Meet Michael
"I hired Michael based on a video that was sent to me from Amplify Entertainment. It was impressive, and wow, did I luck out! Michael is the epitome of a talented professional. He contacted me in advance for my needs, took his own time to check out the venue, and was there hours early to set up his lighting and sound. Once the client event started, people were mesmerized by not only his talent, but his personality and the way he engaged the group. Hiring talent for a corporate event is never easy, however, I would highly recommend Michael for corporate, and any type of event. He will be first on my mind for upcoming events."
Ellen, Visit Sarasota
"I think the best way to describe our Leon High School Class of 1966 70th Birthday Party is… Oh, what a night! The party was a huge hit! … Michael, the DJ, played songs from the '60s plus other favorites. He went above and beyond by teaching some new dance steps to the eager crowd. Thank you, Amplify Entertainment, for providing Michael to us for our party; he certainly provided an evening of entertainment. We highly recommend him!"
Leon High School Class of 1966
"Amplify Entertainment went above and beyond to ensure that the entertainment at my daughter's Bat Mitzvah was exactly what we wanted. They were happy to meet with us beforehand to discuss and prepare for the event. Our DJ, Michael, did a spectacular time in terms of MC'ing the night and 'reading the crowd' in terms of when to play party games vs. play music, etc... I highly recommend them!"
Jana
"I’m just now heading to bed after a very long night and an even longer week of pulling together the final details of my mother’s surprise 60th birthday party. I must say it was a very good night!! My mother was very surprised. She had a great time and so did the guests. I was getting very concerned over the last couple weeks as saw the guest list plummet. I wasn’t sure if this was going to be a complete fail. I must say your staff delivered!! They went above and beyond!! Michael and his assistant were amazing!!! They were professional, energetic, and got people involved. From day one your company has been nothing but a delight to deal with. Every step of the way!! I believe every single guest asked me about the DJ and commented at how good they were. I just wanted to take a minute to let you know that you and your staff exceeded my expectations in every way. And I am truly appreciative of the extra effort to make the night an enjoyable one for my mom, the guests and myself. Thanks again and thanks to Michael and his assistant."
Fran
"We had Michael from Amplify Entertainment DJ our wedding and he was SO great! From start to finish, Nate & Michael were super helpful with the entire planning process and were both very quick to respond to emails/texts. Michael did a great job of using the information we gave him in our meetings to guide his song selections & to get people out on the dance floor- I think all wedding guests would agree that his selections were on point! We highly recommend Michael from Amplify Entertainment!"
Kelsey + Danny
"Just wanted to tell you how absolutely FABULOUS Michael was on Saturday night. He was so much fun and had this huge gaggle of girls completely engaged the whole night! Who knew Dodge Ball could be such a thing at a Bat Mitzvah! We can do a lot on our end to set up the party for success, but I'm more and more convinced that it is the DJ who can truly make or break it. And Michael delivered - and made us look very good. Thank you SO much - to both of you for all that you do!"
Jodi, Green Party Events
"Nate was really professional and easy to work with when we set up our contract, and Michael did an absolutely outstanding job as DJ! We got several comments about how nice the guitar sounded both before and during the ceremony, and how nicely the reception engaged all guests. Micheal obviously listened to our suggestions for the night, was very flexible on meetings and very responsive. We really appreciated his energy and how much he went above and beyond to make sure we were happy."
Holly + Adam
"Our DJ, Michael, from Amplify Entertainment was outstanding! As a musician myself, I was skeptical hiring someone outside of my friend group, but as soon as I met Nate, my mind was at ease. He and Michael both listened to my concerns and were super awesome to work with! Our guests still keep commenting on how wonderful the music was at the reception and we had such a blast dancing the night away. Thank you so much for making our big day truly fabulous!"
Diane + Daniel
"My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed having Michael with Amplify Entertainment DJ our wedding day. He exceeded our every expectation and kept an energetic vibe the whole time. Amplify Entertainment does an outstanding job to figure out exactly how you want your event to go. I am so thankful that they provided us with packets to fill out because they covered every area imaginable. With planning a wedding, that was so helpful because we did not have to stress out about what we needed to provide the DJ. We also had the KidStation set up outside and the kids enjoyed it very much. It is an awesome item to have if you are going to have a lot of children at your event). Thank you Michael for everything! You were outstanding!!!"
Katie + Paxton
"Fun DJ who played just what the bride and groom wanted and got all ages involved in dancing."
Meg, Mother of the Bride
"(Our DJ was Michael) Amplify Entertainment was well worth it! I read reviews before hiring anyone and Amplify did not disappoint! I highly recommend them if you want a company that is easy to work with, very professional and aim to please!"
Angela (Mother of the Bride)
"DJ (Michael) really listened to the bride and groom's advance requests. Was great getting everyone into one dancing, etc. Would definitely hire Amplify again!"
Meg (Mother of the Bride)
"Thank you so much for everything you did to make Julia and Jesse's wedding such a huge success last night. You were terrific! A bride whose wedding we did last year came up to me during the dance party and said, 'This DJ is SO GOOD!'. Your instincts are terrific, your enthusiasm contagious. We definitely hope to be working with you again soon!"
Jodi (Wedding Planner)
"I am happy to recommend Amplify Entertainment. My 60th birthday party was a real HIT and the DJ, Michael Bradley, was incredible! I will definitely use them in the future and encourage you to do the same. A+"
Stefanie
"We threw our mother a surprise 69th birthday party with a 1950s sock hop theme. We hired Amplify Entertainment to DJ and MC the event after a very informative telephone conversation with Nate Long. The process was simple and professional and communication was clear. Since I was planning this event from long-distance, I was able to video-conference with our chosen MC, Michael. We were able to discuss my vision, schedule of the event, and favorite songs. Michael was attentive, took notes, gave great ideas, and asked questions. On the date of the event, Michael arrived 2 hrs early to set-up/test equipment and reviewed more details. The surprise party was a hit! The music was incredible and our MC joined us on the dance floor to keep the energy up. Michael catered to both the young crowd and older crowd and had a natural instinct of when to play a fast song or to slow things down a bit so we could catch our breath from the dancing. Without a doubt, Nate Long and his Amplify team work hard to provide stellar service. I would certainly recommend them for handling your party or wedding. They were certainly my favorite vendor to work with while coordinating my event."
Christine
Clients Review Michael
About Michael
Born and raised in CT, Michael has been a performer since he was 2 years old. He saw his older sister dancing up on stage and decided it was his turn in the limelight. After ten years of dancing experience he transitioned into plays and musicals throughout middle and high school, and after taking a couple gap years pursuing his military passions, he’s returned to his true vocation, performing. He’s in his 3rd year studying Musical Theatre at Florida State University, and has been seen in many of the Florida State Mainstage Musical productions since 2014.
After working one summer as a waiter at a wedding venue, he decided it was time to add DJing to his resume. He recently joined the Amplify Team to bring his hosting, singing, dancing, and partying talents to all the special celebrations of Tallahassee.
Some fun facts about Michael
- I love mountain biking on the trails in Tom Brown and Lafayette Park. One of my fellow Music Theatre buddies and I try to go every Saturday.
- I am a certified scuba diver and I’ve taken advantage of NONE of the amazing underwater sights here in Florida because I am far too busy, but hopefully that will change this summer.
- I was a member of Civil Air Patrol in high school and an ROTC cadet at Georgia Military College my Freshman year of college. I originally intended to be a pilot! Now I’m a song and dance man. I know. They aren’t very similar pathways in life, but there are significantly more similarities than you might think.
- I have the singing range of a true Bari-Tenor, crooning as low as Elvis while still being able to scream belt as high as Freddie Mercury.
- I was just recently certified in Stage Combat while studying in London with my Acting Class this summer. I can very effectively kick your butt and show you how to kick mine, and we’ll both walk away without a scratch!
- I harmonize with almost every melody I hear, and often times I will take the higher harmony.
- For all of you fellow Lord of the Rings fans, I have a solid Gollum impression. That special skill actually got me hired in the CT Renaissance Faire a few summers back.
What is your favorite song to play while DJing?
Although I have a whole host of bumpin’ songs I could fill this spot with, I’m a true romantic at heart, and I it’s my favorite thing to slow everything down and play “Unchained Melody.” I don’t do it at every party, but when the moment comes, I’m happy to do it. It was my grandparents wedding song, so not only is it a tribute to them, but it also never fails to get every person out of their chair. There is nothing more satisfying than a full floor of people, younger and older, holding their loved ones close, and just swaying back and forth together to the beautiful Righteous Brothers Ballad. I love to see the older couples who weren’t dancing all night for fear of not being able to keep up with the rest of the crowd jump to their feet and race to the floor as soon as that first “Woah my love,” comes ringing out. This is a song that’s truly timeless.
What is your favorite musical?
This is like asking a parent which of their children is their favorite. It’s just not fair! But if I had to pick, I’d go with Les Miserables. It is my dream to play Enjolras or Marius in the near future, and Valjean in the distant. Being someone with a voice large enough for this mega musical, I can’t get enough of this epic love story. Lucky for me, everyone else in the world seems to like it too, so that my friends is what we call, job security.
Who are some your favorite musicians/bands/artists?
Singer/Oldies: Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Josh Groban. Singer/Songwriter: Billy Joel, Sara Barielles, Ed Sheeran. Soul: Norah Jones, Otis Redding, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald. Funk: Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind & Fire. Film Scores: Hans Zimmer, John Williams. Folk: Lumineers. Classic Rock: Queen, Meatloaf, AC/DC, Poison, The Eagles. Country: Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band. Irish Drinkin’ Songs: Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly. Alternative/Ska: My Chemical Romance, Neon Trees, OAR, Reel Big Fish, Weezer. Electronic: Zedd (thanks, Nate, haha!), David Guetta, Skrillex.
Tell us a crazy wedding story you’ve experienced!
I wasn’t always a DJ in the wedding business. I worked as a waiter first, and I have to say the most memorable evening was when the fondue chocolate fountain exploded. Literally exploded. Someone “accidentally” dropped an Oreo in the top of the fountain, where it got lodged in and built up pressure. Finally, the top popped off, spewing chocolate all over the table and floor. It was an absolute mess, but definitely the most vivid memory so far.
How does your performance reflect your unique personality and/or background?
I am a ham and I feed off of a live audience. As a Professional Musical Theatre Actor, I absolutely love to goof around and have a good time, and there is nothing more fun for me than singing, dancing, or now DJing for an audience. “You were out here dancing with us and making jokes on the mic and singing with us all night long! You were working the whole time getting us going. It was such a blast!” What this client didn’t realize is this isn’t work. This is FUN for me! Singing and Dancing and making people laugh is my passion. I’ve always been an entertainer, and now I get to do it professionally! When I’m able to let loose and groove to the music with my fellow partiers, that’s when I’m at my best, and that’s when the party goers have the best time! It’s a win win!
As a waiter at a wedding venue in CT, I used to get compliments all the time from the attendees and my bosses for always being so chipper and animated while dancing around and singing, bringing out the guests food or cleaning their tables. When my fellow employees would ask me why I was so happy all the time, I’d tell them, “I get to party with all these fun people while taking care of them, dancing and listening to this awesome music the DJ is playing, and having a good time. I can’t not be happy!” It was my happiness that fed into their good experience, and it was their positive feedback that kept me happier than ever!
But now, I’m the DJ, and I play the music, and it IS my actual job to party and dance around with the guests. There is nothing better than that! It’s not work. It’s a PARTY, and it is just plain FUN!
What do you like to do in your free time?
WHAT FREE TIME? Ha. I try to hang out with my girlfriend. You will see her at Amplify Dance and maybe even an event or two! I try to ride my bike. I enjoy swimming and the gym, playing guitar and working on my musical. It’s going to be great! Oh yeah, and any attempt to make it into the acting/singing/dancing/voiceover/moviemaking business. It’s a difficult process.
Anything else you’d like to say?
Coming from a background of many family and church parties, I often would be the life of the party. People would love to watch me dance, and the performer I am, I always loved the attention, but now? NOTHING HAS CHANGED! I’m STILL always excited to get people dancing, the only difference is, I generally hold a microphone when I do it now, and have slightly more authority when I beckon the ladies on the dance floor with me.
Profile Photo Credit: Poppie Studios