Daddy Yankee Descontrol

“Uncontrollable”. Daddy Yankee has been the one to crossover Reggaeton to mainstream markets, long overdue but welcome. He has done for this genre what Bob Marley did on a much larger scale for Reggae through Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder and then again later with The Fugees. Daddy Yankee Descontrol is an example of this, Gasolina was more successful commercially in The USA.

 

The hard-driving beat and rhythm force people to dance and move even when they do not want to, Daddy Yankee Descontrol is another professional DJ’s dream. It is no wonder that his music has begun to bridge the gap between several genre. It can be mixed with really any faster beats and music with enough ‘umph’ to not wilt next to the powerful energy of this song. The video for Daddy Yankee Descontrol was shot in NYC while he was here performing in the area.

Daddy Yankee Descontrol:

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Christina Aguilera Beautiful

Christina Aguilera Beautiful, a number one hit that transcends race, age and culture. Somehow this song reaches and touches everybody. It is such a treat when a song with this kind of depth makes its way up the Top 40 charts, especially when the video touches on controversial subjects and acceptance of people that not everyone finds acceptable.

 

Christina Aguilera Beautiful was written and produced by Linda Perry and is the only song I can think of in recent years to be a cello-driven number 1 hit. It would be a better world if more songs were popular with such a loving and supportive message and vibe. All professional DJs must make Christina Aguilera Beautiful part of what we do to support Aguilara’s effort to produce music that encourages each of us to be who we are and accept each other.

Christina Aguilera Beautiful:

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Resort Wedding DJ

One of the benefits of being a professional Wedding DJ is that I get the opportunity to participate in events at all kinds of neat and interesting places. In the same weekend I can be found playing music at a small cozy place like The Clubhouse in Montclair, New Jersey. A sensational and elegant venue like The Manorin West Orange, New Jersey or the quaint, simple touch of  The Mill at Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey. I have many favorites throughout the New Jersey, New York & Pennsylvania region. I recently performed at a wedding at a really beautiful place in New Windsor, New York called The Mountainville Manor that had such charm and an excellent staff! Another favorite is The View at The Hudson in Piermont, New York, which overlooks the Hudson River and is stunning at night with the lights from the Tappan Zee Bridge in the background. Tonight I will be Wedding DJ in The Poconos at Mountain Springs Lake Resort in Reeders, Pennsylvania!

Wedding DJ

I have the honor of working with such interesting and creative Brides and Grooms and they have been no exception.  I don’t know why I get so many great folks to work with but I do. I know many professional Wedding DJs complain about the Brides, Grooms and Planners they work with. I feel so lucky to meet and perform music and Wedding DJ services for people I would work with for free if I was independently wealthy. I’m not, so that is why you pay what you pay for my services:) Some offer to give me rooms to stay in for the night so I do not have to drive back at night. Something I do several nights a week, so not a problem for me, others ask me to join them for their ‘family breakfast’ in the morning to celebrate the first day as a married couple.  In fact, a few weeks ago I had the mother of The groom call me on my way to camping to apologize for not giving me a tip, since she had to go home for a small family emergency and asked if she could mail it to me! I laughed and let her know I do not expect or need tips to do my job exceptionally. She insisted and mailed it out that day. I thought that was so sweet, considering she was so excited with her son “Finally getting married to a nice girl at age forty-five”.

 

Tonight will be Wedding DJ at a resort in The Poconos with great people and a Bride and Groom who truly love each other. My vehicle is packed with gear, suit and tie ironed and music prepared! Sometimes I think I get as excited as they do!

A Bride and Groom smiling before Wedding at Classic Car with Wedding DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Dance Camp DJs

I just had the opportunity to be one of the Resident Dance Camp DJs in New Hampshire this past week. The dancers were from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Maine, Massachusetts, California, Washington, Washington DC, Ottowa, Montreal, Vancouver and France as well as some other random locations! It was a ton of fun and we danced and played all day and night.

 

One of the benefits of being part of a Dance Camp DJs team for a week is the fact that you get to hear and experience what other talented Dance Camp DJs have to offer. I DJ so much I rarely get to hear other DJs share their craft. The diverse group of Dance Camp DJs spun music from many genre and cultures and it was fun listening and dancing to their music. It reminded me how much I enjoy music from sources that are not as accessable as popular music. There were many excellent mixes that I would not have thought of but worked very well.

 

It was also a pleasure to share music that some of the dancers were practicing Contact Improvisation. Contact Improv is one of my favorite forms of dance and some of the best in the country were present including dancers who came from France and Canada.

Here is a video with a friend of mine Neige Christenson practicing Contact Improv:

Here is another video that explains and demonstrates Contact Improv:

http://youtu.be/yzb9Hnjnd5g

I had such a great time and am working through getting back into the normal world after camping, dancing and DJing all week. A wedding with a fun Bride and Groom tomorrow at a resort in The Poconos in Pennsylvania, I can’t wait!

Dance Camp DJs & Contact Improvisation

Contact Improvisation (CI) is a dance technique in which points of physical contact provide the starting point for exploration through movement improvisation. Contact Improvisation is a form of dance improvisation and is one of the best-known and most characteristic forms of postmodern dance. Wikipedia

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

13 Gigs In 16 Days For DJ Mystical Michael

It occurred to me the other day that I am about to begin a rather intense run as professional Disc Jockey over the next two weeks. I am booked for thirteen gigs over the next two weeks starting tonight! This is very exciting for me and grateful I have the opportunity to share my art as professional DJ with others. There are several Weddings, Trivia Shows and a Festival all mixed together.

Of course, the Weddings always hold top billing due to the nature of the event and the importance to the Bride, Groom, family and friends. I think all of us professional Wedding DJs give our undivided attention to each Wedding, Bride and Groom, at least I know most good professional Wedding DJs do. Wedding DJs also get the opportunity to be involved in the planning and coordinating process with the Bride and Groom, which I thoroughly enjoy.

This should be a fun and interesting two weeks for this professional Disc Jockey. The DJ gigs are all over New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania including The Poconos, Upstate New York, rural Central New Jersey, New Rochelle, Morristown, Hackettstown, Phillipsburg and Newton to name some stops during the 13 Gigs In 16 Days For DJ Mystical Michael.

DJ Dancing & Fun with DJ Mystical Michael

“A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, “disc” (sometimes spelled “disk”, although this is now uncommon) referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.” Wikipedia

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ 

DJ Non-Traditional Romance, Love and Sexy Song List

Here is the DJ Non-Traditional Romance, Love and Sexy Song List that in some manner have a romantic, sexual or sensual energy and can be played at all kinds of events like Weddings and Anniversaries. The list is comprised predominantly by tunes that do not fit into the mainstream genre for those who appreciate music and romance alternative or non-traditional. The list will continually be expanding, if you have a song(s) that you think would be an excellent addition, I invite you to add a comments about the DJ Non-Traditional Romance, Love and Sexy Song List.

Changer Anais Mitchelli 2:52  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DJ Non-Traditional Romance, Love and Sexy Song List

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

 

A Wedding DJ Helps A Bride and Groom In A Pinch

I have been a Counselor and Social Worker since 1993. When I decided to focus my attention and energy to being a full-time Wedding DJ, I was concerned that I would not get the opportunities to support others the way I have professionally for such a long time. I still am a Program Director part-time but a professional Wedding DJ is a different animal. It has surprised me how wrong I was. I feel  like sometimes I am more helpful as a professional Wedding DJ than as a social worker because I am able to affect change directly when the situation calls for someone to be flexible, creative and willing to manage a crisis. Tonight was one of those nights.

I am fortunate that I never get hired by the co-called ‘bridezillas’. They don’t hire me for some reason. What I do get are Brides and Grooms looking for someone who is willing to work with them to create an event that is theirs. Tonight I was contacted by a Bride whose Wedding DJ did not work out and her wedding is in a few weeks! The date she was needing, I am already booked. I quickly contaced one of our best MC/DJs and checked to see if he could make it work for her. He could!

I called the Bride and we found a way to get everything perfect in a matter of an hour! It was like it was meant to be for us to connect and make sure she has an amazing wedding. I know it made her night, but mine too! I feel so good to have been able to support her and get her set for her wedding so quickly.

I know most Wedding DJs will raise the price due to last minute gigs, especially weddings, but I offered her a discount since we wanted to make sure she was happy and relieve her stress about her music for her Ceremony, Cocktail Hour and Reception.

Tonight was a good night for this Wedding DJ.

Bride and Groom Firs Dance with Wedding DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Every Wedding is Unique For The Professional Wedding DJ

I keep thinking that one day I am going to show-up for a wedding and it will be like the others. It seems like the odds are in favor of at least two weddings to be the same as a  Professional Wedding DJ, right?

 

Wrong.

 

No matter how similar they seem in the planning and coordination, each wedding is a unique and singular event. I guess that is the way it is supposed to be since it is such an important event. I guess weddings for this Professional Wedding DJ are like people; no two will ever be exactly the same.

 

On the outside, if you attend one or two a year they may seem to be similar since the basic components appear alike; Bridal Party Introductions, First Dance, Mother-Son Dance, Father-Daughter dance, Cake Cutting, Bouquet Toss and often a Garter Removal and Toss as well. There are typically friends and family and a shared meal. There is usually dancing and celebration, which can be dictated by family, religious and cultural traditions. These pieces may feel the same on the surface but they are not for any Professional Wedding DJ worth their salt. We work together to create something that expresses The Bride and Groom uniquely. Again, it may appear the same but is not for this Professional Wedding DJ.

 

An example last summer I think illustrates this perfectly. I had two weddings in a row where the Bridal Party was being introduced to Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling” and The Bouquet Toss was highlighted by Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”. The Brides had chosen these songs independently of each other but as often is the case, the songs were the same but believe me they had little else in common.

 

At the first wedding, The Bridal Party came out with the Groomsmen carrying the Bridesmaids in their arms as if crossing the threshold with new Brides themselves. The second wedding had them dancing as pairs that was choreographed earlier that day. Same song but completely different experiences for the Professional Wedding DJ.

 

First wedding had close to twenty-five women ranging in age from late teens to late thirties vying for the Bouquet aggressively with almost a fight between two ladies in peach colored gowns. The second wedding was twelve young women all different shapes, sizes and colors respectfully allowing the oldest one to catch the bouquet and feel good about herself. They all hugged and kissed her as she held it high in the air beaming.

 

What was also the same at both of these amazing weddings was the simple, elegant and fun energy of the venue and event. That is what is my job – to make sure the wedding is simple, elegant and fun. As a professional Wedding DJ, I am responsible for creating a fantastic space for the Bride, Groom, friends and family. That is my job.

 

What was unique at yesterday’s wedding, as all of my weddings, are how the elegance, simplicity and fun manifest. It is not always what I define as fun or elegant, it is the Bride and Groom that are in charge and they decide what they want and I make certain it happens. Last night that meant the Groom’s parents, who are in their late sixties, specifically asked for the music to be soft enough to allow regular conversation. The Bride and Groom had already had their ‘fun’ wedding in Florida where they live in May and his parents wanted them to celebrate with their friends and family here in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania together. It was a simple, elegant and fun affair but not the way one typically thinks of when they plan their wedding. Everybody had great time, especially Michael and Maureen. I don’t think I saw her smile leave her face once during the whole day! That is what I took with me on my drive north on The Garden State Parkway leaving Manahawkin, next to Long Beach Island.

 

Like people, no two weddings are the same for this Professional Wedding DJ.

Beautiful Couple Dancing with Professional Wedding DJ

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

An Amazing Wedding With DJ Mystical Michael

I enjoy all the Weddings I am hired as professional amazing Wedding DJ. I am fortunate to be hired by awesome Brides and Grooms. I think it may have something to do with my website being focused on Brides and Grooms who want a simple and elegant Wedding with their own imprint on every aspect of their day. It is how it should be. Some Weddings are even more amazing than others, this past Saturday Night was one of the most fun and amazing Weddings I have participated.

Bride and Groom First Dance at Amazing Wedding with DJ Mystical Michael

Meghan and Steven were a pleasure to work with from the first time we spoke on the phone. Her father hired me and we worked out the functional details together. When I was able to speak to the Bride and Groom directly, we hit it off from the beginning and continued to do so all along the way.

Fun Bride Dancing at Amazing Wedding  with DJ Mystical Michael

It is such a treat to experience a couple that is warm, loving, wholesome and fun, and their friends and family mirrored them from beginning to end.  It is easy to feel good about their future after spending time with them and their friends and family after an Amazing Wedding .

Fun Groom Dancing at Amazing Wedding with DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Bride and Groom with Friends and Family on Dance Floor at Amazing Wedding  with DJ Mystical Michael

Why do you offer a Guarantee?

I know I excel as a DJ and MC. I want you to have that same confidence so you can focus your attention and energy into other areas of your wedding or event. You worry about getting your guests there and feeding them. I will take care of making sure they have a great time and remember your wedding or party long after. They will have fun and I know that, so I can offer a guarantee since I am certain you will want to pay me. You are investing in me by hiring me and sending me a deposit. I invest in your wedding or event by offering aguarantee that states if you are not happy with my performance, you do not have to pay the remainder of the balance. Period.

Dancer To DJ: “I Want Your Job!”

Last night while taking a quick break between sets at a NYC DJ dance event, one of the dancers came up to me, “I want your job!”

 

I laughed and smiled. I gave her the usual response about all jobs have their strengths and challenges but smiled very large while trying to keep a straight face. I am well aware how much I enjoy what I do as a professional DJ.  There have been many great people that have stated in various ways something, “If you have a vocation you love, you will never work a day in your life”. I agree completely but know too that I have put my time in and it is not all play and good times, ask any of my Brides and Grooms about my attention to detail and calm, supportive presence.

 

I have worked hard to market my professional DJ business here in the NJ/NY/PA area to have a page rank near the top of Page One of Google searches for ‘Rhode Island DJ’, Page Two for ‘Rhode Island Wedding DJ’, ‘NJ Professional Wedding DJ’ and ‘Rhode Island Professional DJ’. Creating a strong online presence is not easy and takes commitment.

 

Making sure I have such a diverse music library of high quality songs is not a thing you do once and are done. It takes another commitment to stay current plus know what you need to add to collections from the past as tastes and trends shift.

 

Owning the highest rated DJ equipment helps but there also needs to be a commitment to replacing old wires, updating software and keeping knowledgeable of the latest equipment. I am fortunate that I used to work at a recording studio and was mentored by a tech genius on what gear to use. He recommended and uses the same BOSE L1 System with Bass, MacBook and djay software as I do. I learned from him that buying the best once and not having to upgrade to every new trend is the only way to go and to not get fooled by new marketing campaigns that confuse professional DJs and audiophiles with deceptive claims. “Buy the best; BOSE & Mac and don’t worry about your gear again. The best stands the test of time,” he said to me regularly.

 

Yes I do have a great job. Being a full-time professional DJ is prefect for me because it combines several of my natural skills to understand music and technology, entertain and discern what people need and be the calm, positive presence in any situation that brings fun and excitement to everything I am passionate about. It is good to be reminded that I am good at what I do and that it is the right profession for me to be committed for those who hire me for their Weddings, Parties and Events.

DJ Having Fun at benefit Dance Party in NYC

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ