I have entertained at wedding receptions for over twenty five years.  The feedback that I have received from brides and grooms, parents, grandparents and guests is consistently the same: "there's nothing like live entertainment."  But in today's high tech culture it isn't always possible for even large bands to perform every song needed in a wedding environment.  That's where my DJ services come into play.  I have most every song your guests could want, including Top 40, Urban, Rock, Country, and Dance.  So, not only do you get the best of live entertainment and interaction but DJ services as well.  But not all DJ's, bands or entertainers can accommodate themselves to the wedding atmosphere.  You need someone with the correct song selection, the proper attire and attitude and the ability to establish a rapport with you and your guests.

Remember, there are two facets to my services.  There's the live entertainment and the DJ service.   Generally a mixture of the two is more suitable to most wedding receptions.  However, I have done weddings where the client wanted me to perform exclusively live and others who wanted DJ service only.  It is simply a matter of preference. 

Why Should You Hire Me To Play Your Wedding Reception?

• Yours will not be the first wedding I've played.  I have been playing and performing at wedding receptions since I was a teenager.  I understand the composition of a wedding reception.  I can help manage the affairs of the day to help ease your burden and make it fun and worry free.
  

• Music is not a weekend job for me.  This is what I do for a living.  When I am not playing and performing live I am dedicated to arranging and recording all of my own backing tracks and helping to plan the various events I am involved with.
  

• I perform live (solo or duo) so that there is personal interaction between the entertainment and you and your guests.  But I also have access to a large amount of songs on the DJ side so that I can satisfy all musical tastes.
  

• I will work with you before the wedding to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible on the day of the event.  No two weddings are alike and problems occasionally arise.  It helps to have someone experienced to help you get through any difficulties. 
  

• I will MC all the evening's events and get all of the family and friends names correct.
  

• I will dress in proper attire (tuxedo) and conduct myself in a professional manner throughout the day's events.
    

• I won't arrive in the middle of dinner and carry my equipment in with shorts and a t-shirt in front of your guests.  I will arrive and be setup early.
   

• I will work closely with the Bride, Groom and/or your wedding coordinator to make your wedding reception a success.  In order to help make your wedding reception a success  I can accommodate any special needs you may have.
  

• I won't take a half hour break after every 4 songs.  In fact, there will be very little if any dead air between songs.  Except for occasional time taken to discuss special dances or to cut the wedding cake, etc the music will continue during the contacted time.  There will be NO intermissions.
  

• I will coordinate special dances.
  

• I will coordinate the evenings events to ensure a smooth flow throughout (I will work with your wedding coordinator, if you have one.) 
  

• You can make "priority play" lists as well as "do not play" lists.
  

• You may submit special songs if necessary (Bridal, Father/Daughter, Mother/Son, etc.)

• With over 25 years experience performing at wedding receptions, I can make your special day a memorable one.

Please check the faq's page for more information on wedding receptions.

The Wedding Worksheet below can be used to help plan out the various events at your wedding reception.  Please note that not all listings may be applicable to your situation.  There is not a wedding "rulebook" though some people may want you to think there is.  Each wedding is unique and special and is treated that way when you hire my services.  You are the boss.     

George, This is a little late in coming but I want to thank you so much for all of the wonderful music you played for us at our Christian Mothers and Catholic Daughters Christmas party. The ladies had a wonderful time.  You gave your best to please everyone. I know you will be on our schedule for other events. Just wanted you to know how much we appreciated your being there. 

George, Thank you so much for playing for our wedding. Everything you did from playing dinner music to learning songs on a days notice made our reception perfect. You couldn't have given us a better wedding gift; we will always remember how special you and the band made our wedding day. 

             Love,
             Brian & Melissa Petrucci 

George, I just wanted to thank you, once again, for the wonderful music you provided for our daughter's wedding. We loved your band, and consequently, enjoyed the evening so very much because of the music. It is not often that Roger and I get to dance like that because he is usually playing the music, so I get to sit and listen. Our friends and family have told us how much they enjoyed your band, too, and one friend has called and inquired as to how to contact you because she would like to book you for a Christmas party for the company where she works. I will give her your email address. Your music made our reception even more special, and I do thank you for lettting Roger "do his thing" by singing "Daddy's Little Girl". That song and the Anniversary Dance were my only requests, and they proved to be memorable for all of us. Thank you so much! 

Roger & Margaret Warren

On behalf of my family I am writing to let you know that Mr. George Suhon did a fantastic job at our party on Saturday, August 23, 2003. He was polite and accomodating. Above all, his music was wonderful. All of our guests really enjoyed his playing.  He played a nice variety of music and took our requests. I would highly recommend him for someone's wedding or other event.  We really enjoyed Mr. Suhon.

          Sincerely,
          Leda Niccolai

Dear George,

What a night we had! Our wedding and reception were wonderful and you were such a big part of it. Everyone was just astounded at your versatility and how well you played and sang. (At one point, two ladies from downstairs came up to "see the band." They could hardly believe that all that wonderful sound was produced by just you!) 

Our grandson, Andy, and his new wife, Lora, were amazed. They said that everyone had such a good time. Andy said to me, "I don't think I ever saw a wedding where there were more people on the dance floor than there were at the tables or watching." And it was true, your music appealed to young and old. A great time was had by all.

Many of the guests came to me to say that they thought that you were tremendous. We had many people from sophisticated backgrounds - big cities - and all - and they were truly impressed. So I thank you, and my husband thanks you, our grandson and new granddaughter thank you, and all the guests thank you for the wonderful reception that we enjoyed. If I am ever asked, (and I do have a lot of friends); I will highly recommend you to all.

     Sincerely,

     Mary Gumbita

1. What makes live entertainment better than DJ services? 

2. Will you learn special songs in advance of the engagement date?

3. What type of attire will you wear?

4. How long will it take you to set up your equipment?

5. Can you explain the entertainment at a typical wedding reception?

6. Will you play overtime if needed?

7. What are the advantages of live entertainment?

8. Why are wedding prices different from other venues?

Q1

Perhaps the best way to describe the difference is to ask those who have had good live entertainment.  Live entertainment always wins, hands down, over someone playing CD's all night long.  

DJ only services attempt to overcome their inabilities as entertainment providers by substituting light shows and fog machines.  But in the end, DJ's are simply unable to provide real entertainment and are trying to pass off a poor brand of what they call "entertainment".

The clincher is that with George Suhon, whether SOLO or DUO, you get the best of both worlds. You not only get the spontaneity and energy of live entertainment, but you also get DJ Services during intermissions so the music continues non-stop throughout the evening. 

Normal arrival & setup: I will arrive approximately 1 - 1 1/2 hours ahead of scheduled start time.  This will allow plenty of time to unload, setup and change clothes (if necessary).  (Special arrangements may be made to setup early. Price quoted includes normal arrival time and setup).

Arrival of the Bridge & Groom and Bridal Party: Generally, the entrance of the Bride and Groom into the reception hall will be announced before the festivities begin. (This may or may not apply to your situation.)

Dinner Music:  Dinner music can be played during cocktails and/or dinner.  This can be in addition to or included in the 3 or 4 hour scheduled time.

Bridal Dance/Bridal Party Dance:  This is usually (but not always) the first "dance" of the evening.  This dance can be for the Bride and Groom alone or for the members of the bridal party as well and can also include parents, grandparents, etc.  The names of the couples in the bridal party are announced as they approach the dance floor. The song played is usually a special one that the Bride and Groom have selected.

General Dancing:  A variety of songs will be played in groups by genre. (A group of fast songs, slow songs, polkas, etc.  The audience response to the songs generally determines how much of that genre will be played over the course of the evening. Also, specialty songs such as the "Hokey Pokey", "The Chicken Dance", etc. will be played. I will take a short break or two during the engagement.  During breaks DJ services will be provided so that there is no break in the music unless you request it. 

Cutting the Wedding Cake: This event can take place at any time during the evening, but is usually done after dinner so that the cake can be served as dessert..

Throwing of the Bouquet & Garter: This event is held just prior to the Money Dance (if you are having one). 

Bridal (Money) Dance: The Money Dance is performed in one of two genres.  The first is with the traditional slow ballad.  The second is with the polka (for those who ethnicity lends itself to such). The Money Dance continues until everyone has danced with the Bride (and the Groom in some cases).  It is highly recommended (especially for larger weddings) that someone be in control of the flow of this dance (i.e. how long each person dances with the Bride).  I have seen Money Dances linger on for over an hour which can completely exhaust the Bride. After the Money Dance it is customary for the Bride and Groom to leave the reception hall. This was a very common practice in the past though today it does not  take place quite as much.

Special Songs or Activities: Special songs can be requested such as "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" or "Daddy's Little Girl" which usually take place after the Money Dance.

Dancing Finishes the Evening:  Dancing will complete the evening.  Sometimes the Bride and Groom request a special song to be played for them alone to dance to.

Note:  There is no such thing as a wedding reception rule book (though some people would like you to believe there is).  Since this is your wedding reception and your special day, you make the decisions on the order and type of events you want.  The above questions represent only a guide to assist you in making decisions.  If any questions come to mind that you do not find on this page, please feel free to call or e-mail me.  I will make every effort to help. 

What's the difference between live music and a DJ?  Isn't a DJ better since he has every type of music available?  Isn't a DJ cheaper?  Isn't a DJ just as good (or better) than live entertainment?

These questions are legitimate.  There was a time when live entertainment was the only entertainment at wedding receptions.  However, live bands eventually priced themselves out of work.  Also, when many in the music field saw a few dollars could be made they quickly jumped into the "wedding scene" without thought, experience or concern for anyone involved but themselves.  This led to really "bad bands".  These "bad bands" gave all bands a bad rap.  DJ's came on the scene offering a comparatively low price and huge song selections.  DJ's soon became the standard form of music at wedding receptions.

Though there are still a few good bands around, their costs have exceeded what most can afford for a wedding reception.  And then there's the hesitation in wondering if they can fulfill ALL the needs of the job at hand (Most bands specialize in certain types of music and do not play all genres equally well.) As a result,  DJ's have become the only choice for most people.  That is, until now!

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO

If you have ever experienced quality live entertainment you know what I'm talking about.  They do not have DJ's entertaining people in Las Vegas.  When people want entertained they want live music.  Many people still remember dancing to live bands.  There is a sort of nostalgia attached to live entertainment.  Live music gives people a visual as well as an audible focus.  DJ's have seen the need for such visual focus and have tried to accommodate by bringing in light shows, fog machines, sirens, police lights, etc.  But, to many, there is still that missing element that DJ's will never be able to fill.  Live music is not just "playing records", it is "MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT"!

SOLO/DUO WITH A LIVE BAND SOUND (for those of you interested in how it's done)

How is it that you sound like a live band with only one or two people?  

All songs are performed using background tracks.  But, these are not just any background tracks!  They are certainly not karaoke tracks!  Karaoke and store bought background tracks have a tendency to sound dead.  They are like listening to a DJ.  The music is "over-studio-ized".  It is over-compressed and sounds flat.  I record all my own backing tracks.  I record them to my own specifications in my own studio.  Everything you hear is me.  All the instruments, all the backing vocals.....everything.  Very little, if any, compression is used in recording so it sounds LIVE rather than like a recording.  I use an elaborate computer based recording system. In a nutshell here's how it is done:  

1. In my studio I plan out the each song's unique structure

2. I record each instrument individually usually beginning with the drums.

3. Instruments we will be playing during the song are left out.

4. Vocals performed live are also left out.

5. After each track is recorded they are mixed down to 2 track stereo.

It is very time consuming.  Some songs can take up to a week or more to complete.

With years of entertaining experience in the band arena I have found what works and I know what does not.  I know the sound of a live band and my goal is to give that sound when I perform.  

SONG SELECTION

Sounding like a live band is not enough.  If the song selection isn't right then all you are is a live band that no one wants to hear!  Age groups at weddings generally range from the very young to the not so young.  Catering to just one group while leaving out the others is simply not acceptable.  Experience is the key.  A DJ can have a wide variety of songs but if he plays only one or two styles all night long, his wide selection means nothing.  Tools are wonderful things but if you can't use them correctly they are worthless.  I have been "reading" crowds for many years.  I have the experience necessary to make the correct decisions in musical attire.  I am also open to and encourage requests from you and your guests.

THE FINAL TEST

The final test is to hear us live.  You must  see and hear to appreciate. Check out the schedule page to find an appropriate date.  Remember, the solo and duo acts perform at a wide variety of functions so you'll want to come to a performance that's appropriate for your needs.  Drop me a line and let me know you're coming and we will do our best to do the songs you want to hear.

Also, night clubs and other public venues very often re-book, which means it is repeat business which reoccurs over long periods of time; sort of like getting a better price because you buy in bulk.  At these venues we show up and play, then leave.  There is no special preparation from one venue to another, no repeated correspondence with club owners six months before the date of the event, etc.  

Wedding receptions are special events that take place once (hopefully) in a lifetime and in order to make it a one of a kind event much more work is involved.  So, one  cannot compare the price charged at a public venue with that of a wedding reception because the situations are not close to parallel.  Most people want their weddings to be treated with uniqueness and special care and not like the average performance.