Tips for Choosing the Right DJ
When it comes to selecting the ideal DJ for your wedding, it’s not just about the music—it's about finding someone who will be your partner in creating the perfect atmosphere. In today’s episode with the DJ team at Fantasy Sound we dive into what really matters when choosing a DJ: personality, compatibility, and ensuring your vendor team is in sync.
When searching for the perfect DJ, it’s essential to start with your venue’s recommended vendor list and seek referrals from trusted friends. Take the time to research each DJ to ensure they fit your style and personality. This preparation will not only help narrow down your options but also give you a solid starting point for your interviews.
Next, make it a priority to meet face-to-face, whether in person or virtually. Avoid relying solely on email communication, as live interactions are the best way to assess a DJ’s personality and professionalism. Use these meetings to discuss your music preferences, day-of expectations, and unique family dynamics to gauge how well they understand your vision.
Ultimately, focus on compatibility over everything else. A great DJ should feel like an extension of you on your big day, making your guests feel comfortable and keeping the energy flowing. Prioritize someone who genuinely connects with you and shares your excitement for making the event unforgettable.
Episode Highlights:
- Compatibility Over Music Preferences: Understand why choosing a DJ is about more than their music taste—compatibility and shared vision are crucial for creating a seamless day.
- Personality Matters: Discover how a DJ’s personality impacts guest engagement and sets the tone for the entire event.
- Beyond the Booth: Learn about the unexpected roles a professional DJ may take on, such as troubleshooting technical issues, fixing last-minute mishaps, and keeping the day on track.
- Effective Communication: Find out why meeting in person or via Zoom is essential for assessing your DJ’s ability to communicate and handle the flow of the day.
- Ask the Right Questions: Move beyond technical details and focus on understanding their experience, approach, and interactions with other vendors to ensure a smooth collaboration.
- Building Your Dream Team: Trust vendor recommendations and referrals to help you select a DJ who aligns with your style and expectations.
Subscribe to Now That I’m Engaged, How Do I Get Married? on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform! Share this episode with someone planning their wedding, and don’t forget to leave a review and let us know which DJ story was your favorite!
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Transcript
Kevin Dennis (0:0.878)
All right, folks, welcome to the next episode of Now That I'm Engaged, How Do I Get Married? We have a special guest with us here today, but of course we have our co -host August with us. But then we have... Oh, yeah, I got to let August talk. Sorry, August. And then we have two of the Fantasy Sound DJs. I'm the third, but we have all three of us on one podcast. I think this is a very special occasion. I know.
August Yocher (0:11.298)
What's up everybody?
It's okay.
Glen Riggs (0:24.472)
What? Well, and some of us are more special than the others.
Norman Anub (0:25.654)
This is historic this is
Kevin Dennis (0:30.448)
Yes. But we won't let we won't let anybody know which one right. I'd like that. All right.
August Yocher (0:36.330)
You get to decide. Choose your own adventure.
Glen Riggs (0:39.224)
Right?
Norman Anub (0:39.751)
Hehehe.
Kevin Dennis (0:40.388)
Alright, but we're going to start by letting I think we'll flip a coin and it's Norm. We'll let Norm go first to tell us a little bit about Norm and how did he get going in this wonderful world of DJing.
Norman Anub (0:53.115)
Well, um, wow, I have to go way back because I've been DJing just as long as probably Kevin has. that, yes, yes, we're old. That's, that's, that's...
Kevin Dennis (1:1.468)
We're old.
Glen Riggs (1:3.770)
They used to bring records on their dinosaurs to the weddings.
Kevin Dennis (1:6.745)
Hahaha!
August Yocher (1:8.961)
Uphill both ways.
Norman Anub (1:9.523)
True, true. So yeah, I started out in high school. It was just the cool thing to do. Our high school had a bunch of DJs and they were always like competing for the cool parties on the weekends. And that's basically how I started. I started out with my best friend. He kind of introduced me to it. His brother, his older brother was a DJ and he had a bunch of records like Glenn said, yeah, all the dinosaur records.
Kevin Dennis (1:22.599)
Mmm.
Norman Anub (1:38.403)
Uh, and we would just basically, he introduced me to all the, all the cool songs and all the stuff that the clubs were playing, which I didn't know because I wasn't old enough to go to the clubs. And then, uh, yeah, we just started to mess around with, with a lot of the, uh, the music and just kind of discovering new music. Um, and that's where my music addiction began. And, uh, yeah, it just, it just evolved from there. Uh, started doing weddings way back.
think my first wedding was in:Kevin Dennis (2:10.087)
Mm.
Kevin Dennis (2:16.156)
Oh, that's even better.
August Yocher (2:16.535)
Cool.
Norman Anub (2:36.637)
doing what I love to do. Yeah, that's pretty much how I started.
Kevin Dennis (2:41.650)
And then you mentioned your music addiction. We won't talk about any of your other addictions, so we'll move on to group.
Glen Riggs (2:46.010)
Oh, I was going to talk about Norm's other addictions, but.
Norman Anub (2:49.877)
And here's another thing. I lived like two blocks away from a record store and yes, very dangerous. It was Leopold's record. don't know.
August Yocher (2:55.338)
Oh, dangerous.
Kevin Dennis (2:57.052)
Which one?
Oh, so see, I used to love Star Records was my favorite when I was...
Norman Anub (3:3.866)
I used to take the bus to start records.
Kevin Dennis (3:6.202)
Yeah. That was my Thursday routine was to go to Star Records, then hit Leopold's, and then go over to in the city to Tower Records. And then if I didn't find what I wanted, hit. What's the one in Berkeley? I'm blanking on it right now. Yes, thank you. Yes. And I would hit that on the way back. But that was my every Thursday routine was I was at Star Records at noon. You could set a clock to me. I was there every time. Anyway. All right.
Glen Riggs (3:22.106)
Russ Buten.
Norman Anub (3:34.759)
Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (3:36.070)
Glenn, you're not as old.
Glen Riggs (3:37.324)
Yo, I'm not as old as Norm.
Glen Riggs (3:43.436)
I got my start in high school as well. I actually used to play like for the rallies. So like the cheerleaders would come over and they would bring me their mixtape. It was like the Memorex. I don't remember like if they were like the clear Memorex tapes that had like the neon designs on them. So they were bringing me their mixtape. Yeah, I'm kind of old. But so that's really how I got started. I didn't really get into the DJ world until
Kevin Dennis (4:2.072)
You are kinda old.
Glen Riggs (4:12.632)
My son started elementary school. And actually the head cheerleader from when I was in high school was the school principal. And so she said, hey, would you DJ? Right? Isn't that so cool? So she said, hey, would you DJ for us at some of our parties and things? So that's how I got started. And then I saw Fantasy Sound was hiring for wedding DJs. And I said, I could do that. So I submitted my resume and they never called me.
Kevin Dennis (4:20.838)
You
August Yocher (4:21.794)
That's like a full circle moment.
August Yocher (4:42.968)
Heaven.
Glen Riggs (4:44.202)
Right? Don't be throwing her under the bus. She is not here. But then I was actually introduced to Kevin through a mutual friend, someone from school and someone that he knew. it's all his it's like nine years now that I've been with Fantasy Sounds. So that's, that's how I got my big start.
Kevin Dennis (4:45.180)
That's Lindsay. Lindsay does all that. Not me.
August Yocher (4:46.795)
Hahaha
Norman Anub (4:50.146)
Of course, she's not here to defend herself, so hey.
Kevin Dennis (4:50.236)
That'll do.
Kevin Dennis (5:6.951)
Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (5:10.300)
We've been through. Yeah. Well.
Norman Anub (5:13.501)
Wow, I never got a chance to tell me how I met Kevin. We met through an ace. It was an ace. Well, keep it clean. I'm sorry, I thought this was like an AA meeting. Intervention, I meant.
Kevin Dennis (5:17.318)
Yeah, no, we don't want it. Norm. Yeah.
August Yocher (5:17.516)
You good?
Glen Riggs (5:17.594)
Well, you took up so much time, Norm, talking about all your addictions that it just wasn't enough time.
Kevin Dennis (5:24.795)
Yes.
Kevin Dennis (5:30.738)
I couldn't fashion We're coming out
Glen Riggs (5:34.100)
Fast food.
Kevin Dennis (5:36.506)
funny. Alright August.
August Yocher (5:39.532)
All right, well, so today's episode is gonna have a little bit of a different structure. since Kevin is a DJ, I'm gonna be asking all three of you guys questions. So I'll be keeping track of points to see who's the most special, like Glenn said. But today's, and Kevin, you're down a point because you never called Glenn back. So sorry to, you know, you're already behind.
Kevin Dennis (5:55.100)
We already know Glenn's gonna win that.
Okay, all right, all right Man
Norman Anub (6:2.663)
Whoa.
Glen Riggs (6:3.376)
Oh
Glen Riggs (6:7.248)
Tough crowd.
August Yocher (6:8.480)
All right, but today what we really want to give our couples who are listening is some tips for choosing the right DJ. And who better to do that than all of our seasoned fantasy sound DJs. So right off the bat, we're just gonna get into it. We can go in a circle, but who do we think or what do we think is the most important things to remember when selecting a DJ for your wedding?
Kevin Dennis (6:9.330)
You
Norman Anub (6:28.853)
or what do we think?
August Yocher (6:36.996)
Um, Norm, why don't you go first?
Norman Anub (6:40.713)
I think it really comes down to compatibility. So when you choose a DJ, you're going to be working with this person throughout the whole process. Sure, there are a lot of talented DJs out there and so many to choose from, but it really comes down to compatibility. You'd hate to hire somebody and in the end realize you didn't get along with them. That would really suck.
August Yocher (6:44.920)
Mm.
August Yocher (7:7.490)
Mm
Norman Anub (7:11.297)
Put it mildly. Yeah, I mean, it really comes down to compatibility. And how you do that is actually meeting them, setting up a Zoom meeting, or even a phone chat. Because anyone can sound awesome in an email, you know? But it really comes down to how well you guys get along and how well the DJ understands who they are.
Kevin Dennis (7:13.222)
You
August Yocher (7:20.781)
Mm
Kevin Dennis (7:24.741)
Mm
August Yocher (7:29.622)
Yeah.
Norman Anub (7:39.910)
the DJ who will be acting as the MC will be representing the couple. you know, so that's very important.
August Yocher (7:49.038)
It's almost like dating them, you know, getting to know them a little bit better. So yeah.
Norman Anub (7:51.037)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Exactly. Yeah. Yeah, it's a relationship. Yeah, yeah. Yeah.
Glen Riggs (7:53.078)
It is absolutely like dating. It's a threesome. It's a total threesome.
Kevin Dennis (7:57.146)
It really much is, yeah.
August Yocher (7:57.304)
Totally.
Kevin Dennis (8:0.530)
It's a total threesome.
August Yocher (8:0.663)
Yeah
Kevin Dennis (8:5.233)
Of course.
August Yocher (8:5.418)
You, your partner, and your DJ. Well, what about you, Glenn? What do you think is an important thing to remember?
Kevin Dennis (8:7.792)
Yes.
Glen Riggs (8:7.928)
Yeah, oh totally, totally.
Glen Riggs (8:14.808)
Yes, I totally agree with Norm. Like it has to be someone that you gel with. You know, I tell my couples when I talk to them, anybody can play music. mean, for God's sake, we've got Spotify can play music. But who has that personality that you really click with and gel with? I can't tell you the number of couples that I've talked to that are like, Oh, my cousin's going to be my DJ. Awesome. That's great. I'm so glad your cousin is talented. But how many weddings have they DJ? Do they know?
August Yocher (8:27.116)
Mm -hmm.
August Yocher (8:42.030)
Mm
Glen Riggs (8:43.972)
how to take care of business for you when it comes down to needing to take care of business because stuff will go wrong. Stuff can go wrong at a wedding. And you take someone like Norm and Kevin and myself, who's been doing this for a long time, and we can jump in and save stuff without the couple even knowing that it's happened. I mean, I fixed cakes, right? I've done, right? And it's, right? I mean, there's been times when...
Norman Anub (9:5.115)
Oh.
August Yocher (9:6.914)
You wear a lot of hats the day of.
Glen Riggs (9:10.916)
we're looking for an officiant at the last moment. And I'm a licensed officiant. So if I had to step in, I could turn on my own mic and jump in and marry the couple. I mean, not literally marry them. yeah, it really is all about that relationship. If you don't have a relationship with them, it just doesn't work out.
Kevin Dennis (9:19.110)
You
Norman Anub (9:20.780)
Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (9:30.866)
Yeah, I agree. I always tell everyone it comes down to personality. It's least about the music. And they always worry about what music I like. And it doesn't matter what music I like. It more matters about the music that you like. But it's also because we're there to play the music that you and your guests like. it doesn't, you know, if I don't like country, then it's no big deal. You know, like I could still get in there like Glenn said and play country and.
And no one would know that I don't like country like I was Yeah, but I was what I well, I'm not I'm just use that as an example, but I I did a Persian wedding for the first time a handful of years ago and I had an aunt walk up to me and tell me I was the best Persian DJ she they've ever had at an event and Well, and it's funny because it was my first one and all I did was follow along with the couple told me to do So I was like tonight and I and I and at the end I gave them credit
Glen Riggs (10:1.592)
I love country.
August Yocher (10:2.275)
Yeah.
August Yocher (10:6.858)
Yee -haw!
August Yocher (:Wow.
Kevin Dennis (:I went up to them and I said, hey, was told I was the best person DJ that one of your guests ever had. And I go, thank you. You guys did all that work for me.
August Yocher (:Mm
Glen Riggs (:Kevin's trying to get special points.
August Yocher (:don't know, he might be tied back with you guys again.
Kevin Dennis (:I gotta work it up. I was already behind. Yeah.
Norman Anub (:I have a similar experience with a Persian wedding you did when I actually went a step further and sought out one of my Middle Eastern DJ buddies and he gave me some tips and the bride actually went up to me after and said, wow, you played better music than what I gave you.
Kevin Dennis (:Oh.
Kevin Dennis (11:6.234)
Oh, that's even better. OK, so norms up two notches.
Norman Anub (11:6.353)
So, yeah.
August Yocher (11:7.758)
That's nice.
Yeah, Glenn, do you have an experience to share to get you back on the board?
Norman Anub (:Oh.
Kevin Dennis (:Mwahahahaha
Glen Riggs (:treat all of my couples like that.
Kevin Dennis (:Oh
Glen Riggs (:Not just my Persian couples. All of them.
Norman Anub (:You
August Yocher (:You
Okay, so it sounds like so far when couples are meeting with their DJ, you know, they're dating their DJ, we're looking for compatibility, we're looking for personality that you gel with. So in order for them to kind of see if they do gel with their DJ, what kind of questions should they be asking their DJ when they meet with them for the first time?
Glen Riggs (:Don't ask chat GPT and Google what questions to ask your DJ because
August Yocher (:Do you get like the same ones over and over again?
Glen Riggs (12:0.068)
Yes, they ask, do you have insurance? What happens if a speaker breaks? I mean, there's those types of questions. mean, Right?
Norman Anub (12:6.109)
Yeah.
August Yocher (12:6.466)
Don't ask questions, just ask questions.
Kevin Dennis (12:9.114)
It's always doom and gloom stuff too when they're asked. Yeah, yeah.
Glen Riggs (:Yeah, it's always I mean, first of all, go to a reputable company, right? You're you come to Fantasy Sound. You know, I've got extra speakers if there's one that that takes it up. I'm going to place a call or text and they're going to bring me stuff. I mean, that just happened over the weekend that I had some issues. You just bring me the extra stuff. But ask the questions that are important to you. If you do take it from a perspective of I'm dating this person.
August Yocher (:Mm
Glen Riggs (:They are in charge of the most important day of my life. Now, there's going to be coordinators and planners and there's lots of moms and sisters that think they're in control that day. No, I have the loudest voice. I have the microphone. I'm in charge of what goes on that day. you know, don't ask the, you know, to Kevin's point, don't ask what's my favorite music. Tell me what your favorite music is and then ask me, you know, what happens when nobody's on the dance floor?
Kevin Dennis (13:7.932)
Mmm.
Glen Riggs (13:8.014)
That's like one of my favorite questions to get answered. And that used to be different for me, you know, before we went into COVID, but coming out of COVID, you know, watching the dance floor is more than just checking out what's going on the dance floor. But I always look around the room, right? Are people engaged in conversations? Are they singing along, right? That tells us a lot. you know, I think that one of the greatest questions they can ask is what happens when nobody's on the dance floor and just see.
August Yocher (13:9.016)
Hmm, that's a great question.
Kevin Dennis (:Mm
Glen Riggs (:Silence is the best answer, right? Don't answer, don't continue to answer that question for your DJ. Just let it be quiet. Let them come up with that answer and see what it is.
Kevin Dennis (:Mm
August Yocher (:Mmm.
Kevin Dennis (:I usually cry and go home, but that's just me.
Glen Riggs (:MWAH MWAH
Norman Anub (:I put on my favorite song and I just start dancing. Look, there's somebody dancing. There's somebody dancing. Look. No.
Glen Riggs (:Right?
Kevin Dennis (:Yeah, that's even better.
August Yocher (:You gotta set the mood.
August Yocher (14:4.290)
Well, I'm curious now. So let's say like your couple did ask you that question, Kevin, or did ask you that question, Norm. How would you answer it?
Kevin Dennis (14:6.748)
You
Norman Anub (:I would actually go out on the dance floor. Yeah, I would actually go on the dance floor. I would play like a line dance and even lead it if I have to. Sometimes they need that extra push, know, maybe just a little encouragement.
August Yocher (:I think that's like a great little tip.
August Yocher (:Oh yeah.
Glen Riggs (:Norm loves Achey Breaky Heart. That's like his favorite.
Norman Anub (:That's a Filipino inside joke, right? No, but yeah, I mean, you know, that's a popular line dance. I know a lot of couples are against line dancing, but it still works and people still love it. The classics still works. sometimes you're gonna, yeah, sometimes you need a, right, right. Yeah.
August Yocher (:Mm
August Yocher (:Mm
Kevin Dennis (:Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (:Good shuffle.
August Yocher (15:1.314)
You need the mass appeal, the nostalgia.
Kevin Dennis (15:1.830)
You need a little something to bring, yeah.
August Yocher (15:6.390)
Yeah, what about you Kevin?
Kevin Dennis (15:6.428)
But then the same thing, got to pivot, go a different direction. I'm a big believer too, is talking to the couples, right, well, all this music you gave me, what if it doesn't work? How much creative freedom do I have? know, kind of knowing the boundaries and all that kind of stuff ahead of time. I'm not crazy like them. I don't get out on the dance. I hate to dance. I don't know why. That's why I became a DJ. I will only dance if I've had a few cocktails and I'm drunk. That's about the only time I will dance.
August Yocher (:Mm
Glen Riggs (:And Kevin, I think you bring up a great point, just to kind go back when people say, oh, my cousin is going to DJ the wedding. The venues where we work, we are not allowed to drink while we're working. So it's great if your cousin wants to come and work your wedding, but make sure they know what they're getting into first because we're not allowed to drink while we're on shift.
Kevin Dennis (:Mm
Kevin Dennis (:Thank you.
August Yocher (:Mm -hmm.
August Yocher (:Well, and Glenn, that was kind of revolving around my next question, because I kind of wanted to expand on that a little bit more is can you explain the importance of the DJ's role, the day of the wedding, beyond just playing music? Because you kind of mentioned like you have to wear a lot of hats the day of. So what do you kind of do in your day to day that makes it worth hiring an experienced DJ for your event?
Glen Riggs (:Yeah, that's great. I so I mentioned part of that already is that, you know, we've got backup equipment. So something goes wrong. When I show up on site, I get to show up like Superman in most cases, I just show up in a suit with my laptop in a backpack. I set up I test all my equipment, make sure I've got fresh batteries, like all of those those little things that people don't necessarily think of. But in many cases, I'm in the place where no one else is.
during that prep time. So when people are getting ready for the ceremony, they're outside for the ceremony. I might be inside testing my equipment. And that's when I watched a little girl walk up and stick her finger in the middle of the wedding cake.
Kevin Dennis (17:1.852)
HA HA!
Norman Anub (17:2.979)
Hahaha
Glen Riggs (17:4.984)
Right? So we were actually able to like get some succulents that were around the cake and stack them up to cover it up. But, you know, we took care of it. It wasn't even an issue for someone. You know, we don't drink. So many times we are one of the few sober people in the room. But what happens when something does happen? Right? If if paramedics need to be called, if somebody has an issue, you need to make sure that you've got somebody there that can kind of
step in and take control of a situation that has a level head, number one. And number two, they've been through this, maybe not this particular scenario, but they know how stuff is going to play out. We can get people back to where they need to be, right? If we have to take a break. During the wildfires in our area, right, we lost power. And it was like, how do we get this back? What's our plan B? So it's...
August Yocher (:Mm
Kevin Dennis (:Mm -hmm.
Glen Riggs (18:3.770)
There are just so many things that could happen, right? Not that they do, but there are so many things that could happen. It's just nice to know that you've got somebody there.
Kevin Dennis (18:6.832)
Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (:No, yeah.
August Yocher (:It's good to have someone you trust and someone who's comfortable with handling those types of situations too.
Norman Anub (:Yeah, takes a lot of preparation and experience as well. Knowing the venue definitely helps. So you can troubleshoot if there's a problem and you're familiar with the venue, you know what exactly what to do in that situation.
Kevin Dennis (:Mm.
Kevin Dennis (:Well, I was going say we have to be really good at improv. that's, have to, you know, all right, we bring our wedding, you know, our creative partners and everyone together and say, all right, XYZ happened and we got to make this happen and how are we going to, you know, change it to where the couple doesn't know anything's going on and how do we move forward and everything's nice and smooth. And I'm a big believer too, is like the guests don't know what's going on as well. had...
Glen Riggs (:Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (19:3.235)
Worked a wedding recently where the wedding planner kept leaving her Clipboard like out for the guests and all and you would see the guests reading and they're like we're behind We're not doing what we're supposed, you know, and I was like, well if she wouldn't quit leaving her damn, you know clipboard around no one would know that wasn't happening when it was supposed to because you know, I always say sometimes the timeline is more of a guideline, know, like we want to try to do this and then at this time, but hey something went wrong or
Norman Anub (:Hahaha
August Yocher (:Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (:You know, then instead of doing it at 7 .05, we're doing it at 7 .10. And then, oh, great, we were able to make up some time. Now we're back on time. You know, like all that kind of, that ebb and flow and working together. So I think it's important to, is put together a really good team of creative partners. know, so having a really good photographer there, a really good planner, a really good videographer. You know, those are kind of your core people that are going to be working really hard for you on your wedding day. And if you have...
a bad apple or a bad seed in one of those, it makes for a long, long day for everyone.
Glen Riggs (20:7.728)
Kevin, I did a wedding where they had an espresso bar and they brought it in later in the evening. It was a fairly new venue and the minute they started to make a coffee, it would trip the circuit breaker and I would lose the music. We would lose half the lights in the room and they would go, they would flip it back on and finally I told them, said, it's that espresso bar that's over there that, you know, I told the coordinator, they're the one that's causing this. And so they said, well, can you unplug some of your stuff?
Kevin Dennis (:Hmm.
Kevin Dennis (:Boom.
Norman Anub (:Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (:Hmm.
August Yocher (:Oh no.
Glen Riggs (:No, I'm not going to unplug my stuff for your coffee. But I ended up going and taking their extension cord away from them so that they couldn't plug in anymore because what I was doing was far more important than their espresso. Wheel your bar around the corner, go over there where the lights are still on, plug in over there, people will come to you. But I can't pick up my system. Yeah, right. I will make sure they know where to get their coffee. it's that that
Kevin Dennis (:Mm
Kevin Dennis (:Yeah.
August Yocher (:Mm -hmm.
Kevin Dennis (:Yeah. Yep. And I'll make lots of announcements to tell everyone where to get their espresso.
Glen Riggs (21:6.416)
take charge. You want somebody that can step in because I've had people say, well, they're my clients. Well, guess what? They're my clients too.
Kevin Dennis (21:7.537)
Mm -hmm.
August Yocher (21:7.917)
Yeah.
Norman Anub (21:8.606)
Right.
August Yocher (:Mm -hmm. Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (:Mm -hmm.
Norman Anub (:Yeah, like I said, it does take a lot of preparation and your ability to do things on the fly if you have to. Backup equipment is very important. Glenn also mentioned backup equipment. If the power keeps going off, let's say the whole entire venue is out. Maybe you have battery -powered packs.
Kevin Dennis (:Mm -hmm.
Kevin Dennis (:Yeah.
Norman Anub (:that can power your system and keep the party going if they have to. yeah, just back up, preparation.
Kevin Dennis (:And batteries. Batteries are always very important. Right, Norm?
Norman Anub (:Yeah, everything. Yeah, everything's pretty much going to be battery powered eventually.
Kevin Dennis (22:1.564)
Yeah, no, it's very true.
Glen Riggs (22:6.296)
And even back up people, right? I mean, we've learned a lot, the benefit to having, we've all been in situations where we've heard that somebody didn't show up and right, making sure that you've got someone that can step in. mean, we are part of a team here, but we also belong to other organizations that, know, when we need a hand or we need someone to step in, it's not how much or, you know, what are they having for dinner? It's how can I help? So making sure that you've got connected people.
August Yocher (22:9.058)
Mm.
Kevin Dennis (22:9.297)
Mm -hmm.
Norman Anub (22:9.928)
Right.
Kevin Dennis (:Mm -hmm.
Norman Anub (:Exactly.
August Yocher (:Yeah, and those are all probably things that your cousin cannot provide for you. yeah.
Kevin Dennis (:for sure.
Norman Anub (:Yeah.
Glen Riggs (:Exactly.
Norman Anub (:Right. Yeah, it's all about networking and it's who you know, who you can trust. I probably have about 50 different phone numbers of DJs on my phone right now. Yeah. So if ever come to a bind where I need something or somebody specializes in something, even if I have a question in the middle of the event, I would reach out to some of these DJs even if they were working. But yeah.
Kevin Dennis (:Mm.
August Yocher (:Wow.
Kevin Dennis (23:7.322)
I've done that before. got stuck and I was doing a Latin wedding and I text message Adam. yeah, it's nice to have those people.
Norman Anub (:Yeah. Yeah.
August Yocher (:Yeah, well, and I want to ask too, so I kind of want to get back to, know, couples are watching this, they're kind of trying to see, you know, what questions can they ask when trying to choose the right DJ. So I guess my next question for the couples would be, you're in the meeting with them, how do they best communicate their vision to you of what they want for the day of and what their music style is?
Norman Anub (:It's it. OK. It usually starts with the questions that you ask them. Important questions. First, find out who they are, what they like, what they don't like. Sometimes that would answer your question right away. What are their hobbies? Tell me about yourself. What would guests know about you just in general? What would they say about you? lot of that a lot of the information.
Kevin Dennis (:So, oh, go ahead, Norm.
Kevin Dennis (24:1.381)
Mm
August Yocher (24:4.321)
Mm
Kevin Dennis (24:6.663)
Hmm.
August Yocher (:Mm -hmm.
Norman Anub (:or the answers they give you, you can pretty much assess what type of music would get them going. Of course, you still need to ask what kind of music will get them going, but that will give you a good clue going into the other questions.
August Yocher (:Yeah, I feel like with all of this too, you guys have to be very observant, like not only on the day of when you're kind of reading the room and reading situations, but you're reading the couples too. And I'm sure, I mean, that's a huge challenge in itself to be able to meet with the couple, ask them those questions and kind of move on from there.
Kevin Dennis (:And I usually...
Norman Anub (:Yeah.
We're reading everyone's minds actually. 200 guests, we have to kind of read 200 guests minds at the same time. yeah.
August Yocher (:Yeah.
August Yocher (:Yeah, you have to stay alert. Sorry, go ahead, Kevin and I.
Kevin Dennis (25:4.622)
No, I was just gonna say I always ask them too about their guests. Who are they inviting? So is it a lot of their friends coming to the wedding or a lot of family? know, like age range of people because then that kind of helps dictate stuff too. And then I like to know about like family traditions, you know, so like what, what, know, something that happens every time at a family wedding of theirs or any of that kind of stuff, learning all that kind of stuff. Like, like Norm said, it opens the window and gives us a vision into
and tomorrow what the day's gonna be like.
Glen Riggs (:Yeah, I love that people are so open to Zoom meetings now because it actually takes me into their home in most cases, right? Before COVID, that's like a bad word, I can't even say it, but before that, we would meet in our office and people loved coming into our office. It's a great place to be. But now that most people are opting to meet remotely,
Kevin Dennis (:Mm -hmm.
Mm -hmm.
August Yocher (:Oh
Norman Anub (:Yeah
Glen Riggs (26:2.704)
actually get to go into their home and I get to see their pets and I get to see their taste in art or lack of taste in art. Right? Or the curtains that they're Norm's in his motor home on the side of 84 right now. But I love to get that, you just, I get into their homes, right? I get to
Kevin Dennis (:Hehehehehe
August Yocher (:Hahaha!
Norman Anub (:Or the curtains, the curtains behind them.
Kevin Dennis (:Yeah.
August Yocher (:Yes.
Norman Anub (:Hahaha!
August Yocher (:I never thought about that. That's really cool. Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (:Well, and you meet their pets and their family members and sometimes too, they're inviting like mom and dad or, you know, if a maid of honor or someone's going to have an importance on the day of they're inviting all those people onto the zoom as well. So you're meeting a lot of these people ahead of time as well. So yeah, that's changed big time since COVID.
August Yocher (:Mm
August Yocher (:Okay, well, next question for you guys. How do you stay updated on the current music trends while still blending that with classics that everyone's going to want to hear at a wedding?
Glen Riggs (27:6.000)
I've got a 14 year old with terrible taste in music. That's how I stay. I mean, honestly, he he clues me into a lot of what the younger crowd is listening to. I actually spend most of my time without music on, which surprises a lot of people. But after I finish a wedding, when I get in the car to drive home, I drive home in silence. I don't listen to
August Yocher (27:8.744)
Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (27:8.998)
Hahaha!
Norman Anub (27:9.058)
Hahaha!
August Yocher (:Interesting, yeah.
August Yocher (:I guess it's like work -life balance, right? You kind of have to separate yourself a little bit.
Glen Riggs (:Yeah. But, you know, I just had this conversation recently is that there's a there are different types of DJs, right? If you are a club DJ, and you are DJing at an EDM club, guess what type of music people are expecting you to play? EDM music, right? When you come to a wedding, we are catering to people between the ages of two and 102. So
Kevin Dennis (:Mm
Kevin Dennis (:EDM.
Glen Riggs (28:1.600)
It's not yes being on top of the latest and greatest helps But most of the people that we're catering to are going to get out and they're going to dance to earth wind and fire september Um, right, they're going to take the dance floor for that. Um, so it's Yeah, it's not always about like what's the latest and cutting edge now i'm not gonna lie I have been at a wedding where someone's like do you have this song and I looked it up I was like, I don't even know that song
August Yocher (:Mm -hmm.
Norman Anub (:Right, stuff they're familiar with. Yeah, yeah.
Kevin Dennis (:Mm -hmm.
Norman Anub (:Yeah
Glen Riggs (:But it was released like four hours before. So, but yeah, it was some remix on TikTok that somebody did that just became. Yeah. So that's, know, that's really, yes, the newest and best is is great. But, you know, if I'm not playing what people want to hear, usually they're going to come up and let me know and start requesting what they do want to hear. And I do my best to try to work that in.
August Yocher (:Oh.
Norman Anub (:Hahaha!
Kevin Dennis (:On YouTube.
Norman Anub (:You
August Yocher (:You're like, I'm not a miracle worker, sir.
Norman Anub (29:0.350)
Yeah, the classics always work. But if I need to keep up with the newest music, I would definitely look around in social media. If Facebook works too, but that's mainly for the older people. TikTok, Instagram, Instagram definitely works. You get lots of clues from there.
Kevin Dennis (29:0.508)
Lots of nudge.
Kevin Dennis (:Instagram.
Glen Riggs (:Norm, Norm goes to my space to he looks up at my space a lot.
Norman Anub (:I almost said Myspace too and I caught myself. Yeah, Glenn, you're number three right now. yeah, social media, TikTok, there's Instagram, gives you lots of clues. YouTube as well. I'm always looking at different charts too as well.
Kevin Dennis (:He wants to make sure his top friends are still there.
August Yocher (:I'm here.
Kevin Dennis (:YouTube.
August Yocher (:Mm -hmm.
August Yocher (:Mm.
Norman Anub (:different music charts, a lot of the music pools, I'll just skim through that, listen to stuff on there. Yeah, get clues from the younger people as well. I still do like school dances here and there too. So even there, I'm still learning about music because they're requesting stuff I've never heard of or know about.
August Yocher (30:3.960)
Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (30:7.920)
Yeah.
August Yocher (30:8.472)
Oh yeah.
Kevin Dennis (:It's funny because I just chaperoned my daughter's middle school dance and I laughed because the DJ basically played wedding music the entire time with the exception of maybe six to eight songs. I was shocked. I was shocked at the reaction from the kids too. I can't tell you the last time I played YMCA at a wedding. It's not one of my go -to songs.
August Yocher (:Hmm.
August Yocher (:Were they into it, the kids?
Kevin Dennis (:and this DJ played it and the kids lost their mind. I was like, yeah. It was making me laugh. was like, I could DJ this middle school dance. I haven't DJed a middle school dance in like eight to 10 years. It's been a long time. But then I left that night going, I can do it. I can still do it.
August Yocher (:They're like feral.
August Yocher (31:7.020)
Yeah.
Norman Anub (31:8.859)
And the kids are the biggest critics too and they won't hold back. They will tell you what's on their mind.
Kevin Dennis (:Oh, no.
Kevin Dennis (:They will throw skittles at you is what they will do.
August Yocher (:Just kind of a general question, what is one thing that you wish every couple knew when they were hiring their DJ?
Norman Anub (:What is one thing that you wish every husband did when they were hiring you? Ooh, that would be that we don't have every song that's on Spotify.
August Yocher (:Hehehehe
Kevin Dennis (:Mmm.
Yeah, it would get -
August Yocher (:Yeah, and I guess I wouldn't know that either, so.
Norman Anub (33:0.008)
Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (33:0.892)
Yeah, we can't bring Spotify into our DJ software. We actually have to physically own the MP3 in order for it to play in our DJ software.
Norman Anub (33:8.017)
Right. And we can't always rely on Wi -Fi to stream music as well. It'd be super embarrassing for it to just die out in the middle of a song.
Kevin Dennis (:Mm -mm.
August Yocher (:Mmm.
Kevin Dennis (:Mm -hmm.
Glen Riggs (:Well, and to that point, right, we buy the music, we make money off the music. When we buy the music, the artist also makes money off the music. So if people are using streaming services, and they're just playing off of YouTube or whatever it is that artist isn't getting compensated for, for their talent. So but I think that like, one thing for every couple to know is that during the event, when I asked them if they need anything, I truly mean it.
Norman Anub (:Yeah. Right. Exactly.
August Yocher (:Mmm.
Glen Riggs (:I will go up and say, do you need anything? It's a tough day. It's a really long and arduous day for them. So if they need a drink of water that looks like it's a cocktail, I'm happy to do that for them. If they need a break, I'm happy to orchestrate getting that for them. So I truly mean when I ask, do you need anything? I genuinely mean it.
August Yocher (:Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (:Yeah, it's funny to your point. never until I got married I never experienced being on the other side and it's way different being that person on the other side and it's to the point where it's very overwhelming and sometimes you just need a moment or you know, you just need a break from Aunt Edna that's following you around and driving you nuts and you know, like I had a bride recently Like I was she just had a look on her face. I walked over. Hey guys, how's it going? Do you need anything?
you cause I'm not afraid to walk over to the bar and get them a drink or do whatever they need, you know, to help them out. And I, I, I, she looked at me and she goes, my photographer's driving me fucking nuts, you know? And I was like, okay. So she goes, and I was like, and I'm like, yeah. And I'm like, well, I go, I go, what does he do? You know? And so she explained to me and I said, all right, let me run interference. And I then, so I let, clued in the wedding coordinator at that point and
August Yocher (:Okay.
Glen Riggs (:They're driving me fucking nuts too, so.
Kevin Dennis (35:9.808)
So the wedding coordinator and I just ran interference and kept the photographer away from her as much as possible. And the bride came up and gave me the biggest hug at the end of the night. She goes, I was finally able to enjoy my wedding after you guys stopped this person from trying to get every, you know, she goes, I felt like I was paparazzi following me around and you know, I was, wanted my photo taken, but not like every move I made on the wedding day. So it was kind of, it was kind of an interesting little thing, but that's kind of the extra mile that we go to for our clients.
Norman Anub (:And the bride came up and gave me the kisagaki of the night. I was in front of the people who were at my wedding and you guys stopped this first bride again. you know, I felt like I was.
August Yocher (:Mm.
Norman Anub (:Yeah.
August Yocher (:And do you think, I mean, it's kind of that same point we made before, like get to know your vendor or your creative partner, right? Do you think like, if that bride maybe had taken the time to ask their photographer more questions and learn about them, maybe she could have avoided that stress the day of?
Kevin Dennis (:Mm -hmm.
Kevin Dennis (:I think it comes to Norm's point earlier about personality and that's what it comes down to. I don't think she did a good job of making sure she clicked. know, because I tell all my couples that you're going to spend more time with your wedding photographer than you will with anybody else on your wedding day. You know, like you're with this person more than you are anybody else because they're with you sometimes at the hotel or the house or wherever you are before you even get to the ceremony.
August Yocher (36:4.813)
Mm
August Yocher (:Mm
Norman Anub (:Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (:and then they're with you behind the scenes at the ceremony and then they're with you behind the scenes when you're doing, you know, sunset photos or family photos and all this other stuff. so you just got to, you got to make sure you really like this person, you know, and it's it.
August Yocher (:Well, and guess around your friends and family too, right? Like you want to make sure that, you know, they're professional and that they're putting on a front that you're okay with your family and friends being around too.
Kevin Dennis (:Mm -hmm.
Kevin Dennis (:Yeah, and I just don't think this bride did a good job of vetting this photographer because their personalities did not. I knew from the get -go. was like, was an interesting choice in the photographers because I just, I could tell that their personalities didn't get along.
Norman Anub (:Yep.
Norman Anub (37:3.271)
Yeah, speaking of photographers, when you view a photographer's website, they're all awesome. They're all amazing. So it really comes down to who you're to get along with today. And Kevin brought a big point about you're spending the whole day with them, even hours and days and months ahead of that as well. So, yeah, very important that you get along.
August Yocher (37:3.331)
Mm.
Kevin Dennis (:Mm -hmm.
Kevin Dennis (:Well, even like for us too, it's like when the wedding's over, we're done with a couple. There's nothing else that we need to do. But after the wedding, you're still working with this photographer to get all your photos. some people, albums or whatever, there's still work to be done with this person after.
Glen Riggs (:And Norm, that's a great point. And Kevin, people will often ask, oh, do you have a sample of video that I can watch from you at a wedding? We just, yeah, like all three of us just said, the least important thing I do all night is play music, right? The most important thing is to have that personality and get that gel because we're the MC. People aren't necessarily going to remember the music I play, but they're going to remember how engaged I was with their
Norman Anub (:Hahaha.
August Yocher (:Like a trailer.
Kevin Dennis (38:4.518)
Mm -hmm.
Glen Riggs (:their friends and family when getting them seated and getting them up to, you know, have a good time. So that's most important, not a video reel of me DJing September.
Kevin Dennis (:Yeah. and it's funny too, because we used to have videos back in the day, long, long time ago. And we found when we stopped doing the videos, our bookings went up because someone would hear a song that they did not like in what we were playing and then immediately turn them off to that DJ. And it was, you know, because it's, to everyone's point, we're there to play, whether we like an artist or not, you know, we're there to play music.
August Yocher (:Yeah.
Norman Anub (:Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (:You know, so it doesn't music's the least important thing, but that was the one thing that was turning people off. And we found when people got to know our DJs and meet our DJs, our bookings went up.
Norman Anub (39:1.543)
Thank you.
Norman Anub (:Yeah.
August Yocher (:That's interesting. Yeah, I guess I wouldn't have thought about that, but I guess the video is kind of like setting you up for failure almost. Like they have this preconceived notion. Yeah, no.
Kevin Dennis (:It really is.
And today, couples are, there's so many different people, artists that they don't like. Like I just did a Filipino wedding where they did not like Bruno Mars and I was not allowed to play Bruno Mars. And I was like, what do you mean I can't play Bruno Mars? He's like the Filipino.
Norman Anub (:Today, are many different people, artists that they don't like.
August Yocher (:He is the most underrated artist of our time, and I will stand on that.
Kevin Dennis (:Well, and I always joke that he's a Filipino Elvis. Like every Filipino wedding you're going to do, you're going to play multiple Bruno Mars songs. It is what it is. And so it just made me laugh. if they heard that ahead of time, that couple would have never hired me because they didn't like Bruno Mars. Yeah.
Norman Anub (:Yeah.
Norman Anub (:Oh wow, he just brought me back to a couple I remember that didn't want any Bruno Mars simply because the bride didn't want it because the groom dated Bruno Mars' cousin before. Yeah, and that was the only reason why he didn't want Bruno Mars, but it always works.
Kevin Dennis (:Oh no way!
August Yocher (:You
Kevin Dennis (:That's such a small world.
Never know.
August Yocher (:Well, let's get into top three tips for our couples to take away from this episode. And I think since there's three of you, maybe you each give a tip.
Kevin Dennis (:Alright, I'll go first. I'm going to say work off of your vendor or venue referrals or playlists. That's always a good start is just having people that are interested, you know, working with you or familiar with the venue that you're working at.
August Yocher (:We got a puppy.
Kevin Dennis (:that yours?
Glen Riggs (:It's not mine.
Norman Anub (:Oh, think that's mine. Oh, sorry. I think the Amazon guy's here.
Kevin Dennis (41:0.530)
Uh oh.
Kevin Dennis (41:5.989)
I'll have money.
August Yocher (41:6.592)
Okay, wait, Norm, can you just mute yourself for a second and then Kerry, we're gonna have Kevin just re -say his tip really quick.
Norman Anub (41:9.331)
Okay, okay.
Kevin Dennis (:You got it. All right, so my tip would be is to look at the venue, talk to your creative partners and look at your referral list from your venue. That's gonna be your great start to start with. And actually, your friends, asking your friends who they have a great interaction with, someone that maybe recently got married. make that your starting list of people that you're gonna interview and look at their website and Instagram and go from there.
August Yocher (:Perfect. Okay, Glenn, what is your tip?
Glen Riggs (:August, you might have to say the question again, because I think that the dogs are barking when you ask the question.
August Yocher (:Oh, that's okay. So I just want to know, um, usually at the end of each of these episodes, we like to leave our couples with three tips to take away from the episode. So what is your one tip that you can give a couple if you want them to take away one thing from this experience?
Glen Riggs (:Do your homework. We will give you all kinds of tools to prepare and make sure that you are ready to meet with us. Take the time and do your homework. And don't do it the night before. It's not a cram session. We meet with you months in advance so that you can take that time and really come up with a nice list of music.
Kevin Dennis (:Hehehe.
August Yocher (:If
Kevin Dennis (:Yeah.
Glen Riggs (:It hurts my soul when someone will say to me, no matter what the song is, right, I ask them whether it's first dance or first open dancing or cake cutting song or whatever it might be. they say, oh, I don't really care. You choose. No, you should care. This is your day, not my day. And I have so many song choices that it's a really difficult decision for me to make. So just do your homework.
Norman Anub (:Thank
August Yocher (:Mm
August Yocher (43:5.016)
All right, then Norm, what's our last tip?
Norman Anub (43:5.746)
Okay.
Norman Anub (:Just don't hire a DJ through emails, just through emails. Yeah, definitely speak with them. Meet with them on Zoom, whether it's on a phone, maybe it's in person, meet with them. Ask them the great questions because anyone can sound great on emails, but if they can't answer personally in front of you,
Kevin Dennis (:Oh.
Norman Anub (:then that could be a problem because they need to communicate well because they're gonna be representing you on your wedding day. And if they can't formulate sentences that people cannot understand, that's gonna be a big problem. Because that, yeah.
Kevin Dennis (:You
August Yocher (:No, that's great. Because I mean, I'm sure you guys are all, you know, amazing public speakers because I mean, and great podcast guests, right? Because you're also doing this on the fly as well. So
Glen Riggs (44:0.324)
The best.
Norman Anub (44:3.107)
Okay, I just lost my podcast virginity right here so this is my first time yeah, yeah my first time so yeah
August Yocher (44:5.805)
Yeah.
Kevin Dennis (44:6.291)
Oh, is it really? Good for you, Norm.
Glen Riggs (44:6.392)
Uh uh uh.
August Yocher (:We keep doing that with a lot of people!
Glen Riggs (:You plopped my cherry today too, so.
Norman Anub (:Yeah.
Glen Riggs (:August, you've been a part of lots of weddings. What do you think is the biggest impact that you've seen a DJ make at an event?
August Yocher (:Oh yeah, well, I mean, I think just, um, coming from the standpoint as a coordinator, it's just, it's like, oh, it's stress free, you know, like, and the amount of times where, you know, Kevin and I had worked side by side or Glenn, you know, we did one, Norm, probably did one too at one point together, but, but like going into the event and just knowing, oh my gosh, today I have someone like, you know,
Norman Anub (:Yeah, I'm sure we have.
August Yocher (:I have someone today who if I need to step away for a second because I need to be focusing on the couple, I'm not worried about what's happening with the event. You know, maybe there is some kind of emergency going on and I need to be handling that. I know that I can trust in my DJ to handle all the announcements. It's not like I'd be going up to Kevin and being like, hey, can you announce this late night treat? He already knows to do it. So it just makes.
Norman Anub (45:2.365)
you know maybe there is some
Norman Anub (45:6.840)
I know that I can trust my DJ to handle all the announcements.
Hey, can you announce this late night treat? He already knows to do it. So it just makes the coordinators day less stressful too and I'm sure all of the other vendors...
August Yocher (:the coordinators day less stressful too. And I'm sure all of the other vendors, when you know that there's a creative partner there that you can trust. And I'm not like running around and you I hate being a micromanager, but then there was times where you needed to be. And I hated being that kind of person, but you know, when you're trying to make sure everything's running smoothly, it's just so important to have a team of vendors that is going to work well together and knows what they're doing, has that expertise and has your best interests in mind.
Norman Anub (:And I'm not running around and I hate being a micromanager, but then there was times where you needed to be. And I hated being that kind of person, but when you're trying to make sure everything's running smoothly, it's just so important to have a team of vendors that is going to work well together and knows what they're doing, has that expertise, and has your best.
Glen Riggs (:And that goes right back to what Kevin said, right? Trust the recommended vendors list, right? Go with that list because you don't want, don't shop by price only. Certainly don't go that route.
August Yocher (:Mm
Kevin Dennis (46:0.816)
No, no.
Kevin Dennis (46:5.010)
We're there to make August relax is our whole goal.
August Yocher (46:5.056)
Alright.
Yeah, well, not no more, but the other Augusts out there that are still doing it. So yeah.
Norman Anub (46:9.753)
there to
Glen Riggs (:Not anymore.
Kevin Dennis (:you
Glen Riggs (:the other August.
August Yocher (:Alright, well thank you guys so much for coming on today. Kevin, do you want to wrap this up?
Kevin Dennis (:Thank you. Oh, sure. I want to thank Glenn and Norm for being here today and getting their first podcast under their belt. Thank you guys for being here with us today. Also want to remind everyone if you have not yet subscribed or likes, please do that and wherever you're getting now that I'm engaged, how do I get married where you can find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, Apple, you name it. It's everywhere.
Glen Riggs (:Thank you.
Norman Anub (:getting their podcast.
Kevin Dennis (:And we want to thank August. August, did a good job taking over and being the official host for the day. Thank you so much, August.
Norman Anub (:Yeah, yeah
August Yocher (:Thank you, thank you. I also lost my host virginity today too, so.
Kevin Dennis (47:1.596)
There you go. So many firsts.
Glen Riggs (47:2.444)
Oh my gosh. Just like 10th grade all over again around here.
Norman Anub (47:8.690)
Oh my god, Kevin is looking like the slut now.
August Yocher (:It was...
Kevin Dennis (:I know.
Glen Riggs (:Such a ho.
August Yocher (:It was great interviewing you guys and you know all the listeners can fight in the comments of who the most special DJ was today
Kevin Dennis (:You
Kevin Dennis (:Pick me.
You
Glen Riggs (:I love August. August is going to get the most votes.
Norman Anub (:Heheheheh... Hahahaha!
Kevin Dennis (:Hopefully that's the video. Hopefully that's the video clip we use for social media. Yes. All right folks. All right. Thank you again for being on and thanks Norm August Glenn. Thank you guys. All right. Bye.