Twist and Shout Productions

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Twist and Shout different from other DJ services? Why should we hire you?

We exclusively feature Steve Kelley from Sunny 102.1 and Mix 102.5 radio in Syracuse and Utica! Steve’s real name is Ted Bilodeau (it’s a radio thing) and he owns and manages Twist and Shout Productions. Ted is an experienced, talented, popular disc jockey with many years of experience and a sincere desire to make you very happy. However, he is NOT the star of the show. He will never steal your spotlight. Ted has over 20 years experience as a disc jockey for many different types of events, and has over 20 years of experience on the air at radio stations throughout New England and upstate New York. He likes all kinds of music and loves to DJ weddings and parties of all types. He sincerely wants to help you enjoy a successful celebration. He knows how to professionally use a microphone, select the proper music, and motivate guests. He is a full-time disc jockey on a radio station-- not just someone who calls himself a DJ.  Your party is the only event Ted will do on your special day! This means he will be available to give you his complete attention at any time of the day and/or night, whatever you need. You can count on Ted to personally DJ your event… you will not have to worry that you will be stuck with an inexperienced, unprofessional, impolite, or unqualified DJ.

Ted will guide you through all the basics, plus suggest several unique and fun ideas for your party!

Service customized and personalized just for you… we don’t use a cookie-cutter program for your event!

We really listen to you! Ted pays special attention to the details that are important to you.

Professional equipment and back up equipment on-site. Light show at no extra charge if appropriate.

Ted arrives very early, plans extra time for travel and set up, and makes sure everything is perfect and on-time. Ted is very concerned about planning ahead with detailed back up plans.

Can you provide references that we can contact?

Yes… many!

What if Ted gets sick or in an accident before my event?

We are totally dedicated to taking excellent care of you for your very important function. We have a detailed talent back up plan in the very unlikely event that Ted runs into difficulty. Ted works full-time at Galaxy Communications radio group in Syracuse with ten other professional disc jockeys, plus maintains friendly professional relationships with three other competent local DJ services. He will telephone our office when he arrives at your booking location, just to make sure of safe arrival for your event. No other DJ service that we know of operates with such an organized plan. We have never missed a booking!

I want my DJ to get really involved with my guests and have lots of fun with everyone? Is Ted able to do that? (or) I want my DJ to be relatively quiet throughout the party and just play great music… does that fit with Ted’s personality?

We will discuss your desired level of DJ interactivity… so you can feel confident that the atmosphere, mood, and tone of your event is exactly what you want. We will faithfully honor your wishes. You may want Ted to be very interactive with your guests. Then again, you may choose to have us maintain a low profile and just play great music. And then again, you may desire a level of interactivity somewhere in between. It’s completely up to you and we take great care to plan this all out in advance with you.

 Tell us about your equipment.

We use only professional equipment. We make sure that your guests can hear important announcements; that your guests are comfortable throughout your party. You will not have to worry that you might be without music for your important function. The volume will be adjusted up or down if you request, using an elevated speaker system for better sound control. The equipment is maintained properly and the sound is equalized for the room. Dazzling lighting and special effects are available. A wireless microphones is available for speeches, toasts, etc. We have back up equipment on-site and we use several redundant systems so that everything works perfectly.

We have songs that we definitely want you to play, can we give you a list? You sure can!

Can we trust that you will not play songs that we do not want to hear? Absolutely.

Will you take song requests from our guests?

Yes, with your permission. We consider requests very important and we make a determined effort to play as many as possible if you allow it. Requests allow us to please you and your guests. We also provide you with our exclusive list of 500 great party songs that you and your guests can choose from.

How much do you charge?

We provide very high quality entertainment and exceptional customer service for a very fair and reasonable amount. Rates depend on several factors, including location, length of performance, features, equipment, etc. Please allow us to tell you about the different entertainment packages we offer.

What if we want Ted to play longer than originally scheduled?

Ted does not book more than one event per day so that he is available if you would like him to play longer. You are under no obligation to add extra time. You can even let us know at the last minute.

Do you charge extra for travel?

We charge a fair and reasonable travel fee for events outside the immediate Syracuse area.

Do you require a retainer for your services?

We ask you to give us a $100 deposit to secure your booking and save the date for you.

What is the procedure for booking your services?

If you would like to consider hiring Twist and Shout, we will send or e-mail you an Agreement. This will hold the date for you to give you time to make your decision. If you decide to hire us, simply sign and date the agreement and return a copy to us with the retainer to secure the date.

When is the balance of payment due?

Not until the date of your booking, before the end of your event.

Is it appropriate to tip a DJ?

Some clients offer a gratuity for an exceptional DJ performance. This is of course appreciated, but absolutely NOT expected or required. Ted will always work very hard to please you and your guests.

How long does it take to set up your equipment?

It generally takes us about an hour and a half to set up, depending on the location. However, we like to plan on at least two hours for load-in, set-up and soundcheck to make sure everything is perfect for you.

How much notice do you need for us to book your services?

It depends on if your date is already booked. First come, first served. We hope we get to play for you!