The Music Man… and So Much More

Just call him “Sawyer.” That’s the first thing you learn when you meet Chad Sawyer, a music maven and Owner of Moonlight Mobile DJ.  But our inquiring minds wanted to know more, so we recently had the pleasure of speaking with Sawyer about his background and his business. And what we learned is that Sawyer is truly a man of many interests and talents.

Born and raised in San Diego, Sawyer took full advantage of its coastal location and year-round warm climate.  But one thing kept Sawyer hanging around the house as much as the beach – his parents were music enthusiasts, and there was always a wide variety of tunes being played in his home.  Sawyer began to develop a love for dancing, and by the time he was in high school, he became hooked on DJ’ing.

But being a DJ was just for fun (or so he thought at the time), so Sawyer began to embark on more scholarly pursuits.  After high school, he spent a year in Japan, teaching English as a second language.  While there, he studied martial arts and earned a 4^th degree Black Belt in Aikido.

Returning to the US, Sawyer attended the University of Nevada Reno, where he majored in Secondary Education and History, and if that wasn’t enough, he also had a double minor in Japanese and English.  After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree, he got a job as a teacher of Advanced Placement American History and Government.  While teaching, he went back to UNR and earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration.

But all through this time of academic enlightenment, Sawyer’s love for music remained strong.  He got some gigs DJ’ing in local clubs, then he transitioned into mobile and private events, including weddings.  In 2003, Sawyer took the plunge and started Moonlight Mobile DJ.  Now he says, “I couldn’t be happier DJ’ing for a living.”

Fortunately, we were able to get Sawyer to sit still long enough to answer a few questions about his profession:

There’s always the dilemma between having a live band or a DJ for your wedding.  How should the couple decide whether to have a band or a DJ?

Cost is certainly one factor in this decision as bands are typically more expensive.  Bands do bring something to a reception that a DJ cannot, the power of live animated music.  A great DJ on the other hand brings versatility and a much wider library of music. Not to mention, if you love the sound of the original singer and musicians, a DJ is your only option. For weddings, I do love live music during the ceremony and cocktail hour – it adds a touch of elegance, and you can save the DJ ‘til when you’re ready to PAR-TEE!

Once you decide on a DJ, how do you select the right one for you?

Of all of the service providers that a couple will hire for their wedding day, the DJ has the ability to ruin their wedding the quickest!  If the photographer is terrible, you won’t know until 3 weeks after the wedding, but if your DJ is bad, everyone is going to notice immediately!  A wedding couple places a lot of trust in their DJ.

My recommendation is to interview 2 to 3 DJ’s.  Start with a phone interview initially. Even though you are not physically there, tone and voice inflection is important.  You can learn a lot with a phone call, Skype or Facetime.  Asking the DJ about their style and how they plan to interact with your guests will help you get a sense of what type of person you are hiring.

[Publisher’s Note:  At Tahoe Engaged, we take it a step further to ensure that our DJ’s, as well as all of our vendors, have a business license, business insurance and 5-star references from trusted wedding industry professionals and prior wedding clients.]

Can a wedding couple see a DJ in action before hiring him or her?

This is a tough issue because most of the events that I DJ are private, so you can’t see me perform.  I do have a video on my website that highlights my style and past events.  I also have multiple videos up on YouTube, Instagram and other social media platforms for wedding couples to see.

What are common misconceptions about DJ Services?

Some misconceptions about DJ’s are that we just play music.  In a club setting this might be true.  However at a wedding, a skilled DJ is a liaison between vendors, an MC, as well as mixing and playing music. 

How has technology affected the DJ at weddings?

For the reception, technology for the most part has made accessing songs on the fly incredibly easy.

But cell phones during ceremonies have become a technological drawback. The data streaming on everyone’s phones can interrupt the wireless mics that the couple are using for their ceremony. I always ask guests to place their phones on Airplane Mode, and this helps a lot.  Guests can still take photos, but stopping the data streaming allows the microphones to work properly.

Are there reception venues in Lake Tahoe that have restrictions on music?

Yes, there are noise restrictions in Tahoe.  All amplified music outdoors must end by 10pm unless other arrangements have been made, or the venue is indoors.

[Publisher’s Note:  These same restrictions exist at wedding venues throughout California.]

What have weddings taught you?

Weddings have taught me to be humble, listen to requests, and always go above and beyond for my clients.  Customer service is everything.

What is the best advice you give a couple when planning their wedding?

Hire the best professionals, trust them, relax and enjoy your day.  Don’t spend time worrying about details on the day of your wedding.

When you’re not DJ’ing, what activities do you enjoy in your spare time?

I love spending time with my kids – skiing, snowboarding, surfing, sailing and hiking… In Tahoe, there are sports for every season!