KIRK THE WEDDING DJ
Music, Announcing, Planning, Lights
for your Wedding Reception in the
Prescott / Sedona AZ area
*15 years DJ experience in Northern Arizona
*Positive, interactive, enjoyable, fun style
*Pre-wedding meeting and planning
*Quality equipment including lighting and cordless mic at no extra charge
*Info packet with refererences and song list available...just call or email
*Separate PA setup for wedding ceremony with pre-ceremony music, microphone and inputs for musicians also available
*The Best Disc Jockey for your most special day!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What to look for in a DJ: When looking for a DJ, remember that he or she can really make or break your wedding reception. I recommend that you chose a person with EXPERIENCE, COMPREHENSIVE MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE,WILLINGNESS TO CREAT A FUN ATMOSPHERE, ABILITY TO ENGAGE AND INTERACT WITH THE AUDIENCE and a POSITIVE, OUTGOING ATTITUDE. When hiring a DJ, be sure you are dealing with the specific person who will be working your reception.
Beware of DJ "companies" that attempt to impress with smoke and mirrors, overcharge you and then send out inexperienced nightclub DJ's. Also beware of "a la carte" pricing...adding $$ onto the bill for cordless mics, lighting packages, subwoofers, song downloading, fog machines, custom setups, extra meetings, etc. The only extras I ever charge for are a) extra time over the basic 4 hour contract, b) separate PA system and music for the wedding itself and c) mileage fee to Sedona or North Phoenix...for specific costs please click on PRICES at the top of this page in the navigation bar.
Remember, laser light systems, billions and billions of song titles, fog machines, multiple laptop computers, 85,000 watt subwoofed sound systems and funny hats for doing the YMCA are all secondary to the experience, knowledge and attitude of the DJ and his or her ability to engage the crowd.
My Experience: I have been in the music business in Northern Arizona for over 30 years as a drummer and guitarist and have performed with Charlie Daniels, Freddie Fender, Hank Thompson, Rich Little and Lee Hazelwood. In the last five years I have been doing occasional rock guitar gigs in Costa Rica and I still play drum set regularly in local jazz groups and the Yavapai College Big Band. I have also worked as a music teacher, music store manager, and a radio DJ.
I began my DJ career about 15 years ago when my wife's friend asked me to DJ her wedding because she could not afford a band. I have been DJ'ing in the Prescott - Sedona - Northern Arizona - North Phoenix area ever since. In the past I have worked numerous school/camp dances, bar/bat mitzvahs, corporate events, school reunions and car window tinting competitions...really, I did one of 'em a few years ago! I now specialize in wedding receptions and wedding anniversaries.
Deposit and Contract: NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED. I do provide a printed and signed contract clearly stating all costs. No surprises, no add-ons. Payment in full (cash or local check) is expected on the day of the event.
Song Selection and Requests: I bring about 15,000 songs from ALL styles and periods...from Miller, Goodman, Sinatra and Motown to Disco, Strait, Snoop and Rihanna and everything in between with some Polkas and Salsa thrown in for good measure. Please click on 329 MOST PLAYED SONGS in the navigation bar.
I will also request a short song list from you (20-25 songs and/or artists) so I can tailor my music selections to your needs. I download and purchase songs from itunes.com and Rhapsody.com only and do not use any illegal or peer to peer download sites. I will purchase up to ten new songs for your reception at no extra cost.
I am also glad to take requests from your guests. I always have a few copies of my 329 Most Played Songs list available at the reception for guest viewing.
Equipment: I pride myself on having quality gear. I provide all equipment including a 1000 watt stereo sound system with 2 large Yamaha S115V speakers, Carvin DCM1000 power amp, Mackie mixer, 2 microphones (one cordless), Sony CD players and a lighting system. All items in my system are less than 2 years old and I constantly update my gear. I carry spare CD players, sets of CD's, speakers and amps in case of any breakdowns. I also bring my own table and all AC power cords.
I do not use laptop computers or MP3 players as I have had reliability problems with them in the past. Plus, I have heard stories of DJ's actually texting, emailing or playing solitaire on their laptop computers during the cocktail hour and dinner time. Crazy!
Wedding Ceremony Setup: For an additional charge I will also provide a complete separate PA system for the Wedding Ceremony which includes one half-hour of pre-ceremony music, a cordless lapel mic for the minister plus a separate mic for the vows, a large PA speaker on stand plus extra inputs and hookup cords for musicians (guitars, keyboards, vocal mic's, etc).
Appearance and Dress: My looks and grooming are very important to me. I always wear belted, pleated and cuffed dress slacks, a dark pressed dress shirt and necktie with polished black wingtip shoes. I always come to each reception freshly and carefully groomed. I do not wear a tux, as I believe tuxes should be worn by the wedding party only.
Breaks and Personal Habits: Once the music starts, I take no breaks. I do not smoke and never consume alcohol on the job.
Setup and Breakdown: I require approximately 45 minutes for setup. I arrive at the reception location one and a half hours prior to the arrival of the first guests. This leaves me plenty of time for a complete sound check plus a little extra time for difficult load-ins or equipment tune-ups. In the event that I also do the Wedding Ceremony PA setup, I arrive two and a half hours prior. Breakdown time is also 45 minutes. Of course, all setup and breakdown are on my own time.
Pre-Reception Meeting and Planning: We can meet as many times as you desire, but I do recommend a final meeting within 10 days of your wedding in order to plan events (grand entrance, toast, first dance, cake cutting, garter/bouquet toss), to create a timeline and to discuss music choices. For more information on reception events, please click on RECEPTION EVENTS & TIMELINE in the navigation bar.
Insurance: I do have liability insurance through National Association of Mobile Entertainers (nameentertainers.com). Certificate of Liability available upon request.
Cost and Pricing: All costs are clearly stated here on my website. My basic price for a four hour reception is about half of that now charged by most Phoenix area DJ's. I keep my prices down by being a one-man operation, by not doing a lot of advertising and by keeping things simple. Please see the PRICES page.
Thanks for reading this far!
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Please call or email KIRK HIGGINS for available dates and references
telephone: 928 445 4381