It's now 2023, and I'm putting my business back "out there".  After hearing my grand daughter tell me about the school dance last week, I felt compelled to re-think my DJ retirement status.  Yes, there's hundreds of DJs in Central Minnesota, all having different abilities, prices, ethics and skill.  Since I've moved back toward the Twin Cities and changed my website, I thought I'd give it another go... (one more season).

This BLOG is a culmination of 45 years in the business.  I've put a lot of effort into providing the best up to date info into it.  If you're looking for a "REALLY GREAT DJ?LIGHT PERFORMANCE", then keep reading.  While I'm proud to say I'm a "senior" DJ, I can still kick my shows.  

Take a few minutes to read this blog, and feel free to get in touch.  www.TyroneBlue.com 

"Behind The Scenes" - with Tyrone Blue

Doug asked me to author an article for his readers about being behind the scenes at my DJ company.  I'd like people to know that not all DJs are alike... the cliché is "one DJ is pretty much the same as all DJs".  I'd be the first to admit, that this fits a lot of DJ companies, but there is a way to discover if you are getting the personality who doesn't "fit the mold" of what most folks think is normal.

First, I should mention what motivates any DJ (or, any entertainer for that matter) to get into the business.  Here's what I found when I first got started back in the early 90's.  You must have an interest in music.  I can remember back in the 60s (in the twin cities), listening to "True Don Blue" on the radio, and thinking how cool that would be to have thousands of people listen to you on the radio playing music.  The big stations were KDWB "channel 63" AM was the rival of WDGY 1130 AM.  FM radio was just getting started back then.  I used to sit with my Sears Realistic reel to reel tape recorder and record the music from both stations, so I could listen to music without all the talk and commercials.

The main problem for me was all the talking the DJs did while the song was "ramping" up and closing out at the end.  This was called "talking on the ramp". I had no way to delete the talking out of my tapes.  I had the music I wanted, but always with talking on the intro and outro.  I have hundreds of those old tapes, stored out in the garage, collecting dust.  Now-a-days, you can duplicate all that music in a few hours on the Internet.

Here's my first big tip to potential customers of any DJ company.  Who legally purchases their music, and who steals it?  If you hire a DJ company who downloads music illegally, and plays it at your event, then you are stealing it too.  I'd have to ask, do you want a thief working for you?  Is the cheaper price you pay for a discount DJ company worth the risk?  I'd like to list all of the "Dos & Don'ts".  If you truly don't care... then, I have nothing to say to you.  If you do care about the industry, and giving your guests the best you can give them, then I have lots of information to share with you.  Stay tuned!

NOTE: Larry is the owner of Tyrone Blue Entertainment" based out of Breezy Point.  He's been the "house DJ" at Breezy Point Resort for over 8 years, and designed and installed the lighting show at the Breezy Point Ice Arena.  He currently has 3 DJs on staff, and does weddings all over Minnesota.

What a ride this has been!

I officially went into retirement last Summer following over 25 years in the DJ business.  I started out with my "street partner" Eddie (we were police partners)  hense the name "Blue Brothers" for brothers in blue.  In all that time, I've done hundreds of weddings with not one complaint, and NEVER missing a gig, inspite of lots of roadblocks.  My buddy Ed suffered a heart attack many years ago and the show went on.   I was totally incapasitated once and with me giving Eddie instructions on an open phone line, and the show went on.  What a ride!

So, I get a call a few months ago to do a wedding for an acquaintance, and descide to take the gig.  I spend the day re-organizing my gear and load up the trailer for this wedding.  Then, the perspective bride calls and wants to re-negociate... she has another DJ in the wings.  Not going to happen.  I'm back to officially "retired", and tore up the check.  It's sad that so many fledgling DJs start out in this business without a clue how to perform for a wedding.  It paints all of the hard working "Professional" DJs with that brush, and gives the industry a black eye.  You really do get what you pay for (you can find out how I really feel, by readying the rest of this blog... I explain the industry and myself in great detail).

I will be spending all of my time as a nite club DJ (been doing that for the last 10 years every weekend), and hockey arena sound and light technician.  It's so much fun, and I don't have to hump gear.  I heard a comment from one of the hockey players: "he's 'ligit'".  That made my day!  We are the only team in the league with a massive sound and light show... and it rocks!

Thank you all for the memories!

I have been considering how to write this post, so that I share my disappointment, as well at attempt to teach a lesson for the future. This is my account of the results of a school dance, that just occurred in my community, and I believe there is a lesson to be learned ("you get what you pay for"). I've been doing this for about 25 years... so I speak with some authority.

Back ground:  8 years ago, I provided a "pro bono" DJ show for a 6th grade dance at the local school.  Since I also worked part time for the district, I was privy to comments the kids made regarding their DJ entertainment. Most of the kids wanted a dance, but the previous dances were totally forgettable.  The entertainment was sub quality and lacking in current music that the kids listened to. There was no "show quality" that one might expect for a school event (I hear this a lot, by the way... bet you have too).

Since I owned a DJ sound and light company, I offered my services to the school, so they'd know what a "real" student dance should look like.  It was very well attended, because many of the kids knew me, and wanted to see if I delivered what I claimed.  Afterwords, they raved about it for weeks, and asked the school staff to continue hiring my company in the future.  Well, guess what?  I was more expensive that every previous DJ company, so I was passed over, every time.

Fast forward to last Spring... My daughter attends school there, and informed me about her upcoming "Spring Dance of 2014".  This was going to be her first dance, so I wanted it to be special for her.  I contacted the coordinator, and offered my services... again pro bono, so that they could once again, experience a high quality DJ show.  Most of my daughters class showed up, due in part to her promoting it to all her friends, with the promise that it would be the best dance they had ever attended.  It was!  The kids talked about it for the rest of the year.  Here's the actual picture of what they got (for free):

 

Fast forward to this Spring... The 8th grade Spring dance was on Friday night, and the high school prom was Saturday night.  One of the student committee members asked the student council to give me a call, two months ago, to enquire about my availability and budget. 

 

I asked them what their budget was, and was given a very low number (for the Spring dance and prom?  Really?).  Since this was less than half of what I would normally charge for these shows, I wondered if it was prudent to even consider this.  It's my daughters school, and she would be attending the Spring dance the night before prom... so, I told them I'd do the dances for their budget (for her).

 

The next day, I got a call, informing me they had found a cheaper DJ, and no longer were considering me.  The committee failed to inform the students who they had hired, so two weeks prior to the dances, students were asking my daughter if I was going to be the DJ.  When she told them "no", there were rumblings about it. 

 

Last Friday night for the Spring dance... I drop my daughter off at the dance, and accompany her to the staging area.  Through the window, I caught a glimpse of the DJ set up.  Here's what they purchased for $300 for the Spring Dance (actual picture).

 

 

When I pick up my daughter 3 hours later, I ask how it went.  She claims there were, at most, 70 kids there.  She says it's the worst dance anyone has experienced, and the DJ didn't play anything they requested.  The lighting was totally inadequate, and non-visible.

 

Then, Saturday night (same DJ set up for Prom...).  Each student had to pay $30 to attend, with about 150 couples... do the math ~ $9000 income, and they paid the DJ $600 (committee told me that's what they paid him).  One of the students informed me most of the kids had left the Prom by 8:30 "because the DJ sucked (student's words), and didn't play one single current song" (yes, it's expensive to own current music).

 

OK, so here's the point I am after:  Yuup, you really do get what you pay for!  Do you want your school dance events to be well attended, and memorable?  Then, hire an entertainment service that can deliver what the students want. Don't get into that downward spiral of poor attendance and complaining, after the fact.  Stop hiring the low quality vendors that don't know how to make an event come to life! "You get what you pay for"... have you heard that before?

 

I'm getting close to the end...

I've been doing this now for 26 years.  DJing has been a blast, but the most fun I have is high tech lighting.  It's not just standing there and running music from the laptop.  Lighting is a compilation of placement, design, and programming with timing to the music.  Have you ever seen Trans Siberian Orchestra?  The guy who programs that show is a genius.  I've tried to emulate that show with the limited quantity of light fixtures I have in comparison.  And, of course, my favorite light show was from 1994, when Pink Floyd did the show in Great Britain.  That was back in '94, and still can't be touched...

I think I may have two or three years left in me... just bought a big supply of new fixtures.  Setting up the lights with my stage trussing is going to be my "Spring Project".

Bride with a $3000 budget, wants to know if...

... she can have a wedding for that much (or little). 

Sure, you can have a wedding for $200... because that's what a Justice of the Peace or an officiant will charge.  That's the only requirement for getting married.  The rest of "it all" is merely frosting on the cake (pun intended).

Your choices are un-limited for what you can add to that, and what it will cost... here's what I mean:

Venue - You can have the reception in the basement of your church, or in your back yard.  If you're a member of the church, many times it's free, especially if you hire the Paster for the nuptials.

Food and beverages - If mom or Grandma can cook, then, it's simply the cost of the food for all of your guests.  I actually heard of one bride who had McDonald's cater her event.  One bride even brought her guests to a pizza place.  The fee starts at $50 and goes up from there... or, if everyone brings a dish, and a 6 pack, it's free.  $0.

Rings - I've seen brides and grooms who shopped at Walmart for rings.  Heck, they have pretty good jewelry there!  Lets start with $50 each... or none at all, for now. $0.

Wedding dress - How about a nice evening dress?  That can be had for under $100, again at Walmart or Pennys.  If you saved your prom dress... $0.

Dancing / Entertainment - Go the iPod route, and home stereo speakers.  It's not going to be a rock out "night club" experience, but what the heck.  Or, use your Smart Phone.  $0.

Cake - Walmart... isle #9.  Walmart and the Dollar Store are you best resources for DIY and low budgets.  Can you say "cupcakes"? $20.

Flowers - Do you REALLY need flowers? $0.

Photos or Videos - Everyone now has a camera in the phone or a point and shoot mini camera.  My Smart Phone takes amazing pictures.  $0.


So, this DIY wedding will run about $500 or less... hows that for keeping the cost down?

Now, having mentioned all of the above on a strict budget, everything has a value and price.  What is your dream, and how do you want to remember it in your future?  You can actually get married for less than $500, or go as high as $50,000.  The national average for wedding in the US is $35,000.  If you were famous and lived in Hollywood, you could easily quadruple that.  You have the choice to make.  Everything you add, will bring the cost rapidly up.  It's your day... you pick.

Comparing DJ "A" to DJ "B", and all the rest...

Here I go again... I just finished reading a thread on a wedding web site, where the bride is perplexed as to which DJ to choose.  One is charging $600, and the other is charging $1080.  Her reaction is to go with the cheaper one, but here are a lot of things to consider, before picking your DJ based solely on price.  You need to compare apples to apples to make sure you have the correct budget for your DJ.

Skill & knowledge
Most DJs will tout their services, by saying they are the best you can buy.  If you've ever taken a basic marketing 101 class, you'll discover this as a "comparison" strategy.  Watch any ad on TV, and you'll discover that most of them use this marketing technique. This car gets 35 miles per gallon and the other guy only gets 18 MPG.  How many fall into that trap?

Since there is no DJ college or reference organization to tell you if your candidate has the skill, you have to do your homework and check out each business.  A lot of DJs get started by printing business cards, and putting an ad in the local newspaper.  Sure, there are organizations that many DJs join, but it's as easy as paying your $100 to join, and they recommend you... bahhh.  Too many fledgling and unskilled DJs pony up the cash to get the endorsement.  Too bad, the world works this way.  I've heard brides say, after the fact: "if only I'd have known".

You've heard the horror stories.  "The DJ screwed everything up". "He was hitting on the bridesmaids all night".  "He didn't play the songs I asked him to play".  "He got the introductions wrong... or didn't do the introduction".  "We couldn't hear the music".  The list goes on and on... but that's what happens sometimes when you hire the cheapest bid.  Since your wedding is considered one of the most important days of your life together, you need to consider how you're going to feel about it once it's over and a memory.  Was it the "fairy tale" dream you had envisioned since you were a little girl, or the lowest bid disaster that all of your guests will talk about for years?

Lets begin the journey of selecting the best DJ for you (based on my 26 years in the industry).  There is a list of things to consider, before turning the success of your special day over to a novice.  Here are some of them (and, I'll address the issues one by one after the list, so you can avoid some of the pitfalls):

How long has this DJ been in business?
Does this DJ have insurance?
Does he/she have back up gear?
Is his/her music library legal?
Does this DJ have a web site?
Are there any venues that will recommend this DJ?
Does this DJ have pictures or videos from past engagements?
Has this DJ taken any training, or a member of an organization of peers?
Does her/she keep up with current trends?
Does this DJ have a legal contract?

Lets' start with your budget.  Far too many brides don't designate the proper amount of their budget, in order to hire the right service (on any vendor... not just DJs).  I hear brides all the time ask if they can have a wedding on a $5000 budget.  Sure, but don't expect to get the same services that a bride who pays the National average gets at her wedding.  About $35,000 is the average amount spent on weddings nationally.  Anything less, and you'll have to make serious cuts somewhere.  I'd love to drive a Porche, but can I get a new one for $5000?  Of course not!  You'll have to lower your expectations, and be realistic!

There was a national survey done by a notable wedding magazine, asking brides about their entertainment.  Over 80% said they would have spent more on their entertainment, had they known the outcome, after the fact.  Too late now!

So, let's address the above considerations

1)  How long has your DJ been doing this?  Anything less than two years, you're dealing with a beginner.  Beginners make mistakes; forget things; or do it wrong.  While that isn't necessarily bad, be prepared for it.  New vendors just haven't run into every situation yet, and things always go wrong at a wedding.  They need to learn to adapt.

2)  Insurance is a must when performing with high tech and heavy equipment.  What happens if someone trips over a speaker of stumbles into the controls?  Without insurance, the bride pays for the damages.  Liability insurance costs a lot of money.  Amateurs don't care to spend the extra money.  Are you feeling lucky?

3)  Without back up gear, your DJ is out of luck if something fails to operate properly.  A skilled , seasoned DJ, can always get the performance going again.  Craigslist DJs... not so much.

4)  Any DJ who steals music, is a thief.  Do you want a thief working for you at your wedding?  If you hire this DJ, you are also a thief.  Amateurs don't care to spend the extra money. Are you feeling lucky?  Enough said!

5)  While a professional web site, doesn't guarantee a quality performance, it does show that this DJ is committed to the profession.  A professional web site, shows the public that this DJ is striving for quality and commitment to the customer.  Amateurs don't care to spend the extra money.  Are you feeling lucky?

6-7)  Find out if your venue can recommend this DJ.  Every venue on the planet wats you to talk about the amazing night you had (it's good for business).  Hire a poor quality DJ, and that concept goes out the window.  Check references, Google, or Yahoo and YouTube for past videos, and look at pictures of his/her work. 

8)  Find out if your DJ is a member of any fraternal organizations.  Ask about training and attendance at professional seminars.  Amateurs don't care to spend the extra money. Are you feeling lucky?

9)  DJs who are committed, find out about current trends in the industry.  Did you know that mp3 music is just as good or better than CDs?  Organized play lists on a professional computer can arrange music in seconds, and doesn't have pauses between songs.  Does your DJ know about "room enhancement" lighting.  It's all the rage right now.  It colors your room in a wash of lights that can be choreographed to the music.  It's expensive!  Amateurs don't care to spend the extra money. Are you feeling lucky?

10)  If your DJ doesn't have a legal and binding contract, you're dealing with an amateur.  A legal contract, that is easy to read and understand,  protects everyone involved.

As I said above... if you don't do your homework, you're going to make a big mistake.  Be sure to type your DJs's name and business into search engines to read all about their service.  Check: YouTube, Twitter; Facebook; Google; Yahoo and every other means at your disposal.  If you're looking for the cheapest bid... well, good luck!