Licensing. It's probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you're looking for DJ entertainment. In fact, not surprisingly, most DJs don't know about music licensing, either. However, there are several licenses DJs must have in order to operate their enterprises legally and ethically.
In point form they are:
#1. Municipal Business License
#2. National Music Licensing
#3. SOCAN Licensing
It's hard to comprehend why any Bride and Groom, community league, school or corporation would even consider doing business with a company that cannot even provide basic business licensing. #1 Municipal Business Licensing, at its most basic level, is a commitment that a business intends to operate within the boundaries of ethical business practice. That's not to say they will not screw you, but it is just ONE of a dozen things a business can show that they are honest and trustworthy.
Edmonton Wedding DJ Edmonton DJ City Pro Entertainment has been registered as a business in Alberta and has a business license to operate in the City Of Edmonton.
Now, there ARE some municipalities, most often small towns and such, that do not require licensing. At least ask for their proof of provincial registration or GST number- something that also proves that might be taking doing business with you seriously.
DJs in Canada are extremely lucky. In the 70's, as mobile discos were becoming more popular and so was technology to duplicate music, DJs recognized a need to legitimize what record executives feared: Music Piracy. Working together, the record industry and DJs formulated a working agreement based on agreements already used for commercial duplication, but customized it based on the needs of DJs. #2. National Music Licensing is administered by the A.V.L.A. (Audio and Video Licensing Agency). The license not only allows DJs to create music programs that better suit their style and audience, but now they can also reduce the amount of music carried while also providing an opportunity to create a backup library.
In Canada ANY DJ that uses duplicated music (CD-R's, Digital Devises, Computers etc) needs to have an A.V.L.A. license. Music purchased from download sites like iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon or Napster are not licensed for Commercial use- which is what all DJ work is considered. Music from these sites, and the music purchased at stores is considered "for the private and personal use only". That music also does not cover public performance.
The A.V.L.A. License your DJ would have allows them to duplicate music onto CD-R or Computer and perform those pieces publicly. The cost of AVLA licenses in Canada ranges from $150 to $380 depending on where they are purchased. The AVLA license must be renewed every year starting in January and expiring in December. AVLA Licenses can be ordered from AAME or CAPE .
Edmonton Wedding DJ Edmonton DJ City Pro Entertainment has been licensed by the AVLA for over 10 years. EACH of our systems has a music license. To see if your DJ is licensed please visit THIS page.
#3 SOCAN Licensing is quite different from the AVLA. In fact, DJs aren't responsible for it at all! I listed it here to dispel the myth or untruths that many people have regarding SOCAN fees charged to them when they buy concert tickets or rent a banquet room. (For a list of tariffs please visit HERE)
SOCAN stands for: The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada. Their job is to protect, preserve the works of performing rights of music creators. PART of their job is collecting royalties on behalf of their members. This also includes collecting fees from venues where music is performed.
Some venues may elect to charge you this fee as a line item on your invoice. Some choose to include the fees in the rental rate. Again, these fees are collected for the PERFORMANCE of music (even the elevator music, music on-hold and Muzak playing in the hallways and bathrooms all incur SOCAN fees).
Edmonton Wedding DJ Edmonton DJ City Pro Entertainment has been an avid supporter of artists and their works.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
WEDDING DJ EDMONTON DJ ADVISE
Back in 1984 when we started playing music for events there weren't a whole lot of choices for entertainment. DJs were still considered second class citizens compared to live bands. Part of the reason was there wasn't a lot of DJ equipment for us to buy. So we ended up buying the same gear most bands used; it was big, heavy and very expensive.
Today anyone few a few extra dollars can buy an inexpensive DJ rig and start putting cash in their pockets playing at your wedding or company party. If they don't have your kind of music they'll just download it off the internet.
I guess that is where the influx of "bedroom" and Hobby DJs has come from. The combination of cheap, easily accessable DJ gear and "free" music means even the awkward neighbor kid can be a DJ, too. I mean, who's to say he can't?
Everyday we get inquiries from folks looking for Edmonton DJs and they all just want to know the bottom line: HOW MUCH? And that's a GREAT question. Really! But before we can just throw a number out we, as professionals, need to ask our customers alot of questions. Can you imagine having a wedding today the way bands and DJs operated in the 70's and 80's?! No consultations, no choices, the band or DJ TELLING you what your first song is and the rash of "no show" performers meant you may or may not have a dance that night. NEVER AGAIN!
The Edmonton DJ Professionals at City Pro Entertainment have built a stellar reputation for outstanding results. Great customer service, pre-event consultations and on-the-dancefloor fun have been our specialty for over 25-years. We could not have enjoyed this success without first carefully disecting the "typical" reception dance and what made some dances ho-hum, and what made the others SPECTACULAR!
We found that our results improved dramatically when we were able to involve our clients more in the music/reception planning. The more information we were able to aquire on our clients the more personal we could make the evening. Ho-hum turned to HOLY COW!
Here are a couple of tips when hiring an Edmonton DJ:
1. Set A Budget. An average DJ in Edmonton will be priced between $700-$1000, but don't be surprized to hear prices as low as $250 or as high as $3000 or more. Experience, level of gear used, package selected, location and duration are all factors that contribute to an entertainer's price.
2. Do your Research. Ask your friends and family, co-workers and look to local or national DJ associations for recommendations, too. Ask questions and look for the answers you want to hear and make notes on possible candidates. We recommend calling at least 10 companies. Out of those make a shortlist of 3 companies.
3. Meet your top 3 picks in person. So much can be accomplished when you meet one-on-one: You can find out payment options, check out their gear, have them speak to you (do you want a DJ that will stammer and stutter when under pressure?), leave a deposit and find out if your candidate is a good personal match.
4. Ask to see credentials. Since it's so easy for any "Joe" to just go out and buy gear, download illegal music and claim to be a "DeeJay". Check to make sure that they are a licensed DJ with insurance and ask to see their AVLA license, too (Check HERE, too). Many Associations require DJs to have both Licensing and Insurance.
5. Demand a Contract. You can imagine that after 25-years in business we've heard a lot of party horror stories. Being the music type business, we tend to hear those the most. Many local DJs have come and gone, and a few have been down right deceivious. Some have simply gone out of business without contacting anyone to advise them of the problem. We, often on very short notice, end up covering for these companies. Some were booked without a service contract. The client often paid the DJs IN FULL. Needless to say those clients we not very happy they had to learn a lesson in that manner.
I hope some of this information allows you to better choose a DJ that best suits your needs and not what someone tells you you need.
Today anyone few a few extra dollars can buy an inexpensive DJ rig and start putting cash in their pockets playing at your wedding or company party. If they don't have your kind of music they'll just download it off the internet.
I guess that is where the influx of "bedroom" and Hobby DJs has come from. The combination of cheap, easily accessable DJ gear and "free" music means even the awkward neighbor kid can be a DJ, too. I mean, who's to say he can't?
Everyday we get inquiries from folks looking for Edmonton DJs and they all just want to know the bottom line: HOW MUCH? And that's a GREAT question. Really! But before we can just throw a number out we, as professionals, need to ask our customers alot of questions. Can you imagine having a wedding today the way bands and DJs operated in the 70's and 80's?! No consultations, no choices, the band or DJ TELLING you what your first song is and the rash of "no show" performers meant you may or may not have a dance that night. NEVER AGAIN!
The Edmonton DJ Professionals at City Pro Entertainment have built a stellar reputation for outstanding results. Great customer service, pre-event consultations and on-the-dancefloor fun have been our specialty for over 25-years. We could not have enjoyed this success without first carefully disecting the "typical" reception dance and what made some dances ho-hum, and what made the others SPECTACULAR!
We found that our results improved dramatically when we were able to involve our clients more in the music/reception planning. The more information we were able to aquire on our clients the more personal we could make the evening. Ho-hum turned to HOLY COW!
Here are a couple of tips when hiring an Edmonton DJ:
1. Set A Budget. An average DJ in Edmonton will be priced between $700-$1000, but don't be surprized to hear prices as low as $250 or as high as $3000 or more. Experience, level of gear used, package selected, location and duration are all factors that contribute to an entertainer's price.
2. Do your Research. Ask your friends and family, co-workers and look to local or national DJ associations for recommendations, too. Ask questions and look for the answers you want to hear and make notes on possible candidates. We recommend calling at least 10 companies. Out of those make a shortlist of 3 companies.
3. Meet your top 3 picks in person. So much can be accomplished when you meet one-on-one: You can find out payment options, check out their gear, have them speak to you (do you want a DJ that will stammer and stutter when under pressure?), leave a deposit and find out if your candidate is a good personal match.
4. Ask to see credentials. Since it's so easy for any "Joe" to just go out and buy gear, download illegal music and claim to be a "DeeJay". Check to make sure that they are a licensed DJ with insurance and ask to see their AVLA license, too (Check HERE, too). Many Associations require DJs to have both Licensing and Insurance.
5. Demand a Contract. You can imagine that after 25-years in business we've heard a lot of party horror stories. Being the music type business, we tend to hear those the most. Many local DJs have come and gone, and a few have been down right deceivious. Some have simply gone out of business without contacting anyone to advise them of the problem. We, often on very short notice, end up covering for these companies. Some were booked without a service contract. The client often paid the DJs IN FULL. Needless to say those clients we not very happy they had to learn a lesson in that manner.
I hope some of this information allows you to better choose a DJ that best suits your needs and not what someone tells you you need.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Edmonton Wedding DJ Summer Weddings
The Summer Wedding Season is just about to close. We had an incredible run this year- not one single wedding was canceled or postponed. In All we performed at 91 weddings in July and August and there still many weddings coming up this fall.
One particular trend we've noticed this year, more than any other, is a real lack of planning or caring how one's event goes. At no less than 3 weddings this August alone we did not receive the final planning details until 1-2 days before the wedding- and even those details were very sparse. One wedding even had the Bride tell the DJ their first song just moments before the first dance was scheduled!
Despite the lack of Edmonton wedding planner or planning at all, we still were able to produce a smooth-flowing program with great results.
Our Edmonton Wedding DJ event planner looks at a complete event and asks the bride and groom to make suggestions on those segments. There's even space for DO NOT PLAY selections. Our planner even goes on to ask for guests celebrating anniversaries and birthdays so we can play special tribute to those special guests.
Wedding Planning is VERY important regardless of how laid back a bride and groom want to have the reception.
Another trend observed this year is the amount of outdoor weddings we've attended. Perhaps it's the extra services we provide (ceremony music, wireless microphones, recording systems, chair rentals and even wedding decorations ) or how good a job we can provide our clients. We focus on the end result and do whatever it takes to deliver the results our clients want.
We were also very fortunate to continue with our tradition of volunteering our support services to many charities this summer. This Edmonton DJ Service is dedicated to supporting community enhancing charities with our expertise and inventory.
Our focus in the next two weeks is to roll out our 2010/2011 school campaign and to finalize our corporate holiday bookings. It's a very busy time of year for everyone!
One particular trend we've noticed this year, more than any other, is a real lack of planning or caring how one's event goes. At no less than 3 weddings this August alone we did not receive the final planning details until 1-2 days before the wedding- and even those details were very sparse. One wedding even had the Bride tell the DJ their first song just moments before the first dance was scheduled!
Despite the lack of Edmonton wedding planner or planning at all, we still were able to produce a smooth-flowing program with great results.
Our Edmonton Wedding DJ event planner looks at a complete event and asks the bride and groom to make suggestions on those segments. There's even space for DO NOT PLAY selections. Our planner even goes on to ask for guests celebrating anniversaries and birthdays so we can play special tribute to those special guests.
Wedding Planning is VERY important regardless of how laid back a bride and groom want to have the reception.
Another trend observed this year is the amount of outdoor weddings we've attended. Perhaps it's the extra services we provide (ceremony music, wireless microphones, recording systems, chair rentals and even wedding decorations ) or how good a job we can provide our clients. We focus on the end result and do whatever it takes to deliver the results our clients want.
We were also very fortunate to continue with our tradition of volunteering our support services to many charities this summer. This Edmonton DJ Service is dedicated to supporting community enhancing charities with our expertise and inventory.
Our focus in the next two weeks is to roll out our 2010/2011 school campaign and to finalize our corporate holiday bookings. It's a very busy time of year for everyone!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Edmonton DJs
Being an EDMONTON DJ for over 25-years I can testify that when it comes to DJs, "You Get What You Pay For"!
The problems our industry faces can be primarily traced to the public perception that DJing is a hobby; something we do on the weekends for beer money. While this might have been true 20 to 30 years ago, and some still does today, the majority of EDMONTON WEDDING DISC JOCKEYS treat entertaining as a serious enterprise. Its the few hobbyists you need to weed out of your search that will cause you the most grief.
There are some aspects of any WEDDING DJ IN EDMONTON you should look for before even considering them for your short list:
1. EXPERIENCE. This will probably determine about 90% of the overall cost of your DJ. The more experience they have the more seamless and polished the entertainment portion of your evening will be. They will know how to use music and vocal skill to encourage your guests onto the dancefloor for dancing and for traditional wedding activities without resorting to antics or screaming.
An experienced MOBILE DISC JOCKEY will cater to all your guests and can identify when to change music when something isn't working. CITY PRO ENTERTAINMENT has a team of skilled wedding entertainers each with no less than 10-years of performing experience. An experienced host will in almost all cases be able to perform calmly under any circumstance- weddings can often present demanding situations that were neither planned, nor intended to happen. But a skilled host will have the experience drawn from many past events to give them direction to offer the best possible solution.
2. ACCESSIBILITY. In today's hectic environment we all expect speedy service. The age of instant gratification means we want answers and we want them now. Not every DISC JOCKEY SERVICE operates full-time like City Pro Entertainment. But every business should return your call or email in a quick and timely manner. 24-hours is the maximum time you should have to wait to get a reply (unless you sent one in on a weekend!) - after all, if you book someone and have to make changes or to get information from them, the last thing you should have to bear is a lengthy wait.
You should also be able to meet with your selected host as often as it takes for you to feel confident that they have all the information needed to make your event run successfully. Any business that refuses to meet with you should be reconsidered for the "don't use" pile.
3. CONTRACT/SERVICE AGREEMENT. Contracts are part of our everyday life. You should make sure any WEDDING DJ you hire uses a contract. The contract is intended to protect both you and the business you hire. It should identify what you're paying for very clearly- if it's vague you should demand to have it revised until you are satisfied anything you were promised is written down and agreed to.
At the very least a contract should:
1. Have your name and contact information like address and phone numbers. It should also have the business' contact information, too. In the event you change any of your details make sure to contact all your vendors to make sure you have all the most recent information offered- You're paying huge money- most calls are free and can avoid huge catastrophes.
2. A contract should spell out exactly what you're paying for. When you hire CITY PRO ENTERTAINMENT your contract will indicate exactly what you get- from the name of your DJ to how many hours of service, type of light show and even any add-ons you've selected. DEMAND to have anything a business has promised you written down in the contract.
3. Terms of an agreement should explain what the contract binds you to and what you need to do to cancel it if its an option. The terms should explain any limitations of liability in the event of cancellation by either party as well. Remember to read this very carefully and if anything doesn't make sense make sure to ask the vendor to explain it to you until you are satisfied you understand it completely.
4. Price. The contract should spell out exactly what the agreed price is. It should also indicate a rate for going past an agreed time of service and its' cost. Things like Deposit amount, any payment schedules, balance due date and overtime rate should all be included on your contract. If not, make sure you get it added.
The problems our industry faces can be primarily traced to the public perception that DJing is a hobby; something we do on the weekends for beer money. While this might have been true 20 to 30 years ago, and some still does today, the majority of EDMONTON WEDDING DISC JOCKEYS treat entertaining as a serious enterprise. Its the few hobbyists you need to weed out of your search that will cause you the most grief.
There are some aspects of any WEDDING DJ IN EDMONTON you should look for before even considering them for your short list:
1. EXPERIENCE. This will probably determine about 90% of the overall cost of your DJ. The more experience they have the more seamless and polished the entertainment portion of your evening will be. They will know how to use music and vocal skill to encourage your guests onto the dancefloor for dancing and for traditional wedding activities without resorting to antics or screaming.
An experienced MOBILE DISC JOCKEY will cater to all your guests and can identify when to change music when something isn't working. CITY PRO ENTERTAINMENT has a team of skilled wedding entertainers each with no less than 10-years of performing experience. An experienced host will in almost all cases be able to perform calmly under any circumstance- weddings can often present demanding situations that were neither planned, nor intended to happen. But a skilled host will have the experience drawn from many past events to give them direction to offer the best possible solution.
2. ACCESSIBILITY. In today's hectic environment we all expect speedy service. The age of instant gratification means we want answers and we want them now. Not every DISC JOCKEY SERVICE operates full-time like City Pro Entertainment. But every business should return your call or email in a quick and timely manner. 24-hours is the maximum time you should have to wait to get a reply (unless you sent one in on a weekend!) - after all, if you book someone and have to make changes or to get information from them, the last thing you should have to bear is a lengthy wait.
You should also be able to meet with your selected host as often as it takes for you to feel confident that they have all the information needed to make your event run successfully. Any business that refuses to meet with you should be reconsidered for the "don't use" pile.
3. CONTRACT/SERVICE AGREEMENT. Contracts are part of our everyday life. You should make sure any WEDDING DJ you hire uses a contract. The contract is intended to protect both you and the business you hire. It should identify what you're paying for very clearly- if it's vague you should demand to have it revised until you are satisfied anything you were promised is written down and agreed to.
At the very least a contract should:
1. Have your name and contact information like address and phone numbers. It should also have the business' contact information, too. In the event you change any of your details make sure to contact all your vendors to make sure you have all the most recent information offered- You're paying huge money- most calls are free and can avoid huge catastrophes.
2. A contract should spell out exactly what you're paying for. When you hire CITY PRO ENTERTAINMENT your contract will indicate exactly what you get- from the name of your DJ to how many hours of service, type of light show and even any add-ons you've selected. DEMAND to have anything a business has promised you written down in the contract.
3. Terms of an agreement should explain what the contract binds you to and what you need to do to cancel it if its an option. The terms should explain any limitations of liability in the event of cancellation by either party as well. Remember to read this very carefully and if anything doesn't make sense make sure to ask the vendor to explain it to you until you are satisfied you understand it completely.
4. Price. The contract should spell out exactly what the agreed price is. It should also indicate a rate for going past an agreed time of service and its' cost. Things like Deposit amount, any payment schedules, balance due date and overtime rate should all be included on your contract. If not, make sure you get it added.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
EDMONTON WEDDING DJ
There are HUNDREDS of WEDDING DJS IN EDMONTON. There are a few things you can do to make sure that the DISK JOCKEY you hire will provide an evening of fun and memorable entertainment.
#1. EDMONTON WEDDING DJS are NOT ALL THE SAME. Sure DJs might all have big speakers, crazy bright lights and enough fog to choke Godzilla. But the one thing all entertainers have that set them apart is their PERSONALITY. Personality is what a DJ really brings to the table: Wild, conservative, easy-going, reserved, outgoing etc.. Their PERSONALITY is what you are really hiring and therefore no two entertainers will likely provide the exact same service.
Its important, therefore, to make sure you have a clear understanding of what your wedding goals are. Talk with your fiance and decide on the type of DJ you're looking for. Find out what personality type will best complement your style and then find that person.
#2. TALK with your DJ. A simple conversation with them on the phone will be your first indication of their personality, confidence and knowledge of their craft. Someone who stammers, can't answer your questions or seems unsure might not be the best candidate.
#3. ASK AROUND. Friends and family who've recently hired or experienced a DJ at a party might be able to offer some great potential leads. If possible meet with them in person before hiring.
#4. ASK FOR RECENT REFERENCES. Many EDMONTON DJS list quotes and testimonials that may be from 10 years ago or ones that are completely fabricated. And they will never post complaints they've received. Your best indicator is to ask for recent event contacts- preferably of the same type of event as yours. No point getting referals from a school event when you're hosting a wedding.
#5. PRICE SHOULD NOT BE AN OBSTACLE. We're not suggesting that price shouldn't be considered. Prices for an EDMONTON WEDDING DISC JOCKEY can range from $250 to $5,000. Clearly the service and performance level offered by the $250 DJ are much different from the $5,000 DJ. http://www.cityprodj.com/ and http://www.edmontonweddingdj.co/ offers a good selection of services at a great price point. Your decision on who you're most likely to hire should be based on the PERSON, not the price. Prices vary for many reasons: level of experience, education, years in service, scope of services offered and so much more. Make sure to ASK your prospect DJs as many questions as you feel necessary. Never "settle" on a DJ- know you're making the RIGHT choice.
#1. EDMONTON WEDDING DJS are NOT ALL THE SAME. Sure DJs might all have big speakers, crazy bright lights and enough fog to choke Godzilla. But the one thing all entertainers have that set them apart is their PERSONALITY. Personality is what a DJ really brings to the table: Wild, conservative, easy-going, reserved, outgoing etc.. Their PERSONALITY is what you are really hiring and therefore no two entertainers will likely provide the exact same service.
Its important, therefore, to make sure you have a clear understanding of what your wedding goals are. Talk with your fiance and decide on the type of DJ you're looking for. Find out what personality type will best complement your style and then find that person.
#2. TALK with your DJ. A simple conversation with them on the phone will be your first indication of their personality, confidence and knowledge of their craft. Someone who stammers, can't answer your questions or seems unsure might not be the best candidate.
#3. ASK AROUND. Friends and family who've recently hired or experienced a DJ at a party might be able to offer some great potential leads. If possible meet with them in person before hiring.
#4. ASK FOR RECENT REFERENCES. Many EDMONTON DJS list quotes and testimonials that may be from 10 years ago or ones that are completely fabricated. And they will never post complaints they've received. Your best indicator is to ask for recent event contacts- preferably of the same type of event as yours. No point getting referals from a school event when you're hosting a wedding.
#5. PRICE SHOULD NOT BE AN OBSTACLE. We're not suggesting that price shouldn't be considered. Prices for an EDMONTON WEDDING DISC JOCKEY can range from $250 to $5,000. Clearly the service and performance level offered by the $250 DJ are much different from the $5,000 DJ. http://www.cityprodj.com/ and http://www.edmontonweddingdj.co/ offers a good selection of services at a great price point. Your decision on who you're most likely to hire should be based on the PERSON, not the price. Prices vary for many reasons: level of experience, education, years in service, scope of services offered and so much more. Make sure to ASK your prospect DJs as many questions as you feel necessary. Never "settle" on a DJ- know you're making the RIGHT choice.
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