Just got engaged?

Did someone you know get engaged recently? I do Engagement Parties! And if you're planning a bash sometime in early 2012, there's still time to take advantage of 2011 pricing if you book with me now, by Dec. 31.

And congratulations on your engagement!

Buy now, before the prices go up!

That's right, just like postage, our prices will likely be increasing slightly in 2012. That's probably not such a big deal, since the "other guys" will still be charging even more.

However, just like the "forever" stamp, if you book your 2012 event(s) with us now, prior to Jan. 1, you can get our 2011 rates! For a standard 4-hour event, that could mean a $100 savings!

"Why do other DJ companies charge more?"

That question comes up occasionally, so I'm glad you asked.

The answer is, "I don't know." I don't know their business model, tax situation, advertising expenses, staffing needs, or any of their other costs of doing business.

With me, it's just me. I do all my own planning, paperwork and equipment hauling, and I keep a lid on when and where I place my advertising dollars.

Then there's the idea of "perceived quality". Some companies take the chance that certain clients will be willing to pay more if they believe they're getting a better product - or a better overall experience. But in our line of work, what are the tangibles that you're paying for? Music, a sound system, perhaps lights, and a professional presentation. You get all that when you hire me - and you'll likely be paying less in the process.

So, it's really more like comparing apples to apples. Are you okay with paying more for your apples at Draeger's or Whole Foods? Sure, it's a nice experience. But so is going to the farmer's market, where your money goes directly to that nice man from Watsonville with the 14 different varieties and that pleasant personal service.

Become a "fang" of my FaceSpook page!

I heard on the news today that some politician is proposing that Halloween be permanently moved to the last Saturday of October each year. Something about how it would be better for families and the economy. What do you think? Is there something inherently necessary about the October 31 date?

Homecoming 2011

During the 2010-2011 school year, San Ramon Valley High School celebrated its 100th anniversary. That's right - this local institution first started way back in 1910!

This year's homecoming celebrations are scheduled for the weekend of October 21-23, and I'm going to be supplying some musical memories for 2 different reunions happening that weekend. First up, I'll be at the outdoor picnic being organized by the Class of 1971. This is happening at Hap Magee Ranch Park in Danville on Saturday afternoon. That evening, I'll be at the indoor party being organized by the Class of 1986, at the Community Center in San Ramon's Central Park.

I've really been enjoying reviewing and enlarging my song collection for the years 1968-1972 and also for the years 1983-1987. I figure these years would cover most attendees' freshman-senior terms, plus perhaps their first year at college. It would also include the years that spouses, friends or other additional guests may have been in school.

So if you're one of the people planning on being there, and there's something particular that you'd like to make sure you hear, add a comment to this post. Or you can leave a comment at my Facebook page. But even if you don't, you can be sure I'll have all (well, most) of your favorites with me at your reunion! See you there!

"Top Songs" charts!

Now, when you go to our Facebook page, you can find an application that allows you to look at the Top Songs charts for various categories. Once at the page, look in the left margin for the light bulb. One click, and you're there!

These charts are compiled and updated regularly by a website called DJ Intellegence, based on customer requests and input. There are charts for the top songs from each of the past several decades (including the 00's), plus top wedding songs, overall most requested, and so on.

Since the charts are refreshed so often, we hope you'll go to our page frequently and view them. And if you're planning an event, seeing the songs listed there might just trigger your "aha moment" when selecting your music.

July 14 and August 11 ~ Danville Thursday Night Street Festivals

Join me on upcoming Thursday evenings between 5:30 and 8:30 pm for some dancing in the street (and eating, and drinking, and playing...)!

On July 14, I'll be set up on East Prospect Ave. (near That Bar and Danville Chocolates) playing a potent mix of your favorite summer songs. On following weeks I may be set up at different locations, but I'll still be somewhere downtown ~ just listen for the "Original" music (as opposed to the cover versions being performed by the various live bands).

The 7/14 and 8/11 events will also feature Bistro Dining in the street (with 5 distinct courtyards presented by local restaurants), Wine & Beer Gardens (showcasing local varieties), a Kids Zone (with bouncy house, SRV Museum train and children's vendors), and 2 exhibition areas. You'll also be able to shop right there in the street, with local vendors selling the best of what Danville has to offer! You can text "Danville" at 87365 to win $500 in gift cards from local Danville retailers and restaurants.

On July 21 and August 18, I'll be set up along the fringes of Hartz Ave. during the massively-popular Hot Summer Nights classic car show. Get ready for a sock hop! Thursday nights are ROCKIN' in downtown Danville this summer!

Events with Unique Themes

My previous post was about the Danville Fine Arts Faire. For this event, a handful of live musicians were hired to perform their own take on "world" music, lending to the artsy atmosphere along Hartz Avenue.

Along Prospect Avenue, where I was to be set up, there was Italian street painting (chalk artists), and at my end of the street, the organizers told me they wanted to create an atmosphere of being on the French Riviera. So in relatively short order, I was able to put together 5 hours of appropriate music ~ most of it already in my collection!

In several weeks, I've been asked to provide music for an event that's going to have a hodgepodge of activities (including some South American dancing?), and my job is to have some music with a western/cowboy theme. I wish you could hear some of the surprises I have in the nearly 2 hours of songs I've already compiled! Of course, there will be the stuff you expect, like Roy Rogers, Marty Robbins and Gene Autry, but my playlist will feature much deeper cuts than those.

Next weekend, I'm on tap once again to be the DJ for our homeowner's association's annual July 4 barbecue and pool party. In addition to the standard summer & party songs I'll be playing, I have literally hours of music appropriate for a patriotic setting - and not just marches, country songs about soldiers and flags, and 6 different versions of the National Anthem. So if you're aware of any political rallies, conventions, 9/12 gatherings or tea parties coming up, I'm the man you'll want to have there.

My point is, when I say "I've already got your soundtrack" and that I have "The right music for ANY occasion", I mean it. So plan something - think outside the box. Throw an idea at me. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the depth and breadth of what I come up with!

Father's Day ~ Danville Fine Arts Faire 2011

Looking for something unique to do on Father's Day? Bring the
whole family to downtown Danville for the Fine Arts Faire!
It will (almost) be like being in Europe for the day!

With a German beer garden, Italian street painters (chalk artists), World Music being performed live along Hartz Ave., and Yours Truly providing a French "bistro" soundtrack, why would you need to go anywhere else for a day trip?

Artists, sculptors, jewelry designers and other artisans from around the country will be in town displaying their creations, which will be available for you to purchase and bring home. Let your children play in the Kids Area while you shop! Top-notch food vendors will also there.

And if you're planning a future event, and are considering hiring "a positive spin" to provide your music, be sure to come by the Faire on Sunday June 19, between 10am and 5pm to meet me in person! Remember to listen for the French music ~ that's where I'll be.

Not your average auto show...

Sport, luxury and exotic autos will be on glorious display this Saturday at the Blackhawk Plaza in Danville. "Autos On The Plaza" is another free preview event sponsored by Mogulaire Concours d'Elegance. Why a preview event? To boost the excitement level for the main event this July at Wente Vineyards, of course!

Full information can be found at mogulaireconcours.com. Autos are going to be displayed both at the Blackhawk Museum and in the parking lot in front of the Blackhawk Plaza. I'll be there, providing the musical soundtrack ~ a mixture of classic driving songs, high-speed film soundtracks, and several surprises.

Kick off your Memorial Day weekend with the beautiful weather that's finally come our way, looking at beautiful cars in this beautiful location! The event runs from 10 am until 2 pm. Come on by my booth and tell me what you'd like to hear!

I'm a mobile DJ. What does that mean?

In it's most basic definition, being a mobile DJ means that I bring ALL of my music to YOUR location. Hiring me will sort of be like having a dozen different radio stations at your event, ready to play whatever you want. Or similarly, it will sort of be like having a jukebox with more than 11,000 of the most popular songs in all of the most popular genres - plus several songs you might least be expecting.

I'm not a radio DJ. I'm not a club DJ. If you want beat matching, continuous mixes, scratching, house/dub/trance music, etc. - then go to a club. Or hire a 20-something DJ that does that sort of thing.

Perhaps you've heard it said that a good DJ is going to be good at "reading the room", or knowing what to play and when to play it. That's true. A good DJ will be able to customize a soundtrack that provides for continuous dancing and casual listening with enough insight to choose music that attracts and engages the audience.

These days, anyone can take a picture or shoot a video and post it to Facebook or You Tube, but a photographer or videographer brings skill, experience and an artistic eye to the process.

Also these days, anyone can download a few songs from iTunes, create a playlist, send it through a speaker, and call it a party. But only a DJ with a vast repitoire and background can provide just the right song at just the right moment. A good DJ will already have the songs that you might not have thought of for that little playlist. He will have crafted an ideal soundtrack for your specific event.

So why would you hire a DJ rather than live musicians? I have friends who make their living from being a live musician! Heck, I even am a musician! So why am I doing this? Because I love music - all of it. Stuff from the early 20th century up to today's latest hits. I have a familiarity with all of it, and I bring a representative sample of all of it with me when I DJ an event. A live band might know alot of songs, but how is that defined? 200? 500?

Some guy in his 20s or 30s might have a large music collection, or great mixing skills, but does he have musical training or a sense of history? I'm not merely a purveyor of other people's art. I don't merely throw together a collection of songs that an otherwise disparate group of original artists has created.

Here's what I bring to the equation: The ear of a trained musician. I'm someone who has experience in musical composition, theory, production, arranging, and history. I have experience in both vocal and instrumental performance.

You're not going to merely get the songs from the last 5-10 years at one of my events, nor just the top 5-10 most popular songs from the decades preceding that. You're going to get a comprehensive set of songs from someone who's been listening to all types of music for many years - someone who was actually alive at certain pivotal moments in the chronology of popular music (or who at least has a sense of the historical context of those moments).

The RIGHT music for ANY occasion.

The Great Cake Debate

I just read this elsewhere and liked it, so I'm taking the liberty of re-posting it here:

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times: The oft-repeated myth that if you cut your cake early, people will think the reception is over, and leave. Here, once and for all is my simplest response...

The only time people will leave your wedding is because there is no compelling reason for them to stay. Keep it moving, make it fun, and only a sad few will ever even look at their watch. I promise.

So, let's heap some loving kindness on the unfortunate few who simply cannot stay, either because of cranky children, cranky spouses or some other cruel twist of fate. If the cake is the magical signal that it's okay to leave, then by all means, give it to them in a timely and carefully-chosen way. It seems so much more compassionate than holding people dessert-hostage.

Cutting the cake early has scores of other benefits, not the least of which is the advantage of getting those traditional cake-cutting photos before the bride gets all sweaty on the dance floor (it's gonna happen). And when done right, the cake-cutting draws guests out of their seats without really asking, so you have the added benefit of friends and family right there with you, making you laugh, egging you on, and making the perfect backdrop for those photos, and then the first dance photos - and it just FEELS better having the people you love up on their feet and sharing the moment. Who in their right mind would leave THAT?

Remember those people that had to leave right after the cake? Well, when the First Dance followed right after the groom's heartfelt Thank You, they didn't want to miss it. And the Father-Daughter dance was sweet and brief, and flowed so perfectly into the Mother-Son song, well... they stayed for that too. Then the DJ played just the right song to open the dance floor, and a smiling Uncle grabbed them by the hand and pulled them out for a quick spin, and then... somebody paid the babysitter 3 hours overtime.

Another chance to meet your DJ!

Some things just have a ring of tradition about them. February brings that old weather-predicting ground rodent (who has only been correct about 35% of the time, by the way), March is the official start of Spring, April brings showers, May brings flowers, etc. Here in California, these events have been somewhat askew the last few weeks! Winter has lingered, and showers have persisted. Let's hope that April finally brings that beautiful spring weather we've all been waiting for!

As you can see from my previous post, I'm setting up in the streets of downtown Walnut Creek in a few days, along with scores of exceptional autos, and nice weather would sure be appreciated for that!

Coming up right after that, the town of Danville kicks off their season of outdoor events with the Spring Fling on April 7. This is a Thursday evening, where shoppers and restaurant-goers are encouraged to stay out a bit later and enjoy the products and services that local businesses have to offer. Spring Fling is actually going to occur over more than one date, and is being produced in conjunction with the Danville Area Sustainable Business Council - just in time for Earth Day! Complete information can be found at www.discoverdanvilleca.com.

I've been asked to provide music right in the heart of downtown, at the corner of Prospect and Hartz Ave, for both the April 7 and April 21 events. Come on by and see me! I'll have all of my thousands of songs with me, so request to hear your favorite!

"Autos on the Ave" event in downtown Walnut Creek

In the first of a couple of "preview" events leading up to the main event in July, Mogulaire Concours d'Elegance is sponsoring "Autos on the Ave" on April 2. This display of exceptional automobiles will be happening from 10 am until 2 pm on Locust Street in Walnut Creek. Complete information can be found at both the website and facebook page for Mogulaire Concours d'Elegance.

I'm thrilled to have been asked to provide music for this event! The next preview will be held at the Blackhawk Auto Museum in Danville on May 28, and the larger, final show will be held at Wente Vineyards in Livermore on July 23. Here's hoping for good weather on April 2 - and I also hope you can come out and meet me!

Barrel Tasting event

Join me on Sunday afternoon March 20 at Nottingham Cellars in Livermore! I'll be there from 1-4 pm, providing the music for a barrel tasting event being held there that weekend. Complete information can be found on Nottingham's facebook page.

Nottingham Cellars is located at 2245C South Vasco Road in Livermore.

Planning a party?

Are you sure you have the right music? That's what I do! With thousands of songs from every decade and genre, plus big speakers and a dazzling light show, having "a positive spin" there will help ensure that your party is a success!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I sometimes wish I had my own broadcast frequency, so that you could hear all of the great music I have at my fingertips. In this case, it's the hundreds of songs, both common and unexpected, that are all about love and romance. Simply hours and hours of it!

But no matter what the occasion is, or what the theme of your next event is, I can put together a playlist that will compliment it perfectly! So pick your party, then call me to provide the soundtrack. What'll it be? Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day, a grand opening, Earth Day, Field Day at the kids' school, Easter, a wine tasting event, engagement party, open house? C'mon, what are you waiting for?

Mmmm. Chocolate.

Downtown Danville is such a delightful place, with lots of wonderful shops, restaurants, boutiques, and other businesses. Fortunately, there are several times during the year that special events, and things like street festivals, are scheduled for residents and visitors to get out and enjoy what Danville has to offer.

Another such event is coming up this week! Nottingham Cellars will be at Danville Chocolates on Thursday, February 10th from 6-8 PM pouring a pre-release of their 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Music by "a positive spin" Mobile DJ Entertainment, delectible treats and award winning wines, what more could you ask for? Great gift ideas for your loved one for Valentine's Day!

Februrary - the month of Love...

Is anyone out there planning on getting engaged? Not only do I entertain at wedding receptions, I also do engagement parties!

Come out and meet your DJ!

In the first of what will hopefully be several such opportunities this Spring and Summer, I'll be set up outdoors this Saturday in downtown Danville at the Farmers Market!

This delightful open-air market is at the corner of Hartz Ave and Railroad Ave, at the site of the old train depot, which is now the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. I'll be there, next to the old caboose, from about 9 am until about 1 pm. The Discover Danville Association is also sponsoring a sidewalk sale this entire weekend, so while you're out hunting for bargains, don't forget your fresh-cut flowers, locally-grown produce, and yummy baked goods! And stop at my corner and make a request - I'd love to meet you!

Now serving:

...the following fine communities of northern California (and beyond!) ~

Alameda County CA, Antioch CA, Bay Point CA, Benicia CA, Castro Valley CA, Clayton CA, Concord CA, Contra Costa County CA, Danville CA, Dublin CA, Fairfield CA, Hercules CA, Lafayette CA, Lamorinda CA, Livermore CA, Martinez CA, Moraga CA, Oakley CA, Orinda CA, Pinole CA, Pittsburg CA, Pleasant Hill CA, Pleasanton CA, Rodeo CA, San Ramon CA, Sunol CA, Tracy CA, Vallejo CA, Walnut Creek CA

Up next: Cupid

Valentine's Day is coming! Is your school or girl scout troop planning a daddy-daughter dance? I LOVE doing music for those things!