Frank the DJ: 10 Questions with Frank Pietroski Jr

DJs - Frank Pietroski Jr

Business: Frank the DJ
Location: Norwell, Massachusetts MA
Experience: 40 Years
Profile: Frank the DJ
Website: frankthedj.com

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Im Frank Pietroski- 15 years radio on air- I started out doing magic shows as a teen ager in high school. I entertained at kids birthday parties and gatherings when I was 12 and 13- The people in school knew I had been doing stage magic for awhile---I was walking down the hall of my high school when the principal walked up and said " Frank your into artsy stuff- do you know any DJs? " I said "No why?" "he said "The Junior high lost their dj and their looking for one" My friend next to me said "I have a mixer" another friend said 'I have a turntable" I said 'I have a turn table- tell them well do it" and we put togethr a sound system with our electronics and our parents stereos- that was 1978 ---I Djed my first dance with vinal 45s- we were hired back after for every dance after- I aslo started doing a wedding or two for local neighbors that knew I was a DJ---I graduated high school and went into broadcasting school. After a couple years I landed my first gig in radio - I worked on air 15 years - every shift including mornings talking to an average of 10,000 people every time i turned on the microphone- I programmed radio station running the air staff- and had a great time. Ive done a show with Richard Simmons in the studio- and quick phone in interviews with Howie mandel, larry King and Penn and Teller.

2. What's your experience as a wedding DJ? How many weddings have you done?

Ive done over 300 weddings- I started doing my first weddings when I was 18 or 19- and then did other events djing as well as weddings- I was in Utica NY, working as a program director/ on air talent, that I did weddings to supplement my income as a radio program director- I also did other functions, some times it was not uncommon to DJ 2 or 3 functions or weddings in the same weekend- I did take some years off from doing weddings- but jumped back in several years ago since the internet allowed me to reach couples more easily. Since then I have one site that I have over 200 hires and over 100 5 star reviews.

3. How far in advance do couples need to book your services?

I have taken a call on Monday to DJ a wedding on Saturday- send me the songs for your first dance and any special songs you need and lets have a party- My playlist is more mainstream unless otherwise determined by the couple getting married- That means Im going to play a variety of music that everyone should know and hopefully want to party to. I have the ability to make decisions on the fly- so we can change directions if we need to- at one wedding the groom came up at the end and said "I only sent you the song for our first dance- but after a 5 hr reception- I couldnt be happier with the music you selected to play for the reception" and part of that is the radio experience- in a 5 hr period you can play about 75 songs- you better pick the best 75 you can play for that time period- Ive got 6000 songs on playlist- I need to pick 75 for you.

4. What's your rate? What does that include?

My rate is a pretty standard 6 hr rate- then add on for each additional hr- I also have slight add ons for second systems for the ceremony or cocktail hour- I also have an add on for uplighting units or a 10 ft lighting trellis with enhanced lighting.

5. Are you available to travel if needed?

I travel with in 100 miles- if I had to travel farther I need compensation for traveling and lodging.

6. How would you describe your style?

I do straight ahead emcee work for the introductions- and the rest of the emcee work such as cutting of the cake- Daughter/Dad
Son/Mother dance- Im in control for the reception- and will work with the venue to execute their time schedule- I will chase the photographer away from the buffet if they try and serve themselves from the buffet before the bride and groom and the wedding party- I dont do a lot of joking at the reception and go with the flow of the event.

7. What's your backup plan if there's an equipment malfunction? Do you bring backup equipment?

I usually have back up laptops and equipment- I have an extra mixer normally- The mixers I use also have the ability to play MP3 flash drives or CDs which I have used on occasion when my mixer/software interface had an issue- and nobody knew- I have also done gigs in places where there is no internet- if you hire a dj needing a streaming service, he would have been dead in the water. All my music is downloaded on to hard drive-

8. What's your sick day policy?

I dont have sick days - i only missed about 5 days in radio in 15 years due to illness.

9. How do you motivate a shy crowd to dance? What do you do to motivate the crowd if nobody is dancing?

I cant make people dance- i try and play the right music to help get people in a party mood- but I cant make them want to dance- I do have a few tricks I use to try and bait them to the floor and then try and keep them there- but its up to them if they are going to dance.

10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?

I take a deposit and its refundable up to 90 days before the event- after that I keep the deposit becuase if I am not able to get a booking - the deposit helps cover the cost of missing a booking on that day