Will you be the DJ at our wedding, or do you send someone else?
I will be the DJ when you hire Uptown Sound. I do not send out other DJs, unless there is an emergency.

May we meet with you in person before we sign a contract?
Absolutely, and I prefer it.

How many events do you perform in a day?
In most cases, one. There may be a rare circumstance when I'm needed for a morning event and an evening event, but I always allow ample time in between for setup, teardown, and travel.

Have you played at my venue before?
Since there are hundreds of venues in Dallas, I probably haven't played at them all; however, I offer an advance site visit with your DJ package, so we can look at the venue together and determine what equipment is needed.

Will you make all of the announcements at the reception?
Yes, I will MC as well as DJ your wedding. 

How would you define your "style" when making announcements?
Professional and conversational. I don't shout or tell corny jokes.  Having been a radio announcer and wedding DJ for 18 years, I am very comfortable talking on the microphone.

What if something happens to you and you can’t make it to the wedding?
I've never missed a wedding in 18 years, but I do network with several quality DJs in Dallas. I will make sure you are covered!

Can we visit you at a performance?
I don't invite potential clients to other people's weddings; however, I am happy to give you the names and numbers of the last several couples who hired me (with their permission, of course). I am confident they will give me a glowing review! You may also look at my WeddingWire reviews. There is a link to it from the Testimonials page of my website. 

How involved can we be in selecting music for our event?
You may pick as much or as little of the music as you would like. I always encourage my clients to be involved with selecting music, so that I am playing the genres, artists, and songs that you and your guests enjoy. 

Do you take requests from our guests?
If you are okay with me playing requests, yes. I do use my judgement, though, and will not play anything I deem to be inappropriate.

How many songs do you have?
I currently carry more than 12,000 songs on my laptop, and I have at least three times as many more in my CD collection. Since we determine your favorite "must play" music ahead of time, I always make sure I have those songs with me. If I'm at your wedding and you would like me to play something I do not have with me, I will attempt to purchase it from iTunes. In most cases, I can download and play the song within a few minutes.

Can we submit a “Do Not Play” list?
Absolutely! I want to make sure you enjoy all of the music I play.

When do you arrive to set up for our wedding?
Depending on how much equipment is needed, I usually arrive 2-4 hours in advance.

What will you wear to our wedding?
I usually wear a black suit; however, if your event is not as formal, I will remove my jacket. 

What will you wear when you set up and break down your equipment?
I typically wear khaki shorts or jeans and a light polo for setup.

What is included in the cost of my event?
My package includes quite a bit, most of which is listed on the Weddings and Receptions pages of the site. If you have a specific question about whether something will be included, please feel free to ask.

How much would you charge for overtime?
I don't charge for overtime. My wedding packages are unlimited.

Do you require a meal?
No, but I always appreciate it when offered. I am happy to bring my own food if required. Also, I do not eat at the "DJ booth." I always find a place away from the party to eat, unless there is a specific area designated for vendors.

Are you insured?
Yes, I carry a general liability insurance policy, and I can add your venue to my policy as an "additional insured" if they require it.

Do you take any breaks?
I do not stop playing music once the wedding starts (unless you ask me to). I sometimes take 10 minutes during dinner to eat and get a glass of water; however, the music will continue playing. Once dancing starts, I generally do not take a break at all.

Do you consume alcohol or smoke during the wedding?
No.

What kind of equipment do you use?
I use all top-of-the-line equipment that sounds great and looks nice, too.  If you are interested in the specific brands and models, I am happy to tell you.

Do you bring backup equipment with you to the wedding?
Yes, I have a backup for everything, including speakers, microphones, and music. Also, my system is built in such a way that the music would continue in just about any circumstance, except for a power failure at the venue.
 
Do you have wireless microphones?
Yes, I have at least two wireless mics available at all times during the reception, and I can set up a third if needed.

Do you set up a sign or banner with your equipment?
No way. I do not even leave business cards out for people to take; however, I am happy to give someone a card if they ask.

What do you do to motivate the crowd if nobody is dancing?
It's not often that I have a problem getting people to dance. We work together in advance to determine what type of music you would like me to play and what you think your guests will enjoy hearing. There are several factors, though, that can determine whether people dance or not. In fact, I have put together an entire page that discusses some of the things that influence a packed (or empty) dance floor. You may read it here.