Hit Clips Karaoke and DJ Service expands

PRINCETON — Hit Clips Karaoke and DJ Service in Princeton is expanding.

Jill M. Swanson-Hullinger is the owner and disc jockey of the business that has been in existence since 2007 and has recently added another crew of musicians to meet the growing demand.

“We are involved in the community,” she said. “We like to put smiles on faces and make a difference.”

Swanson-Hullinger started the business in 2007 with herself and niece, Alison Joiner. She later on added Allen Higgins, who has since moved onto other interests. She has added other employees in the last two years.

“We played karaoke at Crown Lanes for the last eight years and had our last gig there on July 31,” she recounted. “It was bittersweet. We loved being out there, and it was nice to have all ages there. We do miss the kids. We now play at Skooner’z on Friday nights. We have exciting things coming up.”

Hit Clips, which now has two crews, played at Witches Night Out Oct. 16 with its new sound equipment and new lighting system. Employees can choose from 250,000 DJ titles and 50,000 karaoke titles.

“It is very rewarding. We joined the Chamber in 2014. We played for casino night, the Chamber’s main fundraiser. We donate our time for fundraisers,” she said.

Jill, who has 40-plus years in the music business, feels the best way to express herself and make others feel good is through music, a huge stress reliever for her.

Swanson-Hullinger remembers performing when she was 9 years old with her family. “My mom was tone deaf, while my dad was an excellent musician,” she said.

Since then, Swanson-Hullinger has played in several local bands like Clear Creek, Battle Creek and Backbone Road and did the promotions and bookings for these bands throughout the years.

Jill’s first husband died from brain cancer in January 2006. “He was a bass player, and we were married for 18 years.” she added.

Two years after he died, Jill decided to start the karaoke and disc jockey service.

“I wanted to continue with music but didn’t want to be in a band,” she reported. “The karaoke took off for the last two to three years. It has been a whirlwind.”

Her second husband, Bill Hullinger, is crew leader. “We were high school sweethearts and have been married since last June,” she added

They perform at weddings and private parties, resorts/campgrounds, fairs and festivals, night clubs, corporate events, charity benefits, organization events, parades, etc.

The business’ email address is HitClipsKaraoke@yahoo.com; website address is hitcliposkaraokedjservice.com; and the phone number is 815-875-1561.

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