Entertainment Services

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Most of the events I book are wedding receptions. That is my main area of expertise and the most common type of job I get called about. A wedding reception is the main event where a DJ is critical. Other common bookings are birthday parties, graduation parties and corporate events.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Don't go into any event looking to hire the cheapest entertainment provider. Like the old saying goes, "you get what you pay for". For occasions like wedding receptions, it is essential to pay a little extra for someone that knows what they are doing. Everyone is on a tight budget these days, but it is not worth sacrificing quality to save a few dollars. Memories are priceless and last a lifetime!

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. I've been in the business for over 15 years and I have provided top-notch mobile disc-jockey entertainment in the tri-state area for hundreds of weddings, private parties, corporate events, bars & nightclubs.

Starting in 1996, I worked for the Penn State University-Beaver Campus radio station (WBVR). I served as On-Air Personality & Program Director. I hosted both a talk show and a music show as well as provided content for other programs. In 1997 I began working as a mobile DJ in Philadelphia and its surrounding areas. I have serviced 3 different companies in my career and officially launched Tony "Prep" Entertainment, Inc. in January 2008.

My digital library contains over 50,000 songs, everything from the Big Band Era to the present day (including everything in the Billboard Top 40). Included are over 25,000 karaoke selections. I use only top of the line, professional equipment. And like the name suggests, my attire is always dressy & well kempt!

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. A customer should know who will be providing the services at the event. In other words, is it the company owner him/herself or an employee? If it is an employee, will he/she be properly attired, well-equipped and trained/experienced for such a function? Oftentimes a customer winds up with someone that doesn't dress appropriately and/or doesn't have the proper equipment or music for the occasion and/or doesn't have the experience to satisfy the customer and his or her guests. The customer needs to be sure of this BEFORE he or she signs any contracts.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Quite simply, I don't just stand behind a table and play music. I entertain. I am very interactive and I work the microphone throughout my events. I truly consider myself a "master of ceremonies" in the sense that I personally do all of the introductions and annoucements. I also get out from behind the table to teach dances, hand out party props, host my trivia game (called Quizzo) and make sure everyone is having a good time. I almost hate to use the term 'DJ' because I feel like I do so much more.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. On the surface, I would say that I love being my own boss, doing what I love for a living full-time. But the thing I like the most is entertaining people. I've always had a knack to make people smile, laugh and enjoy themselves. And I'll do anything to make an event fun, including teaching dances, singing, playing requests and a little friendly crowd heckling.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I wish my potential clients understood that my industry is filled with "wannabe" DJs. Typically, these are the people that have virtually no experience, subpar equipment and/or a lackluster database of music. Anyone can claim to be a DJ, but that doesn't mean they are worthy of being hired for an event. And like the old saying goes, 'you get what you pay for'. It's better to pay a little more and get a quality entertainer that will guarantee plenty of fun-filled memories than to just hire the cheapest person willing to do the job.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. Almost from the time I graduated from high school, I was always being told that I had a great voice and should get into radio. I briefly tried radio broadcasting out while I attending Penn State University and I really enjoyed it. However I came to find out that the industry didn't pay very well and the Philadelphia market was very competitive. So I decided instead to try my hand in the mobile DJ entertainment business. Almost instantly I had success and very much enjoyed the many jobs I booked.