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, in the name of the business, designed to protect YOU if a guest gets injured.

Music Source has liability insurance in the name of Music Source through RV Nuccio, the national provider that the ADJA makes available to it's members.  The Certificate of Liability Insurance is available to be emailed to you upon request in a PDF format.  Additional parties like your venue or you can be added for a single or multi day event at no charge.  Plus a Certificate of Liability can then be printed showing the additional insured parties.    The  T 

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.

Music Source prefers to play by request the entire night.  Yours and that of your guests, grouped together by genre for good music flow. 

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.

Music Source brings to every event back up mixers, microphones, music controllers, hard drives, speakers, cables, power adapters, etc., etc. 

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.

Music Source will work with you in advance to know what you expect at your event.

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.

Music Source generally arrives at your event 1.5 - 2 hours prior to our scheduled start time.  While it may only take us an hour or so to set-up, we would rather be sitting around waiting for the event to officially begin, rather then running around at the last minute, trying to get everything done.  Ideally we are 100% set up, changed into the proper attire, with background music of your choice playing when your first guest walks in 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.

Music Source has a contract for type of event, which can include additional services or may be addressed by an addendum to the original contract. It also states that the DJ shall be the owner: Jonathan Michael Roth.  As we never send somebody else or some other service entirely.
 

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.

Music Source employees never want to be over dressed or under dressed for the type of event you are having.  Ideally we want to be dressed like some of your better guests.  But rarely ever in a tux at a wedding as we feel that should be reserved for the wedding party.

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?

Music Source belongs to the Downstate Chapter of the American Disc Jockey Association as well as Springfield Local Favorites.  Music Source is accredited with the Better Busines Bureau.  Go to our Links page here to find out more about these two groups: http://musicsourcedj.com/helpful/links

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. 

Music Source receives it's new music from Top Hits USA and has since the beginning of 1996.   Downloaded weekly each song is edited for radio friendly play at the highest quality bit rate of 320kbps.  Go to our Links page here to find out more about Top Hits USA: http://musicsourcedj.com/helpful/links

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.

Music Source is not a multi-op.  When you hire Music Source you will always get the owner/DJ/MC Jonathan Michael Roth.  And your event will be the one and only event that Music Source will work that day.  Should we receive an inquiry for a date we are already booked, we will help you find another DJ who is a member of the ADJA.

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.

Music Source began operation in 1982 by the founder Allen Stare.  Jonathan Michael Roth (J.R.) who is the current owner/DJ/MC began working for Music Source in 1993, and liked it so much he actually bought the company from Allen in 2005.  Music Source works approximately 50 events per year, predominately wedding receptions but is well versed in all types of events.

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.

Music Source works every event with one or two assistants, unless it's a very simple sound support only type of event. One of the jobs of the assistant is to run the light show so the DJ can focus on more important things.  Plus the light show is changing and insync with the music.

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. 

Music Source will provide every bride & groom upon booking our exclusive two page Music Source Wedding Reception Planner, and two page Information & Song Request Sheet.  The planner will guide a bride and groom through the entire wedding reception with tips and suggestions along the way.  Here the select songs for all the formalities as well as style of background music during the cocktail and dinner hour. The information sheet provides valuable information to us about the bride and groom so we can get to know them a little better, and be able to share that information with your guests who may not know both of you.  The song request sheet gives us an idea of your musical taste or dis-taste (Do Not Play List), and acts as our go to list as well.  We don't expect you to program the music for the entire night, but we have found it very useful to customize the dance portion of the evening around songs you actually like to dance to.  These items are mailed back to us one month in advance.  That gives Music Source a chance to go over it, write down any questions we have, find any special music we don't already own and then, schedule a meeting with the two of you to go over it in detail.  As we want everything to run nice and smooth that night as we are not just your DJ, but also your MC and on-Site day of coordinator of all of your formalities with all the other vendors working your reception.

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?