FAQ
What areas will you work in?
I generally do weddings and events in the Hudson Valley of New York, Dutchess County, Orange County, Putnam County, Westchester County and the greater New York area. I have gone into Connecticut and Massachusetts as well. When the distance is over 50 miles I will usually charge a modest travel fee.
What kind of music do you have?
I have an extensive music collection, which is constantly being updated, including over 60,000 titles which span from the 1940’s up to and including today’s current hits. Some of the genres include: Rock, Pop, Country, Club Music, Oldies, 80′s, 90′s, Alternative, R&B, Soul, Motown, Hip Hop, Jazz, Latin, Reggae, Salsa, Funk, Disco, Big Band and many more. When you meet with me, I will listen carefully to your musical preferences and shape your event accordingly.
What kind of format is your music in?
My music collection consists of mp3s mostly burned at 320 kbs. They reside on a hard drive and I also have at least two spare hard drives with me just in case. Also, I have the ability to play CDs and an mp3 player.
Do you carry liability insurance?
Yes, I have liability insurance up to one million through RV Nuccio and Associates.
Will you be our DJ and MC?
Yes, I am always the DJ and MC for all my bookings. You deal with me and me alone from start to finish.
When do you arrive for an event?
I always arrive at least an hour before your event so that I can touch base with the catering hall manager, wedding planner and the photographer to make sure that everything is in place.
What is your attire?
I wear what is appropriate for the occasion as per your instructions. Usually I wear a black suit and black tie unless of course it’s casual, which we would discuss beforehand. I have a tuxedo if needed.
Do you play continuous music?
I play continuously from the start of the event to the end without any breaks.
What do you charge?
My prices vary according to several factors: the season of the year, the time and day, the distance to be traveled and the nature of the event. Some events require more pre-planning then others so my rate reflects this. For ecxample, a typical wedding requires about nine hours of preparation between meetings with you, assembling your song requests and making sure we have them all and writing out day of announcement notes, etc . . . All in all, I provide outstanding service and performance at a reasonable price for all that you get.
How far in advance should I book a DJ?
For weddings I recommend at least 12 months before your date – the sooner the better to ensure availability. For Sweet Sixteens, Anniversary Parties and Holiday Parties, I recommend at least three to six months in advance. However, last minute circumstances do arise and I welcome you to call me with them. If I’m already booked I’ll gladly recommend other DJs.
Do you belong to any associations?
Yes, I actually belong to several associations: NAME - The National Association of Mobile Entertainers; HVDJA – Hudson Valley Disc Jockey Association; ASCAP – the American Society of Composers and Performers; and the NSAI – Nashville Songwriter’s Association.
Do you bring back-up equipment in case something fails to work?
I always carry back-up equipment to every event I do. However, I do own professional-grade equipment that is meant for playing pre-recorded music and is exceptional in quality and performance.
Do you take requests?
It’s totally up to you. I want you and your guests to have a pleasant, exciting and involved experience so I absolutely allow requests and encourage it when permitted by you. However, I also honor your wishes and always make sure that the music selected fits within the parameters you give me, including not playing anything on your ”do not play list.”
Do you require a deposit?
I require a non-refundable deposit to secure the date you reserve with me. The balance is due at least one week before the event. If paying the night of the event it needs to be cash unless a check is pre-approved by me.
Do you require a contract?
A contract is required for each event to help clarify the services I am providing (time, date, location, etc…) and to give assurance and protection for both parties. Also, it is required by my liability insurance as well. Click here to view my contract.
Can we decide what music is played?
Certainly this is your event so I can accomodate whatever wishes you may have. You can have as much or as little involvement in song selection as you’d like. I provide a planner which allows you to note any songs you want played and any songs you do not want played.
Do you play at a reasonable volume?
My volume depends on the nature of the event and the needs you express to me. I continually adjust as needed throughout the event. During cocktail hour and dinner time I keep the volume at a level which allows your guests to have comfortable conversation. The speakers I use are designed to perform well even at lower volumes without the bass being sacrificed. When its time for dancing, I generally bring the music volume up, but still maintain a level that is appropriate and not ear-splitting.
Do you provide dance lighting?
All of my packages include classy dance lighting. Uplighting, accent lighting, custom tent lighting, gobo monograms and much, much more are available through a friend of mine and an all around great guy – Steve Fernandez – from Hourglass Lighting. I highly recommend Steve because he’s the real deal with a tremendous background in stage lighting and uplighting and he carries “broadway” quality equipment. Visit his website to see images of his work.
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