The event that I did yesterday is one of the largest events for me each year – it’s a tradeshow for runners, swimmers and cyclists presented by Sun Multisport Events. This was my fifth year doing this event – for the first three years, the shows took place at Regis College in Weston MA, but the show outgrew the facility and so it’s now held at the spacious Zesiger Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. More than 3,000 attendees packed the show floor to meet with over 100 exhibitors. For me, the work was mostly logistical – I was providing sound equipment for the tradeshow floor as well as in the seminar rooms. I was also responsible for all of the announcements during the show. The event was a huge success for all of the exhibitors, and the sound throughout the gym was crystal clear as well as cable-free. Using my Sennheiser wireless systems, I was able to send the audio from my console to a number of remote speakers placed around the show floor.
Next year’s event is still in the planning stages, but I’m sure I’ll be back! I’m also running the sound for Sun Multisport’s other races this year, in July and August. Stay tuned!
A funny thing happened a few hours after I wrote my “Painting By Numbers” post, and I swear I’m not making this up: the 60,000-song DJ company called me and asked if I might be able to lend them some reggae music for one of their upcoming events. I’m all for networking and I’ve got plenty of reggae, but I don’t share my music. Sorry!
On another note, I’m back in DJ Times magazine this month. There’s an article on how DJs transitioned from CDs and vinyl to computerized DJ systems, and their writer used some of my comments in his article. I realize that most of my clients don’t read DJ Times, but I’m really honored that my experience and opinion is valuable enough for them to keep featuring me. Sometimes I forget that I’ve been in this business for 20 years and counting – at 34, I’m too young to be a veteran DJ but I’m happy to be thought of as a seasoned pro!
I was flipping through a bridal magazine recently, paying special attention to the ads for DJ services. A few of the ads were put together very nicely. If the purpose of their advertising was to help brides paint a picture of the great entertainment services they provide, they’ve succeeded. However, there was something in one company’s ad that really got my attention:
“Over 60,000 Songs!”
I paused for a moment, and thought “Wow, that’s a LOT of songs”. But should a bride-to-be be impressed by that?
Not according to the thousands of DJ services which claim to have over 70,000 songs.
Or the guys who have 80,000 songs at their fingertips.
Or the DJ with 90,000 songs!
Or this company, which seems to have the leg up on everyone with their collection of over 100,000 songs.
Read more…
My Saturday night event wasn’t a wedding reception; it was a Jack-And-Jill wedding shower for Matt and Tanya. I’ve known Matt since I was about 4 years old. In fact, he was probably the first person that I met when my parents moved into their Freetown neighborhood in the late 1970s.
(For those of you wondering what a Jack-And-Jill wedding shower is, eHow.com seems to have the general idea figured out).
The party started at 6 with a cocktail hour, followed by an incredible meal coordinated by Matt’s dad – it’s rumored that everyone in that same Freetown neighborhood had sirloin roasts in their ovens on Saturday afternoon in preparation for the party. It’s also rumored that the manager of the function facility where the party was held has offered Matt’s dad a job in their kitchen. Cooking for 150 guests isn’t exactly an easy feat.
Read more…
My first three events this month were pretty basic – March began with a church fundraising banquet, a swim team’s spring awards banquet, and my teen dance. So, I was very happy to be at Josh & Kelly’s wedding reception Saturday night at the Fireside Grille in Middleboro. Despite the wet weather, their 75 guests were in great spirits. The evening began at 6 with the wedding ceremony, followed by a cocktail hour, dinner, and then dancing. Everyone had fun, dancing to songs like Bobby Darin’s “Beyond The Sea”, Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”, and REO Speedwagon’s “Keep On Loving You” (a request from the groom’s mom).
Josh & Kelly had hired me fairly recently, but we clicked right away during our initial consultation. Kelly’s a big fan of John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, because they were here first live concert experience. Coincidentally, the first concert I had ever been to was also a John Cafferty show (way back in 1986 – thanks Mom!). Needless to say, “Tender Years” went over very well, with the newlyweds sharing the dance with the parents of the bride.
Congratulations, Josh & Kelly!
Josh & Kelly’s First Dance: “Nothing Else Matters” – Metallica
Bride/Father Dance: “My Little Girl” – Tim McGraw
Groom/Mother Dance: “Simple Man” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Last Dance: “(You Want To) Make A Memory – Bon Jovi
