Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Jones.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mike. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Music has always been a part of my life and I can thank my parents and grandmother for that. Mom and dad had Columbia record service drop off the records and 8-Tracks… yes 8-tracks. The radio was always on in the cars and I began to pick out my favorite artists as a kid. Elvis was a first and foremost. My aunt and my mom would always have his music on while dad would play everything from the Mills Brothers to Marshall Tucker and everything in between.
All of the music that I was exposed to told a story and attached itself to a memory. Some of them where great and some not so great. All of it held emotion and could recreate that emotion when listening to a particular song. I will never forget a tape that my brother and I created when we were kids. We used a Zenith record player and a Panasonic tape recorder and many reused TDK and Maxell cassettes to record an intro piece. My brother and I put on a Spike Jones album and began creating intros. I will never forget it…and as long as my mom has the cassette…nobody will.
MMDJS started in 1992 by way of being asked if I knew someone who could supply music for a corporate company picnic that I happened to work for at the time. That one event started a chain reaction that has continued to this day. The events became more involved and it was necessary to make this a career and not a hobby. In 1999 the MMDJS website was launched and really became official. The tag line “Your Personal Disc Jockey” was and still is a very important piece to the company. It lets the clients know that they are just a customer but, VIP’s that have included me in their celebrations.
In 2016 MMDJS became MJEAE. We have always been more than a DJ service. We offer many services for all of our clients and thus changes our name to better describe our company and brand.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In the beginning I had no formal training, just the love of entertaining and the love of music. It was by learning from others along the way and ultimately joining professional organizations. This led me to conferences and training classes to be a better master of ceremonies and DJ. This entailed learning the art of reading a crowd, focusing on the guest or guest of honor and not making it about what I can do. The challenge to actually make a living in the industry was tough at first but, knowing now…I should have made the change to full time 10 years sooner. Obstacles can be summed up as what the general public sees as a DJ…and to some point it’s embarrassing. A great group of us strive to build upon our professional process to give our clients the memories they deserve and wish for when seeking a professional.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Mike Jones Entertainment and Events – what should we know?
We have celebrated with some of the largest corporate clients such as Genuine Parts Company/Napa, Johnson Industries, ADP, Atlanta Classic Cars, Delta, and many others. Our travels take us up and down the eastern coast from the ACCA temple in Richmond, Virginia to the Amelia Islands Plantation in Amelia Island, Florida. Some of our favorites locations that love us are Chateau Elan, Marriott Grand National, Callaway Gardens, Kent Rock Manor, Alpharetta Athletic Club, Buford Community Center, Lake Lanier Islands, Hackney Warehouse, McGuire Millrace Farms, Druid Hills Golf Club, and a host of other beautiful locations. What is incredible is that no matter how large or small…the end result is that everyone wants a GREAT party and to celebrate with others.
MJEAE specializes in custom events and not cookie cutter events. Every client is different. We remember that at every planning session. We stress the importance to make it their celebration and not what we did at the last wedding.
I am known as the DJ/MC that puts the emotion in motion. I am proud of the fact that I am remembered by so many that I have been a part of an incredible moment in their lives. Whether it’s their wedding day or an award celebration, they remember the party! I was given a statement recently “Give the Best Version of You!” I try at all time to do that for my clients.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My parents for keeping the radio on.
Shari Gillette Cox for the break at doing the company picnic at Johnson Industries (1st Corporate Events).
My wife Audrey for giving me the opportunity to go full time and pursue my dream.
Bill Hanna for keeping me up to date in the technology and just being there as one of my closest friends.
JB Jams Entertainment (Sue and Judy) for believing in me.
All of my MMDJS and MJEAE clients that gave me a shot.
All of the venues and wedding professionals that trusted me with their referrals.
My band teacher Lou Adams – teaching me life lessons through music.
Contact Info:
- Address: MJEAE
3600 Dallas Highway
Suite 230-127
Marietta, Georgia - Website: www.mikejoneseae.com
- Phone: 770-402-0805
- Email: mike@mikejoneseae
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikejoneseae/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikejoneseae/
Image Credit:
Kalyan Bradley
Tom Smarch
Mike Moon
Jennifer Crutchfield
Glen and Rebecca Wilson
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