Pryme Tyme Prom DJ to the RESCUE!

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Pryme Tyme Prom DJ to the RESCUE!

I was sitting home on the first Friday night I have had off in quite some time. The house was quiet and my wife had taken my son to Pennsylvania for the weekend. I was sitting in my office contemplating what I might have for dinner when suddenly the phone rang.

It was one of my fellow colleages, Mike.

Me: Hello?
Mike: Hey guy! How ya doing?
Me: Not too bad. What’s up?
Mike: Hey, whatcha doin’ tonight?
Me: Nothin’. Why what’s up?
Mike: Feel like doing a prom?
Me: Ummmmm. Yeah! Sure. Why not. Give me the details.

Mike had told me that there was a school at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville who’s prom DJ was a no call no show for their prom. The students were arriving and sitting down to dinner when he had called. He said, “Ya better get movin. How long till you can get there?” “An hour” I replied.

I loaded my van faster than I ever had before and raced off to the Aqua Turf. Mike and Don (Assistant Manager at the Aqua Turf) helped me load in as quickly as possible and in 15 minutes flat, we had a 10,000 watt sound system and a simple color wash light show for the prom. Here is a video from that night…

I had found out a few weeks later that the prom DJ who was supposed to do the prom had closed his business and didn’t tell anyone. The school could not be more thankful and had invited PTE back the following week for their Junior Prom.

I had gotten a call just a few days after the junior prom from yet ANOTHER school who had paid their DJ in full and they had not heard from the company after countless attempts to contact them. I remember the adviser telling me, “One of our teachers saw your EMERGENCY PROM video on Facebook and said that you were able to save the day. If I can’t get a hold of this guy, can you be ready at a moments notice?” I happily replied, “I am at your service.”

Their DJ did eventually get back to them 24 hours before the prom and the show went on as scheduled. Both schools had chosen the bargain basement prom DJ for their prom and paid them in full. In the first instance, the school lost their money and now had to pay PTE for their Senior and Junior proms. And both schools were not met with the professional courtesy of open communication.

When choosing your entertainment for your next event… Be it a wedding, a prom, a sweet 16, or any other occasion, just remember one thing. You get one shot. Make it count. No one has ever left an event with the memory of chair covers and matching bows for each chair, the dinner rolls, or the chocolate fountain. They will however remember if they danced and enjoyed the evening. Your Prom is a once in a lifetime experience. Don’t you deserve the best?

Hawks Landing Wedding – Steve & Laureen

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Last weekend PTE had the pleasure taking part in the celebration of Steve & Laureen’s wedding at Hawks Landing Country Club in Southington, CT.

The first thing that I noticed when I arrived is the very down-to-earth, cozy atmosphere that Hawks Landing had in the room. Seeing as it was the first wedding of 2012, this was a very welcoming experience to ring in the new season. I was greeted by the  event coordinator, Jamie. Jamie is new to Hawks Landing and was recently promoted to her new position. She handled the wedding VERY well. She has a passion for what she does and made Steve & Laureen’s guests, wedding professionals, and most importantly the bride and groom very comfortable. That is a DREAM for every wedding vendor. When the venue takes into consideration every little detail from a services perspective, the wedding is an absolute success.

The afternoon started at about 4pm with some light refreshments and conversation. The music that Steve & Laureen had picked out was not your typical “Weather Channel Kenny G“, instead they wanted a repertoire of classic rock, and some familiar songs that everyone likes to sing along to. Sweet Caroline was a big hit during dinner and it was clear how many Red Sox fans we had in the room.

Steve and Laureen elected to skip some of the typical formalities and get right to heating up the dancefloor following cake. The first song out of the gate was ‘It takes two’ by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock. Although there were MANY different genres played that evening, most of the requests came from the late 80’s through today. We played motown, funk, new age, hard rock, hip hop, r&b, techno, and threw in a polka for good measure.

By 8:45, people were starting to wind down a bit. But they weren’t getting away that easy. We ended the night with a killer mix and sent the people home to ‘The Time’ (Dirty Bit) by the Black Eyed Peas. By this time, the suit jackets were off, the heels are nowhere to be found, and the guests who were wearing their Sunday best looked as if they had hit the treadmill at the gym.  It was then, when both the bride and groom came to me with open arms and said, “Thank you Aaron. This was perfect. You were amazing. It couldn’t have gone any better.”

Congratulations to Steve & Laureen on their marriage. We are so happy we were a part of one of the happiest days of your life. Cheers!

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The Evolution of the Wedding

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The Evolution of the Wedding

An interesting topic came up in a Disc Jockey forum on facebook today. The topic of photo booths at weddings. Is it a trend that’s here to stay or will it fizzle out?

Thinking about weddings in general, weddings have evolved and changed a great deal in the past 20 years. 20 years ago, it was very common to see 200-300 people at a wedding. Everyone dressed in tuxedos and evening gowns. And all the formalities you could jam into an 8 hour period.

Now we see everything from the classic and conservative to the wild and crazy club atmosphere, to the backyard barbecue and everything in between.

Instead of a formal 8 course meal, we’re seeing more buffets or multiple food stations with all sorts of food that we crave. Instead of cookie trays and pastry tables, brides are electing to have candy bars and jelly bean buffets.

And when it comes to entertainment, we have gotten away from the Mexican sombreros, blow up instruments, and the cheesy rendition of Tom Cruise in Risky Business or the Blues Brothers. Now we have glow necklaces and funky sunglasses and people singing, “I’m sexy and I know it.”
The demand for extras is at an all time high. Everything from uplighting a room to match the colors of the wedding, custom monograms to put the couple’s name in lights, and photo booths to send the guests home with a commemorative piece of history from their friend’s wedding.

So what’s next? Pinball machines? Virtual Reality games? Pyrotechnics? Any way you slice it, trends will come and trends will go. I’m just curious to see where we go from here.

Wedding advice, experiences, and concerns.

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Wedding advice, experiences, and concerns…

When a newly engaged couple begins planning their wedding, often times they will seek out wedding advice from parents, aunts and uncles, friends and others to learn about the wedding process. But this is 2015 and with the power of the internet, couples can find the wedding advice they are looking for with the click of a mouse. Weddings have evolved over time. And the modern wedding is happening right now as we speak.

In todays world, we have been able to network with the world with a single keystroke. So, because of this the wedding industry has been able to put engaged couples together to discuss their thoughts and ideas on their wedding day. This has proven to be a great tool for most in assisting with the planning and grand design that is your special day.

Take a moment to visit the weddingwire bridal forums. There you will be able to find brides just like you to share your experiences and ask questions and advice on what you should do to make your wedding day a fun, memorable, and STRESS FREE affair for all to enjoy.

Check it out by clicking the link below. And don’t forget to visit us on WeddingWire. Enjoy!
http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums

PTE Press Release (Brides Choice Award)

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Pryme Tyme Entertainment wins the Brides Choice Award

Hartford, CT – January 23, 2012

For immediate release:

– WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding Marketplace, is excited to announce Pryme Tyme Entertainment has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for their excellence in entertainment & customer service.!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, Pryme Tyme Entertainment was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

Pryme Tyme Entertainment is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Pryme Tyme Entertainment for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.”

We are happy to announce that Pryme Tyme Entertainment is one of the very best entertainment firms within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/pryme-tyme-entertainment-winner-of-the-2012-brides-choice-award-prospect/e3910f841d8badbd.html.

To learn more about the Bride’s Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire™, the nation’s leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.
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School Dances: Back to the grind

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School Dances: Back to the grind…

I recently saw a post in a mobile DJ forum that seems to be a hot button lately for school dances. The grind issue.
Now speaking from my experiences from when I went to high school, the “dance” trends were a little different. It was all about who could show off their best MC Hammer or Michael Jackson moves or maybe a battle of the headbangers would ensue when Metallica was played. My parents did the twist and the stroll. And their parents did the swing and the foxtrot. But kids today are pushing the envelope and grinding teachers and faculty down to a fine powder.

So what is grinding exactly? To put it metaphorically, it is a vertical expression of a horizontal desire. This type of “dancing” is inappropriate for people of this age group and teachers are counting on us as entertainers to enforce strict “no grinding” policies when it comes to school dances. That being said, where does the responsibility lie? The DJ is there to provide music entertainment for the students and faculty. The chaperones and teachers are there to ensure that the school dance is a safe environment for the students. A true experienced professional who specializes in youth events would never encourage his audience to participate in destructive or lewd behavior.

So, what can we do as DJs to help create a fun environment without grinding? It’s simple.
Every consult that I go to with a school I always say the same thing. “Grinding for kids is like a big red button. The more you tell them not to push that button, the more likely they will.” I’m sure we can all remember when we were teens, we pushed boundaries and tested the waters to see how far we could go. The truth is, most students are there to have a good time. Not all kids participate in grinding. The best thing a school could do is to leave well enough alone and take care of the few “bad seeds” when necessary. The DJ can also support this by playing more upbeat songs with a higher BPM. Engaging the audience with a simple, “PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR. NOW EVERYBODY SCREAM” is a sure fire way to keep the excitement up and the grinding to a minimum.

All of these small steps can be taken to keep the kids happy, the faculty happy, and the DJ happy. So just remember the next time you are planning your next school social event… Don’t stress over grinding. Just plan on having the time of your life…

Finding a DJ that fits like a glove

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Finding a DJ that fits like a glove…

A fellow DJ colleague of mine posted this picture on facebook and it prompted me to do a post in our blog. Have a look.

I learned a very important lesson while Pryme Tyme was still in it’s infancy stage. And that important lesson was, know your strengths and even more important, know your shortcomings. This is a business where visual impressions have just as great an impact as ones “skills” on the turntables.

Knowing this, my message to my potential clients is always the same. Don’t be afraid to shop around. As a business owner and entertainer, my reputation means everything. Of course I never like to turn business away but, being a good fit for a client is more important than landing the sale. That is also why Pryme Tyme offers custom services for every event we do and our pricing reflects that. So what should you be looking for in your DJ? Here’s a few questions you should ask at your consultation.

Please visit:

to see the 40 questions you should ask your DJ. You’ll be glad you did!

Hope you liked reading this post. Be sure to visit us at www.prymetymeentertainment.net

LGBT Wedding on the Cape – Allie & Melissa

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LGBT Wedding on the Cape… Allie & Melissa

I had the pleasure of meeting this super couple earlier this year at a Starbucks in Springfield, MA.

One of the most important factors when I meet a couple is to make sure that we are a good fit for them. From the moment that Allie had told me their plans for a fun LGBT wedding reception at sea, I knew I wanted to be their entertainer. We chatted a little about some of the additional features we could provide and booked the date.

Fast forward to the big day!

Initially my assisant Jarrod and I were supposed to drive to Provincetown, MA (That’s a 4 hour drive) and meet the ship “Tails of the Seas” at the docks to get set up for the reception. Luckily, after a few conversations with the folks at Captain John’s Whale Watching Tours, we plotted a course to Plymouth to meet the Tails of the Seas and set up on the beautiful ride across Cape Cod Bay.

We set up a basic sound system on the stern of the ship on the sun deck and added a dash of purple and blue with our custom lightscaping along the sides of the vessel. It was a beautiful sight to see…

7 O’clock came and we pushed off and started our journey around the bay. We started the evening off slow with some easy going island music as we watched the shores of Provincetown disappear. The sun was setting, the sea was as smooth as glass, and the fragrant smell of saltwater was in the air.
We hit the lights just as the sun hid behind the horizon and kicked it into high gear. At least 50 people piled up on the back of the ship and didn’t leave until we returned to the docks at 10. People of all ages danced that night under the stars.

Jarrod and I were treated to a very relaxing voyage back to Plymouth where the crew had helped us disembark and send us off back to our home here in CT. It is experiences such as these that make what we do here at Pryme Tyme so rewarding.

You can read Melissa’s review of us by clicking the link below…
http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding/UserViewProfile?wid=43df20cc563d8618

 

Weddings, Entertainment, and You

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Weddings, Entertainment, and You

Just over a year ago a bride called our company inquiring about services for her special wedding day.

She is looking to make her wedding the perfect day with every detail. From the perfect facility ($15,000), the perfect dress ($8,000), open bar for 200, a 7 course meal. You get the idea.

So, when she found out what it would cost for me to entertain her and her guests, she  simply gasped and said, “WOW! That’s a bit more than I wanted to spend” Once I explained just how much goes into the planning and customization that goes into her special day, she understood and decided she wanted even more.

Let’s think about what just happened there. With all of the other expenses incurred by the soon to be bride, the entertainment was simply an after thought. I asked myself a few questions after this consultation. “How many weddings have I attended? What did I remember the most? Did I enjoy myself? What made the experience enjoyable and memorable?” Was it the $8,000 dress? Or the $600 centerpieces that will eventually end up in the hands of the Maitre D’s girlfriend.  No, what I remembered most was the entertainment.

In most instances only 5% of the total budget for a wedding is spent on entertainment. Yet it is the #1 part of the reception people remember the most. So how should you hire your entertainment for your special day?

#1 Ask questions!

A well seasoned wedding professional will know weddings inside and out and will ask you what your vision is for making your day a great experience.

#2 Look for organization.

If the DJ you are interviewing looks disheveled on your first meeting and doesn’t have a well thought out presentation for you, stop and ask yourself, “I wonder what he will be like on my wedding day.” A professional will come prepared to speak with you about your day and inform you of all of the options he can provide you to make your reception a success.

#3 Ask for a proof of insurance.

State and Federal law requires companies to carry liability insurance. Noone plans an accident. But they do happen. You wouldn’t drive without auto insurance would you?

#4 Ask to see a copy of a contract before you book with your DJ.

A contract is a legal agreement that ensures that your DJ will serve you and that you will pay for services rendered.

#5 Ask  your DJ what they will do should there be an emergency?

Most mobile entertainment companies always have a backup dj should one be required. Backup equipment is also a must.

#6 Ask for testimonials and references.

Nothing will tell you more about the DJ you are about to hire than his previous customers. Check sites like weddingwire, theknot, and more for references and reviews.

#7 How much experience does your DJ have?

Most professional wedding  entertainers go through training with other seasoned veterans before their first wedding. This prepares them for anything from how to read a crowd to equipment operation and everything in between.

#8 Don’t settle! Shop around.

You are making a large investment in the perfect wedding. Make sure you feel comfortable with your DJ. The most important factor in finding the right DJ is making sure they are a good fit.

#9 Find the best value.

Remember the old saying your parent’s used to say… “You get what you pay for”
Just like vehicles, tools, and appliances, the same rule applies to entertainment. Value is perception in the eye of the beholder. This being said, think of your entertainment is an investment not just music.

#10 Call your DJ frequently before your big day!

DJ’s need to  know about changes sooner than later. This enables your DJ to make sure that your day runs smoothly as possible.

Follow these 10 simple steps when hiring an entertainer for your special day. And always remember, great entertainment makes for great memories.  I hope you enjoyed this article. We look forward to hearing from you!

Disc Jockeys & Entertainers “There’s a difference?”

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Disc Jockeys & Entertainers “There’s a difference?”

I had recently had a consultation with a mother and daughter who were looking for disc jockeys for a sweet 16. As you might know, sweet 16′s have evolved due to the tremendous popularity of the MTV show, “My Super Sweet 16″ And it’s all about keeping up with the Jones’s.

So when my client had asked me, “So, what do you do? Do you play music or what?” I replied, “I am an entertainer.” There are many types of entertainment to choose from when it comes time to plan your event. There are disc jockeys, bands, comedians, magicians, and the list goes on. But what is the difference between disc jockeys and an entertainer? The difference is simple. Let’s take a look at what the function of a disc jockey is. This is what WikiPedia had to say.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

“DJ” redirects here. For other uses, see DJ (disambiguation). A disc jockey, also known as DJ (or deejay), is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, disk referred to phonograph records, while disc referred to the Compact Disc, and has become the more common spelling. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium. There are several types of disc jockeys. Radio DJs introduce and play music that is broadcast on AM, FM, shortwave, digital, or internet radio stations. Club DJs select and play music in bars, nightclubs,discothèques, at raves, or even in a stadium. Hip hop disc jockeys select and play music using multiple turntables, often to back up one or more MCs, and they may also do turntable scratching to create percussive sounds. In reggae, the disc jockey (deejay) is a vocalist who raps, “toasts“, or chats over pre-recorded rhythm tracks while the individual choosing and playing them is referred to as a selector.[1] Mobile DJs travel with portable sound systems and play recorded music at a variety of events.

 

Ok, now that we know what a DJ is, what is an entertainer?

 

An entertainer has many functions other than just playing music. An entertainer puts on a performance and captivates an audience. By choosing the right music, wearing the right outfit, and creating the right energy for the event, an entertainer can provide hours of amusement for people of all ages, and all walks of life.

I recently went to an event on a night off to go dancing and have some fun. Of course I made it a point to meet the DJ and chat with him a bit. He was a very nice man and seemed to enjoy what he was doing. But, for some reason, the crowd seemed to look a little stale. Their faces had no expression, they were just meandering about the floor in their own worlds not really caring what was being played. For the cover charge that I paid that night, I really expected more… There was little to no interaction with the audience and kind of like a jukebox, the music played song after song from somewhere in the room…That was the perfect example of what a DJ is. Someone who plays music in a sequence at an event, club, or on the radio.

The first concern of my clients was the cost of their entertainment. They had thought that $300 was a fair price for a disc jockey for the evening. Based on the story from above, I would have to agree. But they wanted more than that. They wanted their audience to dance, to laugh, to smile, and to remember her sweet 16 as the best party they ever attended…

I told my sweet 16 clients this story to find out what they were looking for in regards to the evening’s entertainment. They understood at that point that they were working with an entertainer, not just a DJ. She chose her favorite colors to uplight the architecture in the room, the starry sky on the ceiling, and the New York City nightclub dancefloor she was looking for that she saw on TV.

Fast forward to the party, I started off the evening playing some music that went through the ages. Grandparents could be seen tapping their feet and singing to their favorite swing tunes, parents smiled as they walked in the room and felt the warmth of the ambiance created by the lighting.

Dinner was served and the words of “Sweet Caroline” (The RED SOX Theme Song) could be heard and grandparents, parents, and kids alike were swaying to the music. We haven’t even started dancing yet and they were enjoying themselves.

Once we opened the dancefloor, it filled up 3 couples at a time until they were shoulder to shoulder. The energy built over the next 3 hours until the last song “or so they thought”. By this time the crowd has lost a few shirts, their high heels, and everyone was exhausted, sore, and sweaty from dancing for so long… And just when they thought it was all over, I started to play the song, “The Time (Dirty Bit)” from the Black Eyed Peas to end the evening. The crowd erupted into a frenzy. Hands were back in the air, people were shouting the lyrics, “I…had…the time of my life……”

When the song was over, the lights went on, and people, still smiling and laughing, started to file out. The daughter and mother both came up to me and said, “You were amazing. Everything was perfect. We couldn’t have asked for more. People will remember this night for the rest of their lives. I am so glad we chose you. You were right, you are an entertainer.” And that’s the difference between a disc jockey, and an entertainer. I hope you enjoyed this story. Until next time…