About Us
Indeed, entertainment is the general nature of this business but I like to think of myself as being in the hospitality industry. Yes, I handle the basics just as a traditional DJ but my goal is provide you and your guests with a great overall experience from beginning to end. Anyone can purchase cheap speakers and everyone has access to music these days. Nothing special there anymore. However, so many other factors will shape the outcome of your event.
In addition to playing the right music at the right time (which is not a given by a DJ) there are different aspects like sound quality, proper volume, speaking clearly on the microphone, communicating with you before and during the event, talking with your guests as they approach, aesthetics of the equipment, attire, and something so simple as having a smile on my face.
All these things add up and contribute to the overall success. I pride this company on my core principals of quality, integrity, value, attention to detail, along with a natural passion for music and entertaining. In an over-saturated industry I am a true professional that genuinely cares about your event.
“Must Be The Music is the best of the best in the DJ world!”
“I can’t express enough how professional Mike is from the start to the end of the evening! Thorough in every detail and communicates well how the evening will go with me as the wedding coordinator and the client too. He genuinely cares about each client as if they were family. I always refer Mike and Must Be The Music DJs because I know a DJ can make or break an event or wedding.”
General FAQ
That really depends upon what you need. Please use the contact page so we can discuss the details.
I will never try to sell you something that is not needed or would not benefit you. It’s more than strictly business with me. I like to build lasting relationships based on trust, honesty, and having my clients best interests in mind.
I do not. If I did then I would be placing myself in the same arena with those who have terrible equipment, no experience, stream music from youtube (yes – with ads), and play what they want to hear. No thank you.
Just a quarter of a century. Before laptops were used, music was pirated, and everyone was a DJ.
As soon as you feel like you have found the right person. That goes for any vendor that can only be at one place at one time. Dates can get booked at anytime.
Yes! This is for everyone’s protection. Stay away from anyone who does not implement contracts.
Not normally. The contract is legally binding once signed.
Anywhere from one to four hours. It depends on the type of event. A simple informal get together with a small setup may be an hour in advance while a wedding with multiple areas of music and uplighting could be three or more. I hate feeling rushed.
Music will always be playing before the official start time.
Only the best, baby. I am a real DJ who loves what I do and keep up with the newest technology. Doing so allows me to give you and your guests the best experience possible and the lowest rate of equipment failure. Plus I am a total tech nerd and love new gear.
Heads up – everyone in this industry says they are using “top of the line equipment” but very few actually are. Most people don’t want to or can not invest that type of money into their gear.
You know it. That goes for every single piece of equipment used.
A variety of “DJ only” services, but all music is purchased legally. Not only is this a moral issue, but the song is directly from the studio. When played on a high caliber sound system the difference in recording qualities is astonishing.
Some people “stream” their music from various services. Not only are they relying on the venues wifi – they are putting the music to your event in jeopardy. Internet glitches, commercials in the middle of music, dead air, and worst of all – bad sound quality.
All my music is on my hard drive. Reliable, glitch free, and great “from the studio” sound quality. Shame on the rest of you!
Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. Please forgive me for sounding so blunt but I hate hearing stories about how the DJ ruined someones event or it was just “blah” at best. That is a bummer for everyone, especially you.
Well, only because you asked, I shall further explain.
There are many different things that determine a DJs worth besides playing songs. These days music is a click away and big box stores sell “DJ” speakers. That does not make a person a true DJ.
What does though is the quality of equipment, experience they have, knowing what to play, when to play it, speaking properly on the mic, communication with the client, interacting with guests, and having liability insurance to name a few things. It comes down to is the person a true professional or just somebody that bought speakers and uses iTunes for beer money.
This is a very individualized service, not a mass produced product. What you get from one person will not be the same as the next. Unfortunately, sometimes it is only realized during your event how big of a role the DJ plays. And that stinks. I don’t want that for anyone.
That is why this FAQ is here. I hope to educate so you can make the best decision possible.
I strive to be slightly above what your guests will be wearing without being over the top. My setup looks great and I should be just as dapper. Or is is the other way around 🙂
That would have to be a pretty big emergency. If such an unplanned event ever happened, there are protocols in place. I am friends with a number of other professionals. Actually all my friends these days are DJs.
Bottom line – I would make sure it was covered on way or another. When I book something there is a real commitment there.
Great to hear. Just use the contact page and let’s talk about things.
Get To Know Us
Mike Simmons – (owner)
Music has always been a huge part of my life. During the summer going into fourth grade I rode my bike to the local music store that I would constantly visit and landed myself a job cleaning it on Sundays after hours. Sure it would only take me fifteen minutes to vacuum and take the trash out, but I spent hours in there playing all the instruments (Thank you Mal for trusting a fourth grader in the store alone and allowing me to be surrounded by what I loved). I knew I wanted to be a DJ around fifth grade when I started going to the skating rink every weekend. If you think about it the skating rink is a little nightclub for kids. There is music, lights, a snack bar, and new people to meet. Saving up enough money from birthdays and working my once a week cleaning gig I slowly started to buy equipment. I DJ’d my first event by myself when I was 14 and continued from there. My parents would drop me off at gigs and pick me up (thanks Mom and Dad for the support). Going into freshman year of high school I went to an under 21 event at an adult night club and when I walked in it was like I had gone to heaven. I will never forget that night watching the two DJs, being surrounded by the lights, and standing next to the enormous stacks of speakers. It was magical.
Throughout high school I would try to play music for people anywhere I could while also being mentored by another professional in the industry who would pick me up and bring me to his events so I could learn the proper way of doing things (thanks Bill). When I was able to drive I started playing music regularly at the same place that started it all – the skating rink. After high school I moved to the beach to DJ during the summer at two under 21 nightclubs and an after hours club. Once I was of legal age (or even maybe a bit younger), I moved into the bar and nightclub scene. Playing in front of hundreds to thousands of people on a regular basis. I was getting my feet wet with weddings and booking more private gigs as well. Getting older is a funny thing. By my mid twenties my focus was a lot less on clubs and mostly on weddings. Today and twenty plus years later after my official start I can not even tell you how many events I have done, how many people I have spoke in front of, and how many happily married couples I have been fortunate enough to be a special part of their day.
I truly love entertaining and could not imagine ever stopping. This is what I was born to do. – Mike Simmons