ABOUT THE AGENCY / FAQs

New England's Most Popular Source for Top-Quality, Professional DJs and Bands
"THE MUSIC MAKES OR BREAKS THE PARTY"

Client's Questions and Agency Answers

My upcoming function is very important to me... how long have you been in business and how reliable are your acts?

ANSWER: AllStar Entertainment was started by Michael Edwards in 1989 and is a full- time, licensed and bonded entertainment agency in the state of Massachusetts. We represent over 30 DJs and 65 Bands. All of the acts booked by the agency are experienced professionals. Knowing the high level of quality our clients expect, the agency carefully evaluates all acts before ever agreeing to represent them. Thus, our clients select from only the very best entertainers available.

Does it cost me an extra fee to book my entertainment through an agency?

ANSWER: No, absolutely not. Our service costs you nothing extra at all. We quote the same price that the Band or DJ quotes when called direct by a client. They gladly pay us a fee for promoting their services, organizing their booking schedules and taking care of all their contracts and paperwork. In fact, you are better off booking with a reputable agency than direct with the act. What if something happens to the act. DJs and musicians are subject to life's highs and lows just like everyone else. A death in the family or an illness can never be predicted. The exact date of a baby's birth is never certain. Landing a dream job in Hawaii, even a dedicated entertainer may decide to relocate. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, an agency can save the day with a selection of other reliable professionals available just in case the unforeseen occurs right before your function date.

With all those different acts to choose from, how will I know which one is right for my function?

There are two different answers here:
1) The Traditional Method of selection begins with a telephone consultation. Our experienced staff will ask you lots of questions about your function and musical needs! After just a few minutes, we'll be able to suggest the very best act available to meet your budget and your specific entertainment requirements. Next, we'll send you their complete promo package (at no cost or obligation to you, of course) and, as a courtesy, we'll place the act on "HOLD" status for your function date (for up to 1 week).

Or,

2) The Simpler Internet Method: If you take some time at our website comparing different acts via their comprehensive promo materials you may soon have it narrowed down to one or two favorite choices. Here's where a smart bride, corporate client or party planner can save us some time and themselves some money! Simply fill-in our "Easy Function Planner Form" and email it to us. We'll contact you in the manner you have selected, with the act's price and whether or not they're available for your function date. At that time, if you decide to book the act, we'll deduct $50 on the spot from the normal cost of that act. This applies only to bookings made via this all-internet method, where no written promo material or demo tape has been requested or sent to you and cannot include our arranging a viewing of the act or a personal consultation with the act prior to the booking. However, a request for a telephone consultation with the act is fine. This is a great "no hassle" way to book a "known" act with a great reputation, one that you have already seen at a function or one who was referred to you by someone you trust ! Offer is not valid on future rebookings of the same act. Price reduction is not valid on previously booked functions.

Do you send out videos?

ANSWER: We rarely use videos. In our opinion, watching most DJ's or Band's videos is a waste of both of our time. No video ever shows a bad function! Most clients, after viewing a few, realize that they all look pretty much alike and still ask if they can see the act at a "live" performance. This is just as well, because many band videos are over-dubbed and lip-synced until they become a "flawless" misrepresentation of the band's actual sound. Most DJ videos we've seen just show people dancing. Wow,.....this DJ must be good!!! We suggest a careful review of the act's web page or written promo material, demo CD and most important: their thank you notes and references. A long, long list of verifiable "rave reviews" from former customers is tangible proof of great entertainment. Next, if needed, call us to request an in-depth consultation with the Disc Jockey or the Bandleader to help you reach your final decision. Booking any of our professional entertainers through our proven method of personalized service will really pay off in peace-of-mind as your function date approaches.

Can I go to see the act at a "live" performance?

ANSWER: Yes, but it is not always possible. Our full-time entertainers play all over New England and a performance conveniently close to your home may not be scheduled for weeks or even months. Also, many function facilities won't permit outside visitors to view the entertainment at a party in progress. Other times, without the agency's knowledge, the client has given the DJ or Band specific musical instructions (ie: Lots of country music or no audience participation), so that the performance you see that night is not typical for that act. If you do go to view one of our acts at a private function, please arrive no earlier than 2-3 hours after the start of the party (ie: after the dinner); please dress as if you were a guest at the function (ie: check your coat) and observe the act as discreetly as possible to avoid being asked to leave. This is why we prefer a great web page or promo package coupled with a personal (or telephone) consultation to the many hassles of viewing the act at a "live" performance.

After I find the act that I want, how do I book them?

ANSWER: Simple! Just contact the agency and we will send you a contract (via mail
or fax). The best way to secure the act immediately is to leave your deposit using a credit card over the telephone (similar to ticket agencies). The agency accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, money orders and personal or business checks for your deposit.

IMPORTANT: An act is not "booked" until the agency receives a deposit and a signed contract.

Many clients call the agency for the same act on the same popular "peak" dates. All DJs and Bands reserve the right to accept a different booking elsewhere if a signed contract and deposit is not returned promptly to the agency. For this reason, we strongly suggest either a credit card deposit by telephone or a "same day" return fax of the signed contract to secure the act you really want.

Do we have to feed the entertainment at our function?

ANSWER: Providing food for your entertainment is not required, but it is a courtesy that is certainly appreciated by them. Considering travel time, set-up and break-down time and then the length of the performance, if unfed, it may be 8 to 10 continuous hours for them between meals.

What is an appropriate tip for entertainment?

ANSWER: Unlike many other professional services, we do not contractually add service charges or automatic gratuities to our contracts. After considering the amount of advanced planning, consultation time, fine tuning and music preparation that the act dedicated to your function, coupled with the quality of their performance and how greatly that entertainment contributed to the success of your day, we believe you should decide for yourself what level of gratuity you feel is appropriate.

In our industry, a tip of 10-15% is most common, and it is normally paid directly to the DJ/MC or band leader at the conclusion of the event.

Do I need to meet with the act before my function?

ANSWER: Planning in advance is an important part of a successful function. It is the agency's policy that before each and every function, (even a casual dance or a party), your DJ or Bandleader will call you (usually on the Monday prior to the function date) to go over the music and all of the details for your event. Some entertainers will prefer a personal consultation. Typical bookings do not require face to face meetings with the act since the agency is there to answer all of your questions in the weeks or months before your special event. For more complex formal functions like Wedding Receptions, Anniversaries and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, the agency will provide you with in-depth, detail-oriented function information forms to be completed and returned to the act, usually about 6 weeks in advance.

May I see a sample of the agency's contract?

ANSWER: Yes! there are sample contracts available at both the AllStar DJs page and the AllStar Bands page or click on one of the links below.

| Sample Band Contract | Sample DJ Contract |

Click Here for your FREE Event Planner Or FREE Wedding Guide

P.O. Box 2120 Andover, MA 01810 | Email: BostonsBestDJs@aol.com
Tel: 978-470-4700 & 781-488-3000 | Toll Free: 866-670-DJDJ(3535) | Fax: 978-470-4740

Client's Questions and Agency Answers
	My upcoming function is very important to me... how long have you been in business and how reliable are your acts?
	ANSWER: AllStar Entertainment was started by Michael Edwards in 1989 and is a full- time, licensed and bonded entertainment agency in the state of Massachusetts. We represent over 30 DJs and 65 Bands. All of the acts booked by the agency are experienced professionals. Knowing the high level of quality our clients expect, the agency carefully evaluates all acts before ever agreeing to represent them. Thus, our clients select from only the very best entertainers available.
	Does it cost me an extra fee to book my entertainment through an agency?
	ANSWER: No, absolutely not. Our service costs you nothing extra at all. We quote the same price that the Band or DJ quotes when called direct by a client. They gladly pay us a fee for promoting their services, organizing their booking schedules and taking care of all their contracts and paperwork. In fact, you are better off booking with a reputable agency than direct with the act. What if something happens to the act. DJs and musicians are subject to life's highs and lows just like everyone else. A death in the family or an illness can never be predicted. The exact date of a baby's birth is never certain. Landing a dream job in Hawaii, even a dedicated entertainer may decide to relocate. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, an agency can save the day with a selection of other reliable professionals available just in case the unforeseen occurs right before your function date.
	With all those different acts to choose from, how will I know which one is right for my function?
	There are two different answers here: 1) The Traditional Method of selection begins with a telephone consultation. Our experienced staff will ask you lots of questions about your function and musical needs! After just a few minutes, we'll be able to suggest the very best act available to meet your budget and your specific entertainment requirements. Next, we'll send you their complete promo package (at no cost or obligation to you, of course) and, as a courtesy, we'll place the act on "HOLD" status for your function date (for up to 1 week). Or, 2) The Simpler Internet Method: If you take some time at our website comparing different acts via their comprehensive promo materials you may soon have it narrowed down to one or two favorite choices. Here's where a smart bride, corporate client or party planner can save us some time and themselves some money! Simply fill-in our "Easy Function Planner Form" and email it to us. We'll contact you in the manner you have selected, with the act's price and whether or not they're available for your function date. At that time, if you decide to book the act, we'll deduct $50 on the spot from the normal cost of that act. This applies only to bookings made via this all-internet method, where no written promo material or demo tape has been requested or sent to you and cannot include our arranging a viewing of the act or a personal consultation with the act prior to the booking. However, a request for a telephone consultation with the act is fine. This is a great "no hassle" way to book a "known" act with a great reputation, one that you have already seen at a function or one who was referred to you by someone you trust ! Offer is not valid on future rebookings of the same act. Price reduction is not valid on previously booked functions.
	Do you send out videos?
	ANSWER: We rarely use videos. In our opinion, watching most DJ's or Band's videos is a waste of both of our time. No video ever shows a bad function! Most clients, after viewing a few, realize that they all look pretty much alike and still ask if they can see the act at a "live" performance. This is just as well, because many band videos are over-dubbed and lip-synced until they become a "flawless" misrepresentation of the band's actual sound. Most DJ videos we've seen just show people dancing. Wow,.....this DJ must be good!!! We suggest a careful review of the act's web page or written promo material, demo CD and most important: their thank you notes and references. A long, long list of verifiable "rave reviews" from former customers is tangible proof of great entertainment. Next, if needed, call us to request an in-depth consultation with the Disc Jockey or the Bandleader to help you reach your final decision. Booking any of our professional entertainers through our proven method of personalized service will really pay off in peace-of-mind as your function date approaches.
	Can I go to see the act at a "live" performance?
	ANSWER: Yes, but it is not always possible. Our full-time entertainers play all over New England and a performance conveniently close to your home may not be scheduled for weeks or even months. Also, many function facilities won't permit outside visitors to view the entertainment at a party in progress. Other times, without the agency's knowledge, the client has given the DJ or Band specific musical instructions (ie: Lots of country music or no audience participation), so that the performance you see that night is not typical for that act. If you do go to view one of our acts at a private function, please arrive no earlier than 2-3 hours after the start of the party (ie: after the dinner); please dress as if you were a guest at the function (ie: check your coat) and observe the act as discreetly as possible to avoid being asked to leave. This is why we prefer a great web page or promo package coupled with a personal (or telephone) consultation to the many hassles of viewing the act at a "live" performance.
	After I find the act that I want, how do I book them?
	ANSWER: Simple! Just contact the agency and we will send you a contract (via mail or fax). The best way to secure the act immediately is to leave your deposit using a credit card over the telephone (similar to ticket agencies). The agency accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, money orders and personal or business checks for your deposit. IMPORTANT: An act is not "booked" until the agency receives a deposit and a signed contract. Many clients call the agency for the same act on the same popular "peak" dates. All DJs and Bands reserve the right to accept a different booking elsewhere if a signed contract and deposit is not returned promptly to the agency. For this reason, we strongly suggest either a credit card deposit by telephone or a "same day" return fax of the signed contract to secure the act you really want.
	Do we have to feed the entertainment at our function?
	ANSWER: Providing food for your entertainment is not required, but it is a courtesy that is certainly appreciated by them. Considering travel time, set-up and break-down time and then the length of the performance, if unfed, it may be 8 to 10 continuous hours for them between meals.
	What is an appropriate tip for entertainment?
	ANSWER: Unlike many other professional services, we do not contractually add service charges or automatic gratuities to our contracts. After considering the amount of advanced planning, consultation time, fine tuning and music preparation that the act dedicated to your function, coupled with the quality of their performance and how greatly that entertainment contributed to the success of your day, we believe you should decide for yourself what level of gratuity you feel is appropriate. In our industry, a tip of 10-15% is most common, and it is normally paid directly to the DJ/MC or band leader at the conclusion of the event.
	Do I need to meet with the act before my function?
	ANSWER: Planning in advance is an important part of a successful function. It is the agency's policy that before each and every function, (even a casual dance or a party), your DJ or Bandleader will call you (usually on the Monday prior to the function date) to go over the music and all of the details for your event. Some entertainers will prefer a personal consultation. Typical bookings do not require face to face meetings with the act since the agency is there to answer all of your questions in the weeks or months before your special event. For more complex formal functions like Wedding Receptions, Anniversaries and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, the agency will provide you with in-depth, detail-oriented function information forms to be completed and returned to the act, usually about 6 weeks in advance.
	May I see a sample of the agency's contract?
	ANSWER: Yes! there are sample contracts available at both the AllStar DJs page and the AllStar Bands page or click on one of the links below.
\| Sample Band Contract \| Sample DJ Contract \|