Putting it in Perspective – 1 –

Just Music vs. Entertainment

(Transcription from a Radio Interview with Peter Merry and 103.3 KLOU in St. Louis)

KLOU: Good morning and welcome once again to “In Your Neighborhood” at 103.3 KLOU and with us this morning is Peter Merry from California. He’s a Wedding Entertainment Director™. Good morning Peter.

Peter: Good morning.

KLOU: So today we’re going to talk about some of the preparations that transpire for more wedding receptions than the ceremonies themselves. I see you are a Wedding Entertainment Director™, and so we want to talk about that, and maybe some of the entertainment that involves. Being a mobile disc jockey, I believe you should be right in line with that.

Peter: Well, yes. I’m referred to as a Wedding Entertainment Director™ for a reason, because a lot of times when people think about a mobile disc jockey, they think about a guy who is just going to play some tunes at their wedding. I tend to do a little bit more than that. So, the term Wedding Entertainment Director™ encapsulates more of the service I provide for my clients.

KLOU: Are you saying you’re more than just music?

Peter: Pretty much. See, I like to help my clients plan their event. I like to serve as their event director, and make sure everything is going to flow as smoothly as possible. And I also serve as their professional Master of Ceremonies, which means I’m really their spokesperson. And then I also serve as the DJ playing the music for just the right moments.

KLOU: So many times though people think, well we’ll just hire the music. I know I hear that a lot around here at the radio station, and I’m finding out that you are more than just music.

Peter: Well it’s kind of funny you mention that, because I’m so into weddings I go to all the bookstores all the time, and I’m constantly checking out all the magazines and books on weddings. I want to learn what the latest trends are. I want to keep an eye on what brides are being taught about their wedding day. And when they talk about my service, primarily, they call myself, or a DJ, or bands…music. And that’s all they call us. And that’s all they tell the brides and grooms to look for. And the reality in my experience has been that if you want somebody who can play music, that’s pretty easy to do. About anybody can show up and press “play” on a CD player. But finding somebody who can help you craft a really entertaining reception that your guests are going to remember for years to come, that’s going to take someone with some real skill and talent who does some real hands on planning, and some event direction as well.

KLOU: You know I was just talking to someone who actually manages a banquet hall, and last week as a matter of fact, they said the disc jockey showed up, and that’s the phrase he used, “Well I’m just the music.” And he actually said that.

Peter: Oh, it’s not too surprising. In fact, in my experience, most DJs help propagate this message that we’re just music because that’s the way they sell themselves to the client. They’ll ask the question, “Have you got music for your day?” Well, what about someone who’s going to plan the event and make sure it’s going to flow smoothly too? I used to just show up and play music, but then things would go wrong. And so, as I started getting more involved, to help plan and actually direct the timing of the event, the events went smoother, everybody had more fun, and I wound up giving away more business cards, which meant I had more success in my business. So it really paid off to make sure my events were more fun and enjoyable to everybody, and not just an event where I was pushing “play” on a CD player.

KLOU: Well, I want to do something right now. Kind of roll act. Say I’m a bride, and I’m organizing and planning my reception, and now I’m down to the point where I want to say, “well, we’re going to need some sort of music, some sort of entertainment.” What should we look for?

Peter: Well, that’s a really good question. There’s a lot of different things you should look for. But, primarily, I think the number one thing you want to look for is somebody who has the personality, and the skill and talent to make your day happen the way you want it to. There are plenty of people out there who can provide wedding entertainment and do the same old thing they’ve done for the last 15 to 20 years. But, somebody who is going to custom craft your event to fit who you are is probably going to meet your needs the best, because you’re going to get an event that reflects your personality and style, not just a cookie-cutter performance that’s been done for the last 10-15 years in exactly the same way.

KLOU: But, how do you see this? Do you go by and talk to the people? Do you see them perform? You know. It’s kind of hard to find out what’s good, what’s bad until after the fact.

Peter: That’s a valid question. In fact a lot of the magazines and books will tell you to actually go out and pre-screen your DJ and watch them at the event. I would tell you a different route to find somebody who’s qualified. If a DJ will invite you to come out and watch him at a wedding, then he’ll probably invite someone to come out and crash your wedding as well. And at a private function like a wedding reception, the last thing you want are strangers poking in, and sometimes helping themselves to the food or the bar, which has been known to happen with DJs who have actually invited clientele to come. It also created split loyalties for the performer, for now he’s auditioning for you as well as trying to perform for his primary client. Those that really do it professionally will tell you that they won’t allow the client to come to a private function like that. But, rather the way they’ll verify their talent and their services is through feedback surveys, client references you can actually call and speak with, and video footage that shows them in action and shows some of the unique things they bring to the table. There are many different ways to verify the talent level and the style and personality of the performer, without having to go and crash a private function.

Putting it into Perspective -2-

What’s Fun at a Wedding?