Star Entertainment

What Star Entertainment does

Star Entertainment is a family-owned live entertainment services company headquartered in Iowa City, Iowa, operated by co-founders Don Morrison (40+ years of DJ/KJ experience) and LaShelle Morrison (30+ years of event planning and DJ/KJ experience, formerly Activities Director at the University of Iowa Honors Program). The company provides professional DJ, karaoke hosting, Master of Ceremonies services, event planning and coordination, photobooth rental, and interactive music games (including a proprietary 'Name That Tune' five-round format and 'SONGO') for weddings, corporate events, private parties, and hospitality venues. Service territory is limited to Iowa City and West Liberty, IA, with an operating team of three named members.

The core operating technology comprises Bose professional sound equipment, a curated music library exceeding 500,000 songs plus 100,000+ karaoke tracks, and interactive game formats. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through a 'Check Your Date' availability checker and 'Your Booking' portal on the company website, supplemented by Thumbtack and WeDJ.com marketplace listings and organic social media (Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn) anchored by a recurring '#MusicMonday' campaign.

The business model is per-event one-time service fees built on a modular add-on menu: a base 4-hour DJ package forms the entry point, with optional 2-hour or 10-hour event coordination bundles, photobooth, lighting, and interactive games sold as add-ons. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is delivered via custom quote tied to date availability. Recurring weekly programming at JB's Grub & Pub (Name That Tune) and American Legion Post 17 (karaoke) supplements event-booking revenue with predictable venue activity.

Name

Star Entertainment

Legal name

Star Entertainment

Website

https://starentertainment12.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Family-owned live entertainment services company in Iowa City, Iowa, providing DJ, karaoke, event coordination, photobooth, and interactive music games (Name That Tune, SONGO, Trivia) for weddings, corporate events, private parties, and hospitality venues across Iowa City and West Liberty.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Entertainment Services

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (711130)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

VIP, Hospitality & Premium Experiences (Packages, Clubs, Suites) (MPAIAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

VIP Hospitality & Client Entertainment (Boxes, Suites, Hosted Experiences) (MPAGAHAG), Karaoke Bars & Entertainment Bars (THAFAEAH)

Keywords

• Event entertainment services
• Wedding DJ services
• Karaoke hosting
• Event planning coordination
• Photobooth rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Iowa City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. DJ Services: Base 4-hour DJ package with top-tier sound equipment, microphones, and DJ. Weddings include 2-person team (music DJ + Master of Ceremonies/coordinator). Add-ons include extra hours, lights, photobooth, experiences, and games. One-time service fee per event.
2. Event Planning & Coordination: Event coordinating services offered in 2-hour and 10-hour packages, with optional extra hours. Includes day-of coordination for weddings.
3. Karaoke (KJ) Services: Karaoke hosting services for bars, clubs, private parties, and corporate events. Can be booked as standalone or bundled with DJ services.
4. Photobooth Services: Photobooth rental available as an add-on to DJ packages, providing an additional entertainment experience for events.
5. Interactive Games (Name That Tune, SONGO, Trivia): Interactive music and trivia games offered for private parties, bars, and corporate events. Can be standalone bookings or part of a larger event package.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Star Entertainment provides on-site live event entertainment services for weddings, corporate events, private parties, and bars/clubs in the Iowa City, IA area. Core offerings include DJ and karaoke hosting with a 500,000+ song library, Master of Ceremonies and day-of event coordination, photobooth rental, and signature interactive music games such as Name That Tune, delivered through a modular add-on pricing model.

Product overview

Star Entertainment is a small, family-owned entertainment services company offering a unified portfolio of live entertainment solutions for events of all sizes. The core offering centers on DJ and karaoke services, supplemented by interactive games (Name That Tune, SONGO, Trivia), professional event planning and coordination, photobooth rental, and Master of Ceremonies hosting. All services can be customized and combined through an add-on menu system, allowing clients to build personalized packages. The company operates primarily in Iowa City, IA and surrounding areas, serving events ranging from 10 to 500 guests.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DJ Services Professional DJ services providing music for weddings, corporate events, private parties, and bar/club nights, using top-notch sound equipment and microphones. For weddings the offering includes a two-person team — one focused on music and the other on Master of Ceremonies and day-of coordination — and is sold on a 4-hour base package with optional extra hours.
• Karaoke / KJ Services Karaoke hosting (KJ) services with an extensive song library, available for bars, clubs, private parties, and corporate events. Can be booked standalone or bundled with DJ services and is offered as a recurring Friday karaoke night at American Legion Post 17 in Iowa City.
• Event Planning & Coordination Professional event planning and day-of coordination services sold in 2-hour and 10-hour packages with optional extra hours. Includes personalized planning worksheets tailored to each event style, with day-of coordination bundled into the DJ wedding package.
• Photobooth Rental Photobooth rental service that provides on-site entertainment and keepsake photos for guests at weddings, corporate events, and private parties. Sold as an add-on within Star Entertainment's modular service menu.
• Interactive Music Games (Name That Tune, SONGO, Trivia) Hosted interactive music and trivia games for private parties, corporate events, and bars/clubs. The signature Name That Tune format runs across 5 action-packed rounds without phones, combining music trivia with playlist nostalgia; SONGO is a music-based competitive group game; Trivia nights round out the offering.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• JB's Grub & PubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJB's Grub & Pub in West Liberty, IA is a recurring venue partner for Star Entertainment's Name That Tune events. The partnership runs weekly Name That Tune competitions at the venue, combining food service with Star's interactive music trivia entertainment. The partnership is ongoing with regular weekly events.
• American Legion Post 17minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Legion Post 17 in Iowa City hosts Star Entertainment's weekly karaoke nights. The venue partnership aims to establish karaoke as a recurring Friday staple in Iowa City, with Star providing all karaoke equipment and hosting services. Higher turnout at events is expected to lead to more frequent weekly programming.
• ThumbtackminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStar Entertainment is listed as a verified service provider on Thumbtack's platform for DJ, photography, and videography services in Iowa City, IA. The platform distributes leads and booking inquiries to Star Entertainment, functioning as a channel partner for customer acquisition.
• WeDJ.comminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed on WeDJ.com directory for local DJs and entertainment providers in the Iowa City area. WeDJ.com functions as a discovery platform directing potential customers to Star Entertainment's services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AMS Entertainment: An established Midwest-based event entertainment company offering DJs, karaoke, lighting, and photo booths across a multi-state region. Comparable as a regional DJ/KJ/photobooth service provider competing in adjacent Iowa/Midwest markets.
• Scratch Weddings: A national wedding DJ and entertainment company operating across multiple U.S. markets with professionally trained DJs. Comparable as a wedding DJ/entertainment provider offering premium, packaged experiences — Star competes at the local end of the same customer use case.
• Elan Artists: A boutique event entertainment and DJ booking agency serving weddings and corporate events. Comparable as a multi-service event entertainment provider offering DJs, MCs, lighting, and event production for high-end clients — directly overlapping with Star's wedding and corporate package.

Others

• The Knot Marketplace: A dominant wedding vendor marketplace including DJ and entertainment categories. Comparable as a discovery and booking channel where wedding customers — Star's primary segment — search for and compare DJ providers.
• WeddingWire: A major wedding vendor directory and booking platform. Comparable as a peer marketplace channel that aggregates competing DJ/entertainment vendors against which Star must compete for wedding bookings.
• Thumbtack: A leading services marketplace where Star is listed as a verified DJ/entertainment provider in Iowa City. Functions as both a customer acquisition channel and a competing surface — peer DJs on Thumbtack compete directly for the same wedding and event inquiries.
• GigMasters (Bash): An event entertainment marketplace connecting customers with DJs, karaoke hosts, and event performers. Comparable as a channel competing for the same bar/club/private-event entertainment bookings Star pursues.

Regional players

• Iowa City Area Convention and Visitors Bureau event vendor listings: Regional tourism and event-promotion entity that curates local vendor lists including DJs and entertainment providers in the Iowa City area. Comparable as the regional surface where Star competes with other Iowa City DJs for visibility in local corporate and private events.

Direct peers

• 4AllEvents DJs: A multi-city DJ and event entertainment service offering weddings, corporate events, and private parties with bundled lighting and MC services. Directly comparable in product mix (DJ + MC + lighting bundles) and customer segments (wedding and corporate).
• Complete Music DJ Service: A Midwest wedding and event DJ company offering package-based DJ, MC, lighting, and photo booth services. Closely comparable business model and wedding-focused bundle structure to Star's offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/starentertainment12.com
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/starentertainment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Star Entertainment