Super Fabulous national charity with a wonderful local charity needs your vote!!!

In case you are unaware;Wish Upon a Wedding has been entered in a contest sponsored by Monsanto (Grow St. Louis Contest) to win one of three cash prizes $15,000, $10,000 & $5,000. We are up against some pretty stiff competition and a lot of entries. So PLEASE get the word out and vote as often as you can! Voting ends October 16^th.

Here is the link: http://www.monsanto.com/stlouis/Pages/grow-STL-contest-voting-form.aspx

Tip: If you click on “Quick Search” to the right and type “Wish” it will bring you to our organization.

You will have to submit an email address in order to verify your entry. Monsanto will then send you an email and you must click on the link in that email in order for your vote to count.

You can vote up to 100x per day. So Vote already!

I had a great time at the event to celebrate Patty Long Catering’s 25th Anniversary! It was held at Riverbottom, the new Patty Long location at 112 Sidney Street in STL.

Great Food & Drinks and can I mention FUN????

Tom Paule, CJ, Jeremy Keltner, Rich West, Bobbi Brinkman

The secrets? I’ll never tell!!!!

“Why do we recommend Chris Johnson and CJ’s Disc Jockey Service so highly?” Asks Bobbi from Bobbi Brinkman Photography. “Easy. He’s the best.”

“We take it VERY seriously when we recommend any vendor, but especially a vendor who can make or break your wedding reception, party or special event. We know that Chris is the consummate professional, he is warm and engaging and most of all he truly cares about his clients. Chris and his entire staff go the extra mile at every event to provide the best experience possible. When we’re asked for a recommendation we ALWAYS say Chris and are very happy to hear that our clients have booked CJ’s Disc Jockey Service and will be receiving excellent customer service as well as fantastic entertainment.”

Give us a call if you’re looking for a disc jockey to make your event truly special. We’d love the opportunity to show you why clients as well as vendors love to work with us and recommend us to others.

We’re actually always hot—- right? But the weather has been making everyone in the industry (and everyone period) super HOT. Sounds like next weekend will be even hotter.

We always set up our events well in advance of YOUR event. It is important that we are ready to go when you are and that no one sees the crew in action. What you will see is cool, calm and professional. The plus is always professionally dressed and not all sweaty! 

This weekend Chris will be at the Crown Plaza in Clayton with Nicole and her hubby! It is going to be a fantastic event——–

Stay cool & we hope that we see you very soon at a CJs Disc Jockey Service Event! Please call and tell us about your special event, we’d love to hear about it and offer our suggestions for fantastic entertainment.

This weekend we’re happy to be with Jennifer Thomas & Brandon Scott celebrating their wedding! We will be working once again with Lacy Branch Events.

The forecast is in the mid-90′s so we urge you to take hot weather precautions while celebrating whether you’re going to be guests at a wedding or special event or just out on the town.

• We believe in having a GREAT time and want you to have fun too!
• drink lots of water, adult beverages are generally not a good idea
• carry a towel or paper towel if you’re able to tuck one away
• All the cool kids are carrying fans this season! 
• a frozen washcloth can be a lifesaver

Hope to see you out on the dance floor at a CJ’s Disc Jockey Service Event soon!

We are VERY honored to be a part of Wedding Club in the St. Louis MO wedding market. It truly IS a “consortium of wedding professionals”. Please check the website at Wedding Club for more information and to see other local professionals.

From our 2011 Coffee Talk interview:

Coffee Talk with Chris Johnson of CJ’s Disc Jockey Service

WC: What prompted you to start CJs Disc Jockey Service and how long have you been in business?

CJ: From a very early age I was introduced to music and the art of entertainment by of all people, my mother. She owned a roller skating rink while I was growing up and I was fascinated with all the variables of music, from charting the top 40 songs each week, to which songs were requested more frequently, to which songs were losing popularity. In 1992 I began to DJ semi-private events by request, but I wasn’t mature enough to dedicate myself to the commitment just yet. I officially launched CJs Disc Jockey Service in January of 1994, when I realized there was a market for a mature, young DJ who understood that being a DJ wasn’t about being the entertainment, it was about being the entertainer who through music provided the entertainment to the party.

WC: What is your favorite atmosphere to work in (Clubs, Parties, Weddings, etc.)?

CJ: Each atmosphere is entirely different, but also provides its own unique rewards. Today as we speak, I love my Weddings. Each wedding contains its own set of unique challenges and customizations which keeps my drive and focus strong. Looking back 10 to 12 years ago, I would have said clubs then weddings and lastly other private events. Times were different in the early and mid 1990′s. Most people didn’t really hit the club’s or lounges as they are called today. Most people went to the “Party Bar” and you heard such a variety of music that everyone regardless of age had a great time.

WC: Why do you think most brides hire a DJ for their wedding, and at times do it in conjunction with live entertainment?

CJ: Great question. First, no DJ in the world can replace live entertainment! Can you imagine going to a concert to see the Black Eyed Peas feat. Lady Gaga and when you get to your seats at the venue you see a DJ playing the greatest hits collection. Wedding Entertainment is extremely personal. With that said, many couples hire a DJ to provide the entertainment at their reception because of flexibility, personality and comfort. I believe many couples hire a DJ as well as live entertainment for peace of mind. I don’t know of 1 band in the Metro area that enjoys the formal obligations (wedding party introduction, toast, blessings, ethnic traditions, etc) of a reception.

WC: What advice can you offer a bride looking to hire a DJ?

CJ: That one is easy, CALL ME!! Just kidding. I have a couple small pieces of advice I would like to offer. First, meet YOUR DJ in person, if possible prior to signing a contract. This allows you to put a name with a face and also provides you the opportunity to make sure you like the personality of your DJ. Second, and just as important, remember your DJ is an investment in your reception. A qualified, professional DJ will keep the reception running stress free and on time, all while they enjoy their guests and create memories that will last a lifetime.

WC: What is the most common misconception brides tend to have regarding DJ’s & how do you get past it?

CJ: The most common misconception about DJs is they are all the same. They are in your face with crazy props (i.e. – YMCA outfits), they are on the dance floor most of the night, they don’t follow the direction of the bride and groom (i.e. – must play and Do-Not- Play songs) & they are unprofessional. Getting past misconception is pretty easy. I have a one on one consultation with the couple and ask them a few simple questions to show I am truly interested in their reception and their ideas and concepts. Once they realize all DJs are not the same and that I truly care about the success of their reception they are generally relieved.

WC: In your experience, what has been your most memorable situation at a wedding?

CJ: This one is really hard, because I have so many memories. If I have to choose one and I can’t choose my own wedding, I am going to say Tony & Danielle’s wedding on September 1st, 2010. I belong to a Chapter of Wish Upon a Wedding, which is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. It was my opportunity to give back to someone, at the time they needed it the most. Little did I know I personally would take more from this wedding than any financial compensation could provide. Sadly, Dani passed away peacefully on September 30, just 29 days after her wedding.

WC: Do you strictly work in the St. Louis Area?

CJ: Although a large majority of the wedding and events I DJ are in the St. Louis Area, I have traveled in the past and I am always willing to travel to provide my services. I have been as far north as Wisconsin and as far south as Mexico. I am still looking for that special couple that wants me to be a part of their wedding in Hawaii.

Chris Johnson
CJ’s Disc Jockey Service
Website: http://www.cjsdiscjockeyservice.com

Happy Fourth of July from all of us on the CJ’s Disc Jockey Service Team!

We hope that you have a great time with your family and friends on this special day in America. Be safe—- Have fun—–Celebrate!

We’re super excited to be with Traci Hoover and David Testrake at the Coronado Ballroom this weekend!

Not only are Traci and David an incredible couple, they’re getting married at a favorite St. Louis location! Home of Steven Becker Fine Dining (what is not to love there!!!) “The restored Coronado Ballroom features:

• A breathtaking barrel-vaulted Grand Ballroom, ornate ceiling designs painstakingly restored to original condition
• Classic terrazzo dance floor with illuminated floor tiles, one of a handful remaining in the U.S
• All new state-of-the-art kitchen facilities, pastry department and approved Kosher food preparation
• A majestic Grand Lobby with stone fireplace, intricate cast ceiling, gold leaf columns and elegant furniture
• The Bradshaw Meeting Room, with built-in projection screen and LCD projector encased in the ceiling”

We are asked a lot why CJ’s Disc Jockey Service is the best choice for your wedding entertainment in St. Louis, MO. Besides being completely professional and placing our clients as Job One, there are many things that set us apart. If you’ve visited our Website, you know the reasons why.

Some of the highlights are:

We believe in Personal Consultations:

This covers all the aspects of your reception, from the arrival of your first guests to the departure from the venue.  During these consultations, we combine our creativity and experience with your vision to create that once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Co-ordination:

We take all the information from your personal consultations and coordinate with any professionals, family, or friends to ensure that no details are overlooked and all your wants and wishes are orchestrated to fit the flow of your reception, freeing you to enjoy yourself.

The CJ’s Custom Agenda:

Once the personal consultations and pre-reception coordination is complete, we create an agenda for your entire reception, which will allow your wedding professionals to work together as a team.  We provide this agenda to your photographer, caterer, videographer, and anyone else who needs it to ensure your dreams do come true.

Event Preparation & Performance:

The preparations begin many hours before your reception begins.  Arrival at the reception site is usually and hour and a half prior to your guests’ arrival.  The equipment is then setup, sound checked, and customized to your room’s acoustics.  From the moment your guests arrive we deliver nonstop music through our high fidelity sound system, coordinating and master of ceremonies services, legal music libraries and backup equipment on site. The events of the evening are all done in the order of your agenda, which allows us to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

We hope that if you are looking for the very best disc jockey service in and around the St. Louis Metro Area that you give us a call. We’d love to schedule a meeting and show you first hand how we can make your wedding fantastic.

CJ’s Disc Jockey Service was proud to accept the 2010 St. Louis Bride Wedding award for Music & Entertainment, this year during the awards ceremony held February 23, 2011 at The St. Louis Marriott Union Station.

We love the Saint Louis Bride organization, Ethan and Nancy produce a beautiful magazine— surely the finest in St. Louis! The magazine always contains not only gorgeous photos but valuable information for brides. We’re proud to be associated with the magazine in every way.

Of course, we look forward to winning a lot more awards as well!