Author Archives: DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Great Night at Hoboken International Film Festival

Posted on by

Last Thursday Night was my fourth year as festival DJ for the Hoboken International Film Festival. It was a very fun night supporting an outstanding film festival. As usual, the Hoboken International Film Festival Awards Gala was filled with celebrities, which always adds to the excitement.

Hoboken International Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael

Along with playing a hard-driving set of 80’s Rock Music beforehand, the Hoboken International Film Festival music of choice, I played the music that each presenter and award recipient walked to and from the stage. This year, although present, Robert Loggia did not present any awards, so, the Frank Sinatra I usually play for him was left out of the night’s entertainment. His film roles include An Officer and a Gentleman, Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771, based on the Air New Zealand Flight 103 incident, Scarface, Prizzi’s Honor, Over The Top, Independence Day, Necessary Roughness, Return to Me, Armed and Dangerous, and Big (for which he won a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor).

Robert Loggia at Hoboken International Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael

Great Night at Hoboken International Film Festival

Kenneth Del Vecchio, Founder and Chairman of Hoboken International Film Festival  entered the stage to Rush “Limellight”, which was his personal choice. The Hoboken International Film Festival Host, Gilbert Gottfried was brought to the stage by several songs, the first was Joe Walsh “Life’s Been Good”. Joyce DeWitt ran up to present awards with The Beatles “Magical Mystery Tour” echoing through the beautiful, historic Paramount Theatre. She is such an amazing woman and still rocks the stage like few others. Nina Transfeld, a friend and talented, beautiful woman, bounced up to the stage with her lively presence to Queen, “Now I’m Here”. I recalled how much Nina enjoys Queen from festivals past.

Queen at Hoboken international Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael

Jeff Davis, lead Producer of the Film and Broadway hit, “Rock of Ages”, entered the stage to Offspring “Self-esteem” smiling from ear-to-ear. Always feels good to get a man who makes shows and films about Rock Music to appreciate your music.  Film Editor Ron Kalish was beaming as Joe Jackson “I’m The Man” filled the theatre. Rachael Robbins, Playboy model, stand-up comedian and actress, lit-up the stage with her strut to Lenny Kravitz version of “American Woman”. She is so much fun and enjoys the spotlight more than most. Michael Rivera, who does not have the same fondness of 80’s Rock Music as the rest of the team, was pumped-up when Run-DMC “Rock Box” was his selection. Robert Bogue, best known as A.C. Mallet on The Guiding Light for 338 episodes, was playing the air guitar to Heart “Barracuda” across the stage, it was hilarious!

Robert Bogue Rocks the Hoboken International Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael

 

As the night was closing, Kenneth Del Vecchio was called back to the stage to present the award for Best Narrative Film to his favorite song, another one from years past, Peter Gabriel “Solsbury Hill”. As the theater began to empty to Uncle Kracker “Follow Me”, Joyce DeWitt came to the DJ station with arms wide open offering a hug and these words to complete an amazing night, “Wow! That was the best music at any event I have ever been at! Thank you so much for making this such a great night!”. Trust me, I am one the needing to thank you Joyce for all the laughs and fun you gave me growing-up watching Three’s Company!

Joyce DeWitt star of Three's Company at Hoboken International Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael

What a fun night to be the Festival DJ!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

Rhode Island DJ Music Chart – Week of 6/3

Posted on by

The DJ Music Chart for this week will be Contemporary Hit Radio for the week of June 5th. Justin Timberlake, Macklemore and Pink still maintain spots in the top 5 but this week. Icona Pop and Demi Lovato join them with Selena Gomez right behind them at number 6 with “Come and Get It”.

DJ Music Chart - Week of 5/3 with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

What is the DJ Music Chart Contemporary Hit Radio?

No matter how the industry dresses it up, the audience recognizes it for what it is “Top 40.” The term Contemporary Hit Radio or “CHR” was coined during the late 1970s, early 1980s when radio programmers perceived a backlash against Top 40. During that decade Album Oriented Rock “AOR” stations began rising to prominence on the FM dial. Top 40 was perceived as a format for AM radio. Many saw the format as restrictive and expressed a preference for the free formats that were developing on the FM band.

Programmers chose to bring Top 40 to the FM band disguised as CHR.

 

The basic concept behind hit music stations is quite simple: Confine the playlist to those songs that are currently the fastest selling and most popular (sales being a barometer of popularity) This is the same approach that CHR’s forerunner, Top 40 employed. (Keith 1987, p. 59) So the industry calls it CHR, while the listening audience continues to call it what it is Top 40. It continues to be popular. The basic format element of shortening the playlist to the most popular songs have spread to all other formats.CHR/Top 40 is considered the oldest format. Many argue that Middle-of-the-Road “MOR” is older. While the form of radio known as MOR/Nostalgia predates CHR/Top 40, it was not seen as a format until after the development of Top 40.

CHR/Top 40 began developing around 1955 when Todd Storz and Bill Stewart at KOWH in Omaha Nebraska (see Format Developments) noticed that patron of a local bar played the same songs over and over. COM 418 Radio Programming and Production at the University of Delaware

GDE Error: Error retrieving file - if necessary turn off error checking (404:Not Found)

What is your current favorite on this week’s DJ Music Chart?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

Karley & Dan Wedding

Gallery

Posted on by

This gallery contains 32 photos.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ 973.908.8147

Fun Rhode Island Wedding with Country, Rock and Pop Music

Posted on by

This past Friday Night we did a really fun Rhode Island Wedding in Wayne, New Jersey. One the aspects that added to the fun was the fact that the Bride had two daughters that loved all kinds of music and dancing! The younger one, who was ten years old, requested everything from Sugarland to Selena Gomez and Macklemore and even some Tango!  The Tango was especially fun watching the daughter and mother dance and then her older sister. It was that kind of a fun night!

Fun Rhode Island Wedding

Fun Rhode Island Wedding with Dancing Bride and Rhode Island Wedding DJ

They also enjoyed plenty of Country Music. The First Dance was the Country version of Hunter Hayes “Wanted” and the Last Dance was Garth Brooks “The Dance”. Of course there was some Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton mixed-in with Modern Country Hits like Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert. The Groom was more of a Classic Rock  enthusiast and we played Lynyrrd Skynyrd “Simple Man” for his Mother-Son Dance and Nickelback “Never Gonna Be Alone” for a special dance with the Bride, Groom and her daughters.

Fun Rhode Island Wedding with Dancing Bride and Rhode Island Wedding DJ

After dinner, their friends and family were ready to party, and we partied!

Fun Rhode Island Wedding with Dancing Bride and Rhode Island Wedding DJ

The Rhode Island Wedding DJ connected with the Wedding’s guests and it was exciting for all!

Fun Rhode Island Wedding with Dancing Bride and Rhode Island Wedding DJ

This was so fun to experience!

IMG_3131

And we finished where we started, with the Bride and Groom dancing together.

Fun Rhode Island Wedding with Dancing Bride and Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Another great night of fun, celebration and dancing for the Rhode Island Wedding DJ!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

DJ Classic Rock Mix III

Posted on by

This is the third download in the DJ Classic Rock Mix series, DJ Classic Rock Mix III. This DJ Classic Rock Mix begins with The Kinks, includes The Rolling Stones and a medley by The Who and finishes with The Allman Brothers, and a host of other Classic Rock songs. As all these DJ Mixes have been, so much fun to make and hard to leave-out songs that would work great. My definition of Classic Rock is more expansive than any listed below, but thought you might appreciate some of these.

DJ Classic Rock Mix III

      Classic Rock Mix III - DJ Mystical Michael

Classic Rock. There are usually few people who would deny that this genre has some of the best music ever, especially with legendary bands like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and The Doors.

Definitions of Classic Rock

But one debate about classic rock still lingers on… and that is about the actual definition of classic rock. Some people say it’s a style of sound. Some people say it’s rock music that is older than 25 years old. Its often mentioned on this site, and people often ask my opinion. So I thought I would shed some more light on this long standing debate regarding the definition of classic rock.

To quote Wikipedia, here is their rather too detailed definition of classic rock

Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock (AOR) format in the 1970s. The first station to broadcast the format full time, and the first station to use the term “classic rock” on the air was KRBE-AM (Houston) in 1983. Program director Paul Christy designed the format to play only early album rock, from the 1960s and early 1970s, without any current music or Top 40 material. In the United States, this rock music format now features a playlist of songs ranging from the 1960s and 1970s. The traditional classic rock genre usually ends in the early 1980s, with mid-80s additions from the hair metal genre only recently being considered “classic rock.” Some stations continue to (wrongly?) include a limited number of current releases.

Unfortunately in my opinion this doesn’t address a few key issues with this definition, which I have attempted to address with my very own definition of classic rock.  From, the Classic Rockers Network

DJ Classic Rock Mix III with DJ Mystical Michael - Rhode Island Rock DJ

A definition of classic rock which helps clarify things

‘Classic rock is a genre of music that combines a particular guitar-driven rock sound with a particular era of time. The classic rock era began in early 1960’s with rock n’ roll based bands like The Beatles and Rolling Stones, diversifying into bands like Led Zeppelin and The Doors.

The classic rock era ended in the early 80s, with the rise of modern pop music. It should not be confused with other rock genres like glam rock (e.g. David Bowie), heavy metal (e.g. Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica) and hair metal (e.g. Poison and Motley Crue). Even though new bands sometimes mimic the classic rock sound (e.g. The Black Crowes), they are not considered a true classic rock band because they are in the wrong era (not early 60s to early 80s). However, classic rock bands from the original era who still produce new music outside of that classic rock era (like The Rolling Stones) are grandfathered in and are still defined as classic rock (as long as their style hasn’t changed).

There is an entertaining debate about what is and what isn’t classic rock on this forum on Classic Rockers Network. Worth reading if you have the time.

If you would like me to send you a CD copy of the DJ Classic Rock Mix III or any of the DJ Classic Rock Mixes, I invite you to send e an email and I will mail it to you free of charge!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

Alison & Robert Wedding

Gallery

Posted on by

This gallery contains 22 photos.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ 973.908.8147

Hoboken International Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael

Posted on by

I am so excited to return for a fourth year as Festival DJ for the Hoboken International Film Festival. In past years, stars like Robert Loggia, Charles Durning, Paul Sorvino, Cloris Leachman and Bille Dee Williams have been winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award. This year, the Winner of the Hoboken International Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Eric Roberts!

http://youtu.be/QSpNU2sImUU

One of my favorite aspects of the Hoboken International Film Festival is the Awards Gala. This year it will be on June 6th and I will be Festival DJ again. It is a really fun might night featuring all the Celebrities and Stars and the red carpet. Of course, it is also fun to see how everybody comes tressed for such a exciting event.

Hoboken International Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael

Hoboken International Film Festival

Now in its eighth year, the 2013 Hoboken International Film Festival (“HIFF”) is being held May 31 to June 6, 2013 at the breathtaking Paramount Theater in Middletown, New York. With the Gala Awards Ceremony hosted by Gilbert Gottfried, HIFF will showcase numerous film and TV stars, and the world’s most cutting edge films. Hoboken International Film Festival continues to grow – in 2012 Hoboken International Film Festival had over 1,500 film submissions from all over the world, and accepted just over 90 films (the competition is fierce). Festival attendance has eclipsed 15,000 people in each of the past few years. A star-filled event,

Now in its eighth year, the 2013 Hoboken International Film Festival (“HIFF”) is being held May 31 to June 6, 2013 at the breathtaking Paramount Theater in Middletown, New York. With the Gala Awards Ceremony hosted by Gilbert Gottfried,

Now in its eighth year, the 2013 Hoboken International Film Festival (“HIFF”) is being held May 31 to June 6, 2013 at the breathtaking Paramount Theater in Middletown, New York. With the Gala Awards Ceremony hosted by Gilbert Gottfried, HIFF will showcase numerous film and TV stars, and the world’s most cutting edge films. HIFF continues to grow – in 2012 Hoboken International Film Festival had over 1,500 film submissions from all over the world, and accepted just over 90 films (the competition is fierce). Festival attendance has eclipsed 15,000 people in each of the past few years. A star-filled event, HIFF has had several Academy Award and Emmy winners and nominees, and numerous other fan-favorite celebrities at screenings, award ceremonies and special events.

Robert Loggia Hoboken International Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael

With a celebrity jury comprised of Academy Award and Emmy winners, and powerhouse partners that include The New York Post, Coca-Cola & Vitaminwater, WCBS FM, ShopRite, News 12, The Comfort Inn, Anheuser-Busch, RealBeanz, Breakdown Services, Mid-Hudson News, Zombie Apocalypse Vodka, SDL, Fuze, Charity Kases Cosmetics, the Paramount Theater, and many more, HIFF is a worldwide renowned film festival.

Academy Award nominee ERIC ROBERTS (The Pope of Greenwich Village; The Expendables; The Specialist; Star 80) will personally accept the 2013 HIFF Lifetime Achievement Award at the HIFF Gala Awards Ceremeony on June 6, 2013…Past recipients of the HIFF Lifetime Achievement award include Robert Loggia (Academy Award & Emmy Nominee; Independence Day; Scarface; Jagged Edge; Big); Cloris Leachman (Academy Award, 4-Time Golden Globe,19-Time Emmy Winner & Nominee); Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas; Romeo + Juliet; The Cooler; Nixon); Billy Dee Williams (Empire Strikes Back; Return of the Jedi; Batman; Lady Sings the Blues; Emmy nominee), Carroll Baker (Academy Award Nominee & Golden Globe Winner; How the West Was Won, Baby Doll, Kindergarten Cop); and Charles Durning (2-Time Academy Award, 4-Time Golden Globe, 8-Time Emmy winner & nominee; Tootsie; The Sting; O’ Brother Where Art Thou).

Robert Loggia Hoboken International Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael

Hoboken International Film Festival awards the winning filmmakers with cash prizes in several categories. There are also awards given in several other categories, and there are numerous top distribution companies in attendance of the festival and monitoring the Official Selections…And then there is the very special New York Post Feature Film Trailer Competition held on NYPost.com!

The Hoboken International Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael also features upcoming stars like Deirdre Lorenz and Nina Transfeld. They are both talented, beautiful and awesome women!

Can’t wait for the Hoboken International Film Festival with DJ Mystical Michael this year!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

Rhode island DJ Music Charts – Week of 5/28

Posted on by

The DJ Music Chart the week of 5/28 will feature Country Music! Topping the DJ Music Chart this week in Country Music are Darius Rucker, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Eric Church and Florida-Georgia Line.  All strong showings from artists that have sustained hits this last year with continued success within the Country Music genre and Top 40.

DJ Music Charts - Week of 5/28 with Rhode Island Wedding DJ åç- Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill

Country music is a genre of American popular music that began in the rural regions of the Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from southeastern American folk music and Western music. Blues modes have been used extensively throughout its recorded history. Country music often consists of ballads and dance tunes with generally simple forms and harmonies accompanied by mostly string instruments such as banjos, electric and acoustic guitars, fiddles, and harmonicas.

The term country music gained popularity in the 1940s in preference to the earlier term hillbilly music; it came to encompassWestern music, which evolved parallel to hillbilly music from similar roots, in the mid-20th century. The term country music is used today to describe many styles and sub genres. In 2009 country music was the most listened to rush hour radio genre during the evening commute, and second most popular in the morning commute in the United States.

DJ Music Charts – Week of 5/28 – Country Music

GDE Error: Error retrieving file - if necessary turn off error checking (404:Not Found)

Since Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift are on top collaborating, I thought this might be a fun tidbit to add to this week’s DJ Music Chart review.

“Tim McGraw” is a country song recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. The song was written by Swift and Liz Rose, and produced by Nathan Chapman. It was released on June 19, 2006 by Big Machine Records as Swift’s debut single and the lead single from Swift’s eponymous debut album, Taylor Swift. Swift wrote “Tim McGraw” during her freshman year of high school, knowing that she and her senior boyfriend, Brandon Borello, would break up at the end of the year when he left for college. The song was written about all the different things that would remind Borello of Swift and their time spent together, once he departed. “Tim McGraw” is musical interconnection of traditional and modern country music. Lyrically, the track lists items in order to associate a past relationship, one of them being country artist Tim McGraw‘s music.

The song was received with critical praise from music critics who complimented Swift’s vocal delivery. Some critics described it as tender, while others admired its professionalism. “Tim McGraw” performed well commercially. The track spent numerous of weeks upon both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs in the United States. It peaked at number 40 on the former and number six on the latter. The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has sold more than one million copies since its release. The accompanying music video for “Tim McGraw”, directed by Trey Fanjoy, comprises flashbacks by Swift’s love interest, among cut-scenes that feature Swift writhing on a lake-bed. “Tim McGraw” was promoted by Swift on a radio tour and performances in numerous venues. Swift performed it while serving as opening act for various country artists’ concert tours. She also performed it as part of her first headlining concert tour, the Fearless Tour (2009–10).

What is your favorite current DJ Music Chart Hit from Country Music?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

Fun DJ Night at Barefoot Boogie

Posted on by

Saturday Night we had a fun night of music and dancing at Barefoot Boogie NYC. I do not always get to play music to such a diverse and creative group of dancers. Also, several good, old friends were present as an additional treat for me.

What is The Barefoot Boogie?

The Barefoot Boogie is a freestyle dance which happens twice a month in New York City. We offer a relaxed, smoke- and alcohol-free environment where folks can freely express themselves in movement.

If you’ve enjoyed any kind of conscious dance, ecstatic dance, 5 Rhythms, JourneyDance, contact improvisation, or any other kind of freeform dance, you’ll enjoy the Barefoot Boogie.

People of all ages, families and kids are welcome. Come alone or bring your friends. You’ll find folks at the dance moving solo, with partners, and/or in groups. Dress as you wish, but please leave your street shoes at the door before hitting the dance floor. The Barefoot Boogie is a not-for-profit, cooperative and volunteer-run venture.

Fun DJ Mystical Michael at Barefoot Boogie - Rhode Island DJ and New York DJ

What Kinds of Music is Played at The Barefoot Boogie?

From our pool of talented DJs, two spin each dance. Each of our DJs has his or her own distinctive style, but one thing you can rely on is that at every Boogie you’ll hear a wide variety of music: R&B, World, Funk, Tribal, Hip Hop, Ambient, Reggae, House, African, Electronica, Disco, Rock, Techno, Drum & Bass, etc.

All professional DJs enjoy the opportunity to volunteer for such a fantastic community of dancers. Fun night at Barefoot Boogie, so grateful.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

7 Wedding Traditions that Need to Die | Love + Sex – Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Posted on by

7 Wedding Traditions that Need to Die

For the record, I do not necessarily agree with the author of this article but thought it was interesting and makes for fun conversation. Some Wedding Traditions do seem a bit outdated for many young couples but, have value for others. One of the benefits of being a Wedding DJ these days is that Brides and Grooms can create whatever they want for your Wedding together with your Wedding DJ. You can include, recreate or leave out whatever Wedding Traditions you want.

By Cosmopolitan.com | Love + Sex – Thu, May 9, 2013 5:24 PM EDT

7 Wedding Traditions that Need to Die | Love + Sex - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

7 Wedding Traditions that Need to Die

A recent poll showed that more women are changing their last names after getting hitched, and I plan on following the crowd after I get married next summer. But there are a ton of other outdated traditions that my man and I need to figure out about before the day comes. IMHO, these are totally old-fashioned…

By Natasha Burton

1. The bouquet toss

I used to think the bouquet was the most exciting part of a wedding. When I was 12. As I got older, and the crowd of women around me hungering for the bride’s flowers thinned out to a handful of tweens and me, I realized how awful this tradition really is. Plus, I’m selfish and want to keep my bouquet to myself, m’kay?

7 Wedding Traditions that Need to Die | Love + Sex - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

2. The garter retrieval

There’s nothing less sexy than your guy burrowing his head under your wedding dress while your dad-and his-watch. Not to mention your mother, your mother-in-law, your friends…need I go on? My groom can put his head between my legs all he wants on our honeymoon, but not in front of our nearest and dearest.

7 Wedding Traditions that Need to Die | Love + Sex - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

3. Bridesmaids

Why, in 2013, are we still down with the idea of forcing our friends to buy ugly coordinated dresses and stand up in uncomfortable high heels next to us while we get married? There is literally no reason to do this, now or ever. Sure, I suppose some people like the cuteness of taking pictures with their friends in matching outfits, but I did enough of that at the mall’s glamour shot booth in middle school. Not trying to hate on gals who dream of a big bridal party, but I honestly don’t see the point.

4. The white dress

Full disclosure: I bought a white dress for my wedding. But I can’t say I wasn’t tempted by the blush, pink, and red frothy creations that have been floating down runways and taking up valuable real estate in bridal salons. While I chose to wear white-mainly because it fits my personal vision of how I’d like to look as a bride-I don’t like the kinda sexist, virgin-y undertones of the tradition.

5. The father give-away

This is another thing I’m probably going to do, even though I’m not totally down with the origin of the tradition-as in, the suggestion that a woman is an object given to her husband from her dear old dad. Still, I don’t want to walk down the aisle alone (I’ll trip and fall on my face, knowing my lack of composure in these types of high-pressure situations), my mom has politely declined the job for fear of the same aforementioned clumsiness, and I have two amazing fathers-my dad-dad and my step-dad-who would happily escort me. And, more importantly, keep me upright.

7 Wedding Traditions that Need to Die | Love + Sex - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

6. The not-seeing-each-other-beforehand thing

Honestly, I love this tradition of not seeing my groom until I’m walking down the aisle. It’s kinda romantic, right? But I don’t like the idea of following a superstition that, if we happen to catch a glance of each other, bad luck will befall our marriage. Plus, I’m going to be nervous as sh*t pre-ceremony and I want to be able to hug my fiancé and hear him tell me how pretty I look before we swap vows.

7. The cake smashing

It’s become custom for couples to get into a mini food fight after cutting their ungodly expensive wedding cake. I get it. It’s funny to see people in fancy clothing with food on their faces. Maybe I’m a bit uptight, but I’d prefer not to have chocolate ganache smeared up my nose (or on my dress) on my wedding day. Considering that most couples don’t get a chance to eat at their receptions, I’d much rather put that cake where it belongs-in my belly. And then get myself back out on that dance floor.

via 7 Wedding Traditions that Need to Die | Love + Sex – Yahoo! Shine.

What do you think about this article? Which Wedding Traditions do you agree or disagree with the author that should be removed from Modern Weddings?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147