Profile George Andrews
Owner/ operator of International Sounds DJ Entertainment
From a family in the wedding industry, Dad a musician and leader of a wedding band for over 30 years and mom a quality control manager for a posh bridal shop in Manhattan.
Originally a musician /vocalist with degrees in Economics and International Languages I started my own entertainment and event planning company in the mid 1980’s. Since then I have planned and entertained from very simple to high-end celebrity events.
History of the DJ
In the old days (before 1995 or so), there were fewer DJs out there. Why? A few reasons...
· DJ equipment used to be both very expensive and hard to find.
· In the old days of vinyl records, music was also expensive and it was difficult to build a library of older popular music. When a record when out of print, it was hard to find.
Nowadays, with a laptop, a set of speakers and downloading music from file sharing sites anyone can be a DJ. WRONG
Who's Hot and Who's Not?
So now that you've just found out that there are probably 1,000 DJs within a short drive of you, how can you tell who might do a good job for you? There's no single way that's foolproof. You'll need to combine a couple of these following steps to be confident in your choice.
A good place to start could be a referral from someone you know who has used their services and had a great experience with this DJ Company.
Ask the Venue you are holding your reception for any recommendations. .
Pay attention to who the DJ is attending events.
Go online and google ( check for positve r negative feedback)
Hiring a Professional
- Full time vs. Part time – A full time company will devote a lot more time and effort to make sure your event is just perfect. Someone who holds a 9-5 job will not make your wedding his priority. He has a steady income coming in. This is extra spending money. Even if your event is not a success it is no big deal because he /she still has a 9-5 Job. A full time devoted company like International Sounds needs your future referrals therefore we need to execute a flawless show.
- Office and office hours - Do they keep regular office hours and return calls promptly? International Sounds has 4 convenient locations and maintains regular business hours. We return calls within 24-48 hours at most.
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- How long has the company been in Business? Ask to see proof
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- Meeting the representative of the company or DJ– What are your initial impressions? Attire, appearance etc. Is this the person or company you would like entertaining your wedding. What does their office or surroundings look like, neat, well organized. This can also be a clear indication of a true professional.· Attitude -Does the DJ seems interested in working with you or do they seem more interested in your deposit? When you bring up any concerns do they say "yeah, no problem" or do they take the time to listen to you and thoughtfully come up with a solution or can they tell you how they've handled similar concerns in the past? Can they create the ambiance you are looking for?
- Insurance – A professional DJ service should carry at least a one million-liability policy. It is also a requirement by all venues. If the DJ doesn't have appropriate insurance, you may be liable for any damages or incidents the DJ may cause. (Damage to the venue, fire or even Death)
· Quality Equipment -The use of equipment that can be bought at Best Buy , Sears or Radio Shack isn't professional. Consumer products are not made to handle long hours of usage and not made to be moved around every week. Only high-end commercial grade equipment should be used.
· Backup equipment and staff -equipment failure is rare with commercial grade proffesional gear, but 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. This is very important. A DJ who works by himself and is not part of a company could be risky.
· Appearance of the DJ and Equipment set up - will the DJ be in formalwear at your wedding? (unless you'd like them dressed differently). Also, find out what their equipment will look like when it's all set up. Will they hang some sort of banner screaming out their name at your wedding.
· Contract - The important parts are the date, times, location, price Services to be provided in full description and cancellation policy.
· Requests and Music – 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. You need to communicate this to your DJ. You also need to give the DJ the flexibility to switch gears using his experience if things are not moving well.
What is the Policy on sound control? You certainly do not want your guests aggravated by very loud music. International Sounds pays attention to detail.
· Punctuality –A professional DJ should arrive at least one hour prior to the start time you have given them. (Depending on setup maybe even earlier) Your entertainer should ideally be setup and in-place before your first guest walks through the door.
· Pricing – This ultimately up to the customer. If you feel you are getting a great service for a fair price then you have made a great choice. There is no set standard of what a DJ should cost. Obviously a well-experienced DJ will cost more than a novice. Sure websites and magazines make suggestions of what you should pay a DJ but that holds no weight. There is no DJ school, no city, state or government agency governing this industry. You are paying for talent and service. This is an art form.
· Showcases vs. Video presentations – Attending bridal shows where DJs are performing at a live showcase can be very misleading. The DJ company has setup every piece of equipment they own including sound, lighting, screens, etc building up an image you might not be able to afford. Raw footage video presentations can give you a better idea of a wedding as it’s happening realistically. This can also be proof of the actual work the company has done.
· Are they Wedding Specialists? Unless you are looking to create a sweet sixteen or a Bar mitzvah feel at your wedding, you need to make sure the DJ has enough wedding experience. Ask the DJ to show you Wedding videos and /or Thank you letters from satisfied Brides.
Tips and advice from George Andrews of International Sounds
We suggest you hire 2 professionals for your wedding. A DJ and an MC.
The DJ will make sure he executes your music appropriately and the MC will run your party alongside the catering manager, make all the necessary announcements and best of all this is a great form of back up if for some reason your DJ falls ill at the reception. He will take over or vice versa. All of our staff members are cross-trained.
Caution some DJ Companies might sell you a DJ and MC package and in essence it could be 1 professional who will try to do both and may be bring an assistant in to play the role of the DJ. Of course the assistant does not get paid the same as a professional does, therefore you may choose the company with the cheaper price. Remember the old saying “YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR” It is extremely difficult for 1 person to execute a perfect show.
( It is hard for a chef to be the cook, waiter and bartender and hold the fort with just a busboy)
Trends
· Couples are now taking ballroom dancing lessons and waltzing their first dance
· Transforming a space with lighting
· Plasma TV s with photo montages of bride and groom and ceremony recap pictures
· Maintaining traditions with ethnic music
NEW at International Sounds
We can have celebrity entertainers, artists and celebrity chefs at your wedding.
Note
Planning your wedding from start to finish may be overwhelming but by hiring the right professionals you can put your anxiety aside and be sure that your special day will provide wonderful memories to last a lifetime.
Thank you for your Time!
George Andrews ( wedding industry expert)
( George has been written up in For the Bride Magazine,and has given many seminars including several @ Michael C. Fina in NYC)
International Sounds
445 Park Avenue 9th floor
NY, NY 10022
800 468 3562
4.9/5.0
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