Top Ten Questions to Ask Before Hiring Any DJ

W. Luke Whipple
Digital Jockey
Printable Version

There are many things to consider when hiring a professional DJ. Please ask the following questions to determine if the DJ you are considering is right for you.

1. What experience do you have performing at [ - insert type of event here - ]?
   Some disc jockeys specialize in certain types of events (i.e. weddings, corporate events, church dances, college dances, high school dances, bar/bat mitzvahs, karaoke, parties, dance club, raves, radio broadcast, etc.). Find out how much experience the disc jockey you are considering has with the type of event you are planning. Would a disc jockey that specializes in raves be the best choice for your wedding?
   
   
2. Do you use professional equipment?
   Make sure that your disc jockey plans on bringing professional-grade equipment to your event. Consumer-grade (home) audio components are not appropriate tools for any professional disc jockey. If the disc jockey mentions brands / equipment that you could buy at any Circuit City, Best-Buy, Wal-mart, Radio Shack, etc. it is probably not professional grade. Also, find out if the disc jockey owns or plans to rent the equipment used at your event.
   
   Digital Jockey owns and uses professional grade equipment.
   
   
3. How do you acquire your music?
   Make sure your disc jockey uses legally acquired music. There are many sources available for music. Some of them are legal, while others are not. You may be held liable if you hire a disc jockey that uses illegally acquired music. Common sources for legally acquired music are retail music stores, promotional music companies, etc.If the disc jockey company you are considering runs multiple systems, ask if they have a legal music library for each system. Some multi-system companies illegally copy (usually in CDR or .mp3 format) music for each system from a single master. For more information about music laws please visit www.musicunited.org and www.riaa.org.
   
   Digital Jockey acquires all of its music legally through promotional music companies and retail music stores.
   
   
4. Do you use a written contract?
   A professional disc jockey always uses a written contract. Contracts protect both you (the customer) and the disc jockey. Make sure you read the contract in its entirety, understand all terms and conditions and ask any questions before signing.
   
   Digital Jockey uses written contracts for every event. We are happy to discuss with you any items on our contract that seems unclear. A sample contract can be found within the Digital Jockey online event planner at http://DjUtah.com/eventplanner/
   
   
5. Will you bring backup equipment to my event?
   Make certain that your disc jockey has backup equipment available for your event. If a piece of equipment fails your entire event could be in jeopardy. Make sure that the disc jockey has, as a bare minimum, a backup amplifier, mixer, compact disc player, microphone and spare cables.
   
   While Digital Jockey has never had an equipment failure at an event, we strive to be prepared. Every Digital Jockey system has a minimum of 3 compact disc players, 2 mixers, 2 amplifiers, 2 microphones and a variety of cables.
   
   
6. What will you wear to my event?
   Make sure that the disc jockey is planning on wearing appropriate attire to your event. A DJ should not charge extra to wear appropriate attire to your event. You should help the disc jockey understand the atmosphere you desire and ensure that he/she is in harmony with your theme.
   
   By default, Digital Jockey employees wear a Digital Jockey polo-shirt and long pants to any casual event or a shirt and tie (male DJ) or dress (female DJ) to any formal event. If you prefer your disc jockey be dressed in formal wear (tuxedo / formal dress), blue jeans and T-shirt, Hawaiian shirt, etc., then let us know before your event and we will fulfill your requests for no additional expense.
   
   
7. Are you willing to play requests?
   Talk with the disc jockey and see if he/she is willing to take requests at your event.
   
   Digital Jockey is willing to accept requests within your boundaries from your event guests if you desire. For LDS events the boundaries are already set (see Question 11). We offer an online request system which enables you to search our available music. If you do not see a desired song, then let us know in advance and we will purchase the song for your event at no additional expense.
   
   
8. Can we meet to discuss the details of my event?
   A professional disc jockey will be available to discuss the details of your event. A disc jockey can do more than just play music. Meet with your prospective disc jockey before your event to make sure his/her level of interaction is appropriate for your event and to discuss music and other details.
   
   Digital Jockey is willing to meet with you to discuss the details of your event. These meetings can take place at your venue (i.e. reception hall), your home or at another appropriate location. Let us know how we can make your event the way you want it.
   
   
9. Do you have a current business license?
   In harmony with local laws, professional disc jockey companies should hold current business licenses. In Utah this includes a current municipal business license from the city where the disc jockey is located and current registration with the Utah Department of Commerce. To search the Utah state business entity list, please visit http://www.utah.gov/serv/bes. We have knowledge of some individuals within the DJ industry illegally using similar names to try to gain credibility and work. As a result, we ask you to be wary of disc jockeys that require cash payment or checks written to them personally rather than to their company name. If you ever suspect another is using our name, please contact our .
   
   Digital Jockey has a current business license with Brigham City and has maintained an active registration with the State of Utah since 1996.
   
   
10. How can I contact you regarding my event?
    It is important to know how to contact your disc jockey with any questions before, during and after your event. There are many part-time disc jockeys that have other full-time occupations. Make sure that you have a way to contact them in the case of an emergency.
    
    Digital JockeyDigital Jockey has a business line (435) 553-4514 for Brigham City and (801)224-3134 for Utah County. A toll-free number (888) 4DjUtah [(888) 435-8824] allows people to contact Digital Jockey from anywhere in the United States. We can also be contacted through the Internet at www.DjUtah.com.
    
    BONUS QUESTION FOR LDS EVENTS:
    
    
11. What is your policy regarding suggestive lyrics?
    There are many songs available today that contain things contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you are planning an event for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then you need to make sure that you and your disc jockey have the same view of what is appropriate.
    
    At LDS events Digital Jockey will not play songs that contain or imply things contrary to the gospel including: drugs, alcohol, immorality, vulgarity, profanity, racism, etc. We maintain a database of appropriate songs for LDS events. We are in the process of carefully reading the lyrics and listening to songs contained in our music library. We have listened to many songs and viewed many lyrics, but still have more songs to filter. Because our filtered database is not complete, we will listen to all requested songs that we are unfamiliar with in our headphones to determine their appropriateness before playing them at any LDS event.
    
    Note: For official doctrines and teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please visit their website at lds.org