Good Gig, Bad Gig.

[Ecstatic Events]

It just caught me off guard, you would expect people to start singing when a lit cake is bought out! I dont consider myself to have a great voice, it wasn't a big deal, so its something I'll probably do in the future

The issue was the guests, It was like playing a wake.

I'm assuming the rest of the day/night is the norm for most of you then? No comments apart from the HB part???

[Mark Wild]

It just caught me off guard, you would expect people to start singing when a lit cake is bought out! I dont consider myself to have a great voice, it wasn't a big deal, so its something I'll probably do in the future

The issue was the guests, It was like playing a wake.

I'm assuming the rest of the day/night is the norm for most of you then? No comments apart from the HB part???

You don't need to be able to sing to 'sing' happy birthday mate, really you should only get as far as happy birthhhhh.....

I probably do the same as most of you and make them all fully aware of what they're are about to do "Right we're all going to sing happy birthday ! even the miserble sods at the back ! right, are we ready ! Happy Birthhhh...." If the singing is a bit thin on the ground a little more mic work should do the trick. Then I get 3 cheers, hip hip and all that, then play Stevie Wonder, happy days job done

[CRAZY K]

You don't need to be able to sing to 'sing' happy birthday mate, really you should only get as far as happy birthhhhh.....

I probably do the same as most of you and make them all fully aware of what they're are about to do "Right we're all going to sing happy birthday ! even the miserble sods at the back ! right, are we ready ! Happy Birthhhh...." If the singing is a bit thin on the ground a little more mic work should do the trick. Then I get 3 cheers, hip hip and all that, then play Stevie Wonder, happy days job done

Very good--a bit of encouragement is always a good idea--

COME ON YOU LOT WE CANT HEAR YOU

Sadly necessary most of the time

[ian8limelight]

The issue was the guests, It was like playing a wake.

It reminds me of a phrase when you're having a tough night, you almost want to say "OK, let's put our hands together and contact the living"

[Excalibur]

You don't need to be able to sing to 'sing' happy birthday mate, really you should only get as far as happy birthhhhh.....

I probably do the same as most of you and make them all fully aware of what they're are about to do "Right we're all going to sing happy birthday ! even the miserble sods at the back ! right, are we ready ! Happy Birthhhh...." If the singing is a bit thin on the ground a little more mic work should do the trick. Then I get 3 cheers, hip hip and all that, then play Stevie Wonder, happy days job done

That's the way to do it.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

I too usually get as far as Happy Birthd... and then people take ove. I usually make a joke about me starting it and them carrying it because im tone deaf

On saturday, i had to sing a bit more....they soon joined in

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I always ask if there are any volunteers in the room that would like to start the singing off. If there are children there then I try to use them otherwise I make a joke and say "Right, I'll start the singing off in my best pub singing style (Vic Reeves style) and get as far as the first line and then everyone else joins in and I leave them to it.

I'll do the '3 Cheers' after that and job done!

[JTRS]

It just caught me off guard, you would expect people to start singing when a lit cake is bought out! I dont consider myself to have a great voice, it wasn't a big deal, so its something I'll probably do in the future

The issue was the guests, It was like playing a wake.

I'm assuming the rest of the day/night is the norm for most of you then? No comments apart from the HB part???

Whenever I know a cake is on it's way I cue Happy Birthday music and play it out, usually the guests join it, but if they don't sing along then the music carries itself a lot better than my singing would!!!!

JTRS

[TONYTIGER]

Did a job 2 weeks ago for the local hospital a charity event.
The site large stately home massive marquee on the lawn nearest i could get with the truck was 500 yards and up winding steps.
The Brief provide disco also lighting for the band , pa in other part of the marquee for auction,light the front of the house and the massive car park .
Get there on the Saturday morning 9am no power generator had blown up ,starlight ceiling was 5 foot of the ground all right for midgets ,stage was at 20 deg slope and big enough for 3 people ( 6 piece band) any way by 6pm i had sorted it all out(long story) so i thought then band arrives guess what no pa thought it was being provided so back home to get a system for them not to far away thank god and get them sorted time for a cup of tea? no chance " Tony the heating is not working" you guessed i sorted that.
Anyway 8 to 3am hang it all together no one the wiser ,get home at 4am then back on Sunday another 5 hours to get it out and back to the work shop,not once did any one say thank you until today.

" Dear Tony,
We have been inundated with calls,emails and notes about what a lovely time the guests had at the Mapperton Estate during the Hospital Charity Ball.I just wanted to drop you a to send our thanks to you for your guidance leading up to the event and your tremendous support on the night.

From start to finish,you have been a pleasure to work with.Your Professional approach and warm manner were reassuring and encouraging.Thank you very much for taking on this job for us and for sorting out issues i am still only finding out about.

The event raised £ 16,500 for the charity and we are pleased with the success .I do hope that you enjoyed the evening and look forward to working with you again in the future.

Forget the money i think its letters like this that keep me going in my old age.

[Gary (GDK)]

Excellent testimonial there Tony!

Makes nights like that worth it!