Q Can I use my BACK button anywhere/anytime on your website?
A Yes. If you click to another part of my website or even to another part of the same page, clicking your back button will return you to the exact spot that you were viewing. For other questions regarding my website, scroll down to the bottom of this page or click here

Q Do you have DJ Liability insurance?
A Yes. Some banquet facilities require it and mine is kept up-to-date.

Q Do you have a privacy policy?   Would you keep my information confidential?
A Yes and Yes. To see my privacy policy: click here

Q Can I watch you work as a DJ at a reception, party or other similar event?
A Only at events where the public is invited. To see if I'm working at any: click here

Q Why can't I watch you work at a private wedding reception or similar event?
A Because it would be improper to have uninvited strangers (observers) at private affairs. People who hire me expect me to work for them, respect them, their events and their privacy - not use their private moments as public auditions. How many uninvited strangers would you want at your private event? I believe that your event is yours and only the people who you invite should be there. It's that simple. I'm sure that you would expect that same consideration from any DJ you might hire.

Quick note: many DJ services DO invite "observers" to their customer's private events.
To learn how to protect yourself: click here

Q Do you DJ at School Dances and Proms?
Q Do you DJ at Bar/Bat Mitzvahs?
Q Do you DJ for Childrens Parties?
A No. I no longer DJ at events primarily for teen, pre-teen and children. I plan on expanding my music business to include marketing local music on a national level and under 18 events are not part of that future business model. I DJ for the all ages or 18 and up events.

Q I have never hired a DJ before. I'm not sure what to do or ask. Can you help me?
A Yes! For the REAL INFO that you should know: click here

Q How about a demo video, DVD or CD? Can I get one from you?
A No. Maybe in the future. For most single DJs with low rates like myself, the cost is prohibitive. As a tool, demos are alright but don't exclusively rely upon them. Don't forget that DJs, equipment, looks, voices, etc. could change at any time. If watching one, ask how current and accurate it is and ask if the specific DJ that would be assigned to your event is on the video.

Q What type of promotional material do you have?
A This "no hidden information" website IS my promotional material. Glossy brochures look nice but have little information. Ditto for slick promo videos. This website supplies full, accurate, up-to-date information that is not possible through other limited formats. Even my rates are posted! Try to find that important info in promotional materials given to you by other DJs.

Q Do you have advertising or promotional material you could mail or fax to me?
A No. See paragraph immediately above. If you need information in your hand, I've made it possible for you to easily print pages from my website. Go to a page, in your browser click Print. Simple.

Q Why would a 3 hour job cost the same as 5 hours or 9 hours?
Q Why do you charge a flat rate?
A For a mobile DJ, a 3 hour job IS a 9+ hours job. "On-The-Job" time or "Playing Time" is short compared to total time worked. For 3 hours "On-The-Job", add "behind-the-scenes" time which makes for a full day of work. Also add preparation time required BEFORE day of event.

Also, any amount of time would tie me up for an entire day. Due to the time needed to tear-down & reload van then drive to another place and set-up again, 3 hours "on-the-job" wouldn't allow me to guarantee enough time to DJ another event nor work more DJ hours.

Consider the time to load equipment into a van, drive to an event, unload and set-up, all BEFORE "On-The-Job" starts. Then AFTER "On-The-Job", time to tear-down & reload the van, drive back and unload equipment. Then you need to take into account "before the day of" time such as going over details through e-mails or by phone (mine is a business phone which WILL show up on your caller ID), time to interview, time to sign a contract especially if I drive to meet somewhere, pre-event meetings and other incidental time and costs. Some events require well over 20hrs of behind the scenes meetings, phone time, details preparation, music prep, etc. before day of event. Now add the time and cost of a dependable assistant/roadie. Did you know that some venues require DJs to add at least another hour of time before "on-the-job" starts or YOU pay an extra fee?! And for professionals like myself, don't forget to add in "the paperwork" and post-event time.

To avoid overlapping bookings, being potentially over-booked or double-booked, I book only one job per day, regardless of time involved. For every event, I get paid for my day being exclusive to you and not being available to anyone else. What if your scheduled times should change? I can arrive earlier or stay later or do both, no extra charge.

The BIG bonus: you never have to guess what the final DJ cost might end up to be nor worry about me taking another DJ job after we sign a contract, even when someone offers to pay more. Now you know the reasons I charge a flat rate.

Q Why don't you offer "special offers" and discounts like some other DJ companies?
A There are two reasons. Here's the first. When you book my service, you are booking me. Some DJ services offering discounts and specials are trying to drum up business for all the DJs working for them. The owner and/or top DJ work on volume, not price because they get a cut of every booking they drum up for DJs under their wing. If you take a discount from one of these services, you're practically guaranteed that your DJ won't be the owner or their top DJ. This is known as quoting the highest rate for the top DJ within a company then giving "special offers" to find more business for their less experienced DJs. And there is nothing wrong with that. But when you book me, you are hiring the owner who is a top DJ.

Second Reason. Unlike some, this is what I do for a living, how I make money, pay bills. I always offer the best I can do and my rates are already discounted and the same for everybody - you, your relatives, friends and neighbors. I treat EVERYONE fairly. I do not use the marketing gimmick of stating high rates just to be negotiated down or that only coupon hunters get a break. I don't check "area codes" or "zip codes" before giving a quote. If you do happen to have a lot of money, I don't raise my rates. If you are on a budget, my rates are as low as they can go.

Q How come you don't charge more?
A I don't have expensive demos nor the cost of a commercial office. I'm not paying referral fees and commissions to other people, not paying someone big bucks to answer a phone and solicit you. You don't pay big money to Radio & TV names who generally send one of their subordinate DJs to do the actual DJ work.

Q Do you accept personal checks?
A Yes.

Q Do we have to meet in person for me to hire you?
A No.

Q Can we meet in person when hiring you or just considering hiring you?
A Yes.

Q Can we meet in person when planning or going over the details for our event?
A Yes.

Q If I hire you, will you really play what I want even if my guests might not like it?
A Yes. Life is simple: I answer to the people who pay me and they get what they want.

Q If I leave the choice of music up to you, can you satisfy my guests?
A Yes.

Q I want someone to just play music - no talk. Will you do this?
A Yes.

Q If I hire you and want to bring some of my own CDs for you to play, will you play them?
A Yes. (assuming children won't hear swearing, hate, killing or sex acts)

Q How much music can I choose and pick out?
A As much as you want (enough to last the entire event).

Q Many DJs won't allow that much music freedom of choice. Why do you?
A Because YOU are the one paying to hear music. I get paid to have it and play it. I believe in that famous old adage: "Whoever pays the fiddler calls the tune."

Sometimes, people who are paying for the DJ will request music that is non-danceable or a mood killer which then reflects negatively on the DJ. Some DJs use each event as a blatant "audition" for future work and prefer to always look good in the hopes of getting more jobs. These types of DJs are trying to impress potential future customers (your guests). I try to impress you.

Q Have you ever worked as a DJ with bands?
A Yes. Many times. I try to avoid playing songs that bands intend to play.

Q Are you on the radio?  Have you ever been on the radio?
A No.

Q Why should I hire you?
A Because I am very good at what I do.

Q If someone or some company charges more, are they better than you?
A Not necessarily. Depends on the DJ, type of event, personnel and equipment required for event.

Q Why haven't you switched over to MP3/Computer/On-Site digital music format?
A First reason: up-front costs for a top-of-the-line mobile computer AND a good back-up laptop.

Second reason: Dependability and still having to supply CDs as a back-up to laptops. If I'm working for you, do you want to hear there is a "PC, laptop or hard drive" problem? Corrupted files? That the computer "crashed" or "froze"? Extra cost of carrying on-the-job back-up music playing capability in case the "unthinkable" happens? I don't have to worry about any these things. I have observed several mobile DJs that had "on-the-job" problems with the digital format. However, I have also observed mobile DJs that have not had those music file problems and were VERY impressive.

Eventually, I will add the mobile digital DJ format. But until it is more dependable for when people are counting on me to get it right the first time, every time, I will continue to do it the hard way (CDs). As a DJ, I started in the vinyl & cassette era and can't afford to switch formats every time a new one is available. Music files are currently the easiest, but you pay me to always play the music right, and for the most part, CDs sound better than MP3s. I'll upgrade when it benefits both of us.

November 3, 2006 Update: planning to add on-site digital music by end of this year! No cheap i-pod players but with new high-powered, high capacity, lower-heat laptops and featuring back-up external hard drives. This is just an addition - will still continue to use CDs for playing most music.

Q Why "Madman Mike"?  Why not a name more conducive to booking formal events?
A First, though great at weddings, banquets and other formal events, I am not limited to those events. I also do New Year's Eve, Halloween Parties, fundraisers, private parties, bars, and more. Secondly, at formal events, I refer to myself as "Michael" (or Mike), unless requested to do otherwise. DJ work at formal functions is earned by the quality of the work, conducting oneself in a proper manner, referrals & recommendations, so there is nothing for me to be concerned about. Besides, it seems that whenever people just say Madman Mike or Your Musical Slave, they smile (I'll bet you just did too!). I like that - a lot. And yes, my DJ name is legally registered.

Q So, your DJ name is legitimate. Tell me - what's your "given" name?
A You will have to hire me to find out. It's on all my contracts.

Q Why so much information about other entertainers?   Why not just plug yourself?
A Because helpful information is rare on the internet. What if I am unavailable or not the right person for an event? Someone will still need a DJ or other entertainer. I realize the importance of each event and how hard it is to find quality resources for entertainment. There are many good entertainers, the problem is finding them.

Plus, I really look forward to seeing other entertainers perform. I belong to several music organizations and Michigan is fortunate to have an abundance of talented musicians. Therefore, I need to keep their public information handy and my own website has proven to be the most convenient for me. My DJ name is well known in Michigan, so sharing my quality resources to help anybody in need of, or looking for, local entertainers & entertainment is something I take pride in.