Good Gig, Bad Gig.

Thursdays Wedding:

Well despite visiting the venue a week beforehand and being shown around by the 'Wedding Organiser', when I arrived the Banquet Manager had no idea I was setting up early, and told me (in the nicest possible way) he didn't like the idea as the ceremony was also taking place in same room and didn't want speakers and lighting stands around (even though they'd be right at the back in a very large barn type venue)

Fair enough I told him, but it had been agreed with the B&G and confirmed earlier in the week at my visit. But as I was supposed to be playing background music straight after the ceremony we compromised - set up my DSB and hid everything underneath and pushed it against the back wall where it pretty much disappeared against the dark wood panelling.

Then he asked me to play some background music as the guests arrived before the ceremony - I explained I couldn't as he had asked me not to set-up!

After the ceremony, during the quick room turnaround I put up the speakers and lights, plugged in and.....no power! Another thing not mentioned in my visit was none of the power points near me were live (the Wedding Organiser had actually pointed out the plug sockets as being convenient for me!). So had to take all my extensions half way around the room and past a few doors to the gardens that I was assured wouldn't be used during the evening (yeah right -no one told the guests!).

Apart from that it all went very well. B&G bought the Banquet Manager over to me and asked him to make sure I had food and drink throughout the day and evening on their tab, which he was more than happy to do (he and his staff were really lovely - we had a good moan together about the lack of communication from the 'Organiser').

Had 4 solar 250's positioned in a minstrels gallery projecting various effects on the walls and ceiling (love barn conversions for this). And some Martin Ego's on the dance area.

Music was quite varied, System Of A Down, Rage Against The Machine, Led Zep, Prodigy, Motown, Audioslave, Hollywood Undead, Who (grooms Dads favourite band), 60's, Disco, Party Classics etc.

The only other thing that went wrong was me forgetting my belt so had one hand holding my trousers up all night!

Last nights 40th.

In a small WMC function hall. Minimal lighting requested as quite a few older guests were coming, so a couple of mini parbars and a starball were ample (slow fade colour washing ceiling at the start then S2L later).

About 60 guests, great atmosphere, birthday girl gave a speech and handed out presents to some special people (with stories about them as she did it).

First half of the evening was Abba, Weather Girls, Motown etc, and bit of jiving to Rock'n'Roll, then the strong Irish connection kicked in and it was the likes of the Dubliners, Clancy Brothers, Pogues, Mike Denver, Big Tom, Robert Mizzell and C&W the rest of the night, lot of singing and clapping along, brilliant fun (need to build my collection up of similar Irish artists though, just about had enough with me but I would've liked more).

Birthday girl told me some guests had asked her for my details throughout the night, so hopefully a few more parties coming up.

Mis-communication....does your head in doesn't it!
I was at my local last night and there were 3 birthdays so the place was rammed. Loads of great tunes requested and all on an Alternative/Rock/Indie tip. Had a couple of beers too which I'm suffering from today but I have tonight off and then 8 year old birthday party tomorrow for a member of staff at my residency.

40th birthday at the bricklayers arms in midhurst.
Yet another great night , they really are a great crowd , well up for a dance in the limited space , you really have to see this place to believe it . low ceiling, small compact . but great fun.
Only problem was this one drunken woman , I am half way through a 901s set , floor full , every one bopping along , she demands ,Crystal gayle , gypsy woman , I did explain that if I played that now , the floor would clear , so off she went in a huff , saying words that I cannot repeat on here :D , apparrently she is like this all the time , me,me,me , stuff everyone else , still never mind/
Play list from last night, request are in red ( mostly from birthday boy)

Artist -----------------Title
Electric Light Orchestra -Mr. Blue Sky
The Platters - The Great Pretender
10Cc - Wallstreetshuffle
Boston - More Than A Feeling
Diana Ross & The Supremes - Baby Love
Kate Bush - James And The Cold Gun
Alison Moyet - All Cried Out
MERTON PARKAS - Tears Of A Clown
The Beat / The English Beat (USA) - Mirror In The Bathroom
All Saints - Lady Marmalade
R.E.M. - Man on the Moon
U2 - Beautiful Day
U2 - New Year's Day
Roy Orbison - Oh Pretty Woman
Bad Manners - Lip Up Fatty / Ne-Ne Na-Na Na-Na Nu-Nu
Ace Of Base - All That She Wants
The Specials - Too Much Too Young
Cheryl Cole - Promise This
Rihanna Feat Drake - Whats My Name
Lady Gaga - Alejandro
Jessie J Feat B.o.B - Price Tag
The Kinks - All Day and All of the Night
U2 - With or Without You
Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World)
Duck Sauce - Barbra Streisand
madonna - open your heart (extended version)
Lady Gaga - The Edge Of Glory (DMC Edit)
SoundGirl - Don't Know Why
Ferrer - La bamba
Ingrid Dumosch - Happy Birthday Dear... (With Space To Sing Name)
Madonna - Where's The Party
Lady Gaga - Judas
Jennifer Lopez - Agains The Floor Ft Britney Spears & Rihanna edit remix
Run-D.M.C. - Walk this Way
Bruno Mars - Grenade
Reef - Place Your Hands
Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song
Rihanna - S&M (Come On)
Alexandra - Burke Feat Pitbull All Night Long
Basto! - Gregory's Theme
Fragma - Toca's Miracle 2008
Ian Van Dahl - Castles In The Sky
Corona - The Rhythm Of The Night
Faithless - Insomnia
Robin S - Show Me Love
Alex Party - Don't Give Me Your Life
JX - Son of a Gun
Scooter - Jumping all over the world
Scooter - How Much Is The Fish
Shamen - Ebeneezer Goode
Ultrabeat - Pretty Green Eyes
Oceanic - Insanity
Cascada - Evacuate The Dancefloor
Dj Sammy - The Boys Of Summer
Indeep - Last Night A DJ Saved My Life
Wild Cherry - Play that Funky Music
Shakatak - Down On The Street
Lionel Richie - Dancing On The Ceiling
Kool and the Gang - Celebration
Chic - Le Freak
Billy Ocean - When the going gets tough
The Gap Band - Oops Upside Your Head
Little Nell - Time Warp
Mud - Tiger Feet
Bill Haley - Rock around the clock
Public Domain - Operation Blade
Darude - Sandstorm
LMFAO -Party Rock Anthem
Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling
Jennifer Lopez - Agains The Floor Ft Britney Spears & Rihanna edit remix
Gloria Jones - Tainted love
The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
Rihanna - Rude Boy
Katy Perry - Firework
Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup - We No Speak Americano (Original mix)
Enrique Iglesias - Dirty Dancer (with Usher) [feat. Lil Wayne]
Erasure - A Little Respect (Extended Mix)
Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
Bon Jovi - Livin' on a Prayer
Bryan Adams - Summer of '69
U2 - Where The Streets Have No Name
U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

Good kids party yesterday. 8 year olds and only 20 of them in a very small function room. Disco & Karaoke and they absolutely loved it. The 3 hours flew by.

I stopped for 15 minutes halfway through as they all sat down and had some food so I went and sat with them and had a right laugh. I drew funny faces on balloons for them, they did impersonations and some of the parents loved it. At first they were calling me "Mr DJ" but after the food and we'd had a laugh and I knew all of their names, they started calling me Gary. I also made up some certificates for the Best Dancer / Best Singer etc and they went down really well.

Really enjoyed the day even though I'd had hardly any sleep again.

Ok well lets start with saturday. A prep school in high wycombe. It was their summer ball. When taking the booking i asked if there was a theme/dress code and this was not given, i said i would find out at a later date.

Anyway, fast forward 6 months and i arrive at the gig. Huge marquee, with a huge stage. Eeeek i only have 2 quadzillas which sit on a stand each. Managed to spread the set up across stage using it all up. My nexos sounded great too. People start arriving in roaring 20s clothes, which was the theme. Nobody told me, so there i was in black trousers and a shirt. I felt underdressed but the client was cool. She admitted they should have informed, in hindsight i shouldve found it, schoolboy error.

There was auctions and raffles and tops and tails games etc so i didnt play my first song until 10.45pm. I played a real mixture of songs ranging from the 60's upwards, after a while some people were moaning saying play some new stuff so i announced we would go back to the older stuff later and it was time for a 15 minute modern set. 1st tune was barbara streisand which went down a storm, then rihanna. I played neyo, forever, and this chap was giving me the cut throat sign saying it was crap, i shrugged my shoulders in agreement but pointed at the floor to show everyone dancing, he then came over and asked for the mic but i wouldnt it give it to him. He then started saying 'this is wrong, the average age in here is 40' so i said 'if you think this is bad, wait for the next one'. That was me trying to keep it lighhearted but then he leant over and said this effing siht. He tried staring me out and was almost becoming aggressive but i stood my ground with him and said, once again, 'the next ones even worse'. He left me alone at that point and i carried the night on. I was a bit annoyed by this guy, i had been playing older stuff all night and i changed it for 15 minutes and didnt like it. You cant please everyone!!

Yesterday i did a kids party in london hotel, 1-3pm. Fairly easy corporate type thing for american airlines management children. Ended up doin 1.30 til 2.45 in the end. They had to leave early to go to a show in the west end. I did the usual jokes competitions, best dancer, statues etc. I was booked by the hotel direct but the client was very happy and asked for a card. All in all a good weekend except one grumpy twot in high wycombe sat night.

Thanks for reading.

:Censored: bands. Especially teenage ones. More later.

Exceptional night over in Nottingham. I was anxious as this was my first ever gig for 'special needs children' - They were so appreciative and danced to everything. I had a boogie with them and learnt a few names. The teachers were surprised I went over and had dinner with them and then taught a few how to DJ.

Most of them couldn't speak or move but they were smiling and clapping away. I did a huge 'O Jays Love Train' around the room and into the Garden which they enjoyed. It was nice to see the parents involved, pushing the wheelchairs etc.

A complete mix of music with loads of requests. I found it very rewarding and worth while. During 'firework' and 'bring it all back' I had to turn around to hide my tears. The guests were 17+ which made me realise how bloody fortunate I am.

I have offered to do their next party free of charge. I'll also donate a 'wedding fee' once a year.

God bless them.

Nice to see someone thinks of others in this game Charlie. I got a few 'you're running a business not a charity' comments on another forum when I posted about doing gigs for little or nothing. I did one last year and charged less than i would do normally, then when she paid me I said give €XX to the cause. That way she still paid me my fee and the chairty got something from me.

As my ma used to say 'there for the grace of god go I' Those kids might not be able to speak or move but they probably loved all the flashing lights and the music. Good on ya ! :angel: :clap:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Charlie Brown

Exceptional night over in Nottingham. I was anxious as this was my first ever gig for 'special needs children' - They were so appreciative and danced to everything. I had a boogie with them and learnt a few names. The teachers were surprised I went over and had dinner with them and then taught a few how to DJ.

Most of them couldn't speak or move but they were smiling and clapping away. I did a huge 'O Jays Love Train' around the room and into the Garden which they enjoyed. It was nice to see the parents involved, pushing the wheelchairs etc.

A complete mix of music with loads of requests. I found it very rewarding and worth while. During 'firework' and 'bring it all back' I had to turn around to hide my tears. The guests were 17+ which made me realise how bloody fortunate I am.

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This is the Charlie Brown we really like :approve: :D :D :D

Well done Charlie. I do a few gigs every year for people with special needs. They are usually fantastic nights and the feedback and interaction from them is excellent.