'm working? Oh you betcha... but before you close your browser and say 'no way I'm hiring that guy' let me add that, as a professional, I don't geek out to this extent and keep a good bit of the happy on the inside.

Yes, I'm building to a point.

When you choose entertainment for your wedding, you are not just hiring a human jukebox. Hopefully you are hiring a spokesperson, a coordinator, a source of entertainment for your guests (hopefully not the kind of 'entertainment' that winds up getting a million hits on YouTube). HOWEVER, is it too much to ask to find an entertainer this fired up to be part of your party? DJ der guten Laune is on YouTube because folks like to make fun of him. Did he really do anything wrong? Is it too much to ask for your DJ at your wedding to have his kind of infectious enthusiasm... his 'joie de vivre?'

I don't think so.

When you're hiring an entertainer, be they band or DJ, ask a few questions beyond price and philosophy. Ask how they got into the business. What is their favorite part of the job? Ask them to tell you a crazy wedding story. Here's the important part: listen. Don't just listen to the words you get in response, listen to the inflection and the passion with which they are put forward. If someone is just in it for a paycheck, it will show through if you lift enough rocks.

I love what I do. Give me a call and let's see if I can bring my brand of fired up to your wedding reception. I promise we won't wind up next to DJ Laune in the embarrasing bin.

I do know this; if I was spending your money, I would rather hire DJ der guten Laune than some sad sack just punching a clock and counting the minutes until you and your new spouse leave the venue. Ask a few extra questions before you hire. You deserve a happy DJ.

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Tags: Happy wedding DJ

Specialization - in one thing or twenty?

thecoastaldj@gmail.com — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:44:00 GMT

I'm sure you've seen the nifty Playstation 3 ads where the guy is dressing up like a viking, or playing heavy metal guitar or some other assorted foolishness hawking this shiny piano black piece of equipment where free time goes to die called a Playstation. Great commercials. Great product, in fact. I don't own one. Doesn't mean I don't think about buying one from time to time. It would be great fun to watch whatever free time I have vanish in a haze of pixels and hear self imposed deadlines make that "WHOOOSH" sound as they fly right by.

Anyhow. Mr. Viking/guitarist/Sony exec was on today and then the tagline above flashed on the screen. Hmmm. It only does everything. That's nice for electronics gear that you pay $300 for one time and you no longer have to have a Wii AND a BluRay AND a Pong Machine (dated much?).

How about this... what if it was an attorney that used that tag line. Are you going to hire them to defend you if you are wrongly accused of a capital crime? What about a surgeon? 'I only do everything.' 'I did an appendectomy this morning, now let me do the Lasik procedure on your eyes.' No thank you.
Let's say your VW starts leaking coolant. Are you more comfortable taking your car to an import specialist or down to the corner Jiffy Lube for the repair?

Let's say that you are planning an event that will only happen once, all of your closest friends and beloved family members are going to be there, you're going to invest a significant sum of money into it, and one person is going to handle all announcements on your behalf. This one person is also going to be responsible for making sure your guests have a good time. Who's a better fit as your trusted spokesperson; a generalist or a specialist?

'It only does everything' looks great on your shelf! I hope to see you at your wedding reception.
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