Neil Ponthier was fifteen years old when he got his start behind the booth in 2009, filling in last minute for a middle school dance at his local parish when the scheduled DJ couldn't make it. Armed with nothing but his dad's speakers and an iPod, he played the set, and never really stopped. He kept DJing dances all through his teenage years, and carried it with him through college, all while growing up immersed in the hospitality and events world.
Somewhere along the way, Raylynn came into the picture too, together since May of 2011, and married in March of 2026. She was right there cheering him on at some of his very first events, and has been his biggest supporter through every gig since. In 2012, that passion became Music and Lights Entertainment. What started as one guy and a laptop has grown into a full team of four, offering DJ, lighting, and AV services for weddings, parades, school dances, and everything in between across New Orleans.
The gear's gotten a lot more sophisticated since that first middle school dance, but some things haven't changed at all. Raylynn is still right there beside him, and at the end of the day, Music and Lights isn't just a business, it's family.
Neil (16) and Raylynn (14) at one of his very first gigs, November 2011. She's been part of the story since day one.
Neil and Raylynn cutting into a cake that proves this Ponthier is also a Pioneer, turntables and mixer included, March 2026. Some things you just marry into.