Still Say A Monkey Can Do This?
By Jeffrey Evan Mufson

What is a DJ? What does a DJ do? What is your impression of a DJ? 

Is he that guy who sits behind a microphone all day and does nothing but spins tunes and talks? Is it that person who wears a "cap-to-the-back" while throwing vinyl onto platters as he manipulates the turntables to make them go, "wickey-wickey"? Is he the one that ruined your friend's wedding because all he did was play Rap and Techno without taking anyone's requests while talking all evening, never getting anyone's name right, seemed to not know the Bride & Groom's names as he insisted that a wet tee-shirt contest was the thing to do to involve everyone?

Is the job so easy that even a monkey can do it? We've sent monkey's into space after training them to push a few buttons, so naturally the job of mixing music can't be that much of a stretch either, right? 

Actually...the preceding statement is as true as the sky is blue. I'm here to tell you that YES...DJing is so easy, a monkey can definitely be trained to do so...and if that's all that you want, then that's all you will get.

The only problem is that you may be forgetting that you might also want someone that knows how to correctly speak on a microphone (We haven't yet figured out how to teach this technique to chimps, but believe me...we're trying!).

A good dj is actually proficient in improvisation, voice over, dance (OK...We can give some monkeys THAT), acting, stage presence, dialogue, image, cold reading, announcing technique, prop technique, comedy-writing...Think about it: The dj that ruined your friend's wedding most likely didn't possess these qualities.

It's the professional DJ who informs, guides and directs the show. He is the one who is most visual, vocal and accessible - He's in control.

There are some people that tend to neglect the fact that a good Professional Mobile DJ is many more things than the guy who "plays the music"... He is also a Salesman (on and off the dance floor), Counselor, Referral Service, Event Planner, Roadie (Oy!), Technician, Board Operator, Lighting Operator, Problem Solver, On-Site Coordinator, Announcer, Master Of Ceremonies, Storyteller, Disc Jockey, Karaoke Jock, Music Specialist, Music Mixer, Comedian (some), Actor, Dancer (some), Singer (some), Entertainment Specialist, Crowd Motivator...all for one relatively low fee. Face it: These are a LOT of hats for one person to wear, yet some people believe that they should be obligated to pay for only one.

Are you one of these people?

A lot of times, people know that they want a DJ for their wedding, but at the same time forget that they may also need a "Master Of Ceremonies".

• Master - a person very skilled and able in some work, profession, science, etc., expert; specif., a) a highly skilled workman or craftsman qualified to follow his trade independently and usually, to supervise the work of others b) an artist regarded as great c) Games, sports - a person recognized as having achieved the highest degree of skill.

• Ceremony - \Cer"e*mo*ny\, n.; pl. Ceremonies.
  1. Act or series of acts, often of a symbolical character, prescribed by law, custom, or authority, in the conduct of important matters, as in the performance of religious duties, the transaction of affairs of state, and the celebration of notable events; as, the ceremony of crowning a sovereign; the ceremonies observed in consecrating a church; marriage and baptismal ceremonies.

• Master Of Ceremonies

• A person who acts as host at a formal event, making the welcoming speech and introducing other speakers

• A performer who conducts a program of varied entertainment by introducing other performers to the audience

Source: The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

• 1 a person who supervises a ceremony

• *2 a person who presides over an entertainment, as a radio or television program or in a nightclub, at a banquet, etc, introducing the speakers or performers, filling in the intervals with jokes, etc.

Source: Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition

Literally, someone versed in all ceremonies and masterful in the execution of them.

Note: Components of this article originally appeared in Mark Ferrell's "Getting What You're Worth"

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"More Than Just About The Music!"

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