The Music Machine

Why do you charge more than "So & So"?

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Chamberlin) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:18:00 +0000

I have been asked that question for years. The question really is... "Why is "So & So" cheap?" The answer to that is... "So & So" knows what they are worth. They just told you... "We do half as good of a job, put in half the work, half the investment and care half as much, so we charge half as much as the rest." Beware the cut rate deejay that charges less than what a reputable equipment rental company would charge to simply deliver a sound system... no music, no DJ... just the PA.

Do you see the need for quality? What is your wedding day worth?

An example... a 1999 Toyota Camry with 160,000 miles on it will get you from place to place (it gets my daughter to and from school quite handily), but may not be as reliable or as stylish as a Lexus LS10 sedan. What would you prefer to arrive at your wedding in? Ask yourself why?

McDonald's sells a perfectly edible fish sandwich, why would you ever go to Red Lobster?

Quality costs. If you want a "Casablanca meets Breakfast at Tiffany's" reception, you rent the Palais Royale Ballroom.

Am I explaining this correctly?
A professional entertainer is worth more than the sum total of his equipment expenses. Talent, skill, experience, enthusiasm, ethics... these are a few of the qualities that separate an excellent Master of Ceremonies for your wedding reception from the discount deejay.

Next post... "Couldn't I save money DIY-style with an iPod instead of hiring a deejay?" Short answer.. Of course!

Talent Show

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Chamberlin) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:44:00 +0000

This weekend was the 2010 Concord Mall "Show of the Stars", an Idol-esque vocal talent show held at center court. For the 5th year now, The Music Machine has been providing sound reinforcement and acting as Master of Ceremonies. The celebrity judges were the WFRN Morning Show DJs Doug & Vincy (and Vincy's brother... a talented performer in his own right). This year, 45 people participated in 3 divisions... Youth, Teen & Adult... The judges had a rough job whittling the field down to 3 prizes. 1st Place in each division received a $100 Concord Mall gift card!

Here's a link to the Fox28 video from today!

My next visit to Concord Mall will be on March 14th for the annual Prom Fashion Show. Hope to see some of you there!

Logo work

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Chamberlin) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:25:00 +0000

Big one

Little one

Our Photo Booth website has been updated!

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Chamberlin) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:12:00 +0000

http://mmphotobooths.com/

We had a lot of fun at the 2010 Indiana Bridal Spectacular at South Bend's Century Center this past weekend.

Lots of brides visit with us and took advantage of our new Fun Zone Photo Booth! This is booking quickly for the 2010 bridal season. Unlimited use during you reception! Props to fit your fun side.

2009 Year in Review begins... Party Under the Dome

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Chamberlin) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:08:00 +0000

Events this year included the Women of Cavanaugh Hall at the University of Notre Dame earning the title "Dorm of the Year!" They were one of only two dorms allowed use of the Rotunda for a winter formal dance. That's in the Administration building, known to the rest of us as the Golden Dome!

Congratulations Cavanaugh! We are looking forward to entertaining you and your guests in 2010!

New Thank You Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Chamberlin) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:42:00 +0000

This refers to a wedding reception about 3 weeks ago at St. Stanislaus/Terre Coupee Hall in New Carlisle.

A 4-H referral! In my gig as the St. Joseph Count 4-H Fair photographer, I've met lots of great kids and those kids have become wonderful adults. I am so happy that Kristi and her parents, Mick & Julie, chose me to entertain at Kristi and Steve's wedding. I look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Margaret & Rob August 15, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Chamberlin) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:34:00 +0000

Here are some photos from Matthew Whitlock and his Zeta-Alpha Studio. Matt and his assistant stay until their job is complete. Incredible coverage at the ceremony and reception.

I mentioned in a previous post that Margaret's sister Elizabeth is a budding baker and created the day's confection. Here she is serving her wares!

Elizabeth Bondurant
cake decorator - artist
612-437-9995
frithysb@sbcglobal.net

Mail Call!

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Chamberlin) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:22:00 +0000

I received a nice Thank You card in the mail today that I wanted to share.

Margaret & Rob had their reception at the South Bend Country Club. A fun family and a unique couple. The cake was baked by Margaret's sister and it matched their reception perfectly.

Here's an excellent idea... They also provided a bus to transport their guests to and from their hotels, the ceremony site and the reception. It got everyone where they needed to be on time and kept the out of town guests from getting lost in the wilds of western St. Joseph County!

I am on youTube!

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Chamberlin) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:41:00 +0000

DJ Paul from the Music Machine hosting the 2009 Kids' Triathlon after party at Potowatomi Park

Edited by Limelight Video

Return of the Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Chamberlin) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:07:00 +0000

I promise.... more frequent updates... photos.... videos....

Here we go!

This weekend was an excellent time with excellent people on the beach in Michigan City. The Beachwalk was the scene of Megan & John's wedding and the staging could not have been more perfect. Clouds & rain threatened to put a dampener on the day, but 5 minutes before the ceremony, the clouds parted and the sun shone on one of the sweetest presentations I have ever attended. John & Megan's friends performed the ceremony and presented the readings.

My contribution at the ceremony was to provide sound on a windy beach with crashing waves... and no power! A generator would just add more noise to the proceedings. Fortunately I found a 12-volt power supply with an inverter that offers clean and silent power for hours.

Here's a few photos!

Game Show for the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Chamberlin) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:37:00 +0000

This season has been busy! I just wanted to share a photo from this year's game... Are You Smarter... complete with Celebrity Guest 5th Graders for the contestants to "cheat" off of. Kevin & Daniel... you guys ROCK!

Saturday night at the Palais!

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Chamberlin) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:45:00 +0000

A spectacular evening this weekend! I love working with creative couples. Some people can really make the party their own! The elegance of the Palais Royale, the signature monogram projected over the stage, the talent and personalities of Aimee & Mark... Their guests will always remember October 6, 2007! Here's a video sample and some photographs I would like to share with Mr. & Dr. Scozzafave and their families! I took the photos here, but visit Valentino's Online for the good stuff! My friend Brian from River City Productions stopped by at 9 O'Clock on (a) Saturday too!

Palais Royale

What a wedding!

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Chamberlin) — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 23:57:00 +0000

Brandon loves Krystal! and Krystal loves Brandon! That's all they need. Their day is planned and it's going to be beautiful! The church has a gorgeous pipe organ that's really cool to see and hear. Their families are coming in from all over the country.
But Friday... Three Rivers is hit by a severe thunderstorm that takes out power to the church. No lights, no air conditioning... no organ. The church basement flooded too. Lots of humidity.
Saturday morning... the families pull together and hook up a generator to get some A/C into the bride's dressing room and the ladies all congregate in there. They drive up in an RV for the men to stay cool in. The church is lit up for a candlelight ceremony and acoustic music is provided by a guitar and piano.
Saturday night... the reception is held 4 blocks away where the power never went out and a great party was held.

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Chamberlin) — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 13:52:00 +0000

Welcome!

My first Blog post! I am Paul Chamberlin, owner and primary entertainer at The Music Machine. Brian at River City Productions set this up for me and it would be rude not to take advantage of it. I'll post from time to time about weddings and events I participate in. I'll also answer any questions put to me about the things I claim to know about. Who attends more classy but fun weddings than I do?

It's the last week of school here in Michiana and we just wrapped up the busy Sunburst Marathon weekend. It's an exciting and busy time at The Music Machine!

Hope to speak to you soon!