Katy and Marks Wedding

Yesterdays’ wedding was a huge success!  Katy and Mark had a “very low budget” wedding in their parents’ home backyard. It was a Pot Luck. Each of the guests brought something to eat.  Great food.  They printed their own Invitations on their computer. A Photography student from West Valley JC took the pictures. The bride made a lot of her accessories.  The music was the most expensive item and that was discounted for them.  All 100 guests had a great time into the night.  Katy and Mark spend less than $5000 on their whole Wedding Day.

Cindy & Dave’s Wedding

Cindy and Dave had a beautiful Wedding Day on May 16^th.  The Sound Spectrum provide music for the Ceremony and Reception.  The 150 guests dance all evening and then an extra hour was added to the Reception to keep the party going.

Congressman Mike Honda

Continuing my work with Congressman Mike Honda at a Small Business Event yesterday.  Helping the community and other small businesses.  A lot of information and services were presented by several groups.

Sammie’s Graduation Party

Last weekend at Sammie’s great Graduation Party.  The entire family and all her friends turned out for the 4 celebration.  They ate BBQ, danced and sang Karaoke into the night.

Shawn & Marlaina Wedding

The Happy Bride & Groom

Shawn & Marlaina Wedding on April 11^th was a great success.  Every one danced right up till the end.  They wanted to go more but the Venue won’t let them.  We even talked about moving the party to the Grooms parents house but it would have taken too long to move and set up all the equipment.

Golden Gate Disney Club

Yesterday, my daughter Jessica and I visited with the Golden Gate Disney Club where we met Terri Hardin (right) and Mararet Kerry-Willcox (left).  Terri has been a long time artist at Disney while Mararet was the original mode for Tinker Bell.  We talked and listened to all the stories and tales from the Disney life.  My daughter also got a few pointers on her artist career.

Disney Stockholders Meeting

Just returned from a Disney Stockholders meeting at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland.  This was a very informative meeting. I learned a lot about Disney and the future of the company. There was even some descent from a few stockholders.  I met Robert Iger (CEO) and got his autograph for my daughter.  We voted on Directors and some other subjects.  Meet a lot of other Disney people and had a great time.

Karaoke Birthday Party for Jim

After the morning Illegal Sign Clean-up, I had a Karaoke Party to do that night.  This was a 75^th Birthday for Jim.  His children and wife planned this Surprise Party for him.  And was it a SURPRISE!!  About 70 family and friends joined Jim for this Special Day.

There was a great Prime Rib Buffet followed by a Roasting of Jim by family and friends.  With my help, they put together a short video entitled, “The life and times of Jim”.  After all this, we started the dancing and the Karaoke.  The Karaoke was the big hit of the show and almost everyone sang one of their favorite songs.  A great time was had by all.

Guys can sing Karaoke too!

Community Illegal Sign Clean-up

Last Saturday, The Sound Spectrum chipped in to help clean up some of the Illegal Signs posted in the West San Jose.  This was part of Councilman Pete Constant’s program for community clean up.  About 80 people showed up for the morning event including adults, teenagers and kids.  We were instructed by the San Jose Code Enforcement people and then hit the road after some donuts provided by The Sound Spectrum.

We were able to collect a whole truck load of Illegal Signs.  This is just the first of many community clean up events started by Pete and supported by The Sound Spectrum.

Community Illegal Sign Clean-up

The DJ as a Jukebox

Yesterday I received a call from a perspective Bride for a show this summer. We talked about my services and experience I had at the venue she was using. After a few minutes, she asked me if I would play the music from a list she would provide. Of course I said I would and she then asked if I would play “only” the music on her list?

I agreed but then asked her why she wanted to hire a DJ when she could record and play the music herself? She told me that she could but they didn’t want to “mess” with the equipment and they also needed a MC. I remained her of the experience and knowledge a good DJ could bring to the event and to not take advantage of that would be a waste of resources. She acknowledged the usefulness of the DJ but was afraid that the DJ would not play the music she wanted.

Her fear was based on past experiences. While attending past weddings, she was distrusted by the poor choice of music played by the DJ. She believed that the only way to insure her music was to demand the DJ play her list! This is very understandable I said. I then asked her to consider that the DJ at those other show may have had instructions to play a list of music from their client. Since everyone has a different taste in music, that music may have just been what the bride wanted.

I told her that I would play her music for her but she would receive a greater value for her money if her worked with the DJ to insure her music tastes would be addressed along with the tastes of her guests and the ability of the DJ to “adjust and manage” the music selection to please everyone at the Wedding. A good DJ will be sensitive to their clients tastes first and then those of the other guests. After all, good DJ will enhance your event and not restrict it due to a limitation in music selection.

What do you think about “programming the DJ”?