Frequently Asked Questions

Please realize these prices are for Greater Portland and do not include extras such as dancers, motivators, etc

1. How many mitzvah receptions have you performed at ?
a. The market in Maine is much smaller than in the major cities so there are not as many opportunities here. As of September 1, 2006, I have performed at 15 all over New England.  This includes the times I trained as an assistant in preparation to offering the service myself.

2. May I see you perform at a Mitzvah reception?
a. This would be totally up to the parent of the Mitzvah child. If you are invited to view my service at the event, please remember that everything is custom tailored to my client's particular needs. As a policy I do not allow people just to "pop-in" without the parent's knowledge.

3. It would be unfair and unethical of me to allow a stranger to "pop-in" and watch even a few minutes of their big day. It would give the impression that I care more about the "next sale" rather than the party in front of me. I would much rather lose a booking than allow my services to be compromised at ANY private function.

4. How much do you charge?
a. There are three packages to choose from in range from a no-frills $699 package up to $1999 in Greater Portland, There are additional fees for add-ons such as Game Show, inflatables, travel and lodging, and more. In comparison to my fellow Maine DJ colleagues, that is well above "average" - but then again, you aren't looking for an average DJ/Entertainer are you?

5. Why are you so expensive?
a. For the level of service I provide, I am considered very well priced.
Consider that Jim Casey Entertainment is actually a division of my business called djmaine.com, LLC. All of the divisions are Entertainment related so that I may keep up to date with trends and help my future clientele even more.

Along with maintaining a professional office at 500 Southborough Drive, I am fully insured, belong to both major Disc Jockey Associations, started the only Association for Maine DJs called the Maine Disc Jockey Network, own the Maine Wedding Planner,  constantly receive training from the Top professionals in the country to maintain an edge to my service, etc.

In other words, I am among the elite as a Full-Time Professional. 90% of DJs in this country are Part-Time Hobbyists.

6. Are you limited to only 4 or 5 Hours because you have another wedding?
a. In most cases NO! Unfortunately the venue dictates the time allotted for a reception. I will generally play only ONE EVENT PER DAY. This assures you that the quality of Disc Jockey Services you will receive from me will be very high.

7. How early do you arrive prior to a wedding reception?
a. My arrival time is generally 60-90 minutes prior and setup is complete between 30-45 minutes before stated contract time. You are never charged for this, but if there is any extra time required outside of 90 minutes (i.e. the venue requires someone to be setup 4 hours early) will be charged a nominal early set-up fee of $150 per hour (rounded to nearest hour).

8. What do you wear?
a. I will always dress in appropriate attire according to the event and your wishes. I have worn tuxedos, tie-dye, football shirts, etc. I will wear whatever the theme of the day is.

9. I've heard horror stories of drunk DJs, DJs that smoke like a chimney. Do you do either of those??
a. ABSOLUTELY NOT! It is truly the act of an unprofessional DJ to smoke and/or drink while on the job. In fact, even off the job I do NOT smoke or DRINK!

10. How many people will be needed to help the DJ?
a. NONE! I am a one-person operation. I handle the equipment myself and all of the set up and breakdown.

11. Will the DJ act as a Master of Ceremony?
Yes, if that is what you prefer (90-95% do)

12. Do you have dancers and/or motivators?
In 2007, I will be using them on a trial basis for people that want them. There Gold Package would be the one that offers up to two dancers or one motivator which in most cases would be an additional Disc Jockey Entertainer. The second DJ could be blending the music as I mingle and make sure that requests are played, the reception events flow smoothly etc. Or, the second DJ could be a dance leader (YMCA, Conga, Macarena, etc.)

11. Are you able to play continuous music?
a. Yes...the music never stops

12. How much music you have?
a. I carry about 15,000 tracks (and counting) from 1899 to 2006 at the present and continue to add at least 100-300 new tracks every month!

13. Do you use any theatrical lighting?
a. Yes, but only a very basic set of four lights. I will refer you to a Lighting Specialist for something more complex.

14. Do you need a table?
a. Yes. I do require two tables of 4-6 feet in length.

15. Are there any special needs for your equipment?
a. Other than the normal precautions for any electrical equipment, no.

16. It is possible to get a demo tape?
a. No. A tape would be too easy too manipulate and I could make myself look like the ultimate everything if I so desired. It could also give you a false impression that I am only one type of DJ. I want you to have an honest opinion and view about me and the services I offer. To that end, many past clients have graciously given me permission to post their phone numbers and/or emails for you to contact them and also there are testimonials about my services.

17. How many breaks will you take, how often, and for how long?
a. I do not break during your reception as the music remains continuous.

18. What is the payment schedule?
a. A $400.00 non-refundable retainer fee is due when you book my services and the balance is due seven days prior to a bar/bat mitzvah reception by MONEY ORDER or CERTIFIED CHECK.  Personal checks are NOT accepted for final payment. 

19. What if I do bounce a check?
a. You will be charged the state maximum of $35.00 in addition to the amount of the check as well as a late fee of $100

20. What happens if my payment is late?
a. A late fee of $100 will be added for all final payments that are late.

21. What is the cancellation policy?
a. Events cancelled within 180 days of event date will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee (50% of the remaining balance) , events cancelled within 120 days will be subject to a 100% cancellation fee due to the likelihood that I would not be able to re-book that date in such a short period of time. Please look at the contract for more information.

22. What happens if you get sick or some tragic event happens in your life, do we have a backup?
a. YES! There are backups with experience at the ready through the Maine Disc Jockey Network. You will NOT be left stranded without music at your wedding reception!

23. Do you Sub-Contract your work out?
a. NO! I am and have been an independent DJ Service since 1997. Once you contact me, I am the only person you deal with. I do NOT send an inexperienced friend to ”cover” the event. You paid for Experience and that's what you get with Jim Casey Entertainment! If I unable to do your Mitzvah reception, I will REFER another member of the Maine Disc Jockey Network with similarly high standards that Jim Casey Entertainment has.

24. I would like to have two DJ's at my reception. Is that possible?
a. Yes, subject to availability! The extra charge will be $999 for five hours and will involve signing a contract with another DJ from the Maine Disc Jockey Network as I do not have any employees.

25. Do you need to be fed at my wedding reception?
a. NO! My belief is that you are paying for me to play music continuously, not to watch me eat. So I will always eat prior to or plan to eat directly after the reception.

26. Why is there a venue fee to play at DiMillo's or inside at Camp Hammond?
a. Any venue including DiMillo's that only has stairs access to the reception hall there, or at Camp Hammond in Yarmouth which has a difficult upstairs setup has a $200 fee applied to the contract. This is done because of the extra time that it takes to set up at such a venue and to pay for the help that I require to move equipment in and out of the venue.

27. Why is your price $750 higher to play on Great Diamond Island or any other island?
a. Any event that is not on the mainland takes a lot of extra time to prepare for and is costly to service. The price includes my transportation and any incidentals associated with that.

28. What does your equipment consist of?
a. Only professional Disc Jockey Equipment

Please call me toll-free at (877) DJ-MAINE or email me jim@djmaine.com