DRS Music: Chicago's Most Awarded Wedding Band, Fronted by Its Own Dedicated Emcee

DRS-LogoDRS Music: 26 Years In, David Rothstein Still Emcees Every Single Wedding Himself

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – Started in 1999 out of Evanston, Illinois, David Rothstein Music has spent more than 25 years building what it calls the only Chicago wedding band with a designated, separate emcee. Rather than having a band member double as host between songs, founder David Rothstein handles all emcee duties personally at every wedding, staying mobile around the room to work directly with vendors and solve problems in real time while the band keeps playing without interruption.

That structure is the core of the company's pitch. Rothstein is also the host of Wedding 101, one of the country's more prominent wedding-focused radio shows and podcasts, and he leans on that same expertise on the day of the event, coordinating timelines, managing vendors, and keeping the reception on schedule so the band never has to break its set to make an announcement.

Musically, DRS Music scales from a solo pianist up to a full 14-piece orchestra, with a working songbook of close to 3,000 songs and a full-time arranger on staff to learn special requests. The lineup also includes seven distinct ceremony ensembles, a jazz trio, an 8 to 11-piece band with an integrated DJ, several ethnic ensembles, and a dedicated Sinatra-style vocalist. Every package is built around the idea that pricing should be all-inclusive: musicians, sound system, stage lighting, DJ, MC, and unlimited song requests are bundled in with no separate add-on fees, and discounts are available for Friday and Sunday weddings, off-season dates from January through April, and nonprofit organizations.

Beyond the music itself, DRS Music has built its reputation partly on personalization. The team creates a custom, guest-signed keepsake gift for nearly every couple, based on details from their relationship, ranging from an autographed football for Notre Dame football fans to a replica movie poster with the couple's faces swapped in for the original cast, to items sourced from a couple's favorite neighborhood bar. The company also runs a program called Share Your Love, started by Rothstein in 2007 as a tribute to his grandparents' 72-year marriage, through which post-wedding flowers are donated to nursing homes or shelters. WeddingWire has recognized the company nationally as its Most Charitable Wedding Vendor for that program.

Client reviews consistently highlight the same two things: Rothstein's presence as emcee and the band's ability to keep a dance floor full for an entire reception. One couple, Steve and Julianne K., said the band's energy was matched by "incredibly talented" singers and called Rothstein "a wonderful emcee." Andrea and Mario L. said they were impressed enough to book the band twice more, for a daughter's wedding and a niece's wedding, after their own experience. Katie and Riley R. described Rothstein as someone who "took complete control" of the night so they never had to worry about what came next.

With a company built around one person handling every emcee role personally, an all-inclusive pricing structure, and a near 3,000-song repertoire backed by a live arranger, DRS Music positions itself less as a band-for-hire and more as a full production partner for the wedding day. Couples can reach the team directly through DRS Music to schedule a call or Zoom consultation with David Rothstein.