tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19206620620764787322023-11-15T13:02:26.438-05:00Dan "The Music Man" DJDan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-83135755278652067672017-07-14T09:35:00.000-04:002017-07-14T09:35:51.504-04:00New marketing planI am pleased to announce that I have been selected to take part in the wedding brochure being produced by <a href="https://www.chantillyplace.net/" target="_blank">Chantilly Place</a> in North Chelmsford, MA.<br />
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I will be the sole DJ listed in their bridal brochure and I look forward to working with Colleen (owner) for many years to come. It has been a while since I have used a marketing plan like this so hopefully it works out well and I will get to provide high quality service for many deserving couples getting married.<br />
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I will post more about this as more information becomes available.Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-83334817223621244992017-07-14T09:29:00.000-04:002017-07-14T09:29:48.498-04:00Wedding on Saturday 7/15/17I am really excited about my next gig. My very dear friend, Roger Roy's son Chris, is getting married to his fiance Julie at the Atkinson Country Club on Saturday 7/15/17. I am honored to be their MC and DJ for their reception. Many years ago, I had the privilege of doing their daughter's wedding in Nashua and now it is time for Chris to tie the knot.<br />
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I am sure that a good time will be had by all as Chris and Julie really took their time to plan the perfect reception!<br />
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Congrats to both of you!Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-67531235305605071872013-11-18T10:03:00.002-05:002013-11-18T10:03:28.191-05:00I am entering the holiday season with a few parties in hand and a few already booked for 2014. So far, things are looking good. It was a nice summer and I hope to busy this winter!Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-80574722296695868482013-06-05T14:50:00.001-04:002013-06-05T14:50:36.157-04:00Well, it has been a good off-season and now that the nicer weather is here, the summer events are starting to roll in. Getting ready for a June and July wedding and looking forward to both of them.<br />
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The June event will be in Salem, MA and the July event is in Kingston, NH.<br />
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Stay tuned for updates.Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-16842423245264965112012-12-06T09:09:00.000-05:002012-12-06T09:09:18.058-05:00Busy timeWell, it has been a while since I've posted anything. I've been very busy lately and these last two weekends (since Thanksgiving) have really kept me going - which is a good thing. :)<br />
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We had a fantastic time at Sigi Guzman's retirement party. He has retired from the Army after serving 22 years. It was my honor to be there for him and his friends and family. I split my time with the band "Michelle Canning and Rough Edges" - a bluegrass band. They played a 45 minute set and were excellent. After that, we rocked the night away.<br />
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Last Friday, I was back at Angelica's Restaurant in Middleton, MA for another party. This was a dual-event - a retirement for Mike and a 60th birthday part for Santina Desisto. We played lots of really cool Italian music throughout the night and everyone danced right until the very end. Annalisa did a terrific job pulling this off and her family was very proud of her. I thank her, Roberto and Frankie for having me there as part of your special night.<br />
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That's it for now - bring on the holidays!Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-17053969893597020912012-11-21T09:07:00.000-05:002012-11-21T09:07:00.309-05:00Happy ThanksgivingHello everyone!<br />
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I want to take a moment - break away from the the daily grind, if you will - to extend a heartfelt wish of a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday to everyone. I appreciate all the business I have had this year and I am thankful to all my clients who selected me for their entertainment this past year.<br />
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I take this job very seriously and I wouldn't still be doing it if I didn't have a passion for it. I love music and I love to entertain and knowing that I can have an impact on someone's special day really means a lot to me and I am thankful for everything I have.<br />
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Whether you are travelling or staying local, please be safe and enjoy the company of friends and family over this long holiday weekend.<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving!!<br />
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Sincerely,<br />DanDan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-15304136043302335922012-11-07T10:38:00.000-05:002012-11-07T10:38:38.111-05:00Mallory and Kyle's weddingWOW! What a great time we all had!!!<br />
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A sincere thanks to Mallory and Kyle for asking me to play at their wedding reception. Everything went off without a hitch and everyone had a fantastic time. They did everything they wanted to do and had fun doing it. It was the perfect reception in every respect.<br />
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Thank you Mallory for your kinds words:<br />"Thank YOU for everything you've done :) We had an amazing time and we're thrilled with everything. I'm so happy we got the chance to work with you and I can't tell you enough how easy and stress free you've made this process. We will absolutely keep you in mind for anything upcoming in the future :) I wish you well and again thank you SO very much."<br />
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That says it all!! It is such a great feeling, personally, when you know you've made such an impact on someone's life that they will remember forever - THAT, makes it all worth while.Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-63982994043471455752012-10-24T14:10:00.001-04:002012-10-24T14:10:53.539-04:00It really is that simple...I have just gone through two client meetings within one week and I have learned a few things along the way. I'd like to share them with you and stress the importance that, when it really comes down to it, keeping everything "simple" is really the basis for things to run smoothly.<br />
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Here are some of the things I have learned:<br />
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<li><b>LISTEN </b>to what your clients need - <b>FIRST</b>!</li>
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<li>If you really listen to what they need, you'll know right away what it takes to give them what they want and at the right price for both parties.</li>
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<li>Price your services accordingly.</li>
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<li>If they need a simple party with no frills, you can almost certainly do something that is within their budget as well as your price range.</li>
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<li>Work with your clients - be flexible.</li>
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<li>This can go a long way beyond just the specific event for which you're providing entertainment.</li>
<li>They will appreciate the flexibility and recommend you to others - friends, family & co-workers.</li>
<li>Being sensitive to their needs also goes a long way. Let's face it, the economy has hit all of us in one way or another and allowing clients to spread their payments out over time makes it easy on them and you still get paid - which is a good thing for you too!</li>
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<li>Respect your clients.</li>
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<li>Remember, <b>they</b> chose <i>you</i>! You are working for them - don't ever lose sight of that.</li>
<li>Let them select the things they want upfront, then - and only then - offer your advice and suggestions. It is impossible to know what they want until they tell you so assuming anything else only sets you both up for failure.</li>
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<li>Respond promptly.</li>
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<li>Be available to them and answer their questions or concerns within 24 hours whenever possible.</li>
<li>In this technological age, with texting, email, voice mail and social media available at your disposal, take advantage of them and use them to help you communicate. Almost all mobile devices allow you to use these applications immediately to effectively communicate.</li>
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<li>Get their feedback.</li>
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<li>Solicit their feedback quickly, while things are still fresh in their mind to get a honest response.</li>
<li>Listen to their feedback and use it to improve wherever you can.</li>
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<li>Lastly...<b>THANK THEM</b>!</li>
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<li>I point to #1 in section 4 - "<b>they</b> chose <i>you</i>!" - make sure that you tell them that you appreciated their business and it was your pleasure to work for them.</li>
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Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-14128212810710763852012-10-23T13:43:00.000-04:002012-10-23T13:43:25.336-04:00Mal and Kyle's Wedding ReceptionWell, I am all prepared for Mallory and Kyle's (the new Mr. & Mrs. Bernier) wedding reception on 11/3 in Dracut, MA. We've gone over all the details and both seem really happy with what they've decided on and I am really looking forward to this event - it is going to be a blast!<br />
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Hi "aunty"! :)Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-41537771272379153022012-10-16T21:56:00.000-04:002012-10-17T08:53:56.980-04:00Danielle and Brian<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to thank Danielle and Brian for allowing me the chance to meet with them last night and discuss their 2013 wedding. What can I say...they are a great couple and are planning a wonderful summer wedding. After meeting with you last night, I can't wait for your special night. I also look forward to working with you over the next few months.</span>Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-35902048669647616312012-10-16T21:52:00.000-04:002012-10-18T07:44:25.353-04:00Mallory & Kyle<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to wish the best to Mallory and Kyle who are getting married this weekend. I look forward to playing at your reception. You are both wonderful people. Best wishes to you both on your future together.</span>Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-46525170117922046182008-10-08T10:17:00.000-04:002012-10-17T08:49:39.414-04:00When to hire your entertaiment.<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, so it has been a little while since I have posted and I have been very busy this fall. It has been full with weddings, fund raisers and corporate events. Now the holiday season is upcoming and that will certainly prove to be equally busy, I am sure!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post is going to discuss at what point in time, during the planning of your wedding, should you consider hiring your entertainment. The answer is actually a simple one - it should be right at the beginning. Yes, this is true...you should hire the entertainment for your wedding either first or as soon as you have secured a facility and/or photographer. What I have been asking all of my clients when they call me is "where are you at in your planning?" I have been flat-out surprised at the answer. Almost everyone answers that they have the location, photographer, florist, gowns etc. Now they are looking for a DJ. Let me outline the reasons why this is the wrong approach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone of us has been to a wedding at one point in time. If you think about the ones you have been to, what do you remember most - the meal?, the location?, the flowers? I doubt any of those responses are correct. Most certainly it is the DJ. When I ask this question to folks, they almost invariably reply with "the DJ was awesome" or "the DJ was horrible". Even if the food was less than average and not what you were expecting, the entertainment will be the one thing that everyone remembers. The two most important investments - yes I am calling them investments - are the photographer and the DJ. The photographer will capture the memories of your wedding and help you remember them and the entertainment will be what you remember most when you see those pictures of you and your guests dancing at your reception.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't wait until the very end of your planning to secure the most important piece of your reception, do it early and do it right. You won't regret it!!</span></div>
Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-22691951379735965392008-10-08T10:15:00.000-04:002012-10-17T08:49:48.282-04:00Why so much money for so little time?<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A frequently asked question is "How come you charge so much for a four hour event?" This is a very good question and there is a very good answer. Although your event will only last four hours on that day, our effort will average 7-8 hours. We will plan to arrive to set up two hours before the start time (after commuting there), then we will play for the four hours and then there is an hour breakdown time plus the commute home. All that adds up to about 8 hours of time which, on average, is a normal work day for most folks. Once we add in the time spent before your function (meeting with you, planning the paperwork and music) our total time and effort spent on your event will be approximately 13-14 hours.Now, it is important to realize that this time and effort spent on your event is not typical of most DJs. It is typical for us, but not for most. In fact, one of the questions you should ask your DJ or entertainer is exactly how much time and effort will they put into your event for you. If you don't like their answer, or if it isn't 10-14 hours or more - move onto the next person!</span></div>
Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-55542294975700691792008-10-08T10:12:00.000-04:002012-10-17T08:49:57.747-04:00What to ask your DJ?<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are the important questions you should ask any entertainer before hiring them (including me)?</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How long have they been doing this? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is their equipment professional (CD players, mixers, speakers etc)? (A home stereo with a couple of iPods just won't cut it)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do they have backup equipment in case of failure? Will your event continue seamlessly? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How much planning will they put into your event? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is the person you are speaking with the person who will be at your event? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will they meet with you in person to discuss your needs and wants? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How extensive is their music collection? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are they current? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do they have music for all of your guests? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is their attire going to be at your event? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are they part of a network of entertainers in the event they are sick or have an accident? (Will they find a comparable replacement for themselves?)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are just some of the things you should consider when hiring your entertainer. If they are not able or willing to answer them for you or if they stumble to find answers that they think you are looking for, move on to the next person!!</span></div>
Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-1755334782646574512008-10-08T10:10:00.000-04:002012-10-17T08:50:05.942-04:00How much do you charge?<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One question that continuously comes up when I speak with prospective clients is "How much do you charge?" Although this may seem like the right question to ask, it really should be one of the last. Think about walking into a restaurant and before you even see a menu, you ask your server "How much is my bill?" Or, going into a car dealership and asking the salesperson "How much is a car?" it is impossible to answer these questions without knowing what it is you are looking for or what your needs are. Whether it is a wedding reception, a birthday party or a prom, determining what your needs and wants are is the most important thing to consider. A good entertainer will ask the right questions and set the right expectations before determining what package is best for you. Once you have discussed everything with the entertainer, then you can talk about price.It is important to remember that all good function planners will stress the importance of selecting the right entertainer for your event. You could have the most prestigious country club for your wedding reception, but if the entertainment is less than stellar, that is what ALL of your guests will remember most. Your meal could be mediocre at best, but if the music wasn't what you asked for and no one danced, that is what ALL of your guests will remember most. Finally, you could have your function at the local Elks Lodge with your family providing all the food and if the DJ is the best you've ever heard, that is what ALL of your guests will remember most!! </span></div>
Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-5437302275599381012008-10-08T10:08:00.000-04:002012-10-17T08:50:14.707-04:00So far in 2008...<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first half of 2008 has gone well. It was one of my busiest years ever and I have enjoyed every function thus far. One thing has become very clear to me this year - brides and grooms are still looking to have elegant, high-energy wedding receptions and they clearly want someone with experience. I am honored to have been selected for several receptions already this year and I am very much looking forward to the ones I have coming up late this summer and early this fall. After 14 full years as a mobile entertainer, I still continue to learn new things and always apply the things I've learned to each and every function I perform at.</span></div>
Dan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1920662062076478732.post-21437584807791791732008-07-15T15:12:00.001-04:002012-10-17T08:50:34.812-04:00Things to consider when searching for a DJDan "The Music Man"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00474170531357998504noreply@blogger.com0