Central Valley & Foothills
Event Sound, PA & Lighting in the Central Valley & Sierra Foothills: Entertainment and Production from One Company
Valley and foothills events rarely come with a built-in sound system that fits the night. A Modesto company party in a hotel ballroom, a Stockton or Lodi wedding on a lawn, a Turlock or Merced fundraiser in a gym, a Fresno association dinner, a Murphys winery reception, or a Copperopolis lakeside party each needs clear vocals, music that reaches the back of the room, and lights that make the stage look finished. Most planners end up calling one company for the entertainment and another for the PA. JMD Entertainment now does both.
Why one company for sound and entertainment
Modern Dueling Pianos, the dueling show JMD books, has already played Central Valley rooms that ask a lot of the gear — including the Chowchilla fair and a Hanford High School fundraiser. Those nights taught us the same lesson every time: the show only lands if the system matches the room. We now offer live sound reinforcement — including RCF and Bose tower speakers, Bose S1 monitors, a QSC K12.2, an Alto 12-inch speaker, Yamaha mixers, Chauvet GigBAR lighting systems and full wireless uplighting — plus setup and teardown as a JMD service, so the people running the music also own the PA and the lights.
What we can bring
- Live sound and PA. 4 RCF tower speakers (black or white to match the décor), 2 Bose tower speakers, 2 Bose S1 monitors, a QSC K12.2, an Alto 12-inch speaker, Yamaha mixers and microphones — sized for the room, from an intimate dinner to an outdoor stage.
- Event lighting. 2 Chauvet GigBAR lighting systems and full wireless uplighting that frame the performers and give the space a deliberate look after dark.
- Setup and teardown. Load-in coordination with your venue, on-site tech notes, and a clean strike when the night ends.
- Entertainment on the same contract. Pair the system with dueling pianos, solo piano, karaoke, a DJ/MC or a live band, or book the PA and lighting on their own.
Full details are on our live sound, PA and lighting page.
Pairing sound with the right act
- Dueling pianos. Two pianist-singers, an all-request show and a PA that keeps both vocals and the crowd audible. Ideal for company parties, reunions and wedding receptions in Modesto, Stockton, Lodi and Fresno ballrooms.
- Solo piano. A singing pianist with a compact system for ceremonies, cocktail hours, donor dinners and winery evenings in Murphys, Angels Camp, Oakdale or Placerville.
- Karaoke. A pro host, a full catalog and a clear PA so shy guests can still be heard at holiday parties and private celebrations.
- Bands and DJ/MC. Reinforce a dance band or run a DJ night with lighting that matches the energy of the room.
Planning tips for Valley and foothills venues
- Ask about power early. Barns, vineyard lawns, fairgrounds and lake properties often have limited outlets near the stage. Send us a few photos of the room or the outdoor pad and we'll plan the footprint.
- Plan for heat, wind and shade. Central Valley summers regularly top 100 degrees, and foothills evenings cool off fast. Speakers, mixers and lighting need shade and a dry path for load-in.
- Check the end time. Many wineries, resorts and neighborhood venues have firm sound curfews. We build the set so the night peaks before the music has to stop.
- Allow for the drive. Highway 99, Highway 120, Highway 4 and Highway 108 all slow down on event nights. We build load-in windows around real Valley and mountain driving times.
Where we work
JMD Entertainment books sound, lighting and entertainment across the Central Valley and Sierra foothills, including Modesto, Stockton, Lodi, Turlock, Merced, Fresno, Oakdale, Sonora, Jamestown, Copperopolis, Murphys, Angels Camp and the Placerville / El Dorado Hills area. For act-focused guides, see our Gold Country entertainment guide, our Central Valley fundraiser guide, and our El Dorado Hills and Amador County guide.
How to book
- Tell us the basics. The date, the town or venue, the guest count and whether you need entertainment, PA and lighting, or both.
- We recommend a package. Sound and lights alone, or paired with dueling pianos, solo piano, karaoke, a DJ or a band.
- We handle the details. Contracts, load-in and day-of coordination stay with us.
To check your date, use the booking form, call or text (408) 203-5563, or email [email protected].