HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR DJ IS GOOD OR BAD

Being in the disc jockey and entertainment business now since 1994, there are some things that I consider to be traits of a BAD DJ. These are practices that we, personally, stay away from.

If you are in the market for a DJ and, perhaps, able to see one operate live in action, there are a number of things you should really look for.  There are many wedding DJ’s that care very little about the appearance of their presentation, despite the elegance of the wedding hall/venue.

PAYING ATTENTION TO FINE DETAIL – Having worked all around Capital Region as a DJ (and in the entertainment field all over the country,) I have seen the effort first hand that goes into creating a romantic and eye-catching room for wedding receptions and other formal occasions. Therefore, I can’t understand why “professional DJs” would under mind these efforts with their lackluster actions, but they do.

As a DJ from from the Albany, New York area, there are many things that may work here and may not work somewhere else in the world. However, the traits defined below and the following picture gallery could very well indicate a bad DJ.

Before you select a wedding DJ, the single most important element relating to the success in your entertainment value of your reception, ask to see pictures or videos at weddings, ask for references.  If you are not sure if your DJ prospect is bad or not, here is a list of things to look out for when trying to identify “The Dad Wedding DJ”:

Top 10 Signs of a Bad Wedding DJ

1) WIRES, WIRES, & MORE WIRES

Nothing gets me more wired than seeing a lots of wires. You should really NEVER see much of any wires, at all. This mess is an eyesore and lacks professionalism.

2) TALKING UP RECORDS

A mobile DJ is not a radio DJ. Too much talking, especially during dance time, slows the fun and kills the dance floor. Your audience does not need to hear the artist names and the title of the song they are about to hear.

3) “LOOK AT ME!”

Stealing the spotlight is wrong. While a wedding DJ is, in fact, booked to entertain, the newlyweds are not looking to pay for a four hour stand up comedy act, or someone trying to use their event as a commercial to further their business.

A DJ’s personality should be peppered in as a season, but not the main course. Some DJ’s really just like to hear the sound of their own voices, and chime in with way too much to say. They attempt to be funny and always try and get the last word in like Ron Burgundy. This steals the spotlight from the bride on her special day.

DJ’s also should NOT ADVERTISE DURING YOUR WEDDING! That means they should not have a massive banner or sign promoting their business during your wedding. Who wants a DJ commercial in half of their wedding pictures?  They are being paid to work for you, not to promote their business / name during your time.

At very most, a business card can be handed upon request, but further self promotion is cheesy and shameless.

4) DEAD AIR & NO BLEND

is absolutely terrible. A second or two of silence between songs is just enough to entirely kill the dance floor. Dead air gives the reluctant dancer an immediate reason to sit down. If the DJ is using a laptop but there is dead air between every song, they are probably not using a professional DJ program. Shame on them. (One way they try and hide this is to talk between EVERY song so they can cut the slow fade. See if you can catch this!)

5) MIXING IT UP

A DJ should never play the same type of music for extended periods of time.

Lots of little “rock blocks” of many particular types of music / genres is the best way to keep diverse crowds happy as a whole. A good host wants everyone to have fun, not just a select few. Therefore, your DJ should put in a little something for everyone all through the night.

6) JUST A MUSTACHE

Just a mustache is bad. You can have one with a beard or a goatee, or even perhaps the exception: a Fu-Manchu Hulk Hogan-style mustache, if you really really think you can rock it. However, the Chuck Norris mustache by itself is a “no-no.”

If your DJ has just a mustache, look out! No matter how bad-ass your DJ may profess to be, he is not Tom Selleck, he is not Burt Reynolds, and he certainly is NOT Chuck Norris.

7) TOO MUCH TO DRINK DJ

If your DJ goes right to the bar when he gets there, this is bad. I can see one or two maybe, but when your DJ is stripping on the bar like Coyote Ugly… please…

8) DELILAH SHOW PLAYLIST

Have you ever been to a wedding that is all old 80’s love ballad songs (like Richard Marx) even after dinner?  Too many old slow tunes is LAME!  Out of date, means out of touch with today. That means your general base of guests will be hearing music that they do not relate to.

9) “I KNOW BEST”

If during a planning session, your ALBANY NY DJ or any DJ in the world gives the impression that he doesn’t take requests well or even at all, run far away. Some DJ’s think they have created the all-purpose, one-size-fits-all golden playlist, and their agenda is to force it on you. While your DJ’s expertise can really help in the creation of a playlist, they NEED TO BE FLEXIBLE. It is your night, and you are paying them to play music that you want to hear.

10) THE CHICKEN DANCE

Maybe 30 years ago you could say, “this is my jam,” but not today.

With all the modern activity / line dances that are out now, there is no reason to ever play this horrible track at a wedding, unless there are like 30 preschool or grade school kids in attendance.

If the bride & groom absolutely love this dance and have requested the DJ to play it, that is one thing. But when the DJ defaults on this song on his own accord, and follows it up with “Celebrate,” and “We Are Family,” then ends the night with “Last Dance,”  your DJ is officially an OLD FART…

THE SEARCH FOR A GREAT ALBANY NY DJ

Below are some pictures of bad DJs. It pains me to see flea market explosions ,  gear purchased at Job Lot,  and out-dated eyesore set-ups that kill the atmosphere. There is no excuse for it. Cables should always be hidden. Lighting hardware shouldn’t dominate the room, and speakers shouldn’t come from The Salvation Army.

If you choose a wedding DJ in the Albany NY area that will not bring the traits you see listed above or in the pictures below, drop us a line. You can reach via phone or TEXT at 518-506-3305. Thank you!

Reach us by phone or TEXT at 518-506-3305.

Thank you!