Meet the DJ

Jason Yoshino

From a young music-loving roadie to one of the Midwest’s leading entertainment specialists and DJs, the transformation of Jason Yoshino has an intriguing story behind it – one of hard work, passion and commitment to delivering the very best standards.

Like many successful DJs, Jason Yoshino has always had a love for music. But it wasn’t until his family settled in the Midwest that his talents as an entertainer and businessman had the space to flourish and he began to follow his dream.

Originally from Kaneohe, HI, Jason was a military child whose family moved around a lot. After moving to the Midwest, he did most of his growing up in South Dakota, eventually going on to attend Colorado Technical University, where he gained a degree in Management Information Systems. It was during this time – almost 20 years ago – that Jason was ‘bitten by the bug’ and started out on the path to becoming a professional DJ; first carrying gear and undertaking roadie duties for one of his friends, but later DJing his own events for friends and college kids. But can he pinpoint exactly when he first found his passion for entertainment?

“I've always had a love for music and entertainment,” explains Jason. “There isn't just one moment. There are many over the years. I formed my company, Energy, back in 1998 and we held college events every Thursday and Friday throughout the beginning of 2000. I also worked weekends at HOT 104.7 as an on-air disc jockey.”

After being involved in concert promotion for a while, working with local promoters, Jason landed the role as Promotional Director for a South Dakota-based music festival called Bash in the Grass, where he spent three years. For a while he also acted as Music Director for the NBA D-Leagues Sioux Falls Skyforce and the Arena Indoor Football League team, Sioux Falls Storm, before joining another local DJ company and cutting his teeth as a wedding DJ.

Following this eclectic mix of roles in a range of entertainment sectors, the real change for Jason came in 2006, when he left the local DJ company to continue work with his own company, Energy Productions, specializing mainly in weddings but taking on corporate events and some school parties too.

Currently, Jason’s company services South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska, but events have seen him venture into other states over the years. As well as wedding DJ and hosting services, Energy Event Group offers everything from uplighting and dance-floor lighting to animated projection monograms and pin-spotting – and Jason’s passion for effective lighting really does come through in his work!

“Lighting has grown the business tremendously and our lighting revenues are almost 40% of our business now,” he tells us. “We love going into a space and painting the blank canvas with lighting. I’m known for my innovative lighting designs and I utilize – and enjoy – the versatility of several ADJ products. I believe you have to have many different tools for every event; every space is different and requires different types of lights. I like to think I’m quite skillful at taking advantage of the current and future trends, creating dramatic, colorful, bursting effects and setting the mood for any size reception hall, working with my clients to evoke the emotion and ambiance they desire for their special day.”

Putting aside his acumen as a businessman for a moment, Jason as a DJ is equally as passionate. When he’s behind the decks, he loves to play EDM music; favoring the genre for its high-energy production and the feel-good vibe it can bring to the dance-floor. But when it comes to keeping the floor moving, Jason loves to play what he calls ‘a quick hitter’ by dropping some Shut Up And Dance and then going straight into 2015’s biggest pop hit, ‘Uptown Funk’.

As an experienced DJ with a deep-seated love for the music he plays, Jason must have a memorable gig that stands out above all the rest? “I would have to say there are many memorable times,” he says. “But recently we did a wedding where we incorporated confetti canons, CO2 guns, tons of lighting effects, and more, while we DJed. The bride and groom had an epic time! Especially once we broke out the CO2 gun and they were shooting it over their guests on the packed dance-floor…”

It may well be this combination of customization and chaos which makes Jason and his Energy Event Group team so popular with brides, grooms, companies and schools across the Midwest! Indeed, energy is a key element of Jason’s events – as well as his company name! – so it makes sense that a fun, feel-good party atmosphere is at the heart of everything he does.

“What really separates us from many in our market is our style of interaction; using MC abilities professionally but being able to make the dance celebration into an experience that many guests haven’t had unless they've attended an EEG wedding before,” explains Jason. “We love to mix in some of the uplighting, using DMX capabilities and higher energy music to give things a ‘club’ feel. Often we go to Vegas to find inspiration and bring something back to recreate that experience.”

Aside from these very visual aspects, Jason also believes that the attitude of him and his team is another thing that makes Energy Event Group stand out from its local competitors as the go-to company for fun, energetic events: “I try to take it to the next level and exceed expectations for every event,” he says. “I believe the individual attention we give our clients – our ability to connect with them on a personal level – is what makes us stand out amongst other wedding and event DJs in our area. I love that every event we do is different, creating dreams for our clients.  I love the music and the passion that comes with hosting and entertaining at an event.”

This passion is something that Jason shares with many of the friends and contacts he’s made at tradeshows and through social media during the years since he first started out in the world of entertainment. Always happy to socialize, he also hosts a networking dinner each year at the Mobile Beat event in Las Vegas, holding a similar event at the Las Vegas DJ Show. “I believe the more good positive people you surround yourself with, the better,” Jason explains. “Most of the DJs I’ve met over the years love what they do and they love to help others to grow in positive ways.”

When he isn’t focused on DJing and running his successful business, Jason enjoys spending time with his family, who love to travel: “I have a wonderful wifey, Jessica Yoshino, and we've been married for almost four years now. We have a wonderful little boy that turns one this month and also a daughter who will be turning 14 in the summer,” says Jason. “If you follow me on social media, you’ll know I love my family first and my business next – although, I do admit that I’m an addict when it comes to being an entrepreneur!”

While his family undoubtedly comes as top priority, this love of business and positive evolvement is a big part of Jason’s life. Even when he isn’t busy running his own company, he’s setting up networks and events to help others grow theirs.

“Back in 2010, my passion for weddings led me to create the Sioux Empire Wedding Network – a conglomerate of wedding-related vendors, including DJs, photographers, cake professionals, wedding planners, florists, reception venues, and others suppliers based in Sioux Falls and the surrounding areas,” Jason tells us. “I love what I do and love the wedding professionals that I work with, so I thought ‘why not create a network where brides can go for all their wedding planning needs?’ Our network website is designed to provide information on all the services an engaged couple will need to plan their dream wedding day on one web page, eliminating the need for time-consuming web searches.”

In the beginning of 2013, Energy Productions evolved into a bigger brand, Energy Event Group to encompass the Sioux Empire Wedding Network and the wedding showcases his team produces.

An example of just how far drive, passion and entrepreneurship can take you, Jason’s story – from young music-loving college kid to leading entertainment specialist – is an inspiring one, showcasing what helps make a DJ business stand out from its competitors while simultaneously inspiring others within the industry. In light of this, does Jason have any advice for all those up and coming DJs out there?

“I would say a good word of advice is to not only know how to DJ, but to know how to entertain the right way, by using the microphone and being a good host/emcee,” he says. “That's a huge part of being a successful wedding DJ.”

We think you’ll find it doesn’t get much simpler – or truer – than that.

To get in touch with Jason Yoshino or for more information on Energy Event Group use the web and social media links below:

Website: http://www.energyeventgroup.com
Email: jason@energyeventgroup.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnergyEventGroup/?pnref=lhc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/siouxfallsdj
Snapchat: @siouxfallsdj
Instagram: @siouxfallsdj

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