CMB DJs | AlexM Photography

Continuing my little list of Vendor Interviews I thought I’d let everyone hear from Casey Brown. I have been working events with him anywhere from 5-10 years now. He is by far my favorite DJ in the area and super professional.

Brides listen closely while I let you in on a little secret. No other wedding vendor has the ability to “ruin” your day quite like a bad DJ can. They can be rude, awkward, clumsy, and totally kill any mood that your ceremony and or reception has. And they can do all of that while holding a microphone and pumping the sound out to your 300 guests. :) Seriously, this is one area you what to know what you are getting. This person is the “voice” of your wedding. From announcing you when you come in, letting everyone know about the cake cutting, telling everyone where to go line up for your get-away, they are who people will be hearing through out the night.

I have attached a little video at the end of the interview to show you what could happen. Watch the whole thing. It’s painful. (It’s also not CMB)

Here are a few shots of Casey in action and then it’s on to the questions…

How did you guys get started, how long have you been doing this?
I began DJing in 1993 at KLIS 96.7, a top 40 station running Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 on Sunday afternoons. I was a junior in High School at the time. From there, myself and the other DJs at the station started mobile DJing teen birthday parties. In 1995 I formed CMB Music Productions, and have been loving it ever since.

What is your favorite part about your job?
The favorite part of my job, is seeing the faces of the bride and groom and their guests having fun on the dance floor. Whether it’s fast dancing, slow dancing, doing a line dance or group activity. Because I know, that I’m doing my part to create those memories with them, on their wedding day.

What is the craziest thing that has ever happened at a wedding you DJ-ed (this of course does not mean that you were responsible for the crazy.)

It’s a 3 way tie!

1, multiple fights broke out after the reception while we were packing up.

2, The most absurd and inappropriate speech by a best man ever!

3, a bridesmaid fainting during the ceremony….twice. And yes, I caught her both times. (don’t wear heels for outdoor ceremonies, and don’t lock your knees!)

I have an iPod, why should i spend money on a DJ?
With an ipod, you lose so much control. Someone is constantly having to go and change the song, and the playlist you create in advance, may not be appropriate in the order you chose before the wedding. You lose the control of music programming in real time to suit the events happening at that moment. Imagine this, it’s time for the father daughter dance, and the person you pick to operate the ipod mis-cues and starts the YMCA instead. That steals from the moment. And an ipod doesn’t make your announcements, and keep your reception on track. This YouTube video best shows you what you get with an ipod wedding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLBWFlmuo-Y

What are some things brides should look for when looking for a DJ?
Brides should look for a DJ that is professional, competent, and one whose personality and music style meets that of the bride and groom. The important thing to remember is to ask questions when interviewing. What music do you have? How many years have you been in business? How many weddings have you done? If we want songs that you don’t have, will you get them? Don’t be afraid to ask the DJ questions. It will help you make the right decision on your wedding entertainment.

What is something unique to your set-up/services that you are extra proud of?
I really could quote my top 5 reason to choose CMB here. But you can see that on our website. Our main feature is…..BACKUP. Between 4 staff DJs, and networking with other qualified DJs in the Tyler and Dallas areas, if there is an emergency it will likely be a short one. We also have backup equipment. Each CMB DJ that does a wedding takes 2 computers, and 2 hard drives. So if one or the other fails, all we have to do is swap a few cables, and the music continues.

Anything else you wanna say?
Wedding music entertainment is important. Be sure to ask questions beyond how much they charge. And go with the DJ company you are comfortable with to take the wheel on one of the biggest days of your life. With weddings, there are no do-overs.

Here is that video as promised, but 2 quick things before you watch it.
1. As awkward as it is to watch, it was way worse for those who were there.
2. This is NOT Casey. :)

CMB Music Productions |http://cmbdjs.com/|Phone: 903.724.3192

Many of you will recognize Kim and Josh from my little promo video that Vaness McKellar did for me. If you have not seen it before, grab some popcorn and take a minute to watch it. You’ll see just how much fun the two of them are.

(Mini Rant 1: Vanessa was there filming the wedding since her and her husband are so great to work with and I believe EVERY couple should have their wedding filmed we are offering a little deal for future brides. Stay tuned to the blog for details coming soon.)

Anyway, I had such a great time at Kim & Josh’s wedding. I was there for a little over 10 hours and loved being able to capture the day form beginning to end. Rather than me blab on and on, Let’s get to the images.

The Villa was as always… a perfect place to have a wedding.

In true Aggie fashion, they brought this and basically tailgated before the wedding. It was pretty awesome.

Kim was a perfect bride in the sense that she let others help her and pamper her, but still took time to make sure everyone else was having a good day.

So I brought this chair in from outside for the flower girl to sit on and someone shouted “Frog!” We had yet to see Josh, so could this be a Magical Disney Moment?

Those of you who know Josh and his fondness for the color burnt orange will appreciate this photo. ;)

About 2 weeks ago Kim called me and said. “OK, Josh and I have decided to see each other before the ceremony. I thought I’d tell you so you could be excited.” :) I was giddy.

(Mini Rant 2: Unless you go a wedding weekend after weekend there really is no way of describing how hectic and “un-romantic” SOME of them can be. There are literally hundreds of people around, all of them are wanting to talk to both the bride and groom, there is a timeline that we have to stay on or guests start to bolt for the doors, and every now and then people are running late from the get go. Every time couple choose to see each other before hand I love it. Not because it makes my job easier, or because I’m ready to get the pictures over with, but because I know that you will have some time alone. Time to reflect on the day, time to enjoy each other’s company, and time to whisper nice things in each other’s ears. If it really is a day about just the two of you, then having some moments like these guarantees that it turns out that way. Oh by the way, we’ll also get TONS of super great shots of the two of you.)