DJ Superunknown @ The Saint Paul Hotel 2/28/09

I had my first ever gig @ the SPH last Saturday and if you’re pressed for time it was great! If you have the time the following is a brake-down of what went down… I was sub-contracted by Midwest Sound & Light so my only contact with the client was via a phone call a few days prior (I’d much rather meet in person but since I was sub-contracted I didn’t have that luxury), but we hit it off on the phone anyway, and the bride and her future Mr. were looking forward to a fun time. Now on paper it seemed like I had my work cut out for me, the bride & groom were fourty-somethings, had only 70 guests, loved 70's rock, the only must play was their first dance song, and that was all the info I had besides the where and when. No biggie as I love a good challenge, and was really stoked to play at SPH and pop my cherry. The gig didn't start until 6 and I got there at 4 (I like to get to a gig early because you never known what could happen) to get set-up and changed into my "show" clothes. I rocked a skinny tie for the first time with my creepers and I have to say it looked pretty bad ass. Anyway, guests started arriving around 5 for the cocktail hour in the room next door so I took the opportunity to meet the B & G and kinda' size up the crowd for the night. Everyone seemed in great spirits and I'm sure the prospect of an open bar all night long helped out. So around 5:55 the event manager informed me that I would be introducing the B & G which was a surprise to me & the newlyweds as well. I'm steady in the pocket so I cued up "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" by Dean Martin, got the guests seated, and I grabbed the mic and said, "Ladies & Gentleman please rise for your Bride & Groom Mr. & Mrs. so & so." Simultaneously as they entered I hit play and they and worked the room, I wish I had that shit on video cause' I looked rehearsed. So anyway after the blessing and a toast by the Bride’s son I mixed dinner music for about an hour or so I kept it really low just loud enough to hear but just enough to create a back drop to the conversation. A hate it when I’m eating or talking and I have to compete with the TV or music. My technique is to observe who close people have to lean in to listen to each other and I never get complaints cause’ I do it right baby! Ok so around 7:30, I announced to the room that the couple’s first dance would take place shortly, that way people have time to grab a drink, smoke or visit the restroom and the Groom can be grabbed from the bar and the bride can take one last look in the mirror. During the lull I’ll walk around to the bar or the smokers area and politely let the guests know that the first dance is coming. At this point I’ll lie and tell them it’s going down in a minute that way they can get back in time. I personally think it’s rude when 50% of the guests are doing their own thing and miss the first dance, but that’s just me. Anyway, the first dance is flawless and I decide to play to classic slow numbers “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis and the Ghost soundtrack song by the Righteous Brothers. Everybody recognizes those two songs and their short, besides what chick doesn’t want to slow dance to the ghost song? Right after that I went into a Jive Bunny Swing melody infusing “In the Mood” by Glen Miller with a dash of Buddy Holly, Elvis, Chuck Berry, etc. classic shit with a twist. The music for this crowd was really of the KQ92 ilk but it was fun and the guests kept dancing. Around 11 I really got a nice compliment from the SPH Event Manager who said that any other DJ would’ve cleared out most of the crowd by now with 150 guests but she was amazed that this small party was going strong. I hate to boast, but I like to think that I played a part in making the night a success. Lastly, the Bride gave me a thank you hug and a pretty generous tip Word…

Wedding Season is Around the Bend

So wedding season is around the bend and I've decided that this will be my last year DJing as a sub-contractor for Midwest Sound & Light Shows to concentrate on my own gig. I think six years has been enough, and during the past two I've had the opportunity to go on my own as DJ Superunknown and it's been a really fun and rewarding process being able to step out of the 1099 role and be a part of the planning and execution process that many couples have blessed me with. I already have bookings for 2010! I love the guys at MWS but as a sub-contractor for them, I never meet the clients until the day of; although, I give them a call the week prior, but I'm really a stranger to them. On my own I get to meet them face to face, a year to six months in advance, and it really helps when it comes to communicating prior to and on the day of. I met with two couples last weekend (both were referrals by the way) and it was just cool to interact in person and go over all the details vs. calling strangers the week prior.

Anyway, I'm really stoked to get going again and entertaining the masses, so stay tuned this year as I will continue video blogging my weddings this year to give you some insight from behind the decks. Happy VD to all, especially to my Wifey, my daughter, my mom, my sister, my niece, and last but not least our Shitzu.

Word...

Shit... I haven't Been Blogging

In my last blog I said I would keep up with this thing, but alas I haven't.

Anyway, let's see, it was my daughter's 15th birthday on Saturday & we got her a room at the MOA Waterpark (her Gran was the chaperone) so she and 4 friends could have a fun night, there were no injuries and a good time was had by all as told by my mother-in-law.

Earlier that day I took my daughter out for breakfast and it was really evident that my little girl was growing on me due to the weird looks that we were getting. I consider myself a young looking 34; and my daughter unfortunately is a mature 15 year old, so I felt the odd looks from people like I was some pervert creep hanging out with a young girl. I really tried not to let it get to me but it did. For those of you that know me and the way I dress (I call it poor rock star) know what I'm talking about. From now on I think that when I'm out with my daughter I should wear some Dockers, boat shoes and an old man shirt from Sears. Fuck it; I'm still gonna rock some Dickies, Chucks & a t-shirt when I'm out.

It's funny having kids that are closer in age to me than most parents especially when me & the wifey go to the kid's conferences or concerts at school, and I overhear their classmates say, "dude, is that your parents?", I get a kick out of it, but we probably embarrass our kids like my parents used to do to us. If I was them I would feel pretty cool but then again maybe I wouldn’t.

So my kids are getting older and I find myself getting more nervous about their future. Basically I’m worried about a two things, college and broken hearts. I worry about affording tuition and my kids getting their hearts broken by future significant others. I guess tuition can be solved by extra jobs etc. but the part that scares me is the untested emotional resiliency of my kids when it comes to dating and what not. I just hope that my kids will keep me informed on their daily lives when they head off to college and I hope that they will listen to me. Hell, I hope I’m still cool a few years from now.

Word…

My Belated NYE's Resolution…

A person who I have mad respect for in the business (Ms.Geri Wolf of The Style Laboratory) noticed I haven’t kept up with my blog since December so I’ve decided to make an effort to blog on the regular tip so I’ll quickly summarize my life since my last post…

I DJ’d 5 company events, 1 wedding, and DJ’d on NYE. I unsuccessfully attempted to quit smoking (I did make it 7 days) but my day job stresses got the better of me. Learned that our Shitzu likes to eat rabbit poop. Got a 16 gig Ipod Touch, it rocks! My dad finally came back from Kuwait (in one piece). Bought new hockey skates and used them once. Haven’t missed an episode of 24 or Brett Michael’s Rock of Love. Re-read Ayn Rand’s "The Fountainhead". Found a box in our basement full of old band t-shirts that I thought I lost. Went on a few dates with my wifey. And decided that I will expand my blog to daily random shit that has something or nothing to do with DJing.

Word…