As the owner of DMKintzer Productions, DENNIS M. KINTZER has seen the mobile entertainment business evolve and change over the past two decades. His golden pipes (that’s broadcasting lingo for "resonant and melodious voice"), talent and natural way with people have enabled him to create a successful career as an emcee, voiceover artist and radio personality. When he’s not at work as the master of ceremonies–creating unforgettable moments for newlyweds or leading the fun at corporate events– he’s content to quietly lounge at home in Mohnton with his wife, Kristen, and their two children, Danielle, 9, and Derek, 6.
You’ve been in business in Berks for 20 years; how has your work changed in that time?
I’m not carrying CDs around anymore, for one thing [laughs]. In the early 90s a DJ would just play music, basically the same songs at every event, but that’s not the case today. Now it’s about choosing the right music to make an event unique, and guiding people to create a party that they and their guests will always remember.
The technology must be very different now.
Yes, the load has gotten lighter–not as much heavy gear to lug around. One of the best advances is that I have the ability to find a song on the spur of the moment. I can actually fulfill requests of even obscure songs within a minute or so.
How did you get started as a DJ?
I was in the Navy, stationed in San Diego, for a number of years and worked in aircraft communication and aviation systems. I returned to Berks and took a job as a part-time mobile DJ to make ends meet and because it seemed fun. At my first job, in 1991, I realized I absolutely wanted to do this for the rest of my life. About a year later, I went out on my own and started DMK Sound Productions. I worked on-air at Y102 [WRFY-FM] from 1997 to 2006, but DMK kept growing. I’ve recently rebranded and changed the name because I also do voiceovers and host a game show and felt it was time to highlight those aspects.
A game show sounds fun and interesting; what’s it like?
It’s called Brainstorm and is really popular for corporate team-building parties or on college campuses. It’s a kind of Jeopardy meets Minute to Win It on steroids, done in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire style. It’s a high-end show full of trivia questions and what I like to call “not-so-physical challenges.” It’s taken me across many states and is always a hit.
When you’re not leading the party, what makes you happy?
My family. I’m grateful to be able to spend a lot of time with my wife and kids. I’m also passionate about giving back and thrilled that my 9-year-old daughter has joined me in that regard. She donated 10 inches of her hair to make wigs for kids with cancer after helping me raise money for breast cancer research. I vowed to dye my hair pink if I raised $1,000 and many generous people helped me get there, so I dyed it bright pink. In fact, there were so many great people giving to the cause that I promised to keep it pink another month for every additional thousand dollars raised. I’m happy to say I think pink may be my color for a while.
Since you listen to so many songs in your work, do you still get a song stuck in your head sometimes?
Oh yes, I call it “Last Song Syndrome”–whatever the last song of the night is, it’s on a loop in my brain, whether I like it or not.
DMKINTZER PRODUCTIONS | 610.777.2747 | Info@DMKintzer.com | facebook.com/DMKintzerProductions
BY MICHELLE E. BIGGERSTAFF | PHOTOS BY JOHN A. SECOGES, SECOGES PHOTOGRAPHICS
