Come meet your DJ!

The place to be on a Thursday evening in Summer is right here on the streets of downtown Danville!  There's usually something pretty interesting going on, whether it's a classic car show, a wine & food tasting, or in this case, one of the Thursday Night Street Festivals.

I'll be there again as well this year, serving as the emcee for the Kids Zone, and playing alot of fun music besides!  Whether it's something as classic as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" or something as recent as "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted", I've got the soundtrack of your childhood - even if you're a grandparent!

Of course, that's true no matter what type of event you're planning, or whatever the theme is going to be.  With my large and diverse collection of songs and sound effects, the soundtrack for your event is going to be unique!

The Thursday Night Street Festivals are scheduled for July 12 and August 9, and I'll be there for both of them.  For more information, visit discoverdanvilleca.com.

Summer!

I still have several openings available for your summer events!

The right music will enhance whatever type of celebration or group gathering you're planning ~ pool parties, engagements, family reunions, themed events, going-away parties, wedding receptions, tiki or island parties, picnics or neighborhood bbq's, block parties, staycations, patriotic celebrations, street festivals - you name it!

So contact me today, and let's co-ordinate our schedules.  Let me help make your event a positive, memorable experience - for you and your guests!

Graduation 2012

Does the school your child attends have a graduation ceremony of some kind? Is there typically a long period of time that the grandparents and other relatives are sitting around in uncomfortable chairs or bleachers prior to the start of the ceremony?

How about making that time a bit more enjoyable by having several decades' worth of the best music playing? It could be yours - and for a price that won't break the bank! Contact me today!

Now available on your smartphone!

You can now access our Bing listing via your phone. It's admittedly a pretty basic listing right now, but over time, we hope to add more features and functionality to it. Just scan the QR code to the right with your phone now.

And if you happen to be (or know) someone who's a bit more tech-savvy than me, please contact us with your suggestions on how this listing can be made a little more snazzy.

Thanks!

Are you planning an Oscars party?

For your consideration, I'd love to be there, over in the corner, providing the ambience!

With hours of material - literally hundreds of Hollywood-related songs, sound clips, and iconic film themes - I've already got the perfect playlist for your event! Just think; while you mute the commercials and have your movie trivia contests, the actual movie memory could be right at my fingertips.

Let's put together a production that's worthy of an award of it's own!

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!