Photo courtesy of Simple Moments Photography
Remaining photos provided by Uptown Sound
A great DJ is so much more than a good playlist. He or she guides your guests through the evening, helping to make the experience seamless for everyone as they transition from dinner to toasts to dancing. We love working with the guys over at Uptown Sound – they’ve got a fabulous understanding of timing and they keep the dance floor hopping all night! Plus – they do pretty, pretty lighting. Here’s owner Aaron Kannowski to tell us a little about himself and the business!
When and how did you get into the wedding industry?
I was pretty young when I first got into music. A brief timeline of my first “semi-professional” DJ jobs includes:
- Third grade: I played oldies in our local supermarket for a store promotion. My dad was the store manager and “hired” me to DJ for a few days. I got paid in cassette tapes instead of cash.
- Fifth grade: I deejayed our neighborhood block party, playing a mix of music for the adults and my elementary school friends. I still vividly remember playing “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” by Wang Chung and some then-current hits by Bobby Brown.
- Seventh grade: I deejayed my own middle school dances, since they didn’t have the budget to hire a paid DJ. The most popular song at the dance that year was the hot new song by Sir Mix-A-Lot: “Baby Got Back.”
Eventually this led to more school dances, birthday parties, and finally a few weddings when I was a freshman in high school. I was too young to drive, but my parents gave me a ride to my gigs. Uptown Sound was established in 2009, although I ran a different DJ company in Michigan from 1994 to 2003.
Where are you based and where do you meet with clients?
We have two offices – one in Allen, TX and one in Uptown Dallas – where we meet clients.
What makes you different at what you do?
In addition to my experience at weddings, my work in radio (1994 to 2008) gave me a great understanding of how to select and sequence music, as well as what to say on the mic. I can usually keep the dance floor hopping without needing to rely on “gimmicks” or being a “hype man.” I am also a professional part-time mastering engineer, which means my audio editing skills are very sharp. I provide all of my clients with custom edited short versions and/or fun medleys for their special dances.
What are some of the best compliments you’ve received from your clients?
The best compliments are always when I receive a text message the next day after the wedding. If a bride takes time away from her honeymoon, or at the very least her first day with her new husband, to say how happy she was with my services, that makes me feel really great.
What do you love most about weddings?
I love getting to meet some outstanding people—both clients and other wedding vendors—through my work in the wedding industry. It’s also fun to watch everyone having a great time on the dance floor!
If Aaron and Uptown Sound have piqued your interest, reach out to them by email at aaron@uptownsound.com or by phone at 214.491.8283!
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