Shakermaker Promotions
11-07-2010, 09:46 AM
Hi all,
Hope your saturday functions went well.
I had a joint 18th last night for 2 twin girls with photo projection added. It was in a Premier Inn. It was a bit of a weird one as the room that I was in was literally next to the restaurant. There was no door on the room as it was usually used for extra seating for the restaurant. There was a sign on the outside door saying that there was a function on. Strange place.
Anyway, one of the twins was wheelchair bound, she was severely handicapped so she lots of friends there too that were unfortunately in the same boat. The other twin was totally fine (sorry but I can't think of a better word and I don't want to use 'normal'). The party went really well, lots and lots of up to date, charty stuff with those that could dance, dancing all night.
It was a good party.
Now, there was a really strange part of the evening. I can totally understand why it was requested to be done and I knew in advance about it and had my doubts but the mother was adamant that she wanted me to do it so I did. She had requested that at 9.30pm I make an announcement and play 3 songs in order. The announcement was "The next 3 songs are for 3 special people that unfortunately can't be with us tonight.."
The songs and their reasons for being played were as follows:
'You'll Never Walk Alone' (for the twins father that had died 3 years ago).
'Waterloo Sunset' (for one of the twins friends who died aged 21 last year)
'Spirit in the Sky' (for another death in the family, can't remember who it was)
Bear in mind that before this, I had the majority of guests up dancing to the likes of Lady Gaga, Jason Derulo, JLS etc and the atmosphere was really cool. When I made the announcement and started to play 'You'll Never Walk Alone', I heard a comment from one of the guys behind me which was "Well, let's all slit our wrists now". I felt the need to go over to him and his mates and say something. I just want to make the point here that I wasn't peeved off or anything like that (I know what some of you are thinking already). All I said was "Sorry mate, the mum has requested that I play these tracks for the people that can't be here. I know it's a bit depressing but I'll get you all back dancing again soon". The guy was fine and they all understood and he actually said "I was only joking mate". All was well. I know I didn't have to say anything and should've more than likely ignored him but I kind of wanted to make sure that people knew it wasn't my choice to play the tracks. I made a point of saying that it had been requested by the mum for me to play them when I said it on the mic.
So, there were tears, lots of them and the twin in the wheelchair was almost hysterical. I felt really bad. Like I said, I totally understand why the mum wanted to do it, I just thought it was....well, wrong really. Right at the beginning of the night when I was setting up, I had spokenn to the twin in the wheelchair (Charlie) and found out that she loved Peter Andre so after I had played 'Spirit in the Sky', I said "Here's one more special song especially for Charlie" and I played 'Mysterious Girl'. She went from crying her eyes out to having the biggest smile on her face and it was warming. Yes, big lump like me had the old shivers down my spine. She was so happy and gave me the thumbs up, everyone started dancing again and it was like that until the end of the night. Both twins thanked me and gave me a cuddle and the mum couldn't thank me enough.
Has anyone else had this type of thing where you KNOW it's going to go downhill and yet the person who booked you is adamant that you do what they want. Don't get me wrong, this lady was in no way pushy or horrible at all. She was actually very nice and at the end of the day, she was my customer and was paying.
Cheers
G
Hope your saturday functions went well.
I had a joint 18th last night for 2 twin girls with photo projection added. It was in a Premier Inn. It was a bit of a weird one as the room that I was in was literally next to the restaurant. There was no door on the room as it was usually used for extra seating for the restaurant. There was a sign on the outside door saying that there was a function on. Strange place.
Anyway, one of the twins was wheelchair bound, she was severely handicapped so she lots of friends there too that were unfortunately in the same boat. The other twin was totally fine (sorry but I can't think of a better word and I don't want to use 'normal'). The party went really well, lots and lots of up to date, charty stuff with those that could dance, dancing all night.
It was a good party.
Now, there was a really strange part of the evening. I can totally understand why it was requested to be done and I knew in advance about it and had my doubts but the mother was adamant that she wanted me to do it so I did. She had requested that at 9.30pm I make an announcement and play 3 songs in order. The announcement was "The next 3 songs are for 3 special people that unfortunately can't be with us tonight.."
The songs and their reasons for being played were as follows:
'You'll Never Walk Alone' (for the twins father that had died 3 years ago).
'Waterloo Sunset' (for one of the twins friends who died aged 21 last year)
'Spirit in the Sky' (for another death in the family, can't remember who it was)
Bear in mind that before this, I had the majority of guests up dancing to the likes of Lady Gaga, Jason Derulo, JLS etc and the atmosphere was really cool. When I made the announcement and started to play 'You'll Never Walk Alone', I heard a comment from one of the guys behind me which was "Well, let's all slit our wrists now". I felt the need to go over to him and his mates and say something. I just want to make the point here that I wasn't peeved off or anything like that (I know what some of you are thinking already). All I said was "Sorry mate, the mum has requested that I play these tracks for the people that can't be here. I know it's a bit depressing but I'll get you all back dancing again soon". The guy was fine and they all understood and he actually said "I was only joking mate". All was well. I know I didn't have to say anything and should've more than likely ignored him but I kind of wanted to make sure that people knew it wasn't my choice to play the tracks. I made a point of saying that it had been requested by the mum for me to play them when I said it on the mic.
So, there were tears, lots of them and the twin in the wheelchair was almost hysterical. I felt really bad. Like I said, I totally understand why the mum wanted to do it, I just thought it was....well, wrong really. Right at the beginning of the night when I was setting up, I had spokenn to the twin in the wheelchair (Charlie) and found out that she loved Peter Andre so after I had played 'Spirit in the Sky', I said "Here's one more special song especially for Charlie" and I played 'Mysterious Girl'. She went from crying her eyes out to having the biggest smile on her face and it was warming. Yes, big lump like me had the old shivers down my spine. She was so happy and gave me the thumbs up, everyone started dancing again and it was like that until the end of the night. Both twins thanked me and gave me a cuddle and the mum couldn't thank me enough.
Has anyone else had this type of thing where you KNOW it's going to go downhill and yet the person who booked you is adamant that you do what they want. Don't get me wrong, this lady was in no way pushy or horrible at all. She was actually very nice and at the end of the day, she was my customer and was paying.
Cheers
G