Frequently Asked Questions

Due to our passion and love for DJing, we perform at a wide variety of events. These include weddings, birthday parties, anniversary parties, corporate events, holiday parties, grand openings, block parties, club and bars, to name a few. In each instance and at every event, we will work with you in order to develop a customized, fun experience for everyone.

Yours truly, DJ Dave Gilman, started as a DJ in college in 1993 and began doing it professionally in 1996, working for Daffy’s Professional DJs. We were booked nearly every weekend and performed at a variety of events. This ultimately led to forming DJ Dave Gilman in 2000. Been doing it ever since and loving every event.

We proudly provide entertainment and DJ services in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. In some instances, we can also travel outside of New England if the event is a great fit and accommodates our schedule.

Our style as a DJ is that of a cordial host. We make announcements when guests need to be informed of an upcoming activity, when the crowd needs a little motivation, or if we need to get things moving in a new direction. We never try to take center stage as the focus of your event should be on the guests and/ or the guest of honor.

Our music spans from the 1950s to today’s current Billboard hits. Our collection features the most sought after music in the following genres that includes pop, R&B, 80s, 90s, funk & soul, Motown, hip hop, dance, electronic, EDM, rock, disco, alternative, reggae, dancehall, and more! If we don’t have it, we can also get it.

Yes, our entire music collection consists of clean edits—also known as radio edits—for all of our songs. We do this largely because we cater to a wide variety of audiences that include children, adults, and grandparents at a variety of events. In most instances, the words that might offend are substituted or taken out completely.

We do accept playlists and receive them from clients all the time. Some people like to suggest every song for the entire event. Others may not want to get involved other than suggesting a small handful of songs or genres that they love. We generally suggest you provide 10 to 20 songs that you and your guests will absolutely love. We also ask that you provide a do-not-play list as well.

Yes, we always take guest requests, but with several considerations in mind. If the guest’s request fits in with the theme, vibe, or the host’s direction, we will play it. If the song requested isn’t appropriate, doesn’t fit in, or will negatively affect the event, we will ask the guest if there is something else they’d like to hear.

We require a $300 non-refundable retainer deposit to secure and hold your date. This can be paid by cash, check, or credit card. The final balance payment is due two weeks prior to the event. For larger events and those booked months/year in advance, some people prefer installment payments. In that case, we can create a payment plan.

There’s no hard and fast rule on how far in advance you should book your event. We suggest as soon as possible as our open dates are limited and can fill up quickly. We receive a lot of referrals, and it is not uncommon for us to have events scheduled one to two years in advance. 

Yes. We arrive a minimum of one to three hours before an event begins. This ensures adequate time to get set up, perform sound and mic tests, set up and check the dance floor lights, change our attire, and get in position to start on time. A big part of that is coordination with the venue prior to the event to inquire as to how early we can arrive (many venues will book back-to-back functions). 

We love consulting with our clients! We have music collections meticulously organized by genre, year, artist, event type, most requested, and more. This enables us to be make well informed suggestions for any special event and at any specific point during the event. Allow us to put our 20+ years of music knowledge to help you.

We often call ourselves “traffic coordinators” or “quasi-event” planners. Not everybody hires an event planner for their special event. When this occurs, we can help you plan out every aspect of your event.  From the moment the event starts to the last song of the night, we’ll work with you to ensure we have a sound timeline and agenda.

We have played at hundreds of venues across New England and all the way out to Phoenix, Arizona. In some instances, we are playing a venue for the first time. In those cases, we will coordinate with the venue ahead of time to create a set up that offers the best experience for everyone. We come prepared to encounter any setup challenges.

Yes. We have liability insurance with a premier entertainment insurance agency. This covers any event that we perform at. Many venues will request a proof of insurance certificate and we can provide in an instant. This covers lawsuits, accident claims, and third-party property damage claims. Simply put, we’ve got you covered.

We have several layers of backup and are always prepared. That starts by purchasing the highest quality of equipment, lessening the chance of any possible malfunctions. Our philosophy is to have a duplicate for most of our equipment and set up. This includes two laptops, two microphones, a backup speaker, additional cables and wires if things need to be swapped out, and more.

After 20 years of taking song requests, the Chicken Dance holds the title of the most loved or disliked requested song of all time. If it ends up on the must play list, we will play it. If it ends on the do not play list, we will not play it—even under threat of a larger gratuity. We will always honor your requests. What list will you put the Chicken Dance on?