Tag Archives: Fun Professional Wedding DJ

Teen Parties Are Fun For DJs

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One of the biggest thrills as a professional DJ is seeing young folks get-up and do their thing on the dance floor. They do not worry about looking silly or ‘acting like a teenager’ because they are teenagers.  They dance as soon as the music is cranked up and allowed to to have fun. In fact, sometimes we have to stop playing dance music so they will sit down to eat or the caterers and parents might get angry. This is one of the joys of a Teen Parties for a  DJ.

I have written about this before but I still get great joy in seeing how young people today enjoy Hip Hop, Pop, Dance, House, Rock and Country all at the same time. I was this way as a teenager but I was one of the few people I knew that allowed themselves to listen to many genres. Today it is common and acceptable for teens to mix genres and have fun with all of it.

I get asked asked every now and then, “How are you able to relate to teens as a professional DJ since you are so much older than them?”

My answers are simple; “I still feel like a teenager most of the time and I relate to their passion, excitement and energy. I appreciate that they will tell you what they feel whether it comes out pretty or not.” For me, as a guy who was a counselor and social worker with teens and families for more than fifteen years, I feel very comfortable in the presence of a group of teens. I think they feel the same way about me, at least most of them. They get a kick out the way that I do not worry how people view or feel about me and just be myself. I have some Sweet Sixteens coming-up and look forward to getting back to working teen parties, I miss it.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Slow Music Works For A Good DJ Too!

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Most folks when thinking about their wedding and its accompanying playlist; they think of partying, up-tempo music. Every now and then a couple wants slow music as their preferred choice for their reception. It is not as uncommon as one would assume as a professional Wedding DJ.

Recently a Bride and Groom thought they had guests that did not like to dance, “We are Chinese and are too shy to dance, especially to fast music”. I smiled thinking in my head I have heard this before as a Wedding DJ  and saw the results of picking the correct songs for that audience and people not only danced, they grooved to fast and slow tunes.

The reception started out with folks requesting all slow songs but halfway through, The Maid of Honor began the trend of asking for dancing tunes. Her excitement and energy let me know there would be dancing and not just slow songs.

As soon as dinner was completed. I played a few slow tunes to get folks on the dance floor and it was less than two minutes later before it was full of couples dancing slow and lovingly.  After I sensed they were ready, I switched to some of the faster, popular songs as a bridge, and it worked.  They danced to everything non-stop till it was time for dessert.

Another great wedding with happy friends and family for the Wedding DJ!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Spins Another Totally Fun Wedding!

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If you have been following my blogs, you know that I had been looking forward to The Wedding of Yomi & Mark. I have really grown to know and like them very much. I can’t lie, I knew in advance this would be a fun wedding based on the music they choose and just spending time with them. The wedding was held at Stevens Institute in Hoboken, NJ right on the Hudson River with a fabulous view of Manhattan, NYC, NY.  The ceremony was outside near sunset with a scare by some swirling winds making us believe we would have to move inside due to possible storms but we were fortunate it styed beautiuful and even lowered the temperature a few degrees. Here is what the ceremony looked like:

With The Groomsmen looking stately:

And of course The Bridesmaids were stunning:

The Bride and Groom are such wonderful people that I knew they would look outstanding because they love each other and have great friends and family.

One of the unique aspects of their reception they decided in advance that since they were having a buffet, they wanted us to play dance and fun Wedding DJ music all night long without the often mellowing effect that dinner music can sometimes facilitate. It worked as it had at other weddings that we have determined this style was preferred for certain receptions.

This allowed people to come on and off the dance floor as they felt moved and ate when they needed a break or hungry. Another advantage is that there are people on the dance floor all night and not waiting for others to get started. There were couples and individuals choosing to dance without the need of a full dance floor.

After everybody was done eating and warmed-up, things really got rockin’ and nobody wanted the night to end, including the Wedding DJ himself.

A good time was had by all.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Wedding Ceremony Prelude Music

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A Wedding DJ often gets asked by Brides and Grooms preparing for their Wedding, “What is the best Prelude Music to have in the background before our Ceremony?”

 

The answer is actually pretty easy and painless. First,the Wedding DJ need to know what kind of music you are wanting to create the right mood for your guests as they find their seats and excitedly settle in anticipating  your ceremony. Most people appreciate either some nice calming Classical, Acoustic piano, guitar or harp or gentle Jazz.

 

Here are some popular Wedding DJ suggestions for you to consider:

 

 Jesus Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach) 8.96/10 (62
 Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach) 8.47/10 (10 ratings)
 Air on the G String( Bach) 8.1/10 (30 ratings)
Love of My Life (Jim Brickman) 8.03/10 (83 ratings)
Canon in D Minor (Pachelbel)
Arioso(Bach)
A Gift of a Thistle (James Horner)
Allegro from Brandenburg Concerto (Bach) 5/10 (13 ratings)
The Wedding Song (Kenny G) 4.74/10 (94 ratings)
Claire de Lune (Debussy)
Air from Water Music (George Frideric Handel) 2.78/10 (8 ratings)
 The Secret Wedding )James Horner)
Brandenburg Concerto #2 (Bach)

 

What ideas do you have?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Two Worlds Connect Through Wedding DJ Music

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I always get excited when hired to DJ and MC a wedding from a Bride and Groom of different cultures, which seems to be my specialty these days. The challenge and opportunity to blend styles of Wedding DJ music and genres during such an important celebration is fun and inspiring. In advance, I am often a bit concerned that it will not work. What if the family from The Groom’s culture will not appreciate the music from The Bride’s culture? Or the reverse?  What if it is too much of a stretch for them to connect? Is it realistic for everybody to just be placed in the same room and find a way to have fun and enjoy the magic of the wedding?

 

The answer is NO! It is not a stretch or a problem for an experienced Wedding DJ.

It is not something to fear or be concerned about. A good professional Wedding DJ with experience blending and balancing music will not have a problem making your wedding a fantastic success! Make sure you sit down with your professional Wedding DJ and take time planning your musical selections and playlists together. Listen to their experience and be clear what it is you want; it is your wedding. Listening to Brides and Event Planners, as well as that of your guests are some of the most critical skills of an outstanding Wedding DJ.

It is 2011 and we do not have to settle for Prima Donna DJs that are not interested in listening or respecting the needs of Brides, Grooms or Event Planners. Today’s professional Wedding DJs need to be able and interested in quality communication and direction, while being able to follow their own intuitive talents in meeting the needs of diverse groups and populations. This is not 1980 anymore where the Wedding DJ was in charge and everybody had to put-up with whatever they did because we didn’t know any better or were not able to find anoutstanding Wedding DJ.

Today there are many outstanding Wedding DJs. Take your time in hiring the right one for your unique wedding or event. The professional Wedding DJ is not the place to compromise. Know what you want and do not be afraid to ask for it and expect it be honored. It is your wedding or event.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

How Do You DJ So Many Weddings?

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Last week I was meeting with a couple whose wedding I will DJ this later month. I like them as I do most folks I get to work with on their events. The Groom asked me with genuine curiosity, “How do you DJ so many weddings and not get bored? Aren’t they all basically the same?”

 

“No. They are never the same. Every wedding and every couple are different. There are many similarities in style and music but the wedding itself is always unique. I get fired-up before each wedding. I think they are fun and they mean something. They actually mean something. Brides and Grooms only plan on doing this once. Most other celebrations you hope to do many times – graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.  Weddings the hope is that it is a one-shot deal and makes it so much more intense. As a professional Wedding DJ, I connect to this”

 

“I agree! That is why we are getting married and chose you to be our Wedding DJ, but I still think it must be hard to get up for every one.”

 

“I think they are exciting. And I get to part of such an important part of a couple’s life. They know that they have the fun part covered when they hire me. They take care of everything leading up to the day and I will take care of the fun for their guests. How can I not get-up for something like that?”

 

“I hear it in your voice and know that you are telling the truth since we found you through a friend whose wedding you were Wedding DJ  last year and he had such good things to say about you. That is why we picked you after meeting with you first during the winter. You seemed genuinely excited about every aspect of the planning. I would think as a Wedding DJ this part would be boring for you.”

 

“Not at all! I love it. Sometimes I have more fun helping plan the wedding with the couple more than the wedding itself. I have a lot of experience and most couples don’t have much experience planning a wedding. I can offer them ideas and things to think about, then they come up with what works best for them. It’s your wedding, not mine. You get to choose. It’s fun for me as a professional Wedding DJ.”

 

As usual, I am busy getting the music together for their wedding. They have a nice mix of Pop, Dance, Salsa, Rock, Merengue, Hip Hop, Bachata, Oldies and Cumbia. Should make for a great event!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Big Smiles For The Wedding DJ

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There is a point in every event that the professional Wedding, Party or Event DJ gets his/her reward for a job well done. You can see it in the smiles and posture of the guests at the party. They can’t help but let the great energy of celebration get the best of them. If no one is facing us, we see other forms of evidence if paying attention.  It is easy to be misguided by the packed dance floor. I have been at events when the dance floor is packed since people really want to dance even if they do not like the music the DJ is playing. Dancers will dance! It is the passion and excitement in how they dance that is a greater indicator of success for the professional Wedding DJ.

When I was younger, I used to worry that when too many people asked for requests it meant I was doing a bad job. This is not always so. Time and experience have taught me that often they are having so much fun that each new song gets them fired-up about another great song they want to hear. Requests can be an effeective means of determining success or failure as a professional DJ. The difference is how they ask.

 

A while back I was helping out another DJ at a wedding. The crowd kept shifting between wanting old and new music due to the varied ages of guests. Some folks were feeling avoided and angrily appraoched the Wedding DJ station with comments like, “Do you have any music from this decade?” or ” Do you know there was music invented before last month?”. These are indicators of the Wedding DJ missing what the crowd needs.

 

On Saturday night the requests were more like, “Wow! Marvin Gaye was great. Do you have any other Motown?” and “The Bride loved Pitbull so much she was wondering if you could also play his new song with Ne-Yo ‘Give Me Everything’? Please?” I played both Motown and Pitbull and they worked out great. The greatest reward for me was seeing The Bride smiling ear-to-ear.  At the end of the night, The Bride, Groom and her sister all gave me big hugs when I was leaving, as if they were about to lose their new best friend. It certainly made the ride home on the Garden Sate Parkway a breeze on that hot summer night from this beautiful outdoor, backyard Wedding DJ.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Last Minute Event DJ

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It is not often but sometimes I have an open date approaching the weekend. It is even rarer when that date is a holiday three-day weekend like the Fourth of July. Stranger yet was that two separate clients wanted to hire me last minute for the same day but at different times. One needed a professional DJ for a First Communion celebration in the afternoon and the other a unique form of Wedding Party in the evening. We somehow found a way to schedule both of them and serve the families that requested our services last minute!

 

Fortunately for me, I have been doing this for a long time and don’t need much time or preparation to get ready for a last minute professional DJ gig. Of course, I appreciate the prep time when I have it, but can show-up wihtout much notice or details and do an excellent job providing professional DJ services and great music.

 

I was speaking with a friend over dinner last night about the fact that I always try to create a ‘playlist’ of songs which is more of a music bank then playlist. I take the songs that the client has requested and place them in a ‘playlist’ for their event. I then add on a 2:1 ratio another group of songs that would compliment their requests perfectly.  These are where I will start from at the event till I get a sense of the crowd and get a nice request list going from those attending the event. Together with the original list they offered, the ones I added intuitively, what I can see and feel working and the crowds requests – we end up with an excellent event full of great music and fun!

 

I am excited about both of these gigs and an additional Wedding on Sunday. The last minute Wedding is actually a kind of Wedding I have not served previously as a professional Wedding DJ. The Bride and Groom have already been married and celebrated at a destination Wedding in The Caribbean. This party is for the friends and family that could not attend their Destination Wedding. Should be fun!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Top Songs of The 60’s

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I wanted to look at what are the songs that people today think are DJ Top songs fro the 60’s as a professional DJ. I searched the Internet for a current poll and found one that seems like a good fit. Let me know what you think.

 

1      ****  NUMBER ONE ****
Hey Jude, The Beatles
1968 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (9 weeks)
2  (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, The Rolling Stones
1965 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (4 weeks)
3  Light My Fire, The Doors
1967 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (3 weeks)
4  Good Vibrations, The Beach Boys
1966 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (1 week)
5  Yesterday, The Beatles
1965 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (4 weeks)
6  The Twist, Chubby Checker
1960 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (1 week)
7  I Want To Hold Your Hand, The Beatles
1964 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (7 weeks)
8  The House Of The Rising Sun, The Animals
1964 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (3 weeks)
9  The Sounds Of Silence, Simon & Garfunkel
1966 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
10  Suspicious Minds, Elvis Presley
1969 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (1 week)
11  El Paso, Marty Robbins
1960 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
12  My Girl, The Temptations
1965 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (1 week)
13  Oh, Pretty Woman, Roy Orbison
1964 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (3 weeks)
14  Like A Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan
1965 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #2
15  (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay, Otis Redding
1968 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (4 weeks)
16  Paint It, Black, The Rolling Stones
1966 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
17  Respect, Aretha Franklin
1967 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
18  Come Together, The Beatles
1969 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (1 week)
19  The Theme From “A Summer Place”, Percy Faith
1960 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (9 weeks)
20  Penny Lane, The Beatles
1967 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (1 week)
21  I’m A Believer, The Monkees
1966 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (7 weeks)
22  Downtown, Petula Clark
1965 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
23  The Lion Sleeps Tonight, The Tokens
1961 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (3 weeks)
24  Turn! Turn! Turn!, The Byrds
1965 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (3 weeks)
25  She Loves You, The Beatles
1964 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
26  Purple Haze, Jimi Hendrix Experience
1967 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #65
27  When A Man Loves A Woman, Percy Sledge
1966 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
28  It’s Now Or Never, Elvis Presley
1960 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (5 weeks)
29  Honky Tonk Woman, The Rolling Stones
1969 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (4 weeks)
30  Cherish, The Association
1966 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (3 weeks)
31  You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling, The Righteous Brothers
1965 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
32  California Dreamin’, The Mamas And The Papas
1966 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #4
33  In My Life, The Beatles
1965 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: did not chart
34  A Day In The Life, The Beatles
1967 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: did not chart
35  Can’t Buy Me Love, The Beatles
1964 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (5 weeks)
36  Mrs. Robinson, Simon & Garfunkel
1968 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (3 weeks)
37  Sugar Sugar, The Archies
1969 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (4 weeks)
38  Runaway, Del Shannon
1961 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (4 weeks)
39  I Heard It Through The Gravevine, Marvin Gaye
1968 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (7 weeks)
40  Will You Love Me Tomorrow, The Shirelles
1961 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
41  Help!, The Beatles
1965 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (3 weeks)
42  Love Child, The Supremes
1968 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
43  God Only Knows, The Beach Boys
1966 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #39
44  Are You Lonesome To-night, Elvis Presley
1960 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (6 weeks)
45  Running Bear, Johnny Preston
1960 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (3 weeks)
46  Leaving On A Jet Plane, Peter, Paul & Mary
1969 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (1 week)
47  Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In, The Fifth Dimension
1969 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (6 weeks)
48  Mr. Tambourine Man, The Byrds
1965 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (1 week)
49  Paperback Writer, The Beatles
1966 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
50  All You Need Is Love, The Beatles
1967 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (1 week)
51  Ode To Billie Joe, Bobbie Gentry
1967 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (4 weeks)
52  Leader Of The Pack, Shangri-Las
1964 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (1 week)
53  Ruby Tuesday, The Rolling Stones
1967 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (1 week)
54  Wild Thing, The Troggs
1966 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
55  Hello, I Love You, The Doors
1968 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
56  Strawberry Fields Forever, The Beatles
1967 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #8
57  White Rabbit, Jefferson Airplane
1967 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #8
58  Daydream Believer, The Monkees
1967 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (4 weeks)
59  A Hard Day’s Night, The Beatles
1964 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
60  I Got You Babe, Sonny & Cher
1965 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (3 weeks)
61  Someday We’ll Be Together, The Supremes
1969 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (1 week)
62  Stop In The Name Of Love, The Supremes
1965 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
63  Hit The Road Jack, Ray Charles
1961 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
64  All Along The Watchtower, Jimi Hendrix
1968 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #20
65  Louie Louie, The Kingsmen
1963 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: 2 (6 weeks)
66  She’s Not There, The Zombies
1964 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #2 (1 week)
67  The Loco-Motion, Little Eva
1962 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (1 week)
68  Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, Brian Hyland
1960 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (1 week)
69  Can’t Help Falling In Love, Elvis Presley
1962 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #2 (1 week)
70  Yellow Submarine, The Beatles
1966 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #2 (1 week)
71  It’s My Party, Lesley Gore
1963 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
72  Stuck On You, Elvis Presley
1960 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (4 weeks)
73  Save The Last Dance For Me, The Drifters
1960 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (3 weeks)
74  Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Frankie Valli
1967 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #2 (1 week)
75  Somethin’ Stupid, Nancy Sinatra & Frank Sinatra
1967 Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (4 weeks)

The first song that surprised me by its placement on the list is #11 “El Paso”. I did not think that still today it had the same popularity as some of the others. I will be mindful of this the next gig I have that includes oldies. On the flip side, I thought  “Respect” would rank higher, since it is requested all the time. I also would have thought The Drifters “Save The Last Dance For Me” would be in the top 25. It never would have occurred to me, although one of my favorite songs of all time, that Jimi Hendrix version of “All Along The Watchtower” would even be on this list, forget about being #64. Glad I am wrong, even a professional DJ learns something from clients.

 

What songs surprised you?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Mr DJ, Please Don’t Go!

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On Saturday night, I was booked as Wedding DJ by a fellow DJ due to overbooking on his part. We all try to support each other and when he asked me to take this gig awhile back I had no trouble filling in for him. One aspect of having somebody all else book a weding for you is you miss out on planning the reception with the couple getting married. Of course, I called her earlier in the week and we spoke a few trimes to make sure that we were on the same page. The wedding was held in the huge backyard of The Bride in Robbinsville, NJ just outside of Trenton.

 

I knew early in the night this was going to be a fun wedding party when I was playing basic Classic Rock as requested by the couple and folks were rockin’ at their tables eating salad. If Bryan Adams was having trouble keeping them in their seats, the rest of the night was going to be a breeze for this Wedding DJ. It was.

 

During the break between salad and dinner, The Bride sent The Maid of Honor to ask me to play some party music because she wanted to dance. One minute later the dance floor was packed and the caterer was yelling at me because no one was seated at their tables to serve dinner because the Wedding DJ had them too involved. I had to ask everybody to return to their seats for dinner. They all growled at me but grudgingly made it back to their tables for an excellent dinner.

 

When she was done eating, she again sent The Maid of Honor to ask me to crank things back up again and this time it took even less time for people to be bumping into each other on the dance floor. It was like this throughout the night. They sure loved to party!

 

We were booked for the standard five hour wedding from 6-11. Apparently, that was not enough for them. They asked us to stay another hour knowing the rate for overtime agreed upon in advance.  At 11:55 I announced last song and played the tune they requested to end the night, Black Eyed Peas “The Time (Dirty Bit)”. I felt like such a bad person since nobody left the dancce floor after I started turning off all my gear. I was just about to shut-down my main power when The Bride and her Father approached me and begged us to stay one more hour. Of course, all the guests heard this exchange and started chanting, “One more hour! One more hour!” with a few young ladies pleading mercilessly in the background. We gave-in and turned the gear back-on and readied ourselves to start the party again to the clapping and cheers from their friends and family.

 

What a fun group of people! We had so much fun just providing music for them to party and celebrate with The Bride and Groom. We realized that we needed to wear them out or they would never let us go home! Finally around 1:15 they started looking a bit ragged. Some even jumped into the swimming pool with cold water in their clothes to cool-off!

 

It was a great night and my ride home was full of smiles and contentment over a job well-done. By the time I got home, I was exhausted from the event and ready for bed myself with the chant of “One More Hour! One More Hour!” ringing in my head. Finally, the Wedding DJ can rest.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ