Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Ellis.
Hi Stephen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
If you ask me when I first fell in love with music, I’d have to say it was before I could even walk—maybe even before I could talk! Music has always been the heartbeat of my life, the soundtrack to every memory, and the spark that gets me out of bed each morning. I’m Stephen Ellis, proud owner and entertainer behind Ellis Entertainment, and I get to live my dream every day right here in Austin—the Live Music Capital of the World.
There’s something magical about living in a city where music isn’t just background noise—it’s a way of life. With more than 250 live music venues and a community that celebrates every genre under the sun, Austin is the perfect place for someone who believes that every moment deserves its own perfect song. Whether I’m spinning tracks for a cozy backyard wedding or lighting up a dance floor at a big celebration, my mission is simple: to help people fall in love with their own story, one song at a time.
I’ve spent over a decade in the events industry, I’ve been DJing since I was 18, and I still get goosebumps every time I see a couple’s first dance, a family reunion singalong, or a room full of friends belting out their favorite anthem. I truly believe that music is the glue that binds us together, and there’s no better feeling than helping people create new core memories—especially when those memories are set to the perfect soundtrack.
At Ellis Entertainment, we’re all about making your event unforgettable. We don’t just play music; we craft an atmosphere, set the tone, and make sure every guest feels the love in the room. From intimate gatherings to full-blown parties, we bring the energy, the professionalism, and the Austin spirit that makes every celebration shine.
So, if you’re ready to dance the night away, celebrate love, and make memories that will last a lifetime, let’s get the party started. After all, life’s too short to worry about the playlist—leave that to me, and let’s make some music together!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life always presents its series of challenges and surprises. When I first started out, I worked for a big, nationwide wedding service. I met some incredible mentors and friends, but I quickly realized that I wanted more than just following a script. I wanted to truly connect with every couple, every client, and every venue—to create events that felt as unique as the people at the heart of them.
But life had other plans, too. As I was building my business, my mother—my biggest cheerleader—was fighting a tough battle with brain cancer. At the same time, my wife, a proud, 4th generation Army Veteran, began facing serious health challenges of her own. Through it all, my wife would remind me to keep singing, to celebrate the little moments, and to never lose sight of what makes life beautiful.
I had to learn the in’s and out’s of the “Corporate World” to excel at sales, invoicing, emails, inventory, and the day-to-day of running a successful business; and I’ll admit, if I had to choose between that or singing and dancing in front of a crowd of strangers, I’m picking the crowd of strangers every time. However, I’m grateful for what that time of my life prepared me for, because it allowed me to overcome more than I could imagine.
The real turning point came when my corporate DJ job gave me an ultimatum: be there for my mother’s final days or go to her memorial. I missed precious time with her to work, and even when I was writing her eulogy from her memorial, I was still taking calls from my boss and helping the other DJs. When I returned home, I was met with a pink slip instead of compassion. Then the pandemic hit, and I found myself grieving both my mother and my career.
But music has always been my anchor. My wife encouraged me to pick up my guitar again, to sing, and to remember the joy my mother always wanted for me. The song my mother and I danced to at my wedding—“I Hope You Dance”—became my anthem. With the love and support of my wife, and the memory of my mother cheering me on, I found the courage to bet on myself.
That’s how Ellis Entertainment was born, right in the heart of a pandemic. It wasn’t the easiest road, but it was the right one. Every challenge taught me the value of love, resilience, and the power of music to bring us home—no matter how winding the journey. I don’t know what made me think it’d be a good idea to start my own business in the middle of quarantine and start DJing Live from my apartment; but that’s what I did, and with a little bit of luck, and a lot of support from my amazing wife, we started to see people interested in booking events as soon as everything started to open back up again.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What a question! The answer has changed over the years. In the beginning, I’d simply answer “Oh, I’m a DJ!”; and then it morphed into “I’m an Entertainer!”, but now I feel the best answer is “I’m a professional partier with an affection for making memories through music.” From a young age, I was told I’ve been a hopeless romantic; I love love; and that’s become one of the most enduring parts of why I do what I do. I sing, I dance, and sometimes (when I’m feeling extra daring) I’ll grab my microphone and rap for the crowd. I’m known for my personalized approach: I take the time to get to know each client, so every playlist, every vibe, and every moment feels tailor-made.
What sets me apart is my passion for people and my love for music. I don’t just show up and press play—I work closely with clients to craft the perfect soundtrack for their big moments, making sure every guest feels the energy and love in the room. I’m proud to bring a little bit of Austin’s live music magic to every event, and nothing makes me happier than seeing a dance floor full of smiling faces.
At the end of the day, I’m most proud of the relationships I build and the memories I help create. For me, it’s all about celebrating love, life, and the power of a great soundtrack to bring people together.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
When it comes to luck, I hit the jackpot the day I met my wife. Picture this: me, completely smitten, falling head over heels for this brilliant, sawdust-covered technical director who could quote Shakespeare like she was born in the Globe Theatre. It was love at first sight—and somehow, I convinced her to fall for me too. Courting her and actually succeeding? That’s hands-down the luckiest moment of my life. I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it until I’m old and grey; my wife Lana is the luckiest person I know. She got handpicked out of a crowd of bright eyed teenagers and little kids at Harry Potter World to be THE person that got to test their wand in Ollivander’s.
She’s my rock, my biggest cheerleader, and the reason Ellis Entertainment exists today. When I was starting this business, Austin was going through a tough time—beloved local institutions were closing left and right, and the anxiety of stepping into the unknown was real. But my wife? She wouldn’t let me hear it. She clapped so loud for every little victory that I couldn’t even hear my own doubts. She believed in me so much that she became my sole investor—betting on me when most people would’ve told me to play it safe. And you know what she says now? That she cashed in early and everything happening now is just what I deserve, with a little cherry on top. She’s taught me to go after your dreams, no matter what others think, and to stick to what you believe is right, even when others encourage you to take shortcuts. I’d like to think that over the 13 years of being together, a sliver of that luck has rubbed off on me.
Walking through life with her, hand in hand—through grief, joy, and everything in between—is the kind of luck you can’t buy or plan for. She’s proof that sometimes, the universe knows exactly what it’s doing. I am very grateful for the simple fact that I’m able to do what I love as a means of supporting my family. The fact that I’m in one of the greatest, busiest, most creative cities in the world and get to experience something fantastically weird and new every day is a gift. I’ve never won the lottery or anything like that, but I’d like to think that I’m lucky in all the areas of life that matter most.
Pricing:
- Entertainer (4hrs) – $950
- Premium (5hrs) – $1800
- World Class (6hrs) – $2000
- Everything is Customizable (Optional Add-On Services)
- Inclusive Packages Available w/Certain Venues
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ellisentertainment.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenellisentertainment/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllisEntLLC
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-perry-mhoon/
- Twitter: https://x.com/stephen_ellis93
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenEllisPerry
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/therealstephen_ellis
- Other: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenperrymhoon.bsky.social
Image Credits
Chanze Ashorn Photography (www.chanzeashornphotography.com)
Lacy + Lee Photography (www.laceyandleephotography.com)
Lana Perry-Mhoon (AKA My Wife)
Rae Allen Photography (www.raeallen.com)
