Minnesota Wedding Disc Jockey Tyrone Blue

How to Select a Disc Jockey (the right way)!

2010-10-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

Every time I read a post on a wedding forum, I cringe at the ways many brides select the entertainment for one of the most important days of their life. Many are only concerned with price. That should actually be your last question to a perspective vendor.

First, I'll get over the misconceptions with the adage "you get what you pay for" and "wedding DJ's are all pretty much the same". The first quote is very true, and the second quote couldn't be farther from the truth.

There is no regulation for entertainers, so anyone can buy a few speakers and CD player, and print business cards. You'll find many of these folks listed on the budget newspapers, with slick ads claiming to be the "Best Wedding DJ" money can buy. Most probably, the best money can be spent with a little homework on your part.

Wedding DJ's come in all forms (just like with anything else) and the industry is filled with rank amateurs... all the way up to very high class pros, who demand a pretty penny for their services.

When brides post about getting a "great deal" on their DJ, I have to ask: "What did you get for your 'great deal'"? A $500 DJ can be a great deal if he/she brings lots of lights, an amazing sound system, and a huge library... but I have to tell you, you're not going to get all that for $500. The best way to determine what you're going to get, is really based on your budget.

If you have $500 to spend, then be reasonable with your expectations. Far too many brides think they are going to get their "fairytale" experience on that $500 DJ budget. Not so! $500 (or so) will buy you a good quality DJ with a basic sound system and a few party style lights (assuming he/she is a pro with skills). You can spend several thousand on a high quality DJ with lots of amenities... so how do you pick the best one for your budget. Good question...

First, does you DJ have a web site? Many brand new DJ's don't have a web site when they start out. That isn't a sure fire way to determine if your DJ is quality... just that they are new or inexperienced. I've heard of DJ's performing their first show, who came out of the box with a "smokin show"... but they did their homework first, and so should you. Here's what you should ask:

How long have you been in business?
How many shows have you done & what type of show?
Do you have liability insurance on your company when you perform?
Do you have a web site?
Do you use professional equipment?
Do you have any videos/photos to watch or look at?
Do you use a legal contract?
Do you attend any industry training seminars?
How much time do you need to set up and tear down?
Do we need to meet with you to plan and organize our event?
What kind of music do you play and do you take requests?
How many songs in your library?
Do you have different shows based on budget? What are those?

Now, I'll address some of those questions with what you should be looking for:
Many "newbie" DJ's offer great prices because they want to grow their business. You may get a diamond in the rough shopping this way, but keep in mind that you may have inferior equipment, skills and music choices with a new DJ. Growing a successful business takes time and effort, and lots of dedication. A DJ that has only a few events under their belt, will undoubtedly make mistakes and have a few glitches, so keep that in mind. Most new DJ's can't afford insurance, so any legal issues will not get resolved if you have any.

Professional DJ's have "road ready" gear, that is high quality, and back up equipment should there be a failure. Professional gear is not what you'd see at Best Buy or Target. Professional DJ gear is expensive. A good quality sound system alone, can cost $10,000 or more.

Make sure your DJ has a contract that protects everyone involved, and is written in clear understandable English. Your contract should outline every important aspect of the event. If your DJ is regularly attending training, you can assume they are dedicated to the profession, and WANT to give you a high quality performance for your hard earned money.

If your DJ has videos or pictures, you need to look at every one of them. This will give you an idea of their skill, and attention to detail, not to mention they type of performance style they have and how they react with the crowd. Also make sure your DJ has a lot of the "style" of music you like, but keep in mind that you are having a "party" so don't play every song you personally like; your guests want to have a good time... not listen to your jogging music.

Many DJ's can custom tailor a show to fit your budget, so be sure to ask what's contained in the show you are asking about. For example, I have a "low budget" show for under $600, that has only three small speakers, and a few nice computer controlled lights. I also have a high tech show for $3995 that rivals a Las Vegas production, and a sound system that will fill a gymnasium... so be sure to ask what you get for your agreed upon price.

Ask your DJ if they have "uplighting". This is new to the industry, and is currently being offered by the high end performers, with a lot more computer skills. These lights wash your walls with color, and can totally set the "mood" of any room where they are installed.

Most importantly, read everything you can find about your performer. Check blogs, YouTube, Facebook, and "Google" their business name. If they don't show up, you are taking a risk.

Magazine covers...

2010-05-13T15:02:00.000-07:00

I have three new projects that I've been working on. Two are magazine covers, and the last is my "Wedding Guide" for perspective brides. If you're looking to get married soon, contact me for your copy.

I've sold lots of "facade Kits"...

2010-05-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

...to DJs around the country. I got hammered with shipping to Canada last week. WOW, UPS charged over $150 to ship one of my kits to Ontario. Here's my video of the Kit process, and a short video of what it looks like.

Next blog will be about my new catalog and magazine covers... too much going on, but it's fun!!!

Been a busy week here while it's raining and COLD!

2010-05-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

I've had some projects I've been working on over the last month, and I'm finished with a few of them... busy boy!!!

I finished my book and have sold some copies. Here's the cover:

New & fun video service... check this out!

2010-04-23T22:34:00.001-07:00

Wedding season is back. Gig Logs are being added...

2010-03-16T18:20:00.000-07:00

"Gig Logs" are a relatively new concept in the DJ industry. What it is, is a video diary of the "day of" a wedding reception. Some are just point and shoot, but some are being done with video editing programs. They "tend" to come off looking a little like a commercial, but that's the whole idea. Marketing, Marketing, Marketing! Here's my gig from March 13, with Trish & Shane!

I'm doing these FREE for all my brides.

It's been such a long time...

2010-03-15T17:45:00.000-07:00

Wedding season is back upon us, so I'll be posting a little more often. I had to post thiws video I did yesterday with my new DJ, Chase. He's never flown an airplane before, so now he can't say that anymore...

I've been biting my nails for months...

2010-02-20T11:48:00.000-08:00

I have to say this... as a member of many chat boards and bride forums, I've come to the opinion that the wedding industry is rapidly becoming devoid of brides who want high quality skilled and talented vendors. The boards are filled with brides who want "cheap" and "budget" prices, but want top flight services. It's NOT going to happen.

The Craigslist mentality is overtaking the industry, and the skilled professionals are paying dearly. Anyone can call themselves a DJ or planner or photographer or a cake decorator... or whatever, without producing credentials to prove it, and brides are ONLY concerned with price.

I continually hear brides say they have an uncle who will shoot pictures, and a friend of the FH who will DJ with a home stereo, and a sister who will make the cake... What ever happened to the "Bride" magazine style of wedding? I call it the "champagne desires on a beer budget".

Now, I"m not adverse to DIY brides... heck, I did a lot of DIY for my wedding. But, when a brides invites 350 guests and has an iPod for music... c'mon, this isn't going to work.

Here's the interesting part of this VENT. Every time I hear from a bride about going with the lowest price vendor, I simply ask that they report back with the results. Not one single bride has... tell you anything? And this is over 5 years that I've been on bride and chat forums. They all talk about the DIY aspect before the fact, but nothing after the fact. I can only surmise that it didn't turn out the way they wanted, and they're too embarrassed to make that statement.

Here's a quote I just love: "The bitterness of poor quality, remains long after the sweetness of a cheap price is forgotten".

What I've been up to, hmmmmmm

2010-02-04T11:21:00.000-08:00

No one's folloing this anyhow, but here's for kicks and giggles:
I' just got done with a wedding fair at the Resort where I DJ at on weekends. I'll include a picture.
I just bought a new Juke Box and loaded it with a ton of music. One more thing I can take off my "bucket list".

I'm staying warm and inside...

2010-01-08T16:10:00.000-08:00

Haven't had a wedding for over a month, but still DJing at the nite club. I'm producing videos for all of my bride customers. Here's one I just did this morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS1DUtDRRK4

Sorry, I've been away... Things are quiet!

2009-12-09T13:11:00.000-08:00

I've been working on videos, and updating some of my skills. I've put several videos on YouTube lately, so I thought I'd share my latest.

Here's a 6 minute photo montage I did yesterday for a bride on one of the wedding sites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5fCzoZYKHo

Evan's first airplane ride...

2009-11-30T17:36:00.000-08:00

I took my grandson out for his first ride this weekend. Here's the 6 minute video of his flying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r3uO_vdjkk

Keeping up with all of these blog sites...

2009-11-10T11:54:00.000-08:00

I have accounts on 10 or 12 sites, so it's hard to keep up with them all. I haven't been here for a while, so I thought I better post. I just rigged several new DMX lights over the dance floor at the club. Big group coming in tonight, so, Ill try to get a few shots of the crowd and lights. If you need to check out some of the other sites... I'm on:
FaceBook, Twitter, YouTube, MySpace, Martha Stewert's Wedding Wire, TyroneBlue.com, DJ-MN.com and a few other smaller ones. Just search "Tyrone Blue" or "Larry Williams" and I'll show up. I hit first place on Google, Yahoo, and Dog Pile under Tyrone Blue, as well as many other search engines. I'm out there keeping busy!
I took the 172 out this morning and toured the Brainerd Lakes are for an hour... very pretty from the air. Want to go for a ride? Here's the picture I took over the resort.

The wedding season is finally over...

2009-10-30T14:18:00.001-07:00

I don't have anything else booked till April. But, I'm still at the "Dockside" every Friday and Saturday night. Come see me and look at the new DMX lighting I just put up today.

Busy week...

2009-10-19T23:14:00.000-07:00

I just finished the wedding for Jan and Russ in St. Cloud. Great group of folks! Here's video and some pictures:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWo44KH6_Jg

Trish & Adam...

2009-10-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

All I have to do is move my gear from the Dockside Lounge, up to the 3rd floor. They picked the gig bench package (picture below). Fast easy set-up... only ten minutes... gotta love that!

I finally have a night off...

2009-09-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

I'm going to the Renaissance Festival this weekend before I get ready for Trish & Adam. They ordered the "Gig Bench" package in the "Whitebirch" room at the Resort. Brandi is our planner and this should be a great event! Here's the gig bench in action...

Jenkins this Saturday...

2009-09-25T00:38:00.000-07:00

I got another order for my new lighted panel kits... 5 this time. Gotta love that! There's a guy on e-bay selling them for 5 times what I'm charging... either I'm too low, or he's too high. Here's what mine look like when finished and set up (you can see how the colors are changable, with 16 million possibilities:

I'll be doing the "gig bench" this saturday at the VFW. Getting ready for the gig in St. Cloud in a few weeks with the big wedding package for Russ and Jan at the Radisson.

I'm going into production...

2009-09-22T19:38:00.000-07:00

The new lighted front facades are the "rage" for mobile DJ's now, so I started building kits that can be sent through the mail and bolted together by customers in a few minutes. Here's what they look like without paint. All you do is paint it and slip in a plexi panel from Menards. Then of course, you put a LED par can or color strip behind it.

We finished the wedding at "The Lodge"...

2009-09-21T21:23:00.000-07:00

I was VERY happy with all of the staff at The Lodge. Great folks and nice room! I had to sneak a picture of my assistant , DJ Mandy... Haa... got her!

I'm ordering a new stage riser...

2009-09-08T23:24:00.000-07:00

This system is so cool, I can't believe how small it folds up. This 8X8 stage will totally fit into the trunk of my Toyota. I'm actually getting five sections of the one shown, that are 20 inches tall. Each one folds into a tube that's only 12 inches square. Imagine the lighting showing through from underneath with white skirts around the edge.

Putting a show package together for the local Jr. & High Schools...

2009-09-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

If your High School or Jr. High is looking for Friday night events, then look no farther. I'm currently offering custom packages for the Brainerd Lakes area schools at a discounted price. Contact me for details. You'll be getting my huge package #3 from my web site: http://www.dj-mn.com/ and click on the "Show Packages" page.

I just created a new ShowXpress program for Northern Lights Casino.

2009-09-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

A band asked me to see what I could do, now I hope they want this... we'll see. Here's the virtual 3D layout. The light program is awesome! I have layouts for any band that requires a full blown DMX software program.

High tech lighting...

2009-08-20T14:24:00.001-07:00

Just when you thought you had it all figured out, brides have a new worry... “Décor Lighting”. A great source for finding the best wedding DJ and Lighting service, is to ask the manager or a few of the workers. The waitresses and bartenders that work the rooms are more in tuned with the DJ and are a good source, and they can give you an accurate opinion of the night’s performance.
Most brides want a lighting package that makes the room look amazing without giving you a headache or blinding you every time you turn around. Remember you are there all night, so make it soothing for your ears and your eyes. These days you need a lighting package that can “transform “ from a spectacular Grand Entrance to a warm Dinner hour all the way to that Night Club look for late night dancing.
Most DJ and lighting services only bring lights that are automatic sound activated with no control over the color or movement. So if you have wedding set in deep reds or a beautiful blue and the DJ has no control, you will only get lighting with a full spectrum of colors and most of the time set to the “Spin & Puke” mode. Look for a DJ that uses “intelligent” computer controlled lighting and knows how to use it.
Many DJ companies offer intelligent lighting, but most don’t know how to program and use this special lignting to it’s full potential. They typically set it to “auto” mode where only the beat of the music changes a few of the fixtures parameters. Tyrone Blue Entertainment uses this special computer controlled lighting in FULL DMX mode, and Tyrone is a world wide instructor in programming stage lighting, so he knows how to make the lights “come alive”.
For great wedding planning tips or a great Wedding DJ and Décor Lighting Specialist take a look at: http://www.dj-mn.com/.

Lakeview Reception Room at Breezy Point Resort...

2009-08-20T12:56:00.000-07:00

The Lake view room is at the top of the building. Elvis appears on the far right on the dock. The views from this room are exceptional!

Natalie & Adam...

2009-08-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

I've been working on Natalie and Adam's wedding at Breezy Point Resort. They ordered the "gig bench" package in the "Lakeview" ball room. This is the perfect package for this room. It overlooks the lake and is on the 3rd floor.

There is a GREAT Elvis impersonator out on the main dock which draws over a thousand visitors, and packs the Resort. This will be Elvises last event of the summer, so it's sure to be a good one if it doesn't rain! The crowd always watches my lights up on the 3rd floor, from the dock. They must always wonder "what's going on up there"?

ShowXpress program designed...

2009-08-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a ShowXpress program for one of our local Casinos. A band who played at my resort last week expressed an interest in lighting at this casino, and told me that they hired a lighting directer from the Twin Cities the last time they were at the casino. I offered my services. I build the stage and put in my lights and created a big program of shows with the lights I'd like to use. It turned out very good.

Taking my DJ business to the next step...

2009-08-18T14:22:00.001-07:00

I've been in contact with a touring national band, who are looking for a lighting director. Not sure if I can swing the leaving town for long periods of time, but it might be a fun change for a few months. I'm designing a show for them right now at one of our casinos, for their next appearence there... hope they like it.

DJ pictures and video...

2009-08-16T09:33:00.000-07:00

After seeing that my first post "made it", I'm going to put a few of my favorite pictures on my blog. Any followers are asked to request pictures of whatever they think would help them find a great DJ for their wedding in Minnesota.

Minnesota's Number One Wedding Disc Jockey... Tyrone Blue

2009-08-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

I've been in the business for over 15 years as a Wedding DJ, and am the "house DJ" at Breezy Point Resort in Northern Minnesota. This is my first attempt at blogging, even though I "Twit" and use "MySpace" and "Facebook".

I pride myself on having the best stage lighting in the Mobile DJ industry, and want to share my web sites with potential customers. I have two web sites for my business (http://www.dj-mn.com/) & (http://www.tyroneblue.com/), and run two DJ chat sites for professionals (http://www.worldwidedjs.org/) & (http://www.wwdjs.com/. If you're a bride, looking for first class professiona entertainment, try one of the first two sites. If you're a professional disc jockey, looking for a place for chatting with other pros, try the last two sites.

As I continue to post, I'll include many of my videos from YouTube, and lots of pictures of my shows from around Minnesota.