INSPIRED EXPERTS
because that gave the patrons a chance to leave and walk across the street to their competition. I taught myself how to DJ to fill in the set breaks and play some club tunes that we couldn’t pull off live as a band. When the band ended up parting ways, I still wanted to keep performing and had full intentions of starting my own DJ business. My father was the one who suggested I talk to Mitch Dugan, the owner at The Music Man DJ Service, and the rest is history! WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WISH CLIENTS LOOKING FOR A DJ KNEW AHEAD OF TIME? One of the biggest things I wish clients knew before considering a DJ is understanding how important a role they play during the wedding day. I think it comes from the old stereotype of what a DJ was. A DJ was someone who showed up, played music, and hopefully made sure everyone had a good time. Today, a good DJ wears several hats. Not only do they play music, but they also provide audio engineering during your ceremony to make sure your vows can be heard by everyone attending. They work in tandem with your other vendors and make appropriate announcements to ensure your guests know what’s coming up next, and
JASON STRYCHARZ The Music Man DJ Service
S
nobody is confused. They act as the “voice” trycharz holds a degree in
of your wedding as they introduce your
Music Industry from the
wedding party and make those announce-
State University of New York at
ments. Not to mention, they should rock
Oneonta and continues to share his
your dance floor!
love for music through his work and
THE MUSIC MAN DJ SERVICE HAS BEEN PACKING DANCE FLOORS THROUGHOUT MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND NORTHERN MASSACHUSETTS SINCE 2001. JASON STRYCHARZ, DJ/MC AND MARKETING MANAGER, IS ONE OF THE COMPANY’S MOST RECOGNIZABLE FACES. 28 | WWW.REALMAINEWEDDINGS.COM
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO
working, he loves to flex his green thumb
COUPLES WHO ARE JUST STARTING
attempting to garden, walking around a disc
TO SEARCH FOR A DJ SERVICE?
golf course, and spending time with his wife
My best advice is to choose your DJ early. The
and 3-legged cat.
truth is: good DJs are booking 12-18 months in
We asked Jason to tell us about himself
advance. If you want your first choice, do your
and The Music Man and share his take on
research and make your selection early. I also
how music fits into the overall wedding day.
recommend jumping on a call or Zoom conference to make sure you jive with them. Notice
HOW DID YOU GET INTO
how they steer the initial conversation. Is the
THE DJ BUSINESS?
DJ asking about what you want for your
I got into DJing while I was drumming in a
wedding or explaining how great their equip-
cover band. I realized pretty quickly that bar
ment is? The DJ ends up acting as the person-
owners didn’t like us to take set breaks
ality for your wedding day. It’s kind of like
PHOTO: DAVID BATES PHOTOGRAPHY
BY REUBEN BELL
playing drums. When he is not DJing or
