Best Selling Music Artists of All-Time

Posted on April 19, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

The list of best selling music artists includes artists with claims of 75 million or more record sales in multiple third-party reliable sources. The claimed sales figures and the total certified sales figures (for each country) within the provided sources include sales of albums, singles, compilation-albums, music videos as well as downloads of singles and full-length albums. The artists in the following tables are listed with both their claimed and certified sales figures and are ranked in descending order, with the highest claimed sales at the top. Artists with the same claimed sales are then ranked by certified units. Sales figures, such as those from Soundscan, which are sometimes published by Billboard magazine, have not been included in the certified units column. Currently, The Beatles are listed at the top of the list as they are considered the highest-selling band based both on sales claims and certified units. Elvis Presley, who is listed the second on the list is considered the highest-selling individual artist based both on sales claims and certified units.

All artists included on this list, which have begun charting on official albums/singles charts have their available claimed figure(s) supported by at least 20% in certified units. That is why Cliff Richard, Diana Ross, Charles Aznavour, Bing Crosby, Nana Mouskouri, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Tom Jones, The Jackson 5, Dionne Warwick, The Andrews Sisters,Luciano Pavarotti and others have not been included on this list. The percentage amount of certified sales needed increases the newer the artist is, meaning, artists such as Rihanna are expected to have their claimed figures supported by over 60% in certified units. The certified units are sourced from available online databases of local music industry associations. Note that all certified units are converted from Gold/Platinum/Diamond certification awards based on criteria provided by certifying bodies.

The requirements of certified sales are designed to avoid inflated sales figures, which are frequently practiced by record companies for promotional purposes.

The claimed figures are sourced to articles that use the term records (singles, albums, videos) and not albums. However, if all available sources for an artist/band say albums, such sources can only be used if the certified album units of the said artist meet the required percentage amount. Note that this list uses claimed figures that are closer to artists’ available certified sales. In other words, inflated claimed figures that will meet the required certified sales amount but are unrealistically high from available certified sales, will not be used.

Best Selling Music Artists of All-Time

The Beatles

The Beatles	United Kingdom	1960–1974	1962	Rock / Pop	Total available certified units: 250 million	600 million

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley United States 1954–1977 1954 Rock and roll / Pop Country

Total available certified units: 203.3 million

600 million

Elvis Presley	United States	1954–1977	1954	Rock and roll / Pop Country	Total available certified units: 203.3 million	600 million

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson	United States	1964–2009	1971	Pop / Rock / Dance /R&B	Total available certified units: 157.5 million	400 million 350 million 300 million

Madonna

Madonna	United States	1979–present	1982	Pop / Rock / Dance	Total available certified units: 160.1 million	300 million 275 million

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin United Kingdom 1968–1980 1969 Hard rock / Heavy metal

Total available certified units: 135.6 million

300 million
200 million

I am not surprised The Beatles are #1 but am a bit so that Elvis Presley is ahead of Michael Jackson, due to Michael Jackson’s global appeal. It is somewhat amazing that Led Zeppelin can be this high on Best Selling Music Artists of All-Time without a long history of hit singles, based solely on the strength of their album sales. These have been the most consistent hit producers of Pop Music and deserve their ranking. All are great artists for any professional Wedding DJ or Party DJ.

is there any artist(s) that you thought would be in the top five Best Selling Music Artists of All-Time that did not reach this level of sales?

DJ Mystical Michael New jersey DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

Led Zeppelin	United Kingdom	1968–1980	1969	Hard rock / Heavy metal	Total available certified units: 135.6 million	300 million 200 million

Great Music of Boston

Posted on April 17, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

After the horrific bombings yesterday, I thought it would be helpful to create a piece based on the great bands and great music from the city of Boston. Boston has a long history of producing great bands and great music, These are the most popular bands and great music from Boston.

Great Music of Boston

Aerosmith The stats alone would be enough to secure this spot for the Bad Boys of Boston – more than 100 million albums sold, worldwide stadium tours, enshrinement in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a raft of awards from Grammys to MTV moon men. But numbers and trophies can’t possibly tell the whole glorious, raunchy, tumultuous, debauched, and defiantly rocking story of this quintet that synthesized the sounds of its ancestors – gritty blues, stomping Brit rock, classic pop – into a hard rock sound at once ferocious and irresistible. The band has flirted with implosion time and again, but 40 years, three acts, nine lives, and countless imitators later, fantastical frontman Steven Tyler, guitar ace Joe Perry, and the locomotive trio of guitarist Brad Whitford, bass player Tom Hamilton, and drummer Joey Kramer are still laying down attitude and fire with great music.

The Cars Every single song on the Cars’ debut album is still in rotation on rock radio – no small feat considering the competition for nostalgia programming. The Cars were utterly canny, expert at cherry-picking the most iconic and broadly appealing elements of new wave, hard rock, and Top 40 and fusing the parts into savvy anthems that were somehow as exhilarating as they were slick. Rigorously affectless, the band’s off-kilter, design-driven aesthetic made them MTV staples in the thrilling early days of the music video era. The result? For a few shining years, the Cars achieved that most attractive and elusive state of pop great music grace: a hit machine with credibility.

Boston From the fertile mind of an MIT whiz kid (Tom Scholtz) and an angelic vocalist from Danvers (the late Brad Delp) came an arena-rock band that broke ground in melding state of the art with state of the heart on its blockbuster debut. More than “just another band,” Boston, which included guitarist Barry Goudreau, drummer Sib Hashian, and bassist Fran Sheehan, expanded the vision of what rock music could look and sound like.

Pixies The Pixies released only four albums in three years and never cracked the mainstream, but their artful embrace of musical extremes and radical subversion of conventions created a blueprint for the alternative rock explosion that would follow: whiplash dynamics, a ferocious collision of noise and melody, and cryptic lyricism that flirted with the primal and the surreal. How influential were they? Kurt Cobain was famously fond of saying that Nirvana was trying to rip off the Pixies, and interest in and regard for the band has only grown over the years. Their recent reunion shows, in venues larger and swanker than any they played the first time around, are filled with kids who genuflect at the altar of real musical heroes and great music.

James Taylor The Beatles saw so much potential in a barely-out-of-his-teens James Taylor that he was the first non-British signee to their Apple label. We can’t argue with them. They were likely impressed, as so many still are, by the warmth of his resonant tenor – still undimmed by age – his elegantly intricate guitar style, and his gift for delivering pathos, humor, and ruefulness, often all in one finely honed tune. No matter how personal the demons Taylor has wrestled in song, his voice has been the sound of solace, celebration, and sustenance. Along the way, he has racked up multi-platinum sales, immense peer respect, and a place alongside Aerosmith in the rock hall of fame of great music form Boston.

http://youtu.be/Q7RPCFfudmU

Peter Wolf & J. Geils Band Long before the No. 1 hit “Centerfold” catapulted the group onto a world stage, the J. Geils Band was known around here as something much more meaningful – New England’s blues-rock saviors. There’s a lot to be said for a band that sticks it out for 15 years before becoming famous, but you got the impression the guys weren’t initially hungry for just that. They were in it for the music, a down-and-dirty mix of R&B and rock that morphed into a more pop-oriented sound in the ’80s. Reunions have been sporadic since the group disbanded in 1985, and when frontman Peter Wolf left the lineup two years before that, he enjoyed a successful solo turn as a jive-talking hellcat who thinks the nighttime is the right time. Still a man about town, Wolf recently released his thoughtful seventh solo album, Midnight Souvenirs.

Donna Summer Disco was the genre that unleashed Donna Summer’s astonishing voice upon the masses, and she reigned supreme in the Studio 54 glory days. The woman born LaDonna Gaines transcended the ephemera of that era by bringing erotic heat and a beating heart to Giorgio Moroder’s icy synths and pulsating beats on hits like “Love to Love You Baby” and her powerhouse face-off with Barbra Streisand, “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough).” But even as the mirror ball turned, Summer ambitiously looked beyond dance-floor catnip by exploring concept albums and new sonic frontiers. And long after the glitter faded she was still working hard for the money and scoring hits. Every big-voiced diva who has emerged since, from Whitney Houston to Alicia Keys, owes a debt to Summer and her great music.

Aimee Mann & Til Tuesday Til Tuesday, the band Aimee Mann formed in the early ’80s after dropping out of Berklee College of Music, enjoyed one big single with the moody new wave anthem “Voices Carry.” But it was Mann’s whip-smart songwriting that leapt off the page and became her stock in trade when the frontwoman set out as a solo artist. She stepped boldly into her role as proto-poster girl for independent musicians, fleeing the hits-obsessed major-label system to establish a thriving career on her own terms. More to the point, Mann became a master craftswoman, a cobbler of beautiful, barbed narratives that define a singer-songwriter’s task: to illuminate our deepest, darkest selves.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones This rowdy, plaid-clad bunch, led by mischievous carnival barker frontman Dicky Barrett, was a true DIY success story long before the major labels got hip to its blend of serrated metal guitar, buoyant rock-steady ska grooves, a jubilant horn section, and a whole lot of punk snarl. The band’s Top 40 breakthrough in 1997 was icing on a long-cooking cake.

Dropkick Murphys If the concept of working-class Boston could be scientifically translated into a musical equivalent, it would be the sound of this endearingly scruffy band of punks. Whether celebrating Celtic pride or the heart of the working man, rooting on our home teams, or lionizing misfits, barflies, and brawlers, the Dropkick Murphys manage to marry menace, mirth, and meaning into something brutal yet inviting.

Tracy Chapman (born March 30, 1964) is an American singer-songwriter, known for her singles “Fast Car“, “Talkin’ ’bout a Revolution“, “Baby Can I Hold You“, “Crossroads“, “Give Me One Reason” and “Telling Stories“. She is a multi-platinum and four-time Grammy Award-winning artist. Chapman’s activism extends further than her lyrics. She has performed at numerous socially aware events, and continues to do so. In 1988, Tracy Chapman performed in London as part of a worldwide concert tour to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with Amnesty International. The same year Chapman also performed in the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute, an event which raised money for South Africa’s Anti-Apartheid Movement and seven children’s charities. More recently, in 2004 Chapman performed (and rode) in the AIDSLifeCycle event. A true legendary artist producing great music with social impact and commentary.

Great Music from Boston – Tracy Chapman Revolution Live

http://youtu.be/NTyAZTvLfAM

New Edition The Roxbury group may have set a record for successful spinoffs, as Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, and Brown replacement Johnny Gill all enjoyed solo careers, and Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe teamed up for the ’90s sensation Bell Biv DeVoe. But it was the ’80s R&B bubble gum confections like “Cool It Now” and “Candy Girl” that first had girls swooning. With five distinct personalities, voices, and styles, New Edition hewed to the familiar boy-band formula of predecessors like the Jackson 5. But the teens also injected a streetwise swagger into their sweet pop-soul nothings that became the modern template for harmonizing, synchronized-dancing heartthrobs everywhere, including another famous group of Boston kids.

Joan Baez is part of the Great Music and Bands of Boston by Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Joan Baez, pop musician? Not exactly, but the folk matriarch ultimately transcended genre: She was the embodiment and lightning rod of her generation, a beacon of its hopes and indestructible spirit. New York had Dylan, but we could claim Baez, since she moved to Belmont when she was 17 and dropped out of BU soon after enrolling. With nothing more than an acoustic guitar and that sterling soprano, the so-called “barefoot Madonna” quickly established herself as a formidable talent around here, most notably at Cambridge’s Club 47 (now Club Passim). Some 50 years later, Baez is the grande dame of folk music and as committed as ever to activism. And her influence is still felt around the world every time a young woman steps up on stage with just a guitar and a mission.

New Kids on The Block If you attended high school anywhere in the country in the late 1980s, there’s a good chance you heard a familiar refrain in your lunchroom: Who do you love most, Jordan or Joey? New Kids on the Block were global pop stars, but you could tell from those accents that they were the pride of Boston. Assembled by producer Maurice Starr, who had previously discovered New Edition, the band rocketed up the charts with teen-pop anthems such as “Hangin’ Tough” and “You Got It (The Right Stuff).” Initially dismissed by critics, they were the blueprint for the boy-band revival in the early ’90s. And when NKOTB reunited in 2008 for a new album, it was as if time had stood still. The Block debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart that year, proving that they still had the right stuff, even if they weren’t kids anymore.

Portions of this article have been taken from Boston’s 25 Greatest Pop Music Acts Ever Boston.com.

Great music and musicians from Boston. It does little to console the pain and sadness over the tragedy in Boston at the Boston Marathon yesterday, but it is still of value.

What great music and artists from Boston are your favorites?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

DJ Pop Mix 2013 – Spring

Posted on April 10, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

It is important for any full-time, professional DJ to keep our music libraries current. I am able to do so easily through PrimeCuts Music weekly updates and downloads. It is equally critical for the success of exceptional professional DJs to demonstrate the diversity, depth and quality of our DJ music libraries. This is one of the reasons I created the DJ Pop Mix 2013 – Spring. It lets you listen to the current hits and about to be hits of Spring 2013 at your leisure without having to ask me for mixes as evidence of my skills and DJ music library. I want you to know that when you hire me as your DJ for your Wedding or Party that all of your guests, friends and family will have their requests honored whether from 1946 or yesterday morning.

DJ Pop Mix 2013 – Spring

Spring 2013 Pop Mix - DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Pop Mix 2013 – Spring and PrimeCuts Music

“For over 30 years, TM Studios has delivered great music to industry professionals. Over 10 years ago, PrimeCuts was developed to bring that same service to mobile DJs, nightclubs & bars, sports teams, internet radio stations, & entertainment venues.

Here’s why PrimeCuts is considered by many to be the #1 choice for new music:

All the hits in various formats
Over 25 genres of music–every song from every service we offer
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TM Studios’ HitDiscs® are the music service of choice among radio professionals….including American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest, every major network, thousands of radio stations worldwide and most major webcasters. You can enjoy the same superior quality and service that broadcasters have come to depend on from TM Studios.

PrimeCuts features radio edit hits that crack the Top 30 Charts of Adult Contemporary, Hot AC, Top 40/CHR, Urban, Country, Rock and Alternative. PrimeCuts also includes Dance and Christian cuts. PrimeCuts is shipped every week, 52 weeks a year!”

I became a subscriber last year and am so grateful for the quality and diversity of music for a Multicultural DJ like myself. The package I subscribe to includes Latin and Jazz along with Adult Contemporary, Hot AC, Top 40/CHR, Urban, Country, Rock, Dance, Christian and Alternative genre.

If you would like a CD version for free, I invite you tow rite me and I will send it to you. Let me know what you think of the DJ Pop Mix 2013 – Spring! What did I leave out for the next DJ Pop Mix 2013?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

DJ Motown Mix

Posted on April 9, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

I continue to be thrilled by the fact that The Motown Sound is still popular! I smile every request I receive whether at a Wedding, Party or Trivia Hosting Event. Motown Music seems to transcend age, race, gender or class. This has always been one of my attractions to Motown Music, its diverse and far-reaching audiences. I created the DJ Motown Mix for those who want a pre-made mix of Classic Motown hits from Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Four Tops, Martha and The Vandellas, The Jackson 5, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Jackie Wilson, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.

DJ Motown Mix

Motown Mix - DJ Mystical Michael

The Motown Story

With an $800 loan from his family, Berry Gordy Jr. established Motown Records in January 1959. Within a few years, this Detroit-based outfit was selling more singles and releasing more hits than any other record company.

Beyond the formidable music and sales figures, Motown itself became a cultural icon. As the most successful African-American owned and operated record company- and business-in the U.S., it symbolized a new day: its energetic product reflected the striving toward progress and optimism of a long-oppressed people and the nation as a whole. Just as Jackie Robinson’s integration of major league baseball had far wider implications, the embrace of Motown’s artists and recordings by the entire listening audience helped hurdle overt racial barriers that had plagued the country since its inception.

In its classic era, the seminal music scene of the 1960s, Motown’s artists were among the most popular, establishing a standard of excellence and sophistication that has never been surpassed. Calling itself “The Sound Of Young America,” the instantly recognizable and often-imitated Motown Sound blended distinctively passionate singers, the call and response vocal arrangements of the African-American church tradition, pop music sensibilities, jazz virtuosity and irresistible rhythms, overlaying them with timeless songwriting.

Prior to founding Motown, Gordy had attempted other professions, including boxer, record store owner and auto worker before finding success as a songwriter, particularly with the dynamic singer Jackie Wilson. A chance meeting in 1958 with an aspiring local singing group, the Miracles, led to his teaching songwriting to the quintet’s leader, William “Smokey” Robinson. Their partnership formed the basis of Motown-a name derived from a folksy version of Detroit’s nickname, “the Motor City”-with Robinson becoming a prolific and highly inventive composer for the Miracles and other acts Gordy brought into his orbit. Motown kicked off with the Tamla label, leasing Marv Johnson’s “Come To Me” to UA; Barrett Strong, who cut “Money (That’s What I Want),” had the company’s first national hit. The Official Website of Classic Motown

The Motown Sound

Motown specialized in a type of soul music it referred to with the trademark “The Motown Sound”. Crafted with an ear towards pop appeal, the Motown Sound typically used tambourines to accent the back beat, prominent and often melodic electric bass-guitar lines, distinctive melodic and chord structures, and a call-and-response singing style that originated in gospel music. Pop production techniques such as the use of orchestral string sections, charted horn sections, and carefully arranged background vocals were also used. Complex arrangements and elaborate, melismatic vocal riffs were avoided. Motown producers believed steadfastly in the “KISS principle” (keep it simple, stupid).

The Motown production process has been described as factory-like. The Hitsville studios remained open and active 22 hours a day, and artists would often go on tour for weeks, come back to Detroit to record as many songs as possible, and then promptly go on tour again. Berry Gordy held quality control meetings every Friday morning, and used veto power to ensure that only the very best material and performances would be released. The test was that every new release needed to fit into a sequence of the top five selling pop singles of the week. Several tracks that later became critical and commercial favorites were initially rejected by Gordy; the two most notable being the Marvin Gaye songs, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “What’s Going On“. In several cases, producers would re-work tracks in hopes of eventually getting them approved at a later Friday morning meeting, as producer Norman Whitfield did with “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and The Temptations’ “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg“.

Many of Motown’s best-known songs, including all the early hits for The Supremes, were written by the songwriting trio of Holland–Dozier–Holland (Lamont Dozier and brothersBrian and Eddie Holland). Other important Motown producers and songwriters included Norman Whitfield, William “Mickey” Stevenson, Smokey Robinson, Barrett Strong, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, Frank Wilson, Pamela Sawyer & Gloria Jones, James Dean & William Weatherspoon, Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua, Gil Askey, Stevie Wonderand Gordy himself.

The style created by the Motown musicians was a major influence on several non-Motown artists of the mid-1960s, such as Dusty Springfield and The Foundations. In the United Kingdom, the Motown Sound became the basis of the northern soul movement. Smokey Robinson said the Motown Sound had little to do with Detroit:

“People would listen to it, and they’d say, ‘Aha, they use more bass. Or they use more drums.’ Bullshit. When we were first successful with it, people were coming from Germany, France, Italy, Mobile, Alabama. From New York, Chicago, California. From everywhere. Just to record in Detroit. They figured it was in the air, that if they came to Detroit and recorded on the freeway, they’d get the Motown sound. Listen, the Motown sound to me is not an audible sound. It’s spiritual, and it comes from the people that make it happen. What other people didn’t realize is that we just had one studio there, but we recorded in Chicago, Nashville, New York, L.A.—almost every big city. And we still got the sound.”

The Motown Museum

“Despite the passage of time since Motown Records’ establishment in 1959 by Berry Gordy, tens of thousands of visitors pass through Hitsville U.S.A., home to the Motown Museum, each year. Their presence is a testimony to Motown’s legacy and to the charisma, talent and staying power of the music and those who made it.

The Motown Museum, which was founded by Esther Gordy Edwards in 1985, is one of Southeast Michigan’s most popular tourist destinations. Visitors come from across America and throughout the world to stand in Studio A, where their favorite artists and groups recorded much-loved music, and to view the restored upper flat where Berry Gordy lived with his young family during the company’s earliest days.” The Motown Museum

Motown: The Musical

MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL is the real story of the one-of-a-kind sound that hit the airwaves in 1959 and changed our culture forever. This exhilarating show charts Motown founder Berry Gordy’s incredible journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and so many more.

DJ Motown Mix with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

•••

Featuring all the classics you love, MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL tells the story behind the hits as Diana, Smokey, Berry and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to create the soundtrack that changed America. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. Now, it finally comes to the Broadway stage in the world premiere of MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL.

Motown Celebrating 50 Years!

If you would like a copy of the DJ Motown Mix, I invite you to write me and I will send you a copy free!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

Tom Jones Hit or Miss

Posted on April 7, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Tom Jones Hit or Miss is being rereleased from the Spirit In The Room album of 2012. It is amazing to me that Tom Jones is till churning out music after all these years! For those who don’t know, Tom Jones was releasing music in the early 60’s, like 1964. He seems to get grittier as he ages, when most artists are mellower with age.

Tom Jones Hit or Miss Music Video

Tom Jones Hit or Miss

The Tom Jones Story

Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE (born 7 June 1940), known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer. He became one of the most popular vocalists to emerge from the British Invasion. Since the mid-1960s, Jones has sung nearly every form of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records.

Jones has had thirty-six Top 40 hits in the United Kingdom and nineteen in the United States; some of his notable songs include “It’s Not Unusual“, “What’s New Pussycat“, “Delilah“, “Green, Green Grass of Home“, “She’s a Lady“, “Kiss” and “Sex Bomb“.^[1]^[2]

Having been awarded an OBE in 1999, Jones received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for “services to music” in 2006. Jones has received numerous other awards throughout his career, including the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1966, an MTV Video Music Award in 1989 and two Brit Awards – winning Best British Male, in 2000, and Outstanding Contribution to Music, in 2003.

Tom Jones with Art of Noise performing Kiss

http://youtu.be/zdb0mfp6TQE

In 1988, English synthpop group Art of Noise released a cover of the song, featuring Tom Jones on vocals. The song became the band’s biggest hit to that point, reaching number eighteen on the U.S. dance charts and number five on the UK Singles Chart, higher than the original in that country. The guitar and horns break in the middle of this cover musically references the themes to Dragnet and Peter Gunn (two songs the Art of Noise covered with much commercial success) as well as their own breakthrough hit, “Close (To the Edit)” and “Paranoimia“, their 1986 collaboration with Max Headroom. This cover was later included as part of an episode of the series Listed on MuchMoreMusic, which was on the Top 20 cover songs. It can also be heard during the main title sequence of the movie My Stepmother Is an Alien. Tom Jones later recorded a version of the song for his 2003 Reloaded: Greatest Hits album.

Tom Jones She’s A Lady Live

http://youtu.be/gvmyTZEqlo8

“She’s a Lady” is a song written by Paul Anka and performed by Tom Jones, and released in 1971. In the United States (released by London imprint Parrot Records), it is Jones’ highest-charting single to date peaking at #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the US Billboard Easy Listening chart. In Canada, the single reached #1 on the RPM 100 national singles chart. Paul Anka’s recording of the song was released on his album Paul Anka ’70s (RCA 4309, 1970)

Tom Jones It’s Not Unusual

http://youtu.be/NjEE_1U0-8s

The fake screams of the girls are hysterical!

“It’s Not Unusual” is a song written by Les Reed and Gordon Mills, first recorded by a then-unknown Tom Jones after having first been offered to Sandie Shaw. Jones recorded what was intended to be a demo for Shaw, but when she heard it she was so impressed with Jones’ delivery that she declined the song and recommended that Jones release it himself. The record was the second Decca single Jones released, reaching number one in the UK charts in 1965. It was also the first hit for Jones in the US, peaking at #10 in May of that year. The single was released in the US on the Parrot label and also reached #3 on Billboard‘s easy listening chart. Jones used this song as the theme for his late 1960s-early 1970s musical variety series This Is Tom Jones. It has since become Jones’ signature song.

Like I said, I am amazed he is still pumping hard-hitting, powerful music after all these years. Tom Jones Hit or Miss will probably not be a hit but that does not take from its value or importance. Sales and radio airplay are just one measurement of music and its success or failure. Tom Jones Hit or Miss shows Tom Jones is still a rocker and is alive and well!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

Top Questions to Ask a Wedding DJ

Posted on April 6, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

It seems that there is greater misinformation being posted every day about hiring an exceptional Wedding DJ. Here are 40 excellent questions to ask your Wedding DJ before hiring them. Obviously, you are not going to ask all forty but at least ask five or ten that seem most important to you. If you would like suggestions on which questions are most important, I invite you to write and I will be glad to offer my experience with you on hiring your Wedding DJ. For the record, number one is most important in my opinion.

The creators of this list, My Deejay in the D.C. area, left out one of the questions I find essential; What is your experience as a Multicultural Wedding DJ with Multicultural Weddings for Multicultural Brides and Grooms. Here in the New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania are, most of my Brides and grooms are of different culturals creating fun and interesting Multicultural Weddings. For more info on hiring an exceptional Multicultural Wedding DJ please read this article: What Is A Rhode Island Multicultural DJ?

Also, they did not mention anything about asking your Wedding DJ if they offer a Guarantee to you!

Top 40 Questions to Ask a Wedding DJ

1. Do you offer a written contract?

All of the wedding DJ you interview may not have the same standards of professionalism. A written, legal contract is one of the first indicators of whether a Wedding DJ is professional and reliable. Furthermore, a contract establishes the DJ’s obligation to the client and outlines what is required for the DJ’s success, by outlining his setup requirements and other factors related to his performance. For this reason, a written contract is absolutely essential and any Wedding DJ not using a written contract should not, in our opinion, be considered for a wedding reception.

2. Will you be the DJ at our wedding?

Often, the person you speak with is not the person who will be your DJ on your wedding day. This is a very common practice among large agencies. It is absolutely paramount that you have an opportunity to interview, in person, the specific Wedding DJ that you will be working with and determine whether you feel comfortable with them. You should also expect that the individual DJ’s name is specified on your contract – it is the only way you can be guaranteed his or her services at your wedding.

3. May we meet with you in person before we sign a contract?

Many wedding DJs attempt to conduct their interviews over the telephone and through email instead of meeting face-to-face with prospective clients. In our experience, there are two reasons a disc jockey would do this – either they don’t feel you are worth their time, or they have something to hide. Some deejays are very different in person than on the telephone and what is presented on their website, and you should insist on meeting in face-to-face so you can judge for yourself whether they are a good match for you and your wedding. Your “gut” feeling is very important in selecting the right Wedding DJ, and it’s practically impossible to make this evaluation unless you are together in person.

4. How long will you hold our date for us?

When you contact a professional disc jockey, they should be willing to hold your date for you for a reasonable amount of time in order to give you a chance to meet with them. They should also give you ample time after your meeting to make a decision and give you time to interview other DJs. Some DJs will use pressure sales tactics to “hard close” you at your meeting, offering a special sale that ends that day, or claiming that another couple is meeting with them for the same date – attempting to pressure you to make a decision on the spot. Any Wedding DJ that uses these types of tactics is unprofessional and is most likely doing so in order to keep you from meeting other DJs (whom they know you’ll like more than you like them). One week is a reasonable amount of time to expect your date to be held for you following an initial meeting.

5. Do you work exclusively for this company?

Most large agencies use independent Wedding DJ subcontractors to perform their events. Often, these DJs work for several agencies and also accept bookings directly. A disc jockey, or the agency through whom he is booked, should be able to explain the DJ’s obligation to that agency and what will happen if he leaves that agency. Often, there is nothing more than a verbal confirmation between the independent Wedding DJ and the agency for each booking — a frequent cause of problems. If you choose a Wedding DJ who subcontracts for several agencies and books his own events, you need to be clear on what will happen if he is accidentally double-booked for your wedding date, or what would happen to your event if you contract the Wedding DJ through an agency and he decides to skip out on your event to book something else for a higher price. To find out whether your DJ is available independently or through numerous agencies, try performing a web search for their name and the word “DJ”.

6. How long have you been a DJ and how many weddings have you done?

A wedding is such an important occasion, and you don’t want your DJ’s first wedding to be your own. The number of years someone has been a Wedding DJ will give you some indication of their experience level, but some DJs only perform for a few events (and fewer weddings) each year. A Wedding DJ with half as many years in the industry may have many times as many weddings under his belt, so you should also ask how many weddings the DJ has done. Also be sure to ask if the DJ has any formal training, either from a DJ company or a DJ school.

7. How many weddings do you do each year?

Just like any other profession, performing for weddings requires one’s skills to be in top form. If a Wedding DJ performs for only a few weddings per year, they may not be “at the top of their game” by the time your wedding date arrives. Asking how many weddings they do per year will give you an indication of their level of commitment to your type of event.

8. How many other types of events do you do per year?

Different DJs focus on different types of events – some consider themselves a “jack of all trades” and claim expertise in all types of events, and others are specialists. The ratio between the number of weddings a DJ performs for and the amount of other, non-wedding events they do will tell you where their focus lies. If you are looking for a “low-key” wedding DJ and someone you meet with does mostly school dances or Bar Mitzvahs, they may not be very focused on the type of sophisticated presentation you want for your wedding.

9. Do you perform for more than one event in a day?

Some DJs will do as many events as they possibly can, and often try to pack their weekends with all types of DJ work. If a disc jockey has already done an event in the afternoon before your wedding, they will likely be physically exhausted by the latter half of your wedding, which is exactly when they need to be the most alert and active. This is most common at large agencies, where “weekend warriors” may perform at four to six events over a three-day period. It is hard to believe that any DJ could give that many couples an adequate amount of attention leading up to, and on, their wedding day.

10. What makes you different from your competitors?

Any professional wedding disc jockey will take pride in their work, and be able to answer this question honestly and communicate the things that make their services unique. Some DJs, however, will take this opportunity to “bash” their competition and say negative things about specific DJs or agencies. We consider this type of behavior unprofessional (in fact, doing this is strictly forbidden for members of the American Disc Jockey Association), and is a poor reflection on them. In fact, you may want to consider making it a point to meet any DJ that they say something bad about – DJs that engage in this type of thing will often target the DJs they’re afraid you’ll book instead of them, and they’re probably right!

11. Have you played at our reception site before?

Wedding experience is important, and so is familiarity with your reception site. Every site poses different challenges – different load-in and security procedures, different room sizes and configurations, different acoustics, even antiquated electrical outlets that need to be grounded manually. Hiring a Wedding DJ that is familiar with your site will give you peace of mind that you won’t have any surprises on your wedding day. Obviously, even the best DJs can’t have performed at every site in the area (since there are hundreds available in any area), but if he hasn’t been to yours, he should be willing to adequately prepare himself prior to your event by visiting the venue and/or speaking with the site contact and studying a floor plan.

12. Do you act as the “emcee” and make all of the announcements?

Any professional wedding disc jockey should be comfortable with making announcements and serving as the emcee for the wedding, it is a standard part of the job. Some DJs, however, are not comfortable with this and prefer to pass these duties on to someone else, such as a site manager, who may not have a professional voice or experience speaking on a microphone.

13. How would you define your “style” when making announcements?

This is an extremely important question to ask because it will tell you whether or not the Wedding DJ is the right match for your guests and the atmosphere you’re trying to create. If you are planning an elegant, understated wedding, then utilizing the services of a “party motivator” or “entertainer DJ” may not be what you are looking for. If you know your guests will need a lot of encouragement to dance, then hiring someone who flatly refuses to make announcements probably isn’t the best idea either.

14. What do you do to motivate the crowd if nobody is dancing?

Different wedding disc jockeys handle this situation in very different ways – some opt to use the microphone to try to “energize” your guests and motivate them to dance. Others would never do something like this and prefer to use careful song selection to ensure dance floor success. You need to know what the Wedding DJ would do in this situation, and determine if that is the way you would like the situation handled.

15. What if something happens to you and you can’t make it to the wedding?

Despite meticulous planning and preparation, accidents do happen. If the Wedding DJ is injured or otherwise unable to perform on your wedding day, what is the backup plan? Most responsible professionals have some sort of backup strategy should this situation ever arise, but others do not. Often, DJs will be members of a local DJ association, and network with other DJs who could possibly provide backup services for them in the event of an emergency. Others take this planning more seriously and reserve a specific DJ for every date, ensuring that backup is both available and prepared in case of an emergency. You need to feel comfortable that you will still have a qualified, prepared DJ on your wedding day, regardless of the circumstances, so the answer to this question is very important.

16. Will we meet again before the wedding?

Just as some deejays will prefer not to meet you when you book them, others will prefer to conduct a “final meeting” in the weeks before your wedding over the telephone instead of in person. While having a face-to-face meeting for the final meeting is arguably less important than meeting personally for an initial interview, the DJ should still be willing to meet you in person for a second time if that’s what you prefer.

17. Can we visit you at a performance?

Hopefully the answer to this question is “no.” We’re sure that you wouldn’t appreciate the DJ inviting prospective clients to your wedding to see him in action. A professional DJ should be willing to take a stand for his clients’ privacy and not offer this as a possibility. Professional wedding DJs never allow this.

18. May we speak to your references?

Speaking to a wedding DJ’s former clients is a great way to get a feel for what it is like to work with them, and any DJ should be ready and willing to allow you to speak with their references. He should also be willing to contact several of these references in advance of providing you with their information, so that they have his permission and so you feel comfortable calling them.

19. How do you keep your music collection up-to-date?

The majority of professional DJs subscribe to at least one of the major music update services in order to keep their collections up-to-date. These services provide the DJ with new, radio edited music, often before it is even playing on the radio. Ask the DJ if they subscribe to any of these. The most common are Promo Only, TM Century Prime Cuts, RPM Top Hits Monthly, and ERG NuTraxx.

20. How involved can we be in selecting music for our event?

This is an important question to ask, because some DJs prefer to control the majority of the playlist and supplement their choices with a small handful of your specific requests. Other disc jockeys prefer to let the client choose the majority of the music, and then use their expertise to make it all work. The DJ should be accommodating of your music tastes, and you should feel comfortable with the DJ’s approach and the amount of involvement you’ll be able to have in choosing the music.

21. When do we need to submit our music requests and event details?

Most professional DJs will give you a printed song list and planning worksheet with which to communicate the details of your event; others will give you access to an online planning system that will guide you throughout the entire process. You should be given ample time to make decisions regarding your music choices and event timeline, but the DJ should also require this information far enough in advance so that he can adequately prepare for your event. A DJ who doesn’t ask for your requests at least a couple of weeks before your wedding may not be able to fulfill them. In addition, the DJ should be willing to accommodate any later changes or additions whenever possible, rather than locking you into a first dance song that you later regret or refusing to alter the order of your toasts.

22. Do you take requests from our guests?

Most DJs are happy to do so, but you should also feel reasonably assured that any request they chose to play would not be something you didn’t like.

23. Can we submit a “Do Not Play” list?

Any professional DJ should be willing to honor your requests, including your request for certain songs and genres to not be used. Submitting a “Do Not Play” list will give a DJ a clear idea of your limits and your expectations for their song selection at your wedding.

24. When do you arrive to set up for our wedding?

When dealing with sub-standard DJs, there are often issues with them being punctual and set up well in advance of your guests’ arrival. Professional DJs will always arrive at least a full hour before their scheduled start time in order to have adequate time to set up and get organized before the wedding. MyDeejay’s policy is to arrive at least an hour and a half before our scheduled start time.

25. What will you wear to our wedding?

Most wedding DJs own, and are comfortable wearing, a tuxedo when they perform. If the groom will not be wearing a tuxedo, then it is inappropriate for the DJ to wear a tuxedo. You should also ask what type of tuxedo the DJ wears. Brands are unimportant (most tuxes look practically identical), but ask about the style of vest, cummerbund, and neckwear. Some DJs prefer a classic, understated look and others wear flashy, shimmering or patterned vests and matching bowties. It is important that the DJ’s “look” meets your expectations.

26. What will you wear when you set up and break down your equipment?

This is something that is often overlooked, but can make a big difference. If your guests arrive early for the reception or stay afterward, will they see the DJ in a sweaty undershirt and gym shorts? Professional disc jockeys maintain acceptable appearance standards regardless of the situation, including setting up and breaking down their equipment.

27. How much of a deposit is required to secure our date?

Almost every DJ will require some sort of deposit or retainer in order to secure your date. This is for their protection and yours. The industry standard for deposits is 50%. Some DJs require far less, but this is not always a good idea. If the contract language doesn’t stipulate a specific guarantee of services and clearly outline a cancellation policy, the DJ may only legally be responsible for returning your deposit (sometimes as little as $25) in order to back out of doing your wedding. While it would certainly be considered unprofessional, there certainly isn’t any financial incentive for the DJ if he’s only forced to pay a small fee for backing out on you.

28. What is included in the cost of my event?

DJs use vastly different systems when pricing their services. Most DJs price their services a la carte, charging an hourly rate and adding charges for any additional equipment needed. Others choose to use a flat-rate pricing system and make their packages all-inclusive. You need to be clear about what a DJ is offering for the price they’ve quoted you, so you can compare their package to those of the other DJs you are interviewing.

29. How much would you charge for overtime?

Hopefully your DJ will do such a wonderful job at your wedding that you’d like to keep dancing! Be sure that the DJ’s contract outlines a specific rate for additional time at the end of the night, whether it is a set price or a pro-rated amount based on the original price.

30. What do you require from us?

Every DJ will require a few things that you’ll need to provide them in order to be successful. The most common are adequate shelter, electricity, and a table for their equipment. Make sure that you understand exactly what the DJ needs from you so you can communicate those needs to your reception site and caterer.

31. Do you require a meal?

Some DJs require that they receive a meal at the wedding, and some even demand that they be fed the same food as your guests. Others do not require a meal at all, or simply accept one if you happen to offer. Again, be sure you know what the DJ’s requirements are so you can plan accordingly.

32. Are you insured?

It is absolutely essential that any DJ you consider carries a full liability insurance policy. They are fairly inexpensive (less than $250 per year in some cases), so being uninsured is inexcusable. Some reception sites have even taken the step of requiring all vendors working at their facility to provide proof of insurance before the wedding. Liability insurance protects you and the reception site in the unlikely event that your DJ injures one of your guests or burns your reception site to the ground.

33. Do you take any breaks?

One of the major advantages to using a DJ instead of a band is that a DJ does not need to take breaks, outside of using the restroom and possibly eating a meal quickly in another room (if this is what your site contact or caterer requires). In any case, the DJ should assure you that there will be no break in the music at any point during the reception.

34. What is your policy on alcohol or smoking during the wedding?

A professional DJ will never consume alcohol or take cigarette breaks during your wedding. If you interview a DJ and he tells you he needs a few drinks to “loosen up” while working, you should probably look for a DJ with higher standards of professionalism.

35. What kind of equipment do you use?

Any DJ you consider should be proud of his sound system, and should be using professional-grade equipment. Most DJs understand that you are very unlikely to have a working knowledge of professional DJ equipment, but he should be able to describe his sound system to you. You should not hear very many “home audio” brands in what he describes – the top brands for DJ equipment are Pioneer, Denon, PCDJ, Traktor, Serato, Electro-Voice (EV), JBL, Bose, Mackie, RANE, QSC, and Shure.

36. Do you bring backup equipment with you to the wedding?

Even the very best and most well-maintained equipment will malfunction at some point. Your DJ needs to be prepared in case this happens at your wedding. The only way you will not suffer a setback on your special day is if the DJ brings a full second sound system with them to each and every wedding. Having backup equipment in a warehouse 50 miles from your reception site won’t do much good if there is no music at your wedding for an hour.

37. Do you have a wireless microphone?

Every professional wedding DJ should offer a wireless microphone to be used for your guests’ toasts, blessing, and any other speeches that need to be made. The industry standard for wireless microphones is Shure, and most professional DJs use Shure wireless technology.

38. Do you have a “light show”?

Some DJs also offer “party lights,” either as part of their package or as an additional service they can provide. You should find out whether the DJ plans on setting up lights for the dance floor, and whether this matches your preferences. Also, if you do desire a light show, you may want to ask how this will affect the aesthetics of your reception (in other words, how bulky/cumbersome the setup is) and the quality of your photographs or video. In our experience, most weddings do not need (and practically none of our clients even ask for) a light show.

39. Do you set up a sign or banner with your equipment?

Shameless self-promotion sometimes rears its ugly head at wedding receptions in the form of a sign or banner advertising the DJ’s company name and contact information. These items inevitably find their way into your wedding pictures and video, and ruin what is an otherwise commercial-free event. This practice is repulsive and completely unprofessional, and we believe that any DJ that does this should never be hired for a wedding.

40. Do you belong to any professional associations or trade groups?

If a DJ is serious about his craft and interested in becoming a better performer, they will often join a local DJ association or trade group. These are opportunities for DJs to interact with one another, share ideas, and network with other DJs who might be able to help them should they ever have an emergency. While membership in one of these organizations is not a guarantee of that DJ’s talent level, it does at least show a willingness to grow and improve and become a better DJ.

Except for the discussion of questions regarding a guarantee and Multicultural Wedding DJ experience, I think this is an excellent list of questions to ask your Wedding DJ. Which do you think are most important? Which do you thikn don’t matter?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

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

Hunter Hayes Wanted

Posted on April 5, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

I have wanted to post on Hunter Hayes Wanted for quite a while. Finally get around to doing so and feel bad that its popularity has already dissipated. I played Hunter Hayes Wanted for the first time at a Wedding in Rhode Island last Summer. I had just downloaded Hunter Hayes Wanted the day before from PrimeCuts Music and was excited to find an opportunity to play it. It was not yet being played on radio but I knew this was going to be a very successful song. I did not see it would be such a crossover hit though, I only saw its Country Music potential.

I have enjoyed the current phenomenon of Country Music hits being included in Weddings that have Brides and Grooms that are not Country Music fans. I am always pleased when experiencing people expanding their listening palettes and growing their musical tastes outside of what they consider normal and favorite. Hunter Hayes Wanted is one of those songs. I have been Wedding DJ several times where Hunter Hayes Wanted has been requested in advance by the Bride or Groom or at the Wedding itself from guests.

Hunter Hayed Wanted is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Hunter Hayes. It was released in March 2012 as the second single from his début studio album, Hunter Hayes. Hayes co-wrote the song with Troy Verges. The song is nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance at the 2013 Grammy Awards.

Hunter Hayes Wanted Story

Hunter told Taste of Country about writing the song “At the time, I was trying to tell somebody something, but I couldn’t figure out how to say it. So I wanted to say it in music because I knew it would be a little more impactful. I wanted to say we are great in this relationship together, and I feel like it could even get better.

Hunter Hayes Wanted Music Video

Hunter Hayes Wanted debuted at number 57 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of February 27, 2012. It also debuted at number 99 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of May 12, 2012. It also debuted at number 100 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart for the week of September 15, 2012. On the country chart dated September 29, 2012, “Wanted” became Hayes’ first number one single. Twenty-one weeks later, it returned to number one on the same chart. The song’s appearance at number one also made Hayes the youngest solo male artist (by three months and one week) to top the Hot Country Songs chart, surpassing a record held in 1973 by Johnny Rodriguez‘s “You Always Come Back to Hurting Me“. It also debuted at number 40 on the U.S. Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart for the week of November 17, 2012. It has sold over 2,170,000 copies in USA so far.

Hunter Easton Hayes (born September 9, 1991) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He is signed to Atlantic Records Nashville, and released his self-titled debut album in October 2011. The album includes the Top 15 country single “Storm Warning” and the number 1 singles “Wanted” and “Somebody’s Heartbreak”

Hayes was born on September 9, 1991, at Larniurg Hospital in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, as the only child to Lynette and Leo Hayes. He has Cajun ancestry. He began his musical career at the age of two when his grandmother gave him a toy accordion. At the age of four, he began making appearances at local performances and on national television, including showings on Maury, Rosie O’Donnell, and Nickelodeon‘s game show Figure It Out, where he performed Jambalaya (On the Bayou). American Songwriter writes that “Hayes received his first guitar from actor Robert Duvall at age six” At seven years old, Hunter was invited to perform for President Bill Clinton for a White House lawn party. At the age of 13, Hayes appeared on America’s Most Talented Kids, a show hosted by Dave Coulier. He performed the hit Hank Williams song, “Hey Good Lookin’.”

“The Country Music Association’s choice as the best New Artist of 2012 earned his trophy because of his intense, single-minded dedication to his music.

Hunter Hayes works at his craft virtually every waking hour. In his world, there are no days off. There are no hobbies or outside interests. Everything is focused on musical self-improvement.

“With me, it’s always going to be music,” he states. “That’s the one thing I know. That is my thing. That is my place. I make music because it’s the only way I can breathe. This is how I want to spend the rest of my life.”

His laser-like focus has resulted in an album that is the talk of the country-music community. He wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on Hunter Hayes. He co-produced it. He sings all the vocals, and he plays all of the 30-some instruments heard on the record.” Hunter Hayes Website

DJ Mystical Michael New jersey Wedding DJ & Boston DJ

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All weddings are awesome — not just mine | Offbeat Bride

Posted on April 4, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

As I have mentioned before, I love Offbeat Bride! I think they are amazing and do a great job of offering Brides diverse and creative ideas, concepts and perspectives on Weddings and everything that goes into your Wedding. The Wedding industry can sometimes be embarrassment to be a participant in the process. There are many vendors, venues and Wedding DJs that lie, cheat and manipulate Brides and Grooms. They play on their insecurities and fears to buy buy buy. I realize it is corny, but I love Weddings. The whole process is fun and inspiring to me. Like the article below states; all Weddings are awesome. It does not matter how much you spend or don’t, they are great experiences and celebrate marriage. I am equally thrilled when a Bride tells me she hired another Wedding DJ thats is perfect for her. I am not worried about getting booked, many Brides and many Weddings. The fact that I am a small business that survives off of Weddings does not matter to me. I will get work. I want you to be happy and have a great Wedding that you, your friends and family will always remember. I am not the only excellent Wedding DJ and I am not the right Wedding DJ for every Bride and Groom. Let me know what you think about this piece on Brides and Weddings from Offbeat Bride.

All weddings are awesome — not just mine | Offbeat Bride

“I am confused.

I am confused by the attitude that surrounds weddings and costs and ideas and things. Maybe that’s what makes me offbeat — I have this habit of loving everyone and being insanely optimisic even when it’s probably not warranted. I give second chances. I love and trust until given reason not to. Every new person I meet, and can carry at least a five minute conversation, I say is my new best friend. I write a daily blog about something happy that happened to me that day.

My problem lies in all the intense bitchiness that lives in the wedding world. “My wedding is better than yours because of such-and-such” and all of the things that go into such a feeling.

I was reading a blog where a woman commented that she had a courtroom wedding and blames opulent weddings for the high divorce rate.

Then there are the haters on both sides of the world. My wedding (and marriage) are better than yours because I chose to have a BBQ instead of a five course sit down meal. [At Offbeat Bride, we call this “one-lowsmanship” -Eds] My wedding (and marriage) are better than yours because I paid for three party rooms and the ghost of Louis Armstrong to sing our first song.

Can we all just chill the fuck out and be nice to each other for like… five and a half seconds?

If I was rich, I can’t say that I wouldn’t spend $50,000 on a wedding. I’d like to say I wouldn’t, but ideas change when disposable income does. My beautiful made of honor will be in our less-than-$10,000 celebration and was recently the maid of honor at a $50,000 celebration. They did the whole spiel: Catholic mass ceremony in a church with friends, family, family friends, parent’s business friends, people they’ve never known, country club, five course sit-down meal, uplighting, etc., etc. And you know what?

That wedding? … Absolutely beautiful.

The couple has been together for nearly ten years, and they earned every second of that celebration. Just because they did things differently than me doesn’t make them any better or worse. It’s just different.

We’re all awesome, beautiful, wonderful brides planning celebrations. We’re not all that different — we’re just throwing different parties.

The wedding industrial complex that tells us we need to lose weight, invite people we hate, and buybuybuybuybuy is slightly evil, yes. But it’s not all evil, and the women who don’t read Offbeat Bride are brides too. We all are. We’re all awesome, beautiful, wonderful brides planning celebrations. There are bad apples in every bunch but mostly, we’re not all that different — we’re just throwing different parties.

So I guess my issue is that everyone on every spectrum needs to realize that we can all get along. I promise. We really can. I love your wedding. Whoever you are. I love it. Whether it had all the bells and whistles or was private vows at the top of a mountain. Whether it had a DJ or an iPod. Whether it cost $200 or $200,000. It’s one of most beautiful days in the history of ever. We don’t need to be subtracting from other people’s celebrations to help make ourselves feel better. We can appreciate everything even if it’s nothing we would ever do in a million years.

The girl with the big poofy dress, the fancy dinner, the expensive wine, the 14 bridesmaids? That’s not me. But you know what? Her wedding is going to kick just as much ass as mine will because that’s her celebration. If you can stand in that ceremony and say that the person across from you is the person that you’re supposed to be across from on your wedding day — then nothing else matters.”

via All weddings are awesome — not just mine | Offbeat Bride.

What do you think about appreciating all Brides and all Weddings?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

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

Marvin Gaye Born Today, Died Yesterday

Posted on April 2, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

There are few musicians that have held my attention and appreciation from childhood, teens, college, adulthood and today, Marvin Gaye is one of them. His sweet music, soulful lyrics and need to grow and experiment still impress me today. In some respects, he is a professional DJ dream artist because his music crosses so many genres and demographics to reach diverse audiences and environments. His activism for equality, poverty, politics, discrimination, war and the environments as well as his own bout with drug addiction, were pioneering, especially for a Person of Color producing many Billboard Hits at that time. Like Stevie Wonder, he was able to integrate political and socially conscious messages into Pop and Dance songs like few others have or can. I have missed him since his death and am reminded of this today, the anniversary of his birth and yesterday being the memorial of his death.

‘I think I’ve got a real thing going. I love people. I love life and I love nature, and I can’t see why other people can’t be like that.’ Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye What’s Going On Music Video

http://youtu.be/Dzs1K3caXJk

The Marvin Gaye Story

“Marvin Gaye (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984), born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr., was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Gaye helped to shape the sound of Motown Records in the 1960s with a string of hits including “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and duet recordings with Mary Wells and Tammi Terrell, later earning the titles, “Prince of Motown” and “Prince of Soul”. During the 1970s, Gaye recorded the concept albums What’s Going On and Let’s Get It On and became among the first artists in Motown to break away from the reins of its production company. Gaye’s later recordings influenced several R&B subgenres such as quiet storm and neo-soul. Following a period in Europe under a tax exile in the early1980s, Gaye released the 1982 Grammy Award-winning hit, “Sexual Healing” and the Midnight Love album. Following his death in 1984, Gaye has been posthumously honored by many institutions including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

Marvin Gaye Let’s Get It On Performance on Soul Train

http://youtu.be/yhBAJHzIkQk

“As one of the pioneers of Motown, singer-songwriter and producer Marvin Gaye helped shape the sound of R & B music and is considered one of the greatest artists of all time.” The Marvin Gaye Page

Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. was born to Marvin Gay, Sr., a preacher, and Alberta Gay, a housewife and schoolteacher. The middle child of three children, Marvin Gaye’s childhood can be characterized by developing an early love of music in the face of an abusive relationship with his father. Marvin Gaye’s introduction to music began by singing in his father’s church choir when he was only three years old. He expanded his musical abilities by learning how to play the piano and drums. To escape the repeated beatings he endured at the hands of his father, Marvin Gaye dropped out of high school and enlisted in the Air Force.

Marvin Gaye Let’s Get It On Music Video

http://youtu.be/e6wEPtBzLLM

Never losing his love of music, he began singing in doo-wop groups when he was honorably discharged from the Air Force. He joined a local Washington D.C. band, and their song, “Wyatt Earp”, recorded with Okeh Records, led to an invitation to join Harvey Fuqua’s group, The Moonglows, in 1958. The group moved to Chicago and began recording for Chess Records. Marvin Gaye then caught the attention of Barry Gordy Jr. during a Motown Christmas party where Gaye played the piano. Gordy signed him to Motown Records in 1961.

Gaye’s career began slowly with Motown, working as a session drummer while trying to build a solo career. He played drums with such artists as The Miracles, The Contours, and Martha and the Vandellas.

Marvin Gaye Sexual Healing Music Video

With the release of 1969’s “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby” and “That’s the Way Love Is”, Gaye became increasingly frustrated with the type of music he was making with Motown, even though his songs kept making the charts. He wanted to make more socially relevant music, so in 1971 What’s Going On was released; the first song Marvin Gaye produced himself. The album explored topics such as poverty, discrimination, politics, drug abuse and the environment. Barry Gordy was reluctant to release the album because he doubted its potential commercial success. Despite the reservations, What’s Going On was an instant hit and groundbreaking work in the soul music genre.

Marvin Gaye Mercy Mercy Me Live at Montreaux

The last two years of Marvin Gaye’s life were filled with a combination of successful music and increasing drug problems. He signed with Columbia Records in 1982 and released Midnight Love. It included the hit “Sexual Healing” which earned him his only Grammy Award and topped the charts in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Then in 1983 he reconciled with Barry Gordy on a televised appearance celebrating Motown’s 50th anniversary. His last public appearance was in 1983 when he sang his memorable rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” at the NBA All-Star game.

Marvin Gaye Got to Give It Up

http://youtu.be/wRcVQDELAd4

Cocaine addiction forced Marvin Gaye to move in with his parents to try to straighten out his life. His strained relationship with his father, though, led him to sink even deeper into depression and thoughts of suicide. During an intense argument on April 1, 1984, Marvin Gaye was shot in the head by his father, only hours before his 45th birthday. Claiming self-defense, Marvin Gay Sr. plead no contest to voluntary manslaughter. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered across the Pacific Ocean.

Marvin Gaye I Heard It Through The Grapevine (A Capella)

Thank you Brother Marvin for the Love, Vision and Grooves.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

Fun Teen Party DJ – Rhode Island Teen Party DJ

Posted on April 1, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

The weather is getting warmer here in New Jersey, slowly but getting warmer. Sp[ring is giving us that freshness we all look forward to that coincides the shift i weather. And time for the Teen Party DJ to be ready to rock the Spring and Summer seasons! Here comes the Sweet Sixteens, Teen Birthdays and Graduation Parties!

Fun Teen Party DJ Music

I know many professional DJs in New Jersey not to look forward to working Teen Parties but I do! Being a Teen Party DJ means you get to play all the current hits to an audience that really appreciates what a good Teen Party DJ can do. As a subscriber to Prime Cuts Music, I am weekly refreshed with all the new hits songs and the songs about to be hits before they are released publically.

Here’s why PrimeCuts is considered by many to be the #1 choice for new music:

All the hits in various formats
Over 25 genres of music–every song from every service we offer
Subscriptions include UNLIMITED downloads
High quality MP3 files–320kbps with complete ID3 tags

If it’s a hit, it’s on PrimeCuts!”

Having the right music for Teens is critical. A good Teen Party DJ is ready and never shows up without all the music needed for a great party with lots of dancing and partying! And of course, good Teen party DJs have fun party lights for the dance floor too.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147