Bootlegg Productions - Home of the Bootlegg DJ
Bootlegg Productions - Home of the Bootlegg DJ

Bootlegg Productions - Home of the Bootlegg DJ

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Sorry this pro can’t do your job, but we know other pros who can.
Introduction: I cater to a crowd that likes 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, Country Western and Jazz. This usually means an age group from 35 to 75. I always tell my clients that if the party is going strong, I just play music. I don't get in the way. If the party needs a kick, then I can provide that to get things going. The people I meet and the number of folks who tell me during and after a show that they loved the music I played. There is nothing more satisfying than having someone say "I remember that song when I was in High School".
Overview

Hired 10 times

2 employees

23 years in business

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Reviews
Great 4.7

12 reviews

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Mindy J.
Aug 17, 2015
The Bootleg D. J. entertained our guests at an Open House and everyone remarked that the party was so nice because of the music. Mark accommodated requests, kept the volume perfect for talking and was a joy to work with. He definitely engaged our guests with his smile and quick wit as one of us which made the business open house personal and comfortable. So comfortable guests stayed long past the appointed hour and the buffet was cleared. We are pleased to recommend The Bootleg D. J. for any event; we will be using Mark again!
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Ed C.
Aug 20, 2015
We used Bootleg for a wedding reception, could not have been happier. Played exactly what the wedding party wanted. Would recommend him for any occasion.
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Jack K.
Sep 2, 2015
Mark brought his equipment on a very hot day to my house for my 80th. birthday celebration. He stayed later that planned and everyone was extremely happy with the songs that he provided. I would use him again and would recommend him to anyone.
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Vicky C.
Jun 8, 2016
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

When I met Mark I thought this would be easy Peasy. Seemed to understand my needs, which were not much. I provided a list of about 35 songs that I would like to be included in the wedding. He failed to play the one when we were walking back down the aisle after we were pronounced. He played the wrong song for our first dance. Several times he was asked to make announcements which, if he did make them, were so quiet no one even noticed. Special song for my new in laws who are in their 90's, which he told me specifically he had, was not played. Maybe only 10 songs, if that, I had requested were honored. Very little fun dance music. The straw was a stoner song, Knights in White Satin! Where that came from I have no idea! My husband did not even want to pay this jerk. I am a very easy person and this really made me sad. It was a beautiful setting, a beautiful day with fabulous friends and family. He was the only downside. Kmk
Bootlegg Productions - Home of the Bootlegg DJ's reply
Vicky; And you will get a full refund... I have never, in my 20 years of doing this had a full refund request. But I honor my guarantee... Just a couple of things to note. I had several people swing by and say how much they enjoyed the music. During a break in the music, your MOH came out of the house to request a song and said that what I was playing was "a good song... nevermind...". Here is a screen shot of the queue that I created just for your wedding... as you can see, almost everyone of the songs you requested are there. And almost everyone of the songs was played during the evening. Even when I thought a more up / bouncy song should be played, I tried to fit everything into the evening. VCarr song list picture There were three instances I want you to know of; One older couples husband asked for a song by Donovan. It was their song when they got married and "it would be great if you could play it. I'll give you the high sign when we are ready" was the statement. Having watched the crowd interaction early on, I had made a note that a warm embrace was offered and returned by you, so I made the determination that these were people of some importance and YES, I played their song. A younger couple asked to hear Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond. I'm thinking this could be a crowd killer. I have two versions and the LIVE version had a more upbeat tempo. That was what I played. Stu immediately came up and said "No more of that Sweet Caroline crap... I'm paying your bill... keeps the songs up and dance type..". I did the best I could from that point forward. One gentleman came up and asked for anything Rock-n-Roll. And I asked, like what? He said "you know.. You got any Nickleback?" (See your screen shot). I didn't play any of those as I knew that wasn't something you did not want to hear. Your list of songs??? Second song down on the list you gave me was Shining Star by Earth Wind and Fire (your notes, not mine). I was pretty sure you wanted Shining Star by the Manhattans, but I queued up both anyway. And YES, I tripped the wrong song, but I pulled it down and immediately switched to the song by the Manhattans. As to Knights in White Satin, if you read info on that music, you will find this: "The song itself was a tale of a yearning love from afar, which leads many aficionados to term it as a tale of unrequited love endured by Hayward.". Even the homeowner stated at 11:15pm that things were winding down and I played "Knights in White Satin" as the last song of the evening to about 10 people. Someone who was smoking over at the outhouse said he hadn't heard that song in years. "Great song...". I offered wireless mics for you to use. They were ready and at my setup table. They were not used. I had no idea that the actual wedding ceremony was to be held at the other end of the pond. I had to take my sound volume queue from the home owner and he gave me the OK that the sound was good. And YES, I did something I don't like to do... I played a song twice. 'Happy' by Pharrell. I played it while you were walking back from the ceremony (as requested) and again later during the dance session as a request. If it was such a bad evening, I wonder why Stu would present me with the check and then say it was a great evening? As I told you in the pre-interview, my quote is subject to discussion. If I did well, then show me by adding $5 or $10 bucks. If is wasn't what you expected, say something and pay what you think it was worth. I am an adult. Getting angry does nothing for anyone. And yes, I would have been upset if you came to me and said "My whole day is ruined because of you... I won't pay you...". But that is something I would have had to deal with, just like I am dealing with it now. In this business, you associate with others that do the same kind of thing; DJ work. When they found out I was offering a full refund... well, the consensus was that it was not what they would be doing. In the last 6 months, I have done three sets in Auburn. FEBRUARY resulted in a bounced check (with a $100 tip). The second was a drive to Auburn (from Placerville) ONLY to find out that the party had been cancelled as the husband wanted to go deep sea fishing and they forgot to tell me about the cancellation. Now I am refunding the whole fee for this wedding. I may bypass Auburn from now on. I will be sending my business check for the full amount to the address I have on file in C/O your name. They can get the refund to you I am sure. I wish you the best for your life...
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Cindy N.
Aug 29, 2016
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Mark really made the party! We had a "Welcome to the 60s" party for my husband's 60th birthday. He has ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and so this was an extra-special event with friends and family coming in from all over to celebrate and party with him while he still could. We took favorite 1960s song requests as RSVPs--gave a list of 88 songs to Mark and he had every single one! He was sensitive to the mood and timing of the party, offering dedications and interesting trivia as introductions to some of the songs and making party announcements when requested. We could not be happier with Bootlegg Productions! Mark did everything we hoped for and more. He clearly loves this work and his enthusiasm was infectious. I heard comment after comment about how fun the music was and all the great memories it brought up. What joy! I would hire Bootlegg again in a heartbeat!
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FAQs

  • What types of customers have you worked with?

    Most of my shows are Weddings, Business functions and backyard (or large) parties. I have some limitations as to where I go and what the function is.

  • What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

    I don't push. I tell all my clients to look at what I offer. The pre-site visit that I do gives them a chance to meet me in person and we can talk about what they expect from their DJ. If I am not the right fit, no harm done.

  • What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

    Hiring a DJ is easy. Getting the right one is hard. Some of the horror stories I hear make me ill. Really: Sight unseen DJ plays all of Culture Club's music (party was 50 and older). DJ arrives and after 1/2 an hour puts music on a robo system and disappears behind the curtain to make out with a guest. These actions are not representative of a good DJ who values his work or ethics. Also, a DJ that's excels at his craft may not quote a gig unless the date of the event is within a 90 or 120 day period of time. Quoting a wedding for a year down the road is not good business. The DJ may not be in business a year down the road and now the event coordinator has to scramble to get a back up DJ. Also, things change in the space of 6 months or a year. A good and reputable DJ will respond to a request SAME DAY and should be more than capable of handling your request in as little as 20 days. So start your DJ search closer to the actual date of the event.