What inspired you to start David Rothstein Music?

In 1994 I returned from touring with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. I started playing with various wedding bands in the Chicago area. After a number of years performing as bassist for these bands, I found one truth was consistent in every group; they treated every client exactly the same. I could almost always predict what song was going to be played next. Even if people weren't dancing to a particular song they would keep playing it only because the song was on the set list and it worked for the client last week. I felt clients deserved to be treated better than just being another date on their calendar.

That's why in 2000 I decided to start David Rothstein Music, Inc.

What did you do to make your music company so special?

I auditioned the best possible and most professional musicians in Chicago. I wanted not only great players, but incredibly reliable and professional people. Once I had the band, it was time to build my team.

I wanted to create a company that would allow my clients to get an event specifically designed for them. My first step was to hire our full time arranger, Jeff Sanders. He is able to create arrangements of songs that aren't currently in our repertoire. The other bands were charging clients for each arrangement. We provide it for free. Many of our favorite songs have come from client requests.

We provide all our couples and clients with consistently packed dance floors, custom tailored schedules, a state of the art sound system, and so much more. Our events range from 400 guests at the Drake Hotel to a dinner party with 30 of their closest friends. Our goal is to make each event a 100% success based on the client's specific needs. We also provide our clients with special resources that they can tap into to make their schedule and music fit in with exactly what they envision. The bottom line is that we listen and care more than the average wedding band.

Tell me about the personal touches you create?

Building a great team of professionals is how we have grown so quickly. With all the technology that we use in our website and company, it will always come down to taking care of people and treating them as relatives and not account numbers.

This personal care and attention to detail was and will always be our inspiration to offer our clients our very best efforts every time. We invite you to visit our We Care About You page to see lots of examples of how much we care about each couple we play for.

Why do you have a separate ceremony department?

The other bands I played with were using the same musicians for both the Ceremony and Reception. I felt this was only a benefit for the music company, not the client. I wanted my clients to have talented classical musicians to perform for ceremony and Jazz/Rock musicians to perform for the Reception. This way the client would get the best of both types of music.

• Average Chicago Wedding Bands:

  Use the Same Musicians for the Ceremony and Reception.
  They leave the ceremony early and set up late for cocktails.

• David Rothstein Music:

  We use Experts in Ceremony Music and Experts in Dance Music for your Wedding. There will be no delay between the end of your wedding ceremony and the start of your cocktail hour. FREE DRM Ceremony Music Guide to help pick out your music and write your program.

Adding Violinist Alex Koffman as my business partner and Ceremony Consultant was a huge benefit to both the musicians and the brides. He works directly with the bride and grooms to help select the perfect music for every section of their wedding.

Tell me about your sound department?

The next step was to build a great sound system. I hired Jason Van Hoose to select all our equipment and hire the sound crew to assist in setting it up and tearing it down. Jason keeps track of the sound and layout of each venue where we perform. As a result, we bring the perfect size sound system for each room. Since he also owns a recording studio, the quality of the sound is his highest priority not just the amount of volume. Most bands equate high volume with high quality. I hate attending weddings where the guests cannot talk to each other. Jason monitors the volume throughout the event to make sure it's comfortable for everyone!

I love everything on your website. What's the next step?

Simply fill out the short "Here's the Next Step!" form, press submit You'll be instantly email our complete pricing packet. David will contact you quickly to answer any questions and set up a free consultation with you and your fiancee. 

We pride ourselves on having excellent customer service. You'll be getting a complete music company to help you every step of the way: from the day you fill out the form on our website to the very last note of your wedding.

Once I've signed a contract with you, what will I receive?

You will receive a template of your schedule, a list of arrangements for you to review,  our "Tell Us More About You" form,  a username and password for our resource guides. Also, we will establish a folder in the office so that we can keep track of every email we send and receive from you.

You will also be able to call or email anytime with any questions, big or small. Me or my assistant, Erica, will be more than happy to answer your questions very quickly.

We will set up two meetings. One a few months after establishing your contract to make sure you're on the right track and another to finalize all the details for your wedding. We're always available to help you!

I hope you've enjoyed reading a little bit about our music company. I look forward to meeting you in person sometime soon!

Best Wishes,

David Rothstein