News

2009 Regional DJ Conference Attracts

U.S. and International DJs To Tennessee

DJ Dave Austin of Moonlight Mobile Music recently joined with more than 150 other professional DJs at the 2009 ADJA educational conference in Greenville, TN. The conference is part of an on-going program to provide a higher quality product and service to the clients of professional DJs. Under the sponsorship of the American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA), DJs, from not only Tennessee, but also from the UK, Canada, Pennsylvania, and other states attended. As in the past, a stellar lineup of presenters kept the information flowing.

Returning again this year was the "Game Master" himself, Scott Faver, and his high energy program.

Also on stage were Peter Merry, author of "The Best Wedding Reception...Ever!", Randy Bartlett who wowed the house with his "Love Story" wedding program, and Jose Castillio brought us up to speed on social networking and it's impact on the DJ industry.

Also with us again this year was Larry Williams, DJ and author of "Mind Your Own Business". who gave a great program, "The 'B' Sides", dealing with DJs being more creative and different from their competetitors.

We also had an opportunity to get up close and personal with some cool new DJ equipment and to spend some time socializing and comparing notes with our fellow professional DJs from around the country.

In all, a great time and an enriching educational opportunity!

Ask Yourself...?

Who makes or breaks the party?

The flowers? The veggie platter?

The photographer? The Handsome Groomsmen? The Bridesmaid's Dresses? The cake?

None of the above. The DJ makes the party! All of these things are elements of the wedding but, it's the DJ who turns a reception into an Exceptional Celebration. Afterwards, your guests are going to remember your entertainment - not the centerpiece on the table.

Why shouldn't I just rent a sound system and play some music?

We checked and here's the facts:

The average median sound system rents for about $450.00 - less music - plus $90 delivery cost and $45 per hour for an operator.

In Knoxville, the price is $885.00 - less music.

In Atlanta, $1195.40 - less music

2 Chimps for one hour - $1500.00

In Tennessee, professional DJs charge $450 - $1500, depending on type and length of the event. Some may charge more for larger or more complex events. So, if you're planning to rent a sound system, why not get an exciting professional DJ entertainer for about the same price?

That's called getting the most

"Bang For Your Buck!"

Average Costs Associated With Area Weddings

We recently did some checking in our area and here are some representative costs associated with weddings.

National average weddings costs $28,000.

In Knoxville, weddings range from $15,600 to $42,000

(Similar costs in Nashville & Chattanooga areas)

Food: (Examples)

Vegetable platter: $7.50 per person X 150 guests = $1125.00

Mixed Fruit Platter: $10.75 per person X 150 guests = $1612.50

Dinner (Roast beef): $24.25 per person X 150 guests = $3637.50

Entertainment

Band - $2400.00 up

Rental Sound System, less music, delivery & operator (4 hours)

$720.00

Professional DJ

$500 - up

Think About This...

A fellow DJ and I were taking over coffee recently and he told me a story which really illustrates how some people shop for DJ services. It goes like this...

Phone rings at a bridal shop...

"Hello. Mary's Bridal Boutique. How may I help you today?"

(Bride) "Hi. How much do you charge for a wedding gown?"

(Mary) "Well, we have many lovely gowns in several price ranges. What are you looking for exactly?"

(Bride) "I don't really know. I just need a gown for my wedding. How much do you charge?"

(Mary) "The price of the gown would depend on what you want. We have many gowns , including designer names in full and tea length, with and without trains, full bodice or off-the shoulder, in white, champagne and other colors... Can you tell me what you have in mind?"

(Bride) "I don't know. Right now I just want to know how much you charge for a wedding gown."

And so the conversation went.

Sounds silly, doesn't it?

However, DJs receive calls or emails almost daily asking the same question: "How much do you charge to do a wedding?"

Some DJs will simply respond with a price, never having asked a single question about the caller's needs or expectations. To some potential clients, a DJ is a DJ. Not so! The skill, experience and professionalism of DJs can vary greatly and, it's only prudent for the potential customer to be informed and shop carefully when hiring their DJ.

Here at Moonlight Mobile Music, we'll quote you our price but we also want to understand your needs and wishes. We can also custom design our services to exactly meet the individual needs of each client.

So, when we encourage you to call or contact us it's because we're sincerely committed to providing the best service possible to you. We want to learn about your plans, your special needs and your expectations. As we often remind, you're under NO OBLIGATION when you call or meet personally with us. We're DJs - not salesmen so, you won't get any high-pressure sales pitch, either.

We think that once you have good information, you'll be able to make an intelligent and informed decision about your DJ entertainment. After all, it is YOUR wedding and you want an Exceptional Celebration - not someone who is just going to show up and "push play!"

(Also See: "Looking For A DJ?" on our SERVICES page)

I Have A Question...?

"How much do you charge to do a wedding/party, etc.?"

Prices vary somewhat depending on the type and length of the event. Please see our "Prices" page for detailed information.

"Aren't all DJs pretty much the same?"

FACT: Most amateur DJs are pretty much the same. However, a professional DJ brings experience and skill to your event. He can "read' the crowd and play the right music at the right time. He knows how to dress properly, how to conduct himself, and how to interact with you and your guests and turn your event into a celebration!

"I read that I could save money and use an IPod or MP3 player rather than hiring a DJ. If this is true, then why hire a DJ?"

FACT: An experienced quality DJ does much more than "just play some music". Every event presents the DJ with a different group of people and, being able to play the right music for you and your crowd will contribute greatly to the success of your event. An IPod is just a "dumb" device that does nothing more than spool out the songs stored in its memory. In cannot interact with you and your guests, it cannot respond to requests and, it cannot energize your party!

"Why don't you just email me your prices and let me decide?"

If you've read the above questions, you probably already know the answer. Have you ever seen a bad DJ? Did you ask the host or hostess how much they paid him/her ($200, $250, $350..."He's a friend of the family", etc.)? As an example, you receive two email prices - one for $300 and another for $600. What's the difference other than price? As happens quite often, the cheap DJ may prove to be unsatisfactory and you're left wishing you had hired another service. So...do yourself and your guests a BIG FAVOR and talk personally to both the $300 and the $600 DJ before making any decision. It may not take very long before you determine for yourself the difference between them.

Brenda Hoskins Brings Added Value To Moonlight Mobile Music Services

With wedding and bridal experience dating back to 1972, Brenda Hoskins provides an added measure of valuable assistance to brides and party planners. Moonlight Mobile Music clients can now call on Brenda for assistance and advice at no additional charge. As manager of our Chattanooga office, Brenda has been a member of our team for the past five years.

When the planning is getting you down and things are getting confusing, Brenda can help you smooth it all out. Call her at 931 205-3509.

Erica and Danny Edwards

Feb. 28, 2009

It may have been raining and cold outside, but inside an elegant venue on the square in Winchester, TN, Danny Edwards and his beautiful new wife, Erica, and their families and friends celebrated the couple's marriage in great style. DJ Dave and Moonlight Mobile Music is honored to have been a part of this couple's wedding celebration. Our sincere best wishes to Erica and Danny in their new life together!

Thanks to Norris Carden at Carden Photography Tullahoma for the great shot of Erica & Danny with DJ Dave in the background.

David, Julie and a friend Julie and girl friends get low!

boogie to the beat!

Chattanooga's Renniasance Commons provided a plush setting for this gala event - a surprise birthday party for Julie, wife of David Murphy. David worked hard at planning the party and even harder at keeping it a secret until the moment everyone shouted, "Surprise!" Not only did this birthday celebration group have a great time, but we really enjoyed ourselves playing lots of fun music for this wonderful group of folks.

Read the letter we received from David on our Testimonials page.

What a great time we had at the Meigs County High School Jr.-Sr. Prom!

The Springbrook Country Club was aglow with all the young ladies in their beautiful prom gowns and the handsome young men in their stylish tuxes. And, for me, the DJ, it was soon obvious that this group had come to dine, dance and have some fun! We played a lot of the latest hit tunes, mixed in some pop country, got down to the Electric and Cha Cha slide, and even dropped a couple of disco and 70's flashbacks.

Events lke this clearly remind me of why I got into the DJ business to begin with. What a pleasure to see such a great group of young folks enjoying themselves and, what a pleasure for me to have been there to play their favorite dance songs for them.

Christy Armour, sponsor, writes us: "We were greatly pleased. I have heard positive comments about the DJ. Thanks for coming."

Thanks, guys! I hope you'll invite us back very soon.

See lots more pictures from this prom on our MySpace page: M C H S Prom Pix

Boom, Boom, Pow!

Moonlight Mobile Music Rocks CCHS Prom

CCHS Queen Ashley & King Justin

With DJ Dave

OMG! It was standing room only at the Coffee County High School Jr-Sr. Prom at the Lakeside Club at Arnold Air Force Base. And…what a phenomenal night of fun for all!

From beginning until well past midnight, the dance floor was so crowded until couples were dancing on the carpet and in the aisles between tables.

DJ Dave dropped all the hot new tunes, lots of past favorites, line dances, some 1950-1960’s and even couple of techno club grinders. This great group of funsters got down to it all.

Later in the evening, Miss Ashley Henley and Mr. Justin Kanjanabout were crowned Queen and King of this year’s prom and, shortly afterwards, took a moment to pose for the above photo with DJ Dave.

A super-big thanks to CCHS for calling on Moonlight Mobile Music for this year’s prom entertainment and, may we add, we had a great time with all you guys!

For more candid photos from the CCHS prom, click on this link to our MySpace page.

Hot Fun In The Summertime!

Surprise Birthday Celebration

For Judy Grennier

The weather was warm and so was the love shown by famiy and friends at this Surprise Birthday party. Food, fun, games and festivities punctuated the outdoor event at Judy's beautiful country home.

Everyone, young and not-so- young, joined in the fun. Thanks

to Julie (Judy's daughter) for in-

viting Moonlight Mobile Music to

be a part of this memorable

celebration. We had a great

time with all you guys!

DJ Dave (yellow

shirt) joins in

as everyone

gets into

Y.M.C.A.

See more candid photos of this party, click Moonlight Mobile Music's MySpace page.

A Beautiful Garden Wedding and

A Great Poolside Party!

The Campbell clan knows how to throw a party and, if you doubt it, check out the photos of daughter Claire's wedding and reception around the family's swimming pool. (Click this link to view Claire & Michael's candid photos on Moonlight Mobile Music's MySpace page.) The atmosphere was casual, the weather was perfect, the pool was cool, there was abundant food and drink and everyone partied in fine style. We at Moonlight Mobile Music say "Thanks!" for letting us provide the music for this "Exceptional Celebration".

They even had great fireworks!

Tim's Ford Lake Provides Lovely Setting

For Brittany & Casey's Wedding

The shoreline of Tim's Ford Lake provided the serene setting for this beautiful

Summer wedding of Brittany

and Casey. A passing thunder- shower just before the ceremony failed to dampen spirits and the wedding went on as

planned. DJ Dave provided

the special songs for the

ceremony, first dance and

other memorable moments

of the afternoon. Following

the festivities, Brittany and

Casey honeymooned in Gulf

Shores, AL.

Best wishes to you both from

Moonlight Mobile Music!

Laura & Brad Spivey

Decatur, AL

A lovely restored old building in downtown Decatur provided the setting for Brad and Laura's wedding reception on September 5. Guests, both young and not-so-young helped this couple celebrate with lots of food, drink and Moonlight Mobile Music. Line dances proved to be the most popular request of the evening but, there was also some oldies, country and even a little hip-hop. Brad and Laura honeymooned in Gatlinburg and we wish them a long and happy marriage!

Kevin and Jamie Young

September 12, 2009

Franklin, TN

What can we say about Kevin and Jamie…

Not only are they a beautiful couple but they really “click” with one another. The two exchanged their own very personal vows in a lovely sunset ceremony in the garden of a stately farm home in Franklin. Their service also featured a meaningful "Sand Ceremony", signifing the mingling of their two lives. Friends and family from near and far joined in the observance of the couple’s marriage. Later in the evening, Jamie and Kevin were gleefully surprised when a group of “Red Hat” ladies serenaded them with their special kazoo band rendition of The Beatles' “All You Need Is Love”. Jamie’s brother, Cal, did a great job of helping to keep events flowing. Jamie’s parents, Jim and Barbara and Kevin’s parents, Wynn and Clarice also joined in the fun. It was a special fun evening for everyone and we at Moonlight Mobile Music were greatly honored to have been part of this most special wedding!

Ciongratulations and best wishes to Jamie and Kevin!

Click this link See more candid photos from Kevin & Jamie’s wedding on our MySpace page.

Rain Fails To Dampen Intimate

Wedding At Mountain Retreat

The rain came down on the evening of September 19 but it failed to dampen the spirits of family and friends at Angela and Adam Stepro's wedding reception at a mountain lodge near Gatlinburg. After a private ceremony in a nearby chapel, the couple and their guests made their way to Gatlinburg Falls Resort Conference Center for the festivities.

DJ Dave provided the music and introductions from the long porch on the second level of the center and guests were able to come outside, dance and enjoy the view and still remain comfortable and dry.

Angels's Mom and Dad, Lynn and Gary, made the trip from Evansville, IN, to Gatlinburg their daughter's wedding festivities.

Congratulations to Angela and Adam and best wishes for happiness from Moonlight Mobile Music! Thanks for letting us be part of your wedding day.

Jamie & David

The Hermitage

David & Jamie Bonkowski with DJ Dave

Jamie and David exchanged their vows at the historic Hermitage near Nashville, then celebrated with a reception at the nearby Tulip Grove Mansion. The newlyweds and their guests dined amid decorations of fall foilage and flowers. The elegant buffet by Two Fat Men Catering Co. helped put guests in the mood to party. This 150+ year-old home was rockin' as the happy couple and their friends celebrated under the beautiful antique chandeliers and portraits.

A special thanks to the staff at Tulip Grove! Our DJ equipment apparently tripped an electrical circuit breaker during dinner. However, the guests hardly noticed as the problem was quickly remedied and the music continued.

Jamie and David had fun, their guests had fun and, we had fun providing the music and dancing for this great couple!

We've posted some of our snapshots of Jamie and Dave's reception on our MySpace page. Click this link to view these photos. Click on "View MY Pics", then select "Jamie & David's Wedding"

Jade & Brandon

Sewanee

Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Barry exchanged their vows amid the glowing Fall foilage atop Monteagle Mountain then celebrated at an elegant reception at Cravens Hall at the University of The South in Sewanee. Following the cocktail hour, the newlyweds were introduced as husband and wife to the cheers and applause of their guests. Jade and Brandon danced to "Run" by George Strait, which, as Jade told us, has been their song since their high school sweetheart years. The large gathering of friends, family and guests then enjoyed dinner and dancing. The couple honeymooned in North Carolina.

Congratulations and lifetime happiness to this great couple from everyone at Moonlight Mobile Music!

We've posted snapshots of Jade and Brandon's reception on our MySpace page. Click this link to view. Click on "View My Pics" then select Jade & Brandon's Wedding"