Hi, welcome to Stage 1 Sound online. Whether you are here by accident, you were referred to me by myself or a friend, or you are totally lost- welcome!
My name is Dan Warner. I am the sole owner and primary DJ for any events we do. I started all this in February 1996. I was asked by someone in my church to play some music for a dance they were planning. I had some music, but not very much equipment to really do a dance. So, I went out and bought a receiver/amp and a CD player to add to the one I had. I bought a mixer and speakers and played the rotation of 50 CDs I had for that dance.
I started out so nervous about the whole thing. I would pick out all the songs I was going to play- exactly. I had a list made out. I put so much focus on the proper mixing and blending of the music I was playing that I couldn't be bothered by anyone with a request. Wow, that was a long time ago- but I was only 16.
A year later I had gained
many more CDs and better equipment. Things continually
progressed from there. I kept adding more music and buying more
sound equipment. Honestly, I knew little about the business. I
got started in all this having little prior knowledge of how a
DJ works. My personal idea was to play music that people wanted
to hear. I also felt it was important that the quality of the
sound be better than anyone had in their home. I feel that way
more than ever now. It's not worth hiring a professional unless
you are hiring a service you could not rent or borrow what it
would take to do such and event for the price you hire it for-
much less run all of it yourself!
Currently I am typically booked for weddings, school dances and other events nearly every weekend. Meeting strangers and making friends through music is awesome. I have learned much about the business not by learning from other DJs, but by experiencing what works best for people in the situations I am in. I try to offer a simple, straightforward service...entertainment.
Why the name "Stage 1 Sound"? Well, this is a long story. To make it short, one of my goals is to not only be just a professional DJ, but also rent out equipment and do live sound-reinforcement for any need from bands to charity events. All of it has to do with "sound." Stage 1 is primarily taken from music festivals with multiple stages and "Stage 1" usually has the most and best sound and lighting- it is the main event.
When I am not listening to music or playing it, I have a full-time job. I am a licensed master electrician in my town of Blue Earth, Minnesota. It works well to be an electrician and DJ, as all of the equipment I use as a DJ needs power and I am able to maintain it myself.
Please, check out the rest of my site!
Dan Warner
Owner, Stage 1 Sound
