Good morning. It's Sunday, September 5, 2010 at 2:44 AM PDT

Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you have liability insurance? - DJ San Diego has a California-admitted carrier's policy covering up to $1,000,000 during your event, as long as we and you have a signed event contract.  Some venues require that we provide proof-of-insurance for an event.  If your's does, just ask and we'll be happy to provide a copy.

Even if you're crazy enough to choose not to hire DJ San Diego, be sure that your DJ has the proper insurance.  An accident at your event could place you or your organization in great financial peril.

Are you and your music appropriately licensed by ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and RIAA? - In the United States, mobile DJ's aren't required to obtain licenses from ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. These organizations instead license the venues where we play (hotels, bars, restaurants, etc.) Mobile DJ's are not required to obtain licenses to play prerecorded music at private events, such as weddings or private (not-for-profit) parties.

If the event will charge admission, then the event holder or venue are required to pay the fees appropriate for their venue.

Mobile DJ's ARE required to purchase properly licensed music, however. That means we must use purchased commercially-available CD's, or DJ service-provided music. Music stolen from the Internet is not properly licensed, and any DJ caught using unpurchased music is subject to huge fines.

We support the composers and artists that allow us to persue the mobile DJ profession we enjoy.  All of the music we use at DJ San Diego is properly licensed, purchased either on CD's (commercially or from TM Century), or occasionally from iTunes.

• ASCAP - American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers
• BMI - Broadcast Music Incorporated
• SESAC - Formerly Society of European Stage Authors & Composers, now just SESAC
• RIAA - Recording Industry Association of America

Should we tip the DJ? - If you'd like.  As a general rule it is a nice gesture for service-based personnel to be tipped if you have received service that pleases you.  However we don't expect tips and won't hold it against you if you choose not to tip.  (We won't put out a "tip jar" at your event.  We think it's tacky.)

How much? - We seem to typically be offered between $1 and $5 for song requests, and if our client is particularly pleased at the end of the event, we've received from $5 to over $100.  Again, it's up to you.  We will graciously accept anything you care to offer.

Should we feed the DJ? - Unlike feeding the animals at the zoo, it's okay to feed the DJ.  As a general rule the DJ(s) will have been working for three hours prior to your event loading and unloading the van, and setting up.  In addition to working through your event, they'll spend a couple of hours afterward reloading the van and "heading back to the barn."  We get hungry just like everyone else, and would certainly appreciate the opportunity to eat if possible.  

If this is a problem however, just let us know and we'll make alternate arrangements.  We understand (especially during a catered, sit-down dinner) that there may be a cost associated that we certainly don't expect you to bear.

Will you take requests from our guests? - Our normal policy is to solicit requests from your guests during the course of the event.  We will then play them in the segments appropriate to that song.  We find that playing the guests' requests improves audience interaction.  

If you don't want us to accept requests, just let us know.  Also see our Music page for further information.

Will you play music from my own CD collection? - Though we have an extensive music collection, we realize that there may be songs that your group would like to hear that we don't have.  If you'll let us know in advance, we'll be happy to procure the music that you'd like for us to play.

If, after the event has begun, the host or a guest requests a song for which they are providing the CD, we'll be happy to play it as long as the song is appropriate to the event.  See the FAQ below on profanity .

Do you play songs with profanity? - We play the radio edit versions of songs, which are normally the "cleanest" versions available (as opposed to the original albums, which are often laced with profanity.)  Despite having the cleaner versions of songs, many parents find particular songs inappropriate.  When playing for groups with children, we will self-censor to a level we think is suitable for the children present.  If you, as a sponsor or a parent, have a concern about a particular artist or song, just let us know and we'll omit the offensive material from our playlist for that event.  We'll also cease playing music that appears to result in disorderly conduct or presents safety concerns (i.e. "mosh pit" activity that could injure the guests.)

The bottom line is that we'll work with you to play only what you feel is appropriate for your event.  Obviously the play list for a college frat house party will differ from that of junior high school dance.

Do you DJ full-time? - DJ San Diego is a full-service professional company.  However, the income we derive from this profession is insufficient to sustain a family in an area such as San Diego (if you've seen how our prices compare to other companies in the area, you'll understand why.)  The vast majority of DJ's in the San Diego market are part-timers, maintaining gainful daytime employment to sustain their lifestyles.

We operate this company as a labor of love, and not just a job to pay our bills.  We like people, we like music, and we love a good party.  Because we don't have to accept every job that comes our way, we don't get overworked and burned out.  Let's face it, when it's your job it can become a REAL job.  You lose the spark, the fun, and the enthusiasm.  We work at this profession with as much passion and hard work (or maybe more) as the full-timers.

Can we watch you in action? - Maybe.  We will not normally invite you to one of our planned, private events (i.e. wedding receptions and company events.)  Just as we're sure that you wouldn't want us to invite strangers to your event, we make it a policy of not using our customers' events as a promotional demonstration for potential clients.

Occasionally we do perform in a public venue.  If we have such an event planned, we'll be happy to let you know when and where so you may view us in action.  

Do you have a demo tape? - We don't provide video or audio demonstration tapes.  Do we have something to hide?  Not at all.  If you'll take a look at our competitors' tapes, you'll see everyone happy, dancing, and fully enjoying themselves. The announcer/MC will perform flawlessly, and you'll no doubt be impressed.  But remember, this tape is produced to cast them in their best light.  So while it may give you some idea of what their equipment and MC's look like, it won't adequately predict how your particular event will turn out.  In excess of 50% of our business is repeat or referred customers.  That tells us that we must be doing something right.  We will be happy to provide references.  Just ask.

Will we have fun? - Of course!  Actually, we can't guarantee that.  Let's face it, no matter how entertaining we may be, some groups just aren't there to party.  Any DJ that tells you EVERY party they've thrown has been great is lying (or at least stretching the truth).  All we can say is that we've never been told we performed poorly, and we've never been asked to refund any money (though we have voluntarily returned partial payments on a couple of occasions where the party ran shorter than expected.)

Of course, we've also played at parties where we were requested into overtime because the clients were having so much fun.  Again, we are happy to provide references upon request.  Check out the Book now! page for some of our customers' comments.

Why won't you perform in Mexico? - Despite Mexican Government Tourism advertisements to the contrary, the reality is that the judicial system in Mexico does not afford US citizens many of the rights and constitutional protections to which we are accustomed.  Due to recent activities in Mexico, coupled with the fact that our insurance does not cover our equipment or vehicles in Mexico from such activities as government seizure and confiscation, we choose not to risk the loss of our equipment and CDs.  

What are the noise restrictions within the City of San Diego? - The City of San Diego requires that a police officer be dispatched anytime a complaint is lodged concerning a disturbance of the peace.  It doesn't matter what time of day or what location.  If you're planning a party in a residence, near the beach, or in a public park, please work in advance with your neighbors so that they won't have any issues.  It generally works this way:

On the first complaint call, an officer will be dispatched.  A warning notice will be issued, and you'll be told the nature of the complaint.

If a second complaint is received (from either the original complainant, or someone else), the police will again be dispatched.  At that time they can shut down the event, they can fine the property owner (or lease holder) $500, and they can confiscate the equipment causing the disturbance.

Contrary to popular opinion, there are no time limits (i.e. you can't "party hearty" until 10:00 PM. and expect to get away with it).  Complaints can be filed at any time, whether 7:00 PM or 2:00 AM.  Also unlike automobile-based noise violations, there is no volume vs. distance criteria (i.e. 70 dB at 50 feet.)  If someone complains, you have no recourse other than to reduce the volume (or perhaps invite them to the party!)

Be sure to inquire of any noise restrictions at hotels or other public venues you may engage for us to play in.  Some hotels are located near residential areas and may require us to minimize the volume after a certain hour.  Please select your venue and plan your event hours accordingly.

Finally, the other cities within San Diego county may have varying laws, so check with your local municipality when planning your event.

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