Q. Why should I choose Robert Cerbo Musical
Entertainment for my event?
A. For many reasons. The
DJ is one of the most important factors in determining the
success of your reception. At the end of the night, what people
tend to remember most is that they had a good time at the dance.
There are a lot of DJ's out there - some less expensive, some
more expensive, but we have the experience, and the equipment to
make sure your night is WORRY FREE - which means all you need to
do is relax and enjoy the party!
Since we are also a smaller
family owned company, it allows us to provide a more personal
touch than some of the bigger DJ's are able to. From your first
call or e-mail, to the end of your special night, you'll be
working with the owner - the person who will actually be DJing
your event, not just some kid looking to make a few bucks in a
weekend. We will work with you to make your reception everything
you've been dreaming of.
Q. What do you charge for DJing or live music?
A. Please
contact us for a quote.
Q How much experience do you have?
A.
Robert has been in the music business for over forty years.
During this time, he has performed at countless wedding
receptions (over 2,000), and even more private parties. He also
has performed live with his band and many others and has a
wealth of experience in all facets of entertainment -- including
coordinating many weddings in New York, New Jersey, South
Florida, Las Vegas, and now East Texas.
Carolyn has also
been a DJ on radio, as well as anchored two TV shows in East
Texas. She also does ‘voice overs’ and public speaking
engagements. She works with the crowd in the same fashion as
Robert does, and both have the same amount of music, and sound
systems. You can’t go wrong with either Robert or Carolyn, and
at times they work together as a duo singing and performing at
larger events.
Q. Do you use a written contract?
A. Yes.
A written contract is really the only way you can be sure of
what you are getting, and to be sure that your DJ doesn't stick
you with any hidden costs. If a DJ doesn't use a written
contract it may be best, for your own safety, not to do business
with them.
Q. How much, and what kind of music do you have?
A. Our music library has over 40,000 songs and is
continuously growing! With selections as far back as the "Big
Band" Era to the top Country, Pop & Hip Hop of today, we can
create a playlist for almost any musical palate and, if you give
us your requests within a couple of weeks of your party, we will
be sure to have ALL of them.
Q. How will you be dressed?
A. We will be
dressed professionally, depending on your event and how formal
or casual it is, and whether it is inside or outside.
Q. What equipment do you use?
A. We use
Peavey sound equipment, which can be used for a very large area
if needed. (We’ve used it at a NYE dance for 1,200 + people in
South Florida and the dance floor was packed.) We also use a
computer to DJ, which allows us to access thousands of songs
instantly. This is GREAT for any last minute requests.
We
also will bring a CD player and a cassette player so that we’ll
be able to have any format needed to play anything that you or
your guests may have recordings of. (…Sorry, no 8 track!)
We also set up a microphone on a stand, in addition to the one we will be using, for you to use if/when necessary (Toasts, Singing, Announcements, etc.)
Robert also uses a Yamaha keyboard, PSR 3000, for live performance, which sounds like a full band and has every style and rhythm for dancing. Actually, this is what we used for that 1,200 person NYE party and all events that we do live. We play many ‘ballroom dance clubs’, which we perform totally ‘live music.’ We’ve played totally live for events such as ‘Dancing With The Tyler Stars’ and performed the whole evening for professional dancers and their contest.
Carolyn has background tracks, made from Robert’s keyboard, so that she can also sing live, and it will sound as if Robert was there himself backing her up.
But of course you can choose if you want us to just play music by DJing, or combine that with ‘live’ songs.
Q. When you perform live, what type of songs do you
do?
A. We sing the songs that were performed by
artists such as Frank Sinatra, Michael Bubble, Dean Martin, Tony
Bennett, Nat & Natalie Cole, etc. We can perform other genres,
but leave the ‘party songs’ to DJing using the original artists.
Many people love hearing the live performance, which adds a
special ambiance to the affair. This works especially well
during any happy hour, and/or dinner.
Q. Do you have ‘back-up’ equipment?
A.
Yes – for every event. We have backup computers, and also have
back up CDs of your requests and other ‘main songs’ just in case
the first computer fails (which has never happened). We also
have backup PA systems, so we’re covered with everything we
need.
Q. Do you allow anyone to sing with you?
A. Yes, with your permission of course. If you are going to have
someone sing live at your event to music that they will provide,
we prefer to get the music from you or them before the event
occurs. We have worked at many events where the singer provided
us with a CD that was scratched etc. and the singer was unable
to perform because the CD would not play. If you give us the
music ahead of time, we can correct these problems in most
cases.
Q. Can you also perform at my ceremony?
A. Yes. Quite often we perform for the ceremony, and then the
reception. We have all of the classical songs you may want with
many different instrumentations versions, such as string
quartets, harps, pianos, guitars, etc.
Q. How much time do you need for our song requests?
A. Please try to submit all of your song requests to us at least
two or three weeks prior to your event. This will allow us time
to be sure we have all of the songs that you have requested.
This also allows us time to have a play list already put
together for your event before the event occurs.
Q. How many songs titles do you need from us and
which ones are important?
A. The main songs we need
are:
Also, if there are any special songs you'd like dedicated to
anyone else during the evening, (i.e. parents, friends,
grandparents, etc.) You may also want to choose a 'last dance'
song. Every party is different, but those first three songs are
the important ones to have, and all the others are optional. Of
course, if there are other people you will dance with, such as a
step dad or mom, we’ll need those songs too.
We play a wide
variety of music, which usually works best, but if you have
'favorite' genres, or artists, please let us know. You may also
make a list of specific songs that you'd like played, but there
is no need for a long list. This will just give us a better idea
of what styles, genres and artists you want played. The B&G are
usually so busy visiting, etc. We are careful to make sure the
guests are enjoying themselves with a variety of music.
You
may make a list of ‘Must Play’ and another of ‘Suggestions’ but
again, it’s better to have a few that you like, and enjoy the
party with a great variety that everyone will enjoy as well. We
consider all of the different age groups and preferences for the
party as a whole. We make sure no section or group of your party
feels isolated from the party. We assure you -- there will be
something GREAT FOR EVERYONE!
Q. How about your setting up time?
A. We
will be set up in plenty of time before your event occurs, and
will remain at the location of your event after we have set up
until the event begins. We normally make the arrangements of
setting up with the contact person in charge of the venue or
party.
Q. How much room do you need?
A. We
prefer to have an area of about 10 feet in length by 10 feet in
width if possible, but we can squeeze into smaller areas when
necessary. Please just make us aware of this prior to the event,
if you can.
It is important though, if at all possible, that
we set up adjacent to the dance floor on whatever side you
choose, and that there aren’t any tables between the dance floor
and the music. This is important for many reasons, which include
the sound not being too close to some tables and too far from
others. Also, people who may want to come up and talk to us or
ask for requests won’t have to make their way through other
people’s tables. There also may be times where we need to talk
with the dancers for some fun ‘events’ -- it will work out much
better not having to talk over tables which are in front of us
and the speakers. We will be happy to look over the location
before your event, if at all possible.
Q. Do you make all of the announcements needed?
A. Yes, and we will only make the necessary announcements that
we discuss prior to the event and any announcements that you ask
us to make during the event. We will not take the spotlight from
you or your event. We feel that you are paying to have music
played and not to listen to a DJ ramble on, so we only speak
when we are directing the crowd as to what they need to do in
order to keep your event on schedule and flowing smoothly. Once
again, we will gladly announce anything you need. We have emceed
many different events, so your announcements will be very
professionally done.
Typical announcements for a wedding
would be, your entrance, first dance, your dance with your
parents, cake cutting, garter & bouquet toss, dollar dance, if
you have one, toasts, and others, depending on your preferences.
When there is a buffet, many times we will also announce
when the food is ready, and also announce, if necessary, the
table numbers separately so that everyone doesn’t rush up to the
food table at the same time. It is so nice to have the head
table (bride & groom) go first, along with their parents, &
grand parents. This will give all of you a little more time to
eat and visit with family and friends. We then will call out the
other tables in random order, or whatever order you may choose.
We are always aware of how many are at the food table and when
it gets to be a few, we will call out a couple more tables. In
this way, the line is never too crowded and the people who are
waiting can sit, relax, and listen to the music until their
table number is called. This works so well.
Q. Can you also play for an outside affair?
A. Yes, but if you would like for us to set up outside, we must
be under a covered area in case of bad weather. We set up a lot
of very expensive equipment that cannot be moved very quickly if
bad weather surprises us.
Q. Can you provide music at my reception even if it’s
in a church that doesn’t allow dancing?
A.
Absolutely. In fact, we have performed at many, and we are
always sure to keep the music appropriate for that setting. We
certainly don’t play any music that would be objectionable to
anyone. In this type of setting the live performance adds
something very special to your affair and the music selections
we play are enjoyed by all age groups.
Q. Do you take requests from my guests?
A. As far as taking requests from your guests, that is totally
up to you. We usually handle requests in the following way. If a
guest asks for a song that we feel will be beneficial to the
party, we’ll try to play it for him or her. If a guest asks for
a song that we feel will hurt the mood or momentum of the party,
we usually will delay playing it until the appropriate time when
it will add to the party. Usually we’re able to play all
requests and everyone has a great time.
Q. Do you set up a tip jar of any kind?
A. We do not set up a tip jar or encourage your guests to tip
us.
Q. Should we tip our DJ?
A. Only if you
wish to. There are many different views held by clients and DJ's
alike about tipping, but our view is clear - We will never ask
for or expect a tip, but if you feel our services warranted a
tip for an outstanding job, it is always very much appreciated,
but again, not expected.
Q. When can I contact you if I have any questions?
A. You can feel free to call us anytime day or night. If for
some reason we do not answer, please leave a message and we will
return your call as soon as possible. Our phone number is
936-634-0000.
Robert’s cell number is 936-635-7000, and
Carolyn’s cell is 936-414-6080. You can email us at:
...and we will be sure to return your email ASAP.
Please contact us if you have any additional questions.
Thank you,
Robert & Carolyn Cerbo