About Benjie Hughes

I'm founder and CEO of Backthird Entertainment, a Chicago-area DJ and live music company, and of Backthird Audio, a membership recording studio. I arrange music and and play piano and guitar with our Twin Strings ensemble. When I'm not writing or making music, I'm reading history and theology or seeking out great stories in books, graphic novels and video games. My wife and I live on the Fox River in downtown Aurora, Illinois, close enough to walk to Backthird Audio.

The Truth About Chicago Wedding DJ Prices

By |

UPDATED FOR 2020: This year, Backthird made the switch to True Wedding Pricing. Our couples pay one flat rate for ALL their wedding services – ceremony, cocktails, dinner and dancing. It’s transparent and it’s simple; no more math and no more mysteries. When surprises come up, we just take care of you. The older article below is based on one-room reception services – and therefore, not on True Price. I’m leaving it online for reference, and because I don’t know any other companies that practice True Pricing yet like we do. If you’re comparing multiple Chicago DJ prices for your wedding, the confusing mess below is what you’ll need to wade into. […]

Midwest or East Coast Wedding Receptions? Consider a Compromise.

By |

It’s about flow. A well-planned wedding reception means more happy guests, more fun – and no worries. But there’s more than one way to skin a cat. […]

Is your wedding zombie-proof?

By |

The apocalypse always comes when you least expect it. Here’s how to make sure the walking dead don’t spoil your special day. […]

How To Fill a Wedding Dance Floor if it’s Not in the Same Room as Dinner

By |

A number of Chicago wedding venues give you the option of dining and dancing in separate rooms – an approach that comes with its own set of challenges. Here’s how you overcome them. […]

How Soon Should I Book Wedding Music?

By |

Planning a wedding is a LOT of work – and you can’t tackle everything at once. So how far in advance do you need to lock down a Chicago DJ or live jazz or string music? […]

How Chicago Wedding Musicians Set Their Prices

By |

What does live wedding music cost? It’s a simple question – with a not-so-simple answer. […]

What If My Wedding Plans Change?

By |

It’s almost inevitable. You booked vendors and signed contracts far in advance – but you didn’t know every detail of your wedding day yet. Like death and taxes, changes are bound to happen. […]

What Happens After I Book Wedding Music?

By |

On average, Backthird wedding clients book their DJ and live music services more than 6 months before the wedding day. Here’s what happens between the time you say “yes” to your DJ and the day you say “I do” to one another. […]

Ultimate Chicago Wedding Music Cheat List

By |

So the clock is ticking. Your wedding’s just a couple months away, we’ve asked you to submit requests for your DJ to play – and you’ve got no idea. […]

FAQ: Wedding Reception Entertainment

By |

If you’ve booked a DJ with Backthird Entertainment, expect more than great dance music. Your DJ is also your master of ceremonies, announcing and coordinating events and speeches as needed from first cocktail to final dance. […]