Author Archives: DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

The Things We Would Blog: Wedding DJ Wednesday: What’s Your Song?

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This is a great, fun blog post about Wedding DJ First Dance Songs. It is helpful when an article like this is written by professional Photographers, not a Wedding DJ. It offers another perspective and more credibility, since they are not trying to promote their Wedding DJ, they are not Wedding DJs. Let me know what you think about Jenny and Teresa’s advice and JKOE Photography portfolio. I like their work and attitude and want to promote them, even though I have never met or worked a Wedding with them. You  can feel how much fun and professional they are, it is evident in what and how they go about their business.

Note: The images on this page are not from JKOE Photography, they are from DJ Mystical Michael. They do much better work and do not want to give the impression that they are amateurs like me:)

Wedding DJ First Dance Songs by Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Wedding Wednesday: What’s Your Song?

Posted by Jenny

Wedding DJ First Dance Songs

Some couples have a song long before they get married, the first song they danced to years ago or something from a special moment in their relationship. Others pick something for their first dance and it becomes their special song.

Jason and I danced to “Blue Eyes” by The Cary Brothers and although it was a song we both loved, it didn’t’ really have any major significance before our wedding. Teresa and Patrick chose Iron and Wine’s “Love and Some Verses”.

“At Last” by Etta James is probably the first dance song I hear the most, a great choice for sure, beautiful and classic. Ray Lamontagne “You Are the Best Thing” is also super popular and for good reason, the title says it all!

Wedding DJ First Dance Songs by Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Wedding DJ First Dance Song Recommendations

If you’re still in the market for a song, here are some of my favorites that you might not have considered:

Bright Eyes “First Day of My Life”

Eva Cassidy “Songbird”

The Beatles “In My Life”

Dave Barnes “On a Night Like This”

The Civil Wars “Dance Me to the End of Love”

Van Morrison “Crazy Love”

Ingrid Michaelson “You and I”

Frank Sinatra “The Way You Look Tonight”

Peter Gabriel “In Your Eyes”

Iron and Wine “Such Great Heights”

Ben Harper “Forever”

Billie Holiday “The Thought of You”

Ben Folds “The Luckiest”

The Moldy Peaches “Anyone Else But You”

The Lumineers “Ho Hey”

The Arctic Monkeys “Baby I’m Yours”

Wedding DJ First Dance Songs by Rhode Island Wedding DJ

A couple of first dance tips…

If your song is super long, let the DJ know to fade it out at a certain point or have the band only do the first couple of verses. 6 minutes of having people watch you dance will seem like forever.

Even if you aren’t planning a whole choreographed routine, taking dancing lessons can be a fun thing for couples to do together and a way to make you just a tad more graceful.

Whether you take lessons or not, you should definitely do a little practice. Try out dancing to your song at least once. Make sure you’re both on the same page with how you’re planning on dancing.

While you’re at a dress fitting, take a spin around the dress shop too. Make sure you’re comfortable moving around in your dress, that you’re not tripping over the hem and everything is staying in place!

If you have a special song that isn’t ideal for slow dancing to, why not incorporate it in somewhere else? One of my favorite weddings last summer had a live band that did an amazing rendition of Edward and the Magnetic Zero’s “Home” as part of the processional. Another couple walked back down the aisle to The Star Wars Theme, which was super cute because only some people caught the reference, the rest just thought it was a classy instrumental piece!

Wedding DJ First Dance Songs by Rhode Island Wedding DJ

What’s your song? I’d love to hear!

via The Things We Would Blog: Wedding Wednesday: What’s Your Song?

What songs do you like and think will make great Wedding DJ First Dance Songs?

I have used Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros “Home” and it always works out fabulously!

Wedding DJ First Dance Songs by Rhode Island Wedding DJ

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

Perfect Weddings Budget with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

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These Wedding Statistics may shock you but they are true & from well known reliable sources about Perfect Weddings Budget!  Read them all here and learn from other Brides & Grooms mistakes!  It will make you rethink Wedding Reception Priorities!

Shocking Wedding Statistics: Perfect Weddings Budget!

Perfect Weddings Budget - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Perfect Weddings Budget After Your Wedding Reception

72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment.

Almost 100% say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment.

During wedding planning, Brides say their highest priority is their wedding dress, attire, followed by the reception site and caterer – reception entertainment is among the least of their priorities!

Within one week after their reception, 78% of Brides say they would have made the entertainment their highest priority!

When asked 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment (Band / DJ).

65% of all couples that chose a band to entertain at their wedding reception, said, if they had it to do over again, they would have chosen a disc jockey!

*These statistics were published in St. Louis Bride & Groom Magazine . Sources include: Simmons; USA Today, National Bridal Service, The Knot, Brides Magazine.

Perfect Weddings Budget - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Wedding Disc Jockey rates are vary based on talent, experience, emcee ability, service, coordination, equipment needed, music knowledge, mixing ability & personality. Not all Wedding DJ’s are Created Equally, as many of you know – we have all seen the “Bad” Cheesy Wedding DJ!

Rates for the DJ industry vary greatly, ranging from $350.00 to $3,500.00 with an US average of $1,200.00 for a 4-5 hour reception.

The best price is not always the best deal, especially if you are planning a wedding. As the surveys above conclude that 100% of brides would have spent more money on their entertainment & made it their #1 priority in hindsight!

A Professional Wedding Entertainment company will normally invest 12 to 30 hours to your special event but it may appear that you are only paying for “4 hours”.

Consultations, music purchasing & editing, preparation, set-up & tear-down, education, phone calls, travel & other business related endeavors add up to the overall success of your special once in a lifetime day.

Modern Bride Magazine: Entertainment is 5% of your Wedding Budget, but TWICE as many guests will remember your entertainment, more than anything else!

Perfect Weddings Budget - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

The numbers don’t lie, Perfect Weddings Budget…

The cost of entertainment at your reception is only a small portion of your overall budget.  As Modern Bride Magazine states above, only 5% of your overall budget will be spent on entertainment.  However, over 50% of your guests will remember the performance of your disc jockey more than anything else at your reception.  Think back to the last affair you attended, what did you eat? What Color was the Napkin? What was the guest of honor wearing?  The Chart Below shows you what was spent compared to how well it will be remembered….

Percentage of Money Spent      Percentage of What Guests Remember Most

pc_charts_1pc_charts_2

When you’re spending thousands of dollars on a once-in-a-lifetime event, doesn’t it make sense to reserve the finest entertainment, especially since it is only 5% of your over all budget??

Yes, your Gown & your Food are very important.  Still, the selection of Music &  Entertainment can determine the success of your event!

A qualified Wedding MC can guarantee your guests will stay after dinner to party; the Photographer & Videographer will have something to shoot & your guests will stay long enough to really remember your gown!

via Perfect Weddings: Budget.

Perfect Weddings Budget - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Perfect Weddings Budget – Rhode Island Wedding DJ

I think they raise some interesting and revealing points. What do you think about this information? Is it correct or skewed? Does it match your experiences at Weddings?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

Rihanna Stay

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Rihanna Stay is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her seventh studio album Unapologetic (2012). Featuring guest vocals by Mikky Ekko, the song was released as the second single from the album on January 7, 2013. Rihanna Stay was co-written by Mikky Ekko and Justin Parker. It is a pop ballad, featuring piano and guitar chords. The lyrical content regards the temptation and failure of resisting a true love. The song garnered a mostly positive response from music critics. They were divided in their opinion regarding the balladry, with most describing it as a standout track on the album, while a few labeled it as boring. However, critics were unified in their opinion of praising the vocal performance and emotion.

Upon the release of Unapologetic, “Stay” charted on multiple charts worldwide. Following its release as a single, it has reached number one in Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Israel and the top five in twenty-four countries worldwide including Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It has also charted at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Rihanna’s twenty-fourth top ten on the chart, thus surpassing Whitney Houston‘s tally. Furthermore, it has charted at number one on the US Pop Songs chart and 19 on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart.

The song’s music video, directed by Sophie Muller, depicts Rihanna naked in a bathtub filled with cloudy water, while Mikky Ekko performs in a separate bathroom. Critics likened the vulnerability and raw emotion in the video to the song itself. Rihanna premiered “Stay” on Saturday Night Live in the United States, while she performed the song in the United Kingdom on the ninth series of The X Factor. Rihanna and Ekko also performed “Stay” at the 2013 Grammy Awards. The track was included on the set list of the majority of her 777 Tour promotional tour dates, in support of the album, while it is included on Rihanna’s fifth headlining tour, the “Diamonds World Tour“.

Rihanna Stay Music Video

Rihanna Stay Music Video Story

Background

The music video for Rihanna Stay was directed by Sophie Muller. On February 10, 2013, whilst walking the red carpet of the 55th Grammy Awards, Rihanna held an interview with Ryan Seacrest who officially revealed that the music video would premiere on E! News the following day. Rihanna described the production saying, “The video was really, really simple. I pretty much stayed put in a bathtub, and we shot it really tight, really close. There’s Mikky Ekko in the video as well. This is the first time I’ve ever collaborated with him, so I’m excited about that because he’s actually the one who wrote the song and I kinda just fell in love with it so much and in love with the tone of his voice and we wanna keep him a part of it, so you’ll see him in the video.” The singer added, “It’s a very emotional song and it’s personal, so you just think about, it’s almost like telling a story, and when you tell a story, even to yourself — if you’re saying it out loud and expressing how you feel — it needs to be powerful because it needs to be authentic.” On February 11, Rihanna leaked an “uncut” version of the video on Twitter prior to the official premiere, featuring the singer performing to the track in one singular take, without Mikky Ekko. The official version premiered on E! News later that day. It was then uploaded to Rihanna’s official VEVO account at 8AM ET the following day.

The video opens with a shot of running water. Rihanna is then presented undressing and climbing into a bathtub. Throughout the rest of the video, the singer is presented nude in the tub full of cloudy green water; subtle camera angles protect her modesty. Rihanna is shown wearing little make-up and with long hair tangled and wet over one side of her face. The singer seems morose and sad as she occasionally flickers her eyes to the ceiling and puts her head in her hands, showing off long manicured nails and a diamond stud earring. The low-key video also features Mikky Ekko, who performs his parts of the song separately including scenes of him perched on the edge of a different bathtub, gazing into a mirror, in front of an unlit fireplace, and sitting on a grand chair. The video switches between the pair throughout the course of the video until it concludes with a single tear falling from Rihanna’s eye as she sinks lower into the bathtub.

Rihanna Stay with Fun Rhode Island DJ

What The Critics Say About Rihanna Stay

Rihanna Stay received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Jon Dolan for Rolling Stone was complimentary of Rihanna’s execution of the song, writing that she performs it “within an inch of its life” and “pleads at the piano.” Dolan continued to state that it is “stark” and “shadowy” which is “confrontationally honest.” Dan Martin for NME described “Stay” as Unapologetic‘s highlight, writing that it is a “gorgeous piano ballad.” Martin continued to write that the song “puts a vulnerable spin on the Brown situation, repeating another theme of the album”, a reference to her relationship with Chris Brown. Smokey Fontaine for the Huffington Post also praised “Stay”, placing emphasis on Rihanna’s vocal performance. He wrote that “Three years ago, no one would have paid attention to a beautiful piano-ballad like ‘Stay.’ Not because of the events we all witnessed, but because of how honest and emotionally-connected her vocals are.”

Lewis Corner for Digital Spy awarded “Stay” four out of five stars, commenting that Rihanna “doesn’t need all the controversial romp to top the charts.” Corner also compared “Stay” to the work of “some of 2012’s most successful female balladeers” Emeli Sandé and Lana Del Rey and concluded by stating that Rihanna “never [follows] the pack” but “[airs] her seemingly complex emotions through music’s current trend.” The song garnered a mixed review from Genevieve Koski for The A.V. Club, writing that the album is “heavy on the sort of milquetoast ballads that have never been Rihanna’s specialty” with regard to “Stay” and “What Now”. However, Jon Caramanica for The New York Timesnegatively critiqued the song, writing that it is “dull piano driven song.” The reason he gave for it being “dull” was that he felt “Stay”, along with “Get It Over With” and “Lost in Paradise”, were the “least texturally confrontational” and therefore “by far the least successful.”

Rihanna Stay with DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Rihanna Stay moves me. I have been a fan of Rihanna for many years and find her music still exceeding the standard in the industry for Pop Music and R&B artists. She has never had to do what was “hot” or trendy. She finds a way to have songs written for her that meet her strengths and passion succinctly, while still consistently hitting the top of the charts. Of all her reecent music, I feel the most connection and energy from Rihanna Stay. The textured, simple piano and guitar match her emotional and personal honesty step-for-step.

 

Rihanna Stay Uptempo Remix

      Rihanna Feat. Mikky Ekko - Stay [Uptempo Remix] - Rihanna Feat. Mikky Ekko

 

What do you like best about Rihanna Stay?

Rihanna Stay with DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

10 Dirty Secrets of a Wedding DJ with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

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I have been trying to be consistent in offering Brides and Grooms quality information on hiring their Wedding DJ to make more intelligent decisions. This has lead to me to constantly scan the Internet for Wedding DJ Companies around the world to find different opinions on what makes a good Wedding DJ and how to distinguish one from the other. it is not easy and I hope these articles help. This one comes from a Wedding DJ and Event Company in the Buffalo area of Upstate New York named Phenomenon Events and Productions. I do not support the ideas of this particular article completely but still think it is worth reading and discussing.

10 Dirty Secrets of a Wedding DJ - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

10 Dirty Secrets You Should Know About The Wedding DJ Before You Hire Them!

1. Beware of the DJ Company who tries to beat everyone’s price or offers you a dirt cheap price.  Why?  In the industry he is referred to as a bottom feeder.  He can not book weddings based on his performance so therefore he has to offer you the cheapest price in order to lure you in.  Usually, you will get sub-standard services.  Remember the old cliché; you get what you pay for.  Why trust your wedding or event to someone who is a bottom feeder?

Price is an important component in making quality decisions for hiring  your Wedding DJ, but not the only important factor.

2. Watch out for hidden fees. Ask about fees for lighting, wireless microphones, extra music, planning sessions etc.  You may be lured in by a low price and then of course you want all those extras.  Next thing you know, you are paying a lot more than you initially thought. Even more importantly, a lot of companies charge travel fees or even charge you for the time period where the DJ is setting up. Be sure that everything is clear before you sign anything.

Hidden fees can really add-up. Ask your Wedding DJ specifically about each item you want for your Wedding.

3. Beware of hiring a friend of the family or a DJ who does not give you a contract.  Quite often they do not reserve your date or something else comes up and you are left searching for a DJ or Sound System a week before your wedding. Not to mention, you probably won’t get the professionalism and experience your night deserves. As you may trust your friend/family, you do not want to take any chances on your special day.

An excellent professional Wedding DJ makes all the difference at your Wedding, please take your time and choose carefully. You do not get a redo…

4. Does your Wedding DJ just talk about his equipment?  What is this equipment going to do for you in terms of making your reception or event, a dream come true?  Most people will not notice the clarity of the speakers so if he tells you that his equipment is better because he has “X speakers”, more than likely you would not notice the difference from another type of professional speakers.  The main thing is that most professional Wedding DJ equipment is great and it really depends on the Wedding DJ to get your event going.

Good quality equipment is essential, high quality Wedding DJ skills and experience are far more critical to creating a spectacular Wedding for you.

5. Avoid the Wedding DJ that talks about himself too much and has poor hygiene.  Why? If he talks about himself too much then he will try to be the main focus at your reception.  The main focus at a reception should be the Bride and Groom or Guest(s) of Honor. Most unprofessional DJ’s do not even own suits.  Can you imagine a gorgeous reception that you have invested thousands of dollars and it is ruined by an unprofessional, poorly dressed MC and DJ.  If he does not care about his appearance then more than likely, he will not care about the quality of your reception or can come unprepared. Sloppy!

You are the main attraction and all the spotlight should shine on you. With that said, who wants a Wedding DJ that looks awful in all your Wedding Photos?

6. Can you imagine a Master of Ceremonies that does not have a good command of the English Language?  You have sophisticated guests and your Wedding DJ is using slang or continues to be embarrassing or inappropriate on the microphone. Not only will that affect you, but the Wedding DJ and entertainment is what sets the mood of the night. Do you want your wedding to be remembered as the one with the embarrassing DJ? You have the right to be picky about whom you choose as your Wedding DJ.

A good professional, experienced Wedding MC adds life, energy and elegance, not to mention fun to your Wedding. Listen to how he or she speaks from the minute you first speak with them. Do they meet your standards for an enjoyable and exciting voice?

7. DJs who say they use iPods or iTunes to DJ your wedding reception may not be the smartest choice. As nice as an iPod may be, it’s not meant for professional use. Did you know consumer reports, reported that 3 out of every 4 iPods will randomly lock up or freeze! This would be horrible especially during the first dance!

There is no place for an iPod at Wedding, except as an emergency back-up. Hire a Wedding DJ that has top level DJ software, CDs or vinyl for a smooth, quality sound.

8. What about the Disc Jockey that stands behind the DJ booth and acts bored. He does nothing to get the guests motivated.  He could be playing the best music but unless he reflects motivation and action, it will affect your guests. You want to choose a Wedding DJ with personality and energy, that will make all the guests enjoy and remember your wedding.

A fun, excited Wedding DJ shares that excitement and energy throughout your Wedding. If they are not interested, why would your friends and family be?

9. Most Bottom Feeders are not licensed nor are they insured.  Most banquet facilities require the DJ Company to have liability insurance.  You may hire him and then find out weeks before your reception that he does not have liability insurance and then you are not allowed to use him.  This leaves you searching for a Wedding DJ within days of your reception.

You never know what can happen at any event. Please hire a Wedding DJ with insurance.

10. Here is the most important item:  Does your facility require you to use the house DJ.  With a House DJ most often you do not know who you will be doing your wedding or will he play what you like. You may not know what DJ you will get from that company until a few days before your wedding. It would be in your best interest if the banquet hall would let YOU decide who will be in charge of creating your Dream Day!  You should be able to make your own choices and choose quality entertainment.  Some companies install speakers in a banquet facility so the hall will only refer one sound company. Ask to see those DJs in person and hear the quality of that sound system before you book!

I invite you to be smart and not let someone else choose your Wedding DJ for you. Your Wedding is too important.  

via 10 Dirty Secrets of a Wedding DJ – Phenomenon Events & Productions.

10 Dirty Secrets of a Wedding DJ - Rhode Island Multicultural Wedding DJ

As with most of these articles, they left out the two factors I consider greatest, guarantee and diversity. Does the Wedding DJ offer a guarantee that holds them accountable for their performance at your Wedding? Is your Wedding DJ experienced in performing with diverse audiences like the friends and family that will be guests at your Wedding? Do they excel with all ages, cultures, social groups and styles of music? Is your Wedding DJ a Multicultural Wedding DJ?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

Ask about my Rhode Island Wedding DJ & Rhode Island Party DJ Guarantee!

Psy Gentleman

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Psy Gentleman is the latest single from Psy released in The USA. Psy Gentleman has some of the funny and sarcastic social commentary that made Gangnam Style such an international hit. It also has fun and hysterical dance moves that have created the string oif success he has enjoyed in South Korea. I used to live in South Korea and have such great appreciation for the people and culture whenever anything makes its way to American pop culture.

Psy Gentleman Music Video

http://youtu.be/8V2K8HxUlLw

Psy Gentleman Breaks You Tube Records!

The video for Psy Gentleman — the South Korean pop star’s hotly anticipated follow-up to the internationally ubiquitous “Gangnam Style” — set a new record for most hits on YouTube in a single day on April 14, earning 38 million views, according to Google. The “Kony 2012” short film held the prior record with 30 million. Psy Gentleman also set a day-of-debut record of 18.5 million views when it dropped April 13.

Psy’s “Gangnam Style” is YouTube’s most-watched video of all time at 1.5 billion views.

Psy Gentleman, which features the 35-year-old goofball lothario debuting a new hip-swinging signature dance and playing pranks on women in various locations around Seoul, has been viewed 215 million times in the 10 days since its release. It took Gangnam Style took more than 50 days to reach 100 million views.

Psy’s viral fortunes haven’t been buoyed by mainstream media support back home, though. The video for “Gentleman” was banned by a South Korean broadcaster last week because of its depiction of “the abuse of public property.” In one sequence in the video, Psy is seen kicking a “no parking” sign. The Hollywood Reporter

Psy Gentleman with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Psy Gentleman is the 19th K-pop single by South Korean musician Psy released on April 12, 2013 (KST). It is the follow-up to his international hit single “Gangnam Style“, which at the time of Gentleman’s release had been viewed on YouTube over 1.5 billion times. The first public performance of the song, with its associated dance, was unveiled at 6:30 pm on April 13 at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul. A poster and Twitter message was released containing the main line of the song “I’m a mother fxxxxx gentleman”; the word was later revealed to be “father”

The Brown Eyed Girls' 2009 K-pop single "Abracadabra" used in Psy Gentleman with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

From April 7–9, 2013, the music video for “Gentleman” was filmed in various parts of Seoul and Goyang, South Korea. The boutique in the opener was the 10 Corso Como store in Cheongdam-dong, and the elevator scene was at the The Grand InterContinental Hotel, both of which are in the Gangnam District. The elementary school was in Seongdong District, and the library was the Seoul Metropolitan Library in Seoul City Hall. A part of the hip-swing dance scenes was at the Mapo Bridge. In Goyang, scenes were shot at an indoor pool at Goyang Stadium, an Ilsan indoor golf driving range, and Hallyu World.[37][38] It was directed by South Korean Jo Soo-hyun, who previously directed Psy’s music video for “Gangnam Style,” and co-edited by Yang Hyun-suk. South Korean TV show Infinite Challenge cast members Yoo Jae-suk, Park Myeong-su, Jeong Jun-ha, Jeong Hyeong-don, Noh Hong-chul, HaHa, and Gil make appearances in the video, with Yoo and Noh making return appearances from the “Gangnam Style” video. The two bikini girls are models; the yellow bikini girl, Choi So-Ra, was the winner of the third cycle of Korea’s Next Top Model. Four of the other girls featured in the music video are acting majors from Dongduk Women’s University in Seoul.

The video is described to have a “sexual twist” in comparison to his previous single and features Psy performing a “fast, hip-swinging dance” and wearing an array of jackets in wide-ranging colors and sunglasses that he has become known for wearing. Before the release of the video, he hinted that the choreography will be a unique take on a classic dance by stating that “All Koreans know this dance. But (those in) other countries haven’t seen it”. The dance was later revealed to be the “arrogant dance” from the song “Abracadabra” by South Korean girl group Brown Eyed Girls. Lee Joo Sun, Psy’s choreographer who came up with the ‘horse-riding’ dance for “Gangnam Style,” had said, “We have a great dance. We thought up 50 different dances, everything from a sports dance to an animal dance, but we finally decided that [Brown Eyed Girls’] dance fits the song best.” The music video also features an appearance by the girl group member Ga-In. Psy reportedly paid a royalty to Brown Eyed Girls’ choreographers in order to use the routine in the video.

The video also revealed other dance move along with ‘arrogant dance’. The dance move was called the ‘crab dance’ where one moves sideways with their hands in the shape of a crab’s claw, and created by Lee Job-Sun.

Psy Gentleman is a fun song, dance and video.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

U2 Bad

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I was recently working on a project related to Live Aid, and was reminded of the powerful performance of U2 Bad at Wembley Stadium, London on July 13th, 1985. After further research, I was surprised to find out the content of U2 Bad.

U2 Bad at Live Aid with Rhode Island DJ

The U2 Bad Story

“Bad” began with an improvised guitar riff during a jam session at Slane Castle where U2 were recording The Unforgettable Fire.The basic track was completed in three takes. Of its immediate and live nature, U2 guitarist The Edge said “There’s one moment where Larry puts down brushes and takes up the sticks and it creates this pause which has an incredibly dramatic effect.” Producer Brian Eno added the sequencer arpeggios that accompany the song.

The early 1980s recession had led to high number of heroin addicts in inner city Dublin. In concert, lead vocalist Bono frequently introduced the song as a song about Dublin.[4]The Edge and the album’s producers, Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, were focused on the music and less interested in the lyrics. Bono left the song unfinished.

During a July 26, 2011 concert in Pittsburgh, Bono explained before a performance of “Bad” that the song was written for “very special man, who is here in your city, who grew up on Cedarwood Road. We wrote this song about him and we play it for him tonight.”  He was referring to Andy Rowen, whom the song was originally written about in 1984 and who was present at the show. Rowen is brother of Bono’s Lypton Village friend Guggi and Peter Rowen, who is featured on the sleeve artwork for the band’s albums Boy and War.

U2 Bad at Live Aid with Rhode Island DJ

There are other versions of the story from Bono himself. His account from a 1987 concert in Chicago indicate “Bad” is about a friend of his who died of a heroin overdose and also about the conditions that make such events likely repeat themselves. Bono once commented in another concert (in the UK) about people lying in gutters with “needles hangin’ outta their fuckin’ arms while the rich live indifferently to the suffering of the less fortunate.” At Eriksberg, Gothenburg in Sweden 1987, he said: “I wrote the words about a friend of mine, his name was Gareth Spaulding. And on his 21st birthday he and his friends decided to give themselves a present of enough heroin into his veins to kill him. This song is called ‘Bad’.

U2 Bad at Live Aid

http://youtu.be/2zIW8qDPhos

U2 participated in the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium for Ethiopian famine relief on 13 July 1985. They played a 12-minute version of U2 Bad, which was extended by snippets of Lou Reed‘s “Satellite of Love” and “Walk on the Wild Side“, and The Rolling Stones‘ “Ruby Tuesday” and “Sympathy for the Devil“. Bono leaped down off the stage to embrace and dance with a fan, which was captured on the TV broadcast sent around the world. The performance was so long that the band was only able to play two of the three songs in their set, leaving out “Pride (In the Name of Love)“, which was supposed to end the band’s performance. The concert turned out to be a breakthrough moment for the band, showing a television audience of millions the personal connection that Bono could make with audiences. Only a week later he realized that the dance with the fan became a key image of Live Aid. All of U2’s albums re-entered the charts in the UK after their performance. In 1985, Rolling Stone called U2 the “Band of the 80’s,” saying that “for a growing number of rock-and-roll fans, U2 have become the band that matters most, maybe even the only band that matters.”

U2 Bad Original Studio Version

http://youtu.be/AFG_YVpDd_s

It almost comical to think at that point they felt like they had to introduce themselves, based on the amount of global success U2 has enjoyed since then.

U2 have released 12 studio albums and are among the all-time best-selling music artists, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide. They have won 22 Grammy Awards, more than any other band, and in 2005, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Rolling Stone ranked U2 at number 22 in its list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”. Throughout their career, as a band and as individuals, they have campaigned for human rights and philanthropic causes, including Amnesty International, the ONE/DATA campaigns, Product Red, and The Edge’s Music Rising.

U2 Bad at Live Aid with Rhode Island DJ

U2 Bad Lyrics

If you twist and turn away
If you tear yourself in two again
If I could, yes I would
If I could, I would
Let it go
Surrender
Dislocate

If I could throw this
Lifeless lifeline to the wind
Leave this heart of clay
See you walk, walk away
Into the night
And through the rain
Into the half-light
And through the flame

If I could through myself
Set your spirit free
I’d lead your heart away
See you break, break away
Into the light
And to the day

To let it go
And so to fade away
To let it go
And so fade away

I’m wide awake
I’m wide awake
Wide awake
I’m not sleeping
Oh, no, no, no

If you should ask then maybe they’d
Tell you what I would say
True colors fly in blue and black
Bruised silken sky and burning flag
Colors crash, collide in blood shot eyes

If I could, you know I would
If I could, I would
Let it go…

This desparation
Dislocation
Separation
Condemnation
Revelation
In temptation
Isolation
Desolation
Let it go

And so fade away
To let it go
And so fade away
To let it go
And so to fade away

I’m wide awake
I’m wide awake
Wide awake
I’m not sleeping
Oh, no, no, no

U2 Bad is a great song that is part of U2’s live performances worldwide and very popular among their fans. What about U2 Bad is most intriguing and powerful for you?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

15 Questions To Ask Your Wedding DJ Before You Hire Them from RI Wedding DJ

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Earlier today on Pinterest, I saw this great info gram from Premier Event DJs in Georgia. I see many Wedding DJ infograms and some are better than others. I think this one has merit and wanted to share it with you. I thought it might be helpful to you if I went ahead and answered therm as if you were asking me the questions yourself.

15 questions to ask your wedding dj by Rhode Island Wedding DJ

15 Questions To Ask Your Wedding DJ Before You Hire Them

1) I started as a DJ in 1980, believe it or not! I was not professionally performing as a Wedding DJ all of the years since, but have been a full-time Wedding DJ the last three.

2) About 80% of my DJ business is dedicated to being a Wedding DJ. The other 20% is performing as a Party DJ for Sweet Sixteens, Graduations, Birthdays and Reunions.

3) Yes I have many references from past clients who have loved my Wedding DJ and Party DJ performances! Just ask and I will connect them to you or you can view some reviews right now. I have some videos but they are mostly from Sweet Sixteens. You are welcome to view them as well.

4) I am fortunate that when I started as a Wedding DJ, we all were ‘traditional’ DJs who seamlessly beat-match. Today I am more known for my skills and experience as a professional Wedding MC in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

5) Of course, you can choose your music, it is your Wedding! It baffles me that there are Wedding DJs that do not let you choose your music for your Wedding.

6) I will be performing at your Wedding or Party. If this is not the case, I will inform you of this during our first conversation, if I am not available but one of my excellent Wedding DJs are and would be a good match for your Wedding. You will know who is your Wedding DJ and it will be written into our DJ contract.

7) I typically have a second DJ with me about 75% of the Weddings we do. You decide in advance if you want to hire a one-person or two-person team of Wedding DJ and MC. I generally will recommend a two-person team for most Weddings but sometimes it is more than necessary, still your choice.

8) Yes, every good Wedding DJ should have several forms of back-up DJ equipment including emergency DJ equipment in case of power failures, you never know what can happen…

9) I use The BOSE L1 System with B1 Bass. It is amazing! My music is stored on my MacBook with several forms of back-ups for technical problems. My current DJ library of music is over 40,000 songs!

10) I would be honored to MC your Wedding! It is fun, exciting and helps me build connections to you and your friends and family. Of course, if you have a friend or family member you would prefer to MC, that is great too.

11) Yes my equipment is used by professional musicians and DJs who know the best. I only use BOSE for my audio sound and Shure wireless mics. By the way, The BOSE L1 System even looks good in your Wedding photos as a bonus.

12) My light show is simple and fun. I do not typically bring a real fancy light show because I want the focus to be on you, it’s your Wedding.

13) I generally do not take breaks. Some venues ask for the Wedding DJ to eat in another room. When this is their policy, I will put on a preprogrammed playlist of your music during dinner, but stay close enough to hear if there are any problems.

14) Overtime is paid in cash if you request this during your Wedding at $150/hour.

15) I have a Guarantee, all professional Wedding DJs should have some guarantee to give you complete peace of mind that I am as committed to your Wedding being amazing as you. Well maybe not as much as you, but you get the point. Do not pay me the balance if you are not completely satisfied with my performance as your Wedding DJ!

There, I answered all 15 Questions To Ask Your Wedding Before You Hire Them. Now you don’t have to ask:) If you have any more questions or want greater detail, just ask.

15 Questions To Ask Your Wedding DJ Before You Hire Them from Rhode Island Wedding DJ

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

Ask about my Rhode Island Wedding DJ & Rhode Island Party DJ Guarantee!

 

Rhode Island Wedding DJ Without Competition

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I have been noticing that Rhode Island Wedding DJs are competing more and more for the Rhode Island Wedding DJ market. Competition is good for any industry, it creates fair price points and promotes excellence. These are the positives to industry professional competition. Of course, there are negatives to Rhode Island Wedding DJ competition as well. They are the area of concern for me.

Fun Rhode Island Wedding DJ

It seems that some of the newer, younger Rhode Island Wedding DJs think that trying to create negative public impressions of the competition is helpful.  These inexperienced to the professional Wedding industry do not understand that what you said or wrote bad about Rhode Island Wedding DJs on Craigslist, Twitter, Facebook or You Tube, also reflects on them as well. This is not to mention that public insults and gossip are bad for the Soul of the individual. Let’s be honest here, we all know that many of you have experienced some really awful Wedding DJs ruin an otherwise great Wedding. This is unfortunate for the Bride and Groom, since we do not get a redo the following week to make it right.

Fun Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Rhode Island Wedding DJ Preparation

I was just on the phone with an interesting Bride getting married this summer. We were laughing at the fact that the Wedding DJ that is not prepared for your Wedding may ruin it and not have the opportunity to fix their lack of preparation or attention to detail. Weddings take a very focused and concentrated effort by the Wedding DJ before we arrive. We need to make sure all equipment is functioning optimally and this is true for our back-up gear as well. It is not enough to just download all the music that the Bride and Groom have put on their Must-Play and Would-Like Played lists, we need to make sure each file works with our DJ software before we leave home. Early on I learned the hard way that every now and then, about 1:500 ratio, we have a bad music file. This happened two summers ago for a Bride and Groom’s First Dance! I felt awful and quickly switched to another song but there was no way to fix it live. They were so disappointed and it has left a mark on me to be ridiculously diligent when preparing for each Wedding. I recognize that it borders on obsessive, but I think it is worth it to never experience that again, especially for the Bride and Groom!

I think it is important that all Rhode Island Wedding DJs show respect and support for each other. I am fortunate that I have never experienced any of the bad blood that seems to be cultivated these days between the couple thousand of us in the area who provide Music, MC and DJ services in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania for local Brides and Grooms. It is hard enough trying to find an excellent Wedding DJ without having all the negativity added to the equation.

Fun Rhode Island Wedding DJ

I invite all professional Rhode Island Wedding DJs to respect their competition and more importantly, provide excellent DJ & MC services to all the Brides and Grooms we are hired to create amazing Weddings for. You deserve nothing but excellence at your Wedding and should be able to count on your Wedding DJ to give you at least that, if not more.

Fun Rhode Island Wedding DJ

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

No Child Left Behind | Making Music Magazine

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The latest information about music’s connection to mental power, wellness, and creativity emphasizes the importance of the art form: it should be an educational priority. The current federal education act produces both positive and negative outcomes for the arts in public schools. Music education advocates say they need strong support from grass-roots movements and local communities.

The Importance of Music Education for Kids

“Parents need to understand that they need to be proactive in this process and not reactive,” says Scott McCormick, founder and CEO for the National Association of Music Parents (AMP). “[School board meetings] are where the decisions are made and the discussions begin to happen, where budgets are looked at and talked about and things are said, where people have to be present on a regular basis to hear those things. Then, rally the troops before it becomes an issue.”

Music and Dance for Children with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was originally adopted in 1966. Since then, every presidential administration has reauthorized it, but put its own twist on it. The Bush Administration renamed it the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act in 2002. Their twist was to put more emphasis on testing and accountability. Currently, the act lists music and the arts as core subjects. This is a positive breakthrough in education reform.

“There have been aspects of NCLB that are beneficial for arts education,” says Marcia McCaffrey, president elect for State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE). “For instance, indicating that arts is a core content area and should therefore be available to all students. [But] you can’t say that’s true for the entire nation. Some of our students who need the arts the most to be successful are the ones who are not getting it.”

Problems arise when public schools follow the strict guidelines of adequate yearly progress (AYP), and are subjected to state and federal testing and accountability. This serves as a basis for all federal funding. Currently AYP only measures math and reading skills and public schools have no incentive to test other subjects. This can be unfavorable for the non-tested subjects such as the arts and music. The NCLB assessments and funding process change how administrators and teachers approach arts classes in regard to professional development and scheduling. When nationwide budget cuts take place, the funding for non-tested subjects are affected first, especially in low-income school districts.

Music and Dance for Children with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

This year the US Department of Education granted various state waivers for NCLB that give more flexibility with federal funds and provide an opportunity for states to redefine their adequacy programs. As Democrats and Republicans continue their struggle over the proper role of the federal government in education, the Obama administration has relieved more than half the nation’s schools from central provisions of NCLB in a short amount of time.

“The way we’re going to get better is to have community arts organizations, providers of supplemental arts instruction, certified arts teachers, and certified teachers in other content areas come together to talk about and show that they value the arts in education,” McCaffrey says.

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) has partnered with the National Association for Music Education (NAFME) on what is known as the SupportMusic Coalition. Together they are arming the grassroots with the information and tools they need to make a case for supporting local music programs.

Music and Dance for Children with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

“When parents understand the value of critical thinking, cooperation, creative visioning, collaboration, and developing positive work ethics, they will almost insist that a child be a part of that program,” says Conn-Selmer vice president of education Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, at a SupportMusic Coalition teleconference. “And there’s no other part of the school curriculum that does this better than music.”

The coalition is designed to inform parents on national statistics and research, laying out the intrinsic value and economic arguments for music education. Educators stress that they can’t achieve change and progress by themselves. They need help from the public.

Music and Dance for Children with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

“The Support Music Coalition supports grass-roots advocacy and we’re working to keep music and arts education strong in communities everywhere, so every child has a chance to learn music and the arts as part of the core curriculum. Together we’re working to keep music education strong,” says Mary Luehrsen, NAMM director of public affairs and government relations.

Music and Dance for Children with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Participation and support are crucial for success. AMP is another nonprofit organization designed to assemble parents of school-aged students and bring about a national movement beginning at the local level.

Wondering how to get involved? There are many ways. Success depends on the involvement of concerned parents and the public. Learn how to rate your school, build your case, and develop effective advocacy strategies at www.SupportMusic.com. Be heard and achieve meaningful results on the local and national level by becoming a member of AMP at www.AMParents.org.

“[Even] for a parent whose child is going to be a doctor or a lawyer, the spin-off benefits [from music education] that the child develops in the habits of life skills, just can’t be denied,” Lautzenheiser says. “If anybody does their research and is able to connect that information to parents, I think our numbers will go up, I think our programs will remain strong, and I think administrators across the country will find a way for us to exist. So, that’s why it’s important for us to hang together rather than separately.”

via No Child Left Behind | Making Music Magazine.

No Child Left Behind

by Avery Galek

Music and Dance for Children with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Music and music education are so critical to the appreciation and creation of music. Humans need music and no better time to start than early childhood. I invite us all to support local music and art programs and school funding for music and art.  We all need to get involved and make sure all children get the opportunity to learn and appreciate music as part of a healthy lifestyle.Balnce doe snot just happen magically as an adult, it begins in early childhood. Music is too important to ignore, too important. Making Music Magazine has great articles and resources for musicians, listeners and dancers about music and its impact in our lives. Any Multicultural DJ knows this and is actively engaged in  music for all generations.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147