My background in technical support has taught me throughout my life that I should think about the single point of failure.  In other words, which single device could cause a major issue if it failed.  For something as important as a wedding party for instance, the music must not fail for any reason, so I have always thought about how to mitigate this possibility. 

Certainly it really helps to have a great understanding of how my system works, and the fact that the sound system is without doubt one of the best in the industry is also important, but this does not mean that equipment failure could not happen.  A hell of a lot of mobile DJ’s don’t have access to any kind of backup, some can call on friends, and even some do have spares but leave them at home, but the only way in my mind is to actually have all the spare equipment with me which I do. 

This was illustrated a few days ago on a DJ forum when another so-called professional DJ relayed this story:

1. “The party still going well, and dancefloor still full.......then at 11:15 it happened!!!!  All music went off, appeared to be no power at all to the sub  Now the amp wasnt clipping, lights on the sub green all night, so I know I wasnt pushing it too hard, so what else could have gone wrong  Changed sockets, checked fuses.......still nothing at all!  Everyone was great about it when they realised what happend, even though I was surounded by about 10 of them all putting in their 10 pence worth about what might be wrong and how it could be fixed!  Things such as "well if its this big speaker thats gone, cant you just use those two small ones" 
   

2. Drunk lady from earlier then came back and said "gimmie the mic, we need to tell everyone why the musics off" (it then took three of us to convince her, no speakers, no mic, no nothing)  She then says "well gimmie the mic, I will sing for everyone, to keep them entertained while your mending it" (no love, surprisingly thats not gonna work either)
   

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4. Bride and groom was really understanding about it (groom used to be a DJ, and said "shit happens"), I didnt have a spare amp on me to power the satelites, so I phoned a mate who was working on the other side of town, luckily his gig was just finishing and he said if I went up their I could borrow his amp to get me going again. Told the Groom what I was intending to do, and he said "great idea, well done, they have a small installed sound system here, can we borrow a CD, just so we have some music while your doing that", so I gave him The Best Disco in Town compilation CD, and scooted off to get the amp. I returned about 20 mins later at just gone 12 to find the dancefloor full with people dancing to the CD I had left them LOL  Got the amp up and running to power the satelites, and kept the dancefloor going, was suposed to finish at 12:30, but the venue said it was ok to go until 1:00 am, so I did them an extension of 30 mins to try and make up for lost time.
   

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6. The Bride and Groom were great about everything, and so too were all the guests, not one person really having a whinge about their being no music for a time.  The B&G didnt ask for a refund, but as a gesture of goodwill I said they could have back an hours fee (even though they only lost 30 minutes), which they both said they appreciated.
   

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8. Bride and Groom were very thankfull at the end, both said it had been an awesome night, and the mishap didnt spoil things for them, bride even gave me a hug and told me not to feel bad about it as these things happen, she could obviously tell that I was very disapointed that it had happened.
   

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10. I have received an email today from the Bride and groom congratulating me on my professionalisum and my "show must go on attitude", so that was nice 
    

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12. Has proper taught me a lesson though, that I MUST have a backup plan in place.”
    

I have to admit I am nearly lost for words on this, but to be fair this chap has taken on board a lot of advice which then came to him, so there is hope!