Milwaukee’s Top Music and Entertainment Artists

Every wedding needs an epic soundtrack!
From the DJ spinning that romantic tune for your first dance to that live band performing the last song of the night!
Music makes your event come to life and keeps your guests engaged and energized!

Meet Milwaukee’s finest in the music & entertainment industry below!

ACA Music & Entertainment

Meet Matt….

How did you get into the music industry?

My Grandparents met in a music store. My Grandma was buying accordion sheet music, and my Grandfather was an accordion teacher at the store. It was love at first site propelled by polkas! My Dad, Aunts, and Uncle all played music. My Dad and Uncle’s band, The Encores, was the first band I played in when I was around 13 years old. Since then it’s all I’ve wanted to do.

What do you love about working in the music industry and being a special part of weddings?

I love seeing the effect music has on people. It’s the way guests are moved by a beautiful piece of music during the ceremony, or how the energy of a live band gets people on the dance floor… often to their own surprise. It’s fun to observe and more fun to be a part of.

How long before a wedding date would you suggest looking into music options?

For a band, I’d highly recommend starting the search at least a year in advance. DJs 6 months to a year in advance. Ceremony music 6 months in advance.

What is a tip you have for couples who are starting the process of planning their wedding and trying to decide on what style of music they want?

Most likely, you will have your entire family and guests of all ages at your celebration. Some of the older guests might get out and dance to Frank Sinatra, while the younger guests will be packing the floor to Lizzo or Ariana Grande. The best weddings I’ve been a part of are the ones that are the most inclusive and utilize a song list that spans multiple generations.

Are there any unique trends you see for 2020 and coming for 2021 for weddings?

We’re starting to get more requests for live streaming. This allows prospective clients to experience bands or DJs without crashing a wedding, and for guests who can’t attend the big day to still feel like they’re a part of the event.

The micro-wedding concept has become a convenient solution for many during this pandemic. Many are opting to do a small wedding now and have a big party next year. Micro-weddings generally don’t include a big dance party, so couples are choosing to use smaller live music ensembles for the ceremony, cocktail, and dinner reception.

Is there anything you wish couples knew about hiring music/entertainment that doesn’t seem to get shared?

A great group of musicians can create very magical moments. If you can imagine it, we will do all we can to make it happen. We had a bride who, as a little girl, dreamed of walking down the aisle to a Hollywood orchestra playing the theme from Gone With The Wind. For them to hire an entire studio orchestra to perform at the wedding just wasn’t physically or financially feasible, so we used a mix of live musicians and live sample patches that sounded and felt like the real thing.

Tell us…..what is your favorite part of the wedding day!?

The first hour after the first dance. No doubt. That’s the moment when everyone really lets their hair down and the party energy breaks loose.

Xcite Entertainment

Meet Spencer & Daryl….

How did you get into the music industry?

I started out as an assistant DJ to Daryl Burczyk. At the time he owned Spin Doctors which was one of the biggest DJ companies in Wisconsin. Most of the DJs that started out with him went on to start their own DJ businesses. Rather than going into the wedding industry, I went into the club scene. I performed at some of the biggest clubs in the United States as well as on yacht parties and fashion shows, playing alongside Grammy nominated artists. After years of throwing parties and traveling the US, my wife domesticated me. Once I became a father, I quickly realized I could no longer be taking red eyes and djing till 5am. I saw Daryl at a coffee shop, both of us now fathers, and we joked about getting together to DJ weddings again. One thing led to another and the next thing I knew Xcite Entertainment was born.

What do you love about working in the music industry and being a special part of weddings?

What I love about weddings are the traditions and meaningful songs. Wedding DJs have the ability to bring back memories while creating new ones. For example, I had a groom whose father passed away and his favorite song was Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd. When I played that song there wasn’t a dry eye in the venue. It was great to see so many people celebrating in his life. Being a part of a wedding is like being part of the family. The biggest compliment is when we DJ a wedding and then be asked again if we could DJ their friend’s and family’s weddings. After DJing the youngest of 4 daughter’s weddings, the father came up and said how much they loved having us there.

How long before a wedding date would you suggest looking into music options?

As soon as you get engaged, it’s always best to start looking for a DJ. We book up quickly and unlike some DJ companies who have 10+ DJs a night, we pride ourselves in having quality over quantity.

What is a tip you have for couples who are starting the process of planning their wedding and trying to decide on what style of music they want?

When you book with Xcite, you’re not just booking someone to play music, you are booking a company with over 20 years of experience who go above and beyond expectations. Some even go as far as call us wedding planners. Our goal is to make sure you do not have to worry about a thing. Our process starts off with a wedding planner guide. This guide includes everything from a set itinerary, to the time you are taking sunset pictures to the type of music you want played. Not every wedding is alike, so it is our job to get a better idea of what type of music you want. This way every wedding is personalized. For example, some weekends we would play top 40 and country and the next will be Rap and Heavy Metal.  Before Covid-19 we always wanted to meet our couples just to get to know their personality. If there were any advice I would give, it would be to interview your DJ; ask questions. These are our top 3 questions you should ask.

• Do you have back up equipment?
  • We always have back up equipment
• Who will be my DJ?
  • Far too many DJ companies are hiring DJs off Facebook and job search sites without any proper training. We have a small crew of professional DJs that have been doing this for years.
• What planning tools do you have?
  • We have our own client portal where couples can start requesting music, make payments and review any of our planning guides.

Are there any unique trends you see for 2020 and coming for 2021 for weddings?

We notice more couples are getting rid of formalities. What I mean by that is most couples have stopped doing wedding party dances as well as garter and bouquet tosses. As far as music goes, Tik Tok dances are all the rage so DJs better be up to date on the new songs and dances. As Covid-19 continues to linger, most weddings will likely be smaller and more intimate. Also, more couples are foregoing big sit down dinners. Instead offering appetizers and food stations. The Midwest is known for having 8+ hour weddings, while the rest of the US sticks to 4 hour weddings. I have a feeling the Midwest will be moving toward this trend.

Is there anything you wish couples knew about hiring music/entertainment that doesn’t seem to get shared?

When considering a DJ make sure you ask questions. When you are throwing the biggest party of your life, you want someone who can entertain your guests for 5+ hours straight. After going to a few weddings, you quickly realize that there is a big difference between someone playing music and a DJ who can Entertain. Reading the crowd only comes from years of experience. Playing music is one thing but interacting with your crowd and engaging with them is what sets us apart from other DJs.

Tell us…..what is your favorite part of the wedding day!?

There are special moments that not many people get to see. I love what goes on behind the scenes. While everyone is waiting for the bride to walk out, I get to see that intimate moment between a bride and her father. Another behind the scenes moment that I love is right before the grand march. There is no better feeling than getting the guests amped up. Guests wait in anticipation while clapping to the beat of the music, the bass is rattling ballroom and on the other side of those doors are the newlyweds. One thing I always say to them is “Are you ready to have the best time of your life?” It is at that moment when I make the announcement, open the doors, and a rush of emotion comes across the newlywed’s smiling faces. No matter how many weddings we do, these moments always gives me goosebumps.

The Wedding Djay

Meet Mark….

How did you get into the music industry?

I began working as a radio DJ at several stations around Wisconsin and starting entertaining at various nightclubs around the state.  Folks were enthusiastic about my unique blend of music for everyone, as well as my entertaining style, and began requesting me to perform at their Wedding Reception….  and the rest is history, sort of speak, as I’ve been providing wonderful experiences at Weddings around the state for the past 30 years!

What do you love about working in the music industry and being a special part of weddings?

Its not so much about working in the music industry, but more about taking the vision of the bride and groom and turning it into reality, making their day very special with music, entertainment of guests… creating a unique atmosphere with lighting,  sound and more!

How long before a wedding date would you suggest looking into music options?

Its always good to start as soon as possible, but it can be done at the last minute too!  I remember a recent wedding, where a majority of the guests were from Europe.   I took care of many of their special requests during the night, not typically heard in the US, with some special techniques I use, on the fly, during the reception.  Everyone was surprised that I was able to play their special songs!

What is a tip you have for couples who are starting the process of planning their wedding and trying to decide on what style of music they want?

It’s good to have a guide or outline of the sort of music you’d like to hear, but weddings are very organic, growing, changing and shifting thru the night.  One minute guests might be dancing to latest pop songs, then suddenly a bubble of disco pops up for a song or two.  It’s always changing and that’s the fun, excitement and challenge of being a Wedding Djay

Are there any unique trends you see for 2020 and coming for 2021 for weddings?

One of the things I’ve been doing for a while, and has been well received, is the use of a surround sound music system.  It’s something I’ve been working to perfect for several years…   It’s a special way to project the music around the reception so that it’s at a perfect volume on the dance floor, but not overbearing for guests relaxing at their table.  When you think of it a reception is like a family reunion with folks reconnecting with friends and relatives thru the night.   Having the surround sound system keeps everyone immersed in the moment, and I’ve found guests stay at the reception longer and the party is better for it!

Is there anything you wish couples knew about hiring music/entertainment that doesn’t seem to get shared?

Trust the advice and guidance from your Wedding DJ.  They’ve had the experience of many, many receptions to know what works – and most importantly what doesn’t.   They will guide you to having an amazing reception.

Tell us…..what is your favorite part of the wedding day!?

I think it’s the very end of the night!  What I like to do is gather everyone together with the Bride and Groom to take a group photo…  You can see the pure joy of the day reflected in their smiles and faces….

DJ Express

Meet Jeff….

How did you get into the music industry?

When I was younger  I was a gigantic music fan When I was about 18 I got asked to help a friend DJ in a night club and right then I was hooked .I was DJING at local bars and clubs for fun for the next few years  Then in 1993 a friend was getting married and told me he couldn’t afford a DJ OR A BAND and I thought about some of the old day DJ equipment I still had in my basement my huge selection of music cd`s I had bought over the years and decided to DJ his wedding and told my friend it was my gift to him and couldn’t believe how well it went and how much fun we had that night I even got 2 customers who wanted me to do their weddings and DJ Express Disc Jockey Service was born that evening.

What do you love about working in the music industry and being a special part of weddings?

What I love about the music industry is  it has brought me so many opportunities to help plan peoples celebrations and special memories and to watch total strangers in front of me celebrate and have a special evening and being such a people person I get to have the chance to meet so many interesting people.

And being a part of someone`s  wedding day is so special to me and here is why…as corny as this sounds I really do feel this way couples invite a lot of guests to their weddings but they have many choices on who to choose as a DJ for their special day and it is such a honor of mine that they choose me and my service  to be a part of their day and I do not take that lightly this is the  part that a bride and groom might not think about but I got right away that as years go by in their lives and anniversaries come up they will think back on their wedding day they will look back and I will be a part of their special day always and it means more than I could ever express or tell you….

How long before a wedding date would you suggest looking into music options?

Many customers start a couple years before the date getting everything together and some less time but I would recommend at least a year before the event so  that way you are not being rushed  picking out your vendors, halls and such let’s just say your entertainment should be considered a very big part of your special day because it is the memory that leaves the lasting impression of the day.

What is a tip you have for couples who are starting the process of planning their wedding and trying to decide on what style of music they want?

Go over with the DJ you choose how wide their music selection is so that they can cover all genres that might be needed we recommend a phone call or even a face to face meeting with your specific DJ so that you both are on the same page and understand what is needed for your day also find out if the DJ service has multiple DJ’s working  for them so if a emergency comes up your day will still be covered for entertainment.

Are there any unique trends you see for 2020 and coming for 2021 for weddings?

A lot of trends lately have been including ceremony music as well as cocktail dinner and reception music and also check if your DJ has up lighting for the ambiance for the room.

Is there anything you wish couples knew about hiring music/entertainment that doesn’t seem to get shared?

Lots of DJ’s have a lot of hidden costs such as ..trip charge, setup fee’s and also tear down fee’s……..WE DO NOT!!!

Tell us…..what is your favorite part of the wedding day!?

My favorite part of a wedding is…at the end of the day when the grooms shirt is un-tucked and the brides bottom of her dress is all dirty from dancing all night and as their guest leave hearing them tell them it was such a fun wedding. Knowing I had so much to do with that….but most of all when the bride and groom come up to me thanking me for making their day so special…there are no words I could use to tell you how that feels…

Complete Weddings + Events

Meet Misty & Josh….

How did you get into the music industry?

Good old fashioned college newspaper ad.  It seemed like a good fit in that it offered meeting new people every weekend and playing music for a crowd.  The wedding and event industry has essentially been in my blood ever since.

What do you love about working in the music industry and being a special part of weddings?

It is great to be the soundtrack and key part of an important part of people’s lives, and set to the backdrop of one of the biggest parties they will ever throw.  It carries a responsibility to deliver fun and organization, and I love to deliver for couples and their guests.

How long before a wedding date would you suggest looking into music options?

No two couples are the same and their priorities are diverse as well, so it is difficult to put a specific set time frame.  However, I believe it is a top tier consideration given that the music is at least half the day and all the party.  My advice that I give personal connections regarding priority  is venue(s), food/beverage, music, photo/video in pretty much that order.

What is a tip you have for couples who are starting the process of planning their wedding and trying to decide on what style of music they want?

The biggest piece of advice that I can give is to start with what you want the party to be and work backwards.  If the vision is a packed dance floor realize that is a result of many people hearing their favorite songs.  Make sure that the DJ knows to push to for requests.  The other thing to remember is this is your family and friends, so think of the songs that get Aunt Rita dancing in her chair or that you and your college friends screamed at your house parties.  And of course make sure your favorite dance tunes are on the request list early.  The other note I give couples I work with is cocktail and dinner music is the time to be 100% personal taste.  That is the ideal space to show your personality and open the doors to your favorite experimental jazz, alt rock or other genre for all your family and friends.

Are there any unique trends you see for 2020 and coming for 2021 for weddings?

The timely answer is masks and social distance – ha.  To actually answer the question I believe that the current climate of quarantine and reimagination of wedding days is fostering a creative side that may not have had a chance to fully blossom.  I picture that weddings are going to have higher amounts of personal touches, and also some unique methods of guest interaction.  That and even higher excitement to see family and friends.

Is there anything you wish couples knew about hiring music/entertainment that doesn’t seem to get shared?

Keep in mind that this is someone that is going to be with you for a big amount of time on an important day.  Make sure to put priority on picking someone you personally like that you believe will mesh well with your guests.

Tell us…..what is your favorite part of the wedding day!?

Watching a group of people that do not see each other nearly enough catch up when they are all in a happy place.