Twas the month before Christmas...

Stroll down east Prospect Street, where I'll be playing some delightful holiday music near Danville Chocolates! You shop, and local charities win!

The most wonderful time of the year!

It's really not too early to begin planning your holiday party! I'm already hired to provide ambient music for holiday shoppers in downtown Danville for the "Spirit of Danville" events on November 11 and December 3. So what are you waiting for? I've got a wide variety (and several hours' worth!) of wintry, Christmasy and festive music for any type of party you're thinking of!

Oh, and don't forget your New Year's celebrations. I've got music for that, too!

I do...

Who you gonna call?

I've still got openings for your corporate or personal Halloween party! Maybe you're not aware that there is ALOT more music fit for this holiday than just "Monster Mash", "Thriller" and "Ghostbusters". I've got HOURS of songs, both spooky and silly, frightening and fun. From 80s to oldies, from classical to classic rock, TV and movie soundtracks, and much much more! I've got so much Halloween music, I could pull off 5 different parties in one day, and each one would have a different vibe - with hardly a repeat in the bunch!

Reunions and Expos and Weddings, oh my!

I'm looking forward to bringing the music for the upcoming Class Reunion at Crow Canyon Country Club, being sponsored by the Class of 1975 from San Ramon Valley High School. Although this is being billed as the 35th year reunion, the class of '75 is opening up the invitation to anyone who graduated from SRVHS during the 70s! I absolutely LOVE the music from that era - you could hear almost anything on Top-40 radio back then, from Disco to Country to Hard Rock, and all shades of Pop in between. Instrumentals were huge then, too, from Dueling Banjos to Frankenstein to Star Wars. This is going to be fun!

A few days later, I'll be at the entrance to the Blackhawk Auto Museum for the Business Expo, Food & Wine Event being put on by the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce. There's a "Pirate" theme for this one, so amongst the regular slate of fun songs I'll playing, expect to hear an occasional piratey/calypso/steel drum tune thrown in. This takes place from 5:00 to 8:30 pm on Sept. 16. For more info, contact the Chamber at 925.837-4400, ext. 14.

"Hot Summer Nights" car show in downtown Danville

One of Danville's last big events of the summer is happening this coming Thursday, August 26. I just confirmed today with the "Discover Danville Association" that I'll be setting up near the Cottage Jewel, which is near the intersection of Hartz and Prospect. There will be a concierge / info booth there.

I'm planning on playing a little bit of everything from the 50s up through the mid-70s, and I'd love to hear what your favorites are from that era! Come on by anytime between 4 pm and 9 pm, introduce yourself and make a request. If you bring a camera, your picture might just end up here on this blog!

The RIGHT music for ANY occasion!

Imagine having a jukebox like this at every special event you went to. Imagine that it was loaded with all your favorite music, and that for each type of event, it was loaded with just the right music that was appropriate for that occasion. Or, that your iPod had HUGE speakers, and was regularly updated in real time with fresh playlists.

Now imagine that instead of the bulky jukebox, there was a live DJ there, taking instant requests and pulling songs from every decade of recorded music, with the songs thumping out through big 15" sub-woofers. The colored lights you see are swirling away on the dance floor, rather than just on the jukebox.

So, hiring a DJ is sorta like having your own jukebox. And it's kind of like having a self-updating iPod. But better.

Yeah, I've got music for that...

So, as I'm finishing my equipment set-up at the July 4 pool party, a lady asked me if I had any music from the 40's. I told her I wouldn't be worth my salt if I didn't! She seemed both pleased and surprised that I would actually have what my banner/logo promised.

In fact, my advertising tag line, "the RIGHT music for ANY occasion", is something I really try to keep true. If you're having a polka, square dance or karaoke night, truthfully, you'll have to call someone else. But say for instance, a school event or project calls for a review of the 20th century, with each decade represented (including musically). I've got music for that.

Let's say you're planning a family night or banquet or themed event, and want to create the atmosphere of a French bistro or island cabana, or Irish pub or Las Vegas casino. I've got music for that. Perhaps you're planning a Hollywood or "Oscars" party, or an "American Graffiti" sock hop or a cowboy-themed barn dance? I've got music for those, too. Hours and hours of it.

So think outside the box. When planning your event, also think of the music, and give me a call.

Summer Serenade, Downtown Danville, July 15

Downtown Danville will come alive during the Summer Serenade Street Festival from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, July 15. A special edition of the Saturday Farmer's Market and wine tasting are two highlights of this year's Serenade. Admission is free; $5 for wine tasting. Call 339-8330 or visit http://www.discoverdanvilleca.com/.

The Farmer's Market will be set up along East Prospect Ave., where I'll also be set up in front of Danville Chocolates from about 4:30 until 8:30. Yes, it's yet another public opportunity to see "A Positive Spin" in action!

This will be the perfect opportunity for playing some of the many, many songs from my "summery" music catalog, spanning the 1940's through today's favorites! Come on by and say hello!

See you at the parade in Danville!

Here's another rare opportunity (or not so rare anymore?) to see me in a public performance.

Assuming the Town of Danville has no problems with it, I've been invited to set up in front of Mountain Mike's Pizza (at the north end of Hartz Ave) prior to the 4th of July parade. I'll either be at their main entrance or under the tall tree at the southwest corner of their building.

Expect to hear a booming mix (explosive? firey?) of patriotic tunes, summery songs, and popular favorites, between 9 am and 11 am, and probably again following the parade's conclusion. If you've got your family's favorite spot reserved, walk on over and say hello!

Be on the lookout...

The brand-new July-December issue of the East Bay Bridal Guide will be showing up in select locations very soon! This will be my first foray into advertising with them. I'm looking forward to a long and beneficial relationship!

Copies of the guide can be found at advertisers' locations, as well as at upcoming bridal faires and events.

Too much content for one little blog!

For more updated information, pictures and other content than I can offer you here on this blog, please visit the Fan page on Facebook - and do it often.

In particular, look for my Notes, in which you'll find a Song List, and something about my pricing, among other items.

And while you're there, please press the "Like" button! Thanks!

When the Lights go down in the City...

Just spent a lovely Saturday evening cruising around the SF Bay on a Commodore Events yacht - the "Merlot". It was a party for Janelle Wyatt of Alamo. After tons of rain just 2 days prior, the weather was perfect!

Next up, a west coast wedding reception for a newlywed couple!

Flag flyin' holidays

Memorial Day. Flag Day. Independence Day. Labor Day.

I could do a WHOLE WEEKEND of patriotic holiday parties, because I have over 10 HOURS (!) of music related to rah-rah America (including post-9/11 sentiment). Pop, rock, country, marching bands, Frank Sinatra, James Cagney - a virtual truckload of stuff!

And then there's Summer. Songs related to it? I probably have about 16+ hours there. Surf, sand, tiki huts, pools, sunshine, lightning bugs, high school graduation - a favorite time of year for nearly everyone!

So plan your parties, get your decorations, then give me a call, because I already have your soundtrack!

When should you hire a DJ?

Short answer: "Any time!"

Any time you go outside of your routine to plan a special occasion, consider hiring a DJ (specifically, Me). For example, any time you place an order, make a reservation, purchase, rent or borrow any of the following things, your event is sure to be enhanced with the right music!

Flowers - Balloons - Party rentals (tables, chairs) - Decorations - Dance floor - Tiki torches - Outdoor lighting - Food/beverages - Gift bags - Cake - Caterer - Community center or other venue - Special clothes / Dress - Holiday supplies - Invitations - Bounce house - Limousine - Event Planner / Wedding co-ordinator - Lifeguard

If you're planning an event, I've already got your soundtrack!