Split Second Sound's Blog

Let’s shine the spotlight on Derek this week! Derek started DJing at the young age of 15 years old when he took over a friend’s family DJ business. Through going to gigs with them, he fell in love with music. Derek met Vinny while running in a 10K that he was DJing. At first, Vinny did not have a spot for Derek within the company, but Derek was very determined to join the SSS Family and did not give up. He actually showed up at Vinny’s house to play for him and to be considered as a SSS DJ. After seeing his skills and attention to detail, Vinny knew he had to give him a shot. He went through our extensive training process like all DJs with us, and now Derek has been with us for eleven years. He contributes his success in this industry and with Split Second Sound to the dedication of our DJs and the drive to get better at every single event. When asked what characteristics make him stand out as a DJ, Derek said, “I believe in being extremely prepared at each event. I wa...

The name Ballantyne is a staple in the Charlotte area. It is a brand in and of itself that offers hundreds of houses, restaurants, and of course beautiful wedding venues. The Ballantyne Country Club is known for its magnificent event lawn and clubhouse for ceremonies and reception with their stunning views. The gardens and acres of rolling hills make this venue picture-perfect for any event you want to have! Amanda McCleery, Senior Events Manager at Ballantyne Country Club, works diligently to execute each event from beginning to end as she has worked at Ballantyne CC for four years now. One of Amanda’s favorite events that she planned was the 20th Anniversary Party for the Country Club. She said, “It was fun to celebrate with the members that had been there from the start.” Being a country club, maintaining memberships and their happiness is crucial to the success of the venue itself. In addition to coordinating weddings, Amanda also handles the planning and executing of golf outi...

He has built his own name within the name of Split Second Sound to earn his spot in our Elite Series as one of the most requested MC/DJs in our company. Jonah Pearl is his name and once you see him in action, he is impossible to forget! Jonah started his music career when he answered a Craigslist ad from Split Second Sound in 2009. SSS was looking for a party motivator and with Jonah’s smile and personality, we knew he was perfect for the job from the beginning! After six months working as a party motivator, Vinny asked Jonah if he was interested in being trained to be a DJ. Jonah was all for that idea and began training right away. Jonah was with Split Second Sound for a year and a half before he was promoted to Lead DJ status and he’s been breaking records with us ever since. “My favorite part of my job? I have found a way to make a living by celebrating with people.... What’s not to love?!”, Jonah says. Photo Credit: Gandee Photography Jonah credits his success with ...

It has happened! Split Second Sound has officially also expanded to Asheville NC full time while still holdin' it down in The Queen City, Charlotte NC! Two cities, same incredible product, and even more unforgettable parties!! Being a part of many weddings in the beautiful city of Asheville as well as providing entertainment for many members of the Biltmore family members’ weddings, expanding to this city has always been a goal of Split Second Sound’s. We are firm believers that in order to bring a dream to life, it takes the right people and best support system. Our Charlotte office runs like a well-oiled machine, and our DJs here are unmatched. We wanted that same dedication, organization, and of course fun for our next city and found that when Chris Bower came along. Chris is originally from Florida but moved to Asheville in early 2018. After getting to know his extensive DJ background, his loving family, and his drive to make a difference with his work,...

It is no secret that many members of the SSS family are from up north - New York to be specific. Steven Apostolo, Split Second Sound's LED Percussionist, comes to us from Queens NY and met Vinny in the summer of 2017. He is the one and only LED Percussionist for SSS and the only one in the Carolinas. A live percussionist is a very popular add on with DJs in the north, but in Charlotte, it was unheard of...until now. Steven says “Up north, the weddings are a staple. If you have a DJ, you add a percussionist,” but Steven had to start from scratch in the south. “The culture is different here. Not many people understand the percussionist concept, so having that live entertainment is key, and what sets me apart is the LED lights. It is visually eye catching,” Steven says. Steven custom built his LED kit to separate him from the competition. The drummer compliments the DJ and vice versa, but timing is so important. Steven prides himself on not only his marketing skills for expandin...

Emily Brandewie has been a Catering Sales Manager for The Ballantyne for four years. She, along with the dedicated team at the venue, strive to make the guest’s experience one that is unforgettable. “We do it all here at Ballantyne!” Emily says. “Whether it is a corporate event, team building, rehearsal dinner, glow-in-the-dark night putting, or wedding weekend, our team is ready to exceed expectations!” Since opening in 2001, Ballantyne Hotel boasts 199 rooms in the main hotel, a 35 bedroom mountain-inspired Lodge, and a 4 bedroom private Cottage. The property offers an 18-hole public golf course, full-service spa, award-winning restaurant and 22,000 sq ft of event space. Emily gave us the sneak peek on some upcoming renovations happening this summer and, let me tell you, it’s not something you want to miss. The expected completion date is mid-September, and we cannot wait to see it all! As part of her career in hospitality, Emily has worked in several different cities. To no ...

He is one of the original four DJs for Split Second Sound. He is in our Elite Series as one of the most requested & reviewed DJs in the company. He speaks Italian fluently and has been a part of many weddings for the same family. He is none other than Long Island native, Joey Verde. Joey’s love for music has been in his system his whole life, but the love turned into a passion when he was 15 years old. While visiting family in Italy, his uncle and a few of his friends started a local radio station. When Joey saw it all in action, he thought it was the coolest thing ever, so his uncle put him on air asking about his visit. The following day, Joey was back to watch the others. On the third day, the DJ on air was smoking a cigarette outside, and the song was about to end, so Joey stepped in to play the next song. One song led to a second and so on. After the fifth day, they decided to put Joey on air as the DJ everyday between 11AM and 1:30PM playing Italian songs along with his A...