What's Ahead in 2011

Two months into a new year, it's already apparent that 2011 will be a big year for Music Man Productions. Not only are the number of bookings remaining strong, but I am planning to add a new option for wedding receptions...uplighting!

If you aren't familiar with what uplighting is, just do a Google search and you'll probably find dozens of pictures ( and videos) that will demonstrate it. The concept is to use special lighting fixtures (directed up from the floor to the ceiling) to enhance the atmosphere at an event. My current plan is to invest in an LED uplighting system that brides and grooms (or clients for any other type of event) could use at an additional charge. I'm hoping to have my system in place in the next month or so.

I'm also excited about the continued increase in the number of events that my partner Chris is getting! In fact, he is going to be providing services to some of his college friends beginning this summer, and I'm sure he'll start getting more requests from that group in the coming years.

I'm hoping to have the opportunity to perform more karaoke this year, either as an add-on to existing events or as stand alone events. Always a good time!

Bottom line...almost 23 years into this little venture and things are going better and better. I can honestly say that I enjoy providing mobile entertainment services more now than ever, and I think that excitement will continue to grow.

New Equipment

Operating a successful "side" business such as Music Man Productions is very rewarding. It feels good to play a helpful role in the joining of so many young men and women as they start their lives together. Seeing the bride and groom gently swaying to the strains of their first song almost always brings a tear to my eye even after presiding over hundreds of wedding receptions over 20 years.

The business is financially rewarding of course or I probably would hang up my headphones. The income from Music Man Productions has helped me raise a family and put three children (plus myself!) through college. But like any business, the business requires investment. And after laying low on major equipment purchases in 2009, I'm making up for lost ground in 2010!

One of the equipment purchases I am having to make is a result of the Federal Communications Commission, not because of equipment failure. The FCC has ordered that wireless equipment that uses the so-called "700 mHz band" be pulled from use by June 12, 2010. I happen to have two wireless microphone systems in that band. Those frequencies are destined to be used by public safety, and using them beyond that date could mean that my wireless mic receiver could turn into a mini police scanner. Imagine I'm introducing the wedding party when suddenly a police officer's voice breaks in as he calls in the license plate of a traffic stop! So I'm having to replace perfectly good wireless mics with new ones. Unfortunately the manufacturer did not see fit to offer much of a rebate in order to continue using their brand, so I'll be switching to another manufacturer.

For several years I have watched the market for LED DJ lighting mature, waiting for the prices to lower to the point where they are affordable. That has now arrived, and I have purchased three new LED effects lights with a new DMX control board to run them all.

The rest of my equipment purchases are associated with the biggest change in Music Man Productions in its history...bringing a new partner into the business. My son Chris Dean has joined me in the business. His first solo event was New Years Eve 2009-10 and went very well. He is now in the midst of training on the ins and outs of wedding receptions and he's off to a very strong start. However, it is requiring me to essentially duplicate my equipment setup so that he has the same gear as I. That means purchasing another mixer, speakers, and other equipment.

Of course all this means that I will have more equipment to deduct from my 2010 taxes, which will help come next April 15th. And it's a lot of fun to get new gear!

2009: A Year To Remember

As I prepare for the final event of 2009 (New Year's Eve party), I thought this was a good opportunity to reflect on a momentous year for Music Man Productions.

The final tally for the year was 22 wedding receptions and 8 assorted other events for a total of 30 events. And believe it or not, it actually seemed much busier than that! Of course for every wedding there's at least one meeting with the bride and groom to iron out the details, so that all adds up.

The wedding song of the year in my own humble opinion was "I Gotta Feelin'" by Black Eyed Peas. It was requested as the Grand Entrance song for most of my late summer and fall wedding events. I'm glad it came along...before that the "it" song appeared to be "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga, not one of my personal favorites.

This was an unusual year also because of the number of Friday weddings I performed at. Friday weddings used to be a rarity, but I had several. I believe one of the reasons is simply the shortage of desirable venues, particularly in Clay and Dickinson counties. Reception halls at resorts such as The Inn or Arrowwood often book 12-18 months in advance, so many couples have switched to a Friday in order to get their first preference. Also, Friday's sometimes work better with a family's schedule than a Saturday.

Another milestone of 2009 was the addition of karaoke to my lineup of services. I had been receiving requests for karaoke for several years, with an uptick in demand in 2008. So early in the year I took the plunge and after several "practice" karaoke parties (many in my garage!), I debuted karaoke at one of my summer weddings. Since then I've done a couple of karaoke-only events that have been huge successes. I'm looking forward to continuing to add more karaoke events in 2010.

Looking ahead, I'm excited to be taking on a partner in Music Man Productions in 2010. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and so my son Chris will be joining my lineup this year. Chris is a graduate of Cornell College in Mount Vernon and has experience as a DJ for parties in high school and college. He's relocated to Spencer for employment and will be trained throughout the year in the nuances of being a successful host for all types of events, including weddings. It will be nice to not have to say "no" as much as I do now with my schedule already full several months in advance.

2010 promises to be busy once again. I have 16 confirmed wedding dates before the year even begins, so it looks like the Music Man Production team will be spending most of our weekends helping area couples make the most of their special day. And we wouldn't have it any other way!

Old School Favorites

As a mobile DJ, it's interesting to follow music trends. I mentioned on in an earlier post...the 80's revival. On a related note, "old school" hip-hop seems to be making a comeback as well.

APACHE-SUGAR HILL GANG: Honestly, I don't think I had ever heard this song until a couple of years ago when it was requested at a wedding reception. I downloaded it and played it, and the place went nuts. Released in 1981, Apache was what we thought of as rap before Tupac and other harder-core rap artists appeared on the scene. Lately, this has become a staple of my shows, and it seems like everyone knows the dance. I like it because its one of the few dances I can do without hurting myself.

BUST A MOVE-YOUNG MC: This one I remember well. Actually, it reminds me of my days spinning records at "Maxies", a night club in Iowa City. We had a duo that did a karaoke show at the club and there was this guy who came every time and sang Bust A Move. It seems so innocent today....

ICE ICE BABY-VANILLA ICE: OK, it's hard to even dignify this with the term "old school hip-hop". But it IS a popular tune again for whatever reason. It just makes people smile when they hear the unmistakably derivative beat (Under Pressure with a stutter). And when Ice says "Word to your mother" at the very end of the song, you can't help but chuckle.

First Impressions...Pocahontas County Expo Center

It's hard to believe that I have been providing mobile DJ services in this area for 17 years and this is the first time I've ever played in Pocahontas!

Tonight I am at the Pocahontas County Expo Center, on the fairgrounds. It is a very nice facility with plenty of room for lots of guests. My setup is in the southeast corner of the building opposide the bar, and even with seating for about 300 guests there is still plenty of room. The bride and groom have done a nice job decorating. First impressions: nice place...I hope to be invited back.

Down With The 80's

I think it's amazing how cyclical musical tastes are.

Just a few years ago, 70's music was very popular at wedding dances. Now, the clear favorite among brides, grooms, and their friends (aside from current club music) is 80's music.

I think the reason is that the parents of this generation of newlyweds are, like myself, children of the 1980's. So during their childhoods, the twenty-somethings were treated to long car rides with mix tapes of Journey, Styx, Bon Jovi, and other acts in the stereo of the minivan. So it's a trip down memory lane, although in the case of the young people, their lane is about 20-30 years shorter than us!

The downside is that in another ten years or so, if I am still doing this, I will have to play a lot of 90's music. Hopefully the music that will be on their minds will be more Pearl Jam and Nirvana and less Ace of Base.

Slowing Down With Age

OK, this is not a post about aging itself. It's more about how I approach my job as a mobile DJ. Allow me to explain.

One of the things I have learned over the years is that if I take my time in preparing for an event, it will reduce my stress and increase my enjoyment of the process. When I was younger, I wanted to arrive at the reception venue with just enough time to get everything set up before it was time to roll. As time went by, though, it just seemed like the "free time" I was saving just wasn't worth it. So I've learned to take my time.

My event at Gull Point State Park on July 24, 2009 was a perfect example. I was providing a sound system for the outdoor ceremony as well as for the dance inside. So I arrived at the park at about 2pm...a full three hours before the ceremony started! That gave me plenty of time to deliberately set up all my gear and test it well before it was time to "perform". I gave up an extra 90 minutes or so of personal time, but in exchange I had a much more relaxing setup.

If the event is close enough and my schedule allows, I generally like to set up for an event earlier in the day, then return in time for the event to start. If that isn't possible, I take a change of clothes with me, especially to summer events. That way if I get hot while moving and setting up gear, I don't have to worry about getting my dress clothes sweaty.

I think by relaxing how I do the job has really changed my perspective on the job.