Music Man Productions

What's Ahead in 2011

2011-03-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-19T06:08:00.000-07:00

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

2009-12-30T06:45:00.000-08:00

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

2009-08-11T06:53:00.001-07:00

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

2009-08-01T16:03:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-25T15:18:00.000-07:00

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.

Where has the summer gone?

2009-07-21T18:52:00.000-07:00

I look up at the calendar and BAM its almost August! It seems like only yesterday that my all-time busiest wedding season just got underway. Now just a few weeks to the unofficial end of wedding season-the Clay County Fair.

Sweet Caroline

2009-07-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

One of the all time great sing-a-longs has to be "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond. In this clip, the crowd at a summer 2009 wedding at Arrowwood Resort's Wimbledon room raised their voices!

Keeping A Committment

2009-07-13T05:42:00.000-07:00

I've been performing as a mobile DJ for almost 20 years, and during that time, I've never backed out on a client. Unfortunately I've heard some real horror stories lately about DJ services cancelling with little notice, putting the event planners in a real bind.

I received a call this spring from the mother of a bride whose DJ had just called them to say that the hours had changed for his "real" job and he could no longer perform at the wedding reception. The call came in on a Thursday...the wedding was two days later! I felt awful for the mom and the couple, but unfortunately I was already committed to a client for that Saturday. I gave her several names and wished her the best of luck. I never did hear if they ended up finding someone or had to resort to a boombox for the reception.

Unfortunately, this was NOT an isolated incident. A few weeks later I received another call about a DJ who had pulled out with little warning (a couple of weeks in this case). He told the bride that due to economic circumstances, he could no longer afford to operate multiple systems. Again, I was obligated and could not help the bride. And in June I received yet another call. This time the DJ service from Ankeny didn't even bother to call! They simply sent a letter saying they were cancelling without really explaining why. The bride made several attempts to contact the DJ via email and phone but never received a reply.

This recent trend concerns me because of the lack of professionalism displayed by the services in question. Although they don't reflect directly upon me, they do reflect poorly on mobile DJ services in general, and that hurts everyone who plies the trade.

Again, I would never treat a client this way. The only time I have ever withdrawn from an event was when one of my sons graduated from college, and the commencement service was moved to a Saturday instead of a Sunday. And then I only did so after finding a reliable and quality replacement DJ, AND only after receiving permission of the couple. If they had insisted on my services, I would have gladly been there.

When you are looking for a DJ, ask them if they've ever backed out on a client and why. The answer will help you decide if they treat the role of mobile DJ as seriously as YOU treat it.

The Perils of Hardware

2009-06-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday was an case study in WHY I carry backup equipment to dances. The evening started fairly normally, with dinner music and introductions of the wedding party. However I soon noticed that one of my Carvin powered speakers just didn't sound right. After a little investigation, it became apparent that the tweeter, a small speaker that creates the higher frequency sounds (treble) was not working. I checked all the connections but nothing seemed to work.

It was the sort of thing that would not have ruined the evening...in face, guests would probably have never noticed it. But fortunately I had packed my backup powered speaker. A few minutes later, I had swapped the two speakers out and the sound was back to normal.

The only problem is now I have to get the damaged speaker fixed or I will be back to only having two. I've emailed Carvin with the issue and hopefully they can tell me what to do. If the tweeter is bad, then I should be able to replace it fairly easily. If its something more than that...we'll have to see.

Spencer Karaoke

2009-06-18T18:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I've taken the plunge.

Music Man Productions now has a new service....Spencer Karaoke. By popular request, I have added karaoke services to my mobile DJ service, either as a stand-alone event or as an addition to an existing dance.

I'm just getting started with a new website...http://www.spencerkaraoke.com. I'll be updating the site over the next few weeks.

To practice with CompuHost, the computer-based karaoke system that I've purchased, I will be hosting a Karaoke Extravaganza on Friday, July 3rd at 7pm at Spencer Community Theatre. There will be a lot of friends there to help me get used to my new system in advance of my first "official" karaoke event later in July.

Kings Pointe, Storm Lake

2009-06-06T16:37:00.000-07:00

This is my first event and Kings Pointe in Storm Lake, and I am impressed despite some mishaps that occured before the reception began.

As the final details of the room setup were being completed, water started leaking from the ceiling. Apparently a sprinker had gone off in a guest room two floors above and leaked all the way down into the first floor ballroom! Water was pouring down in several spots, and activities were moved to the restaurant until the leak was stopped and the room was reset.

The staff here seems top-notch adn are a pleasure to work with. Hats off to Mandy, the banquet manager, who somehow managed to keep her wits about her and coordinate the move out and back.

I can't wait to come back, maybe as a guest so I can check out the indoor water park!

Here Comes the Rush!

2009-05-25T07:08:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since I've posted here on my Music Man Production's blog, and with a VERY busy summer season almost upon me, I thought it was time to make an update.

Saturday, May 30th starts a string of events unlike I've ever hosted. Between May 30th and September 6th, I will be performing at 19 events in 14 weeks! And that's even after taking the 4th of July weekend off! All but one of those events are weddings.

It's great to be busy, because I really enjoy providing this service. There are only a few things that I don't like about it.

1. The heat. Moving equipment into and out of venues when the temperature is in the 80's or 90's is not a lot of fun. I always try to set up at the venue earlier in the day of the event so that I don't get warm and sweaty, then have to go right to work. In the cases where the drive is far enough that I need to set up immediately beforehand, I try to get there early enough so that I have some time to cool down before show time. And bringing the dress clothes along is a great idea.

2. No free time. I will be spending almost all of my Saturdays along with a few Fridays and even a Sunday either performing at a dance or preparing for a dance. That doesn't give me a lot of time to unwind from my day job during the weekend, or time to perform those household tasks that need to be done.

3. It makes the summer go SO fast. The next thing I know, I look up and its September already!

I do have to say that it is better and easier now on my personal life than when I had kids at home.

Busier Than Ever

2009-02-24T14:56:00.000-08:00

Wow! 2009 is turning out to be my busiest year ever as a mobile DJ! I had several potential clients contact me today alone, and it looks like my record of 28 in a single calendar year is seriously in danger!

If you know of someone getting married within an hour's drive of Spencer, please let them know that I would LOVE to perform for them!

How Have I Changed?

2009-02-07T10:00:00.001-08:00

I was visiting with a friend the other day, and she asked me how I think I've changed as a mobile DJ over the past 20 years. I really didn't have a complete answer, but I've been thinking about it for the past few days, and here is what I would have told her:

1. I'm more comfortable in my own skin. I think it is only natural that as we mature, we become more at peace with who we are. When I was in my mid-twenties, and especially when I was still on the radio, I think I was trying to be like others. In the mobile DJ realm, my "idol" was Ted Burton Jacobsen, my program director at KKRQ in Iowa City and the man who got me started as a mobile DJ. I was in awe watching Ted work a crowd at a dance...he just seemed so natural and comfortable with everything. Of course he'd been doing it for a number of years, and so not only was he comfortable, he was competent. I was neither the first few years I did this. Now I feel like I don't have to be someone I'm not. I am confident, comfortable, and competent.

2. I've got MUCH better equipment. Part of that is because technology has improved so much. When I started doing this as a hobby business (and it really was a hobby for the first few years...only a handful each year until after I moved to Spencer), I was using cassette tapes. It was only a few years later that I started using CD's. The biggest revolution came in about 2003 when I moved to a digital platform utilizing music on a laptop computer. It allowed me to worry less about scrambling to find the next song and worry more about interaction with the guests and creating a better music mix.

3. I enjoy it more. I got into the mobile DJ business at a time in my life when I had three young children and was making only $12,000 as a radio announcer. My prime motivation was money. Today I'm still doing it, but money is only one reason. I enjoy it, and I think it comes out in my performance. Again, better technology has helped raise the level of enjoyment as well.

4. I'm better at it. You could probably make that statement about almost any career...the more you do something, the better you get. I think it's that experience that is the most valuable asset that I offer to clients. That's not to say that someone who's only been doing it for a shorter time can't do an excellent job. It just means that there's less risk in my opinion.

There you have it...a little bit about how I've changed over the years. If anyone is reading this, I'd appreciate a quick response so I know that people are actually reading this!

Guest Requests

2009-01-31T13:40:00.000-08:00

One of the things my customers like most about my service is the Online Event Planner they have access to when they book with me. Just recently, I've added another feature to my website. It's a Guest Request system that allows friends and family members of the bride and groom to log-in at any time and make music requests!

This guest request system is also great for other parties, such as high school dances, birthday parties, anniversaries, and class reunions.

I will be setting up the guest request system for all of my upcoming dances over the next week or so.

Northwest Iowa Prom and Bridal Show

2009-01-12T14:19:00.000-08:00

I had a great Sunday talking to brides at the Northwest Iowa Prom and Bridal Show hosted by KICD and Lite 104.9. For the second year in a row, I was lucky enough to be asked to provide the music during the fashion show segment of the event, first with the prom dresses and later with the bridal fashions. It was a well-attended event and I was fortunate to talk to a lot of brides-to-be. Some even had their fiances in tow!

One of the things that surprised me was that so many people had chosen August 29th for their wedding day! I have had that date booked for some time now, but I had five other brides come up and ask me about that day! Sometimes I wish I could clone myself so I could help out with more than one reception at a time. But in the end I'm glad to be a "solo" operator so I can devote my entire attention to one event at a time.

Dancing Under The Stars (or canvas)

2008-12-14T13:40:00.000-08:00

Here's an example of what an outdoor dance under a tent might look like!

Outdoor Weddings and Receptions

2008-12-14T13:35:00.000-08:00

I had more outdoor events in 2008 than ever before. In addition to providing sound and music for three outdoor weddings at The Inn, I also had three outdoor receptions. A fourth wedding and reception were moved indoors by a sudden thunderstorm. The picture at left is from one of two outdoor dances at the Algona Golf and Country Club. They have a wonderful patio area just outside the clubhouse that is perfect for an open-air reception.

I've been lucky for the most part in having few problems with outdoor events. One problem that seems to occur, especially at outdoor weddings, is wind noise. For wedding ceremonies, I usually provide a wireless headset microphone for the officiant. These condenser microphones are very susceptible to wind noise, and in locations like the lakeshore at The Inn, it's ALWAYS windy!

Couples who are considering an outdoor ceremony should consider a number of factors when planning the big moment.
1. Will you need a PA system? If so, is that a service you need your DJ to perform?
2. If you have a PA system, is there power near the location where the equipment is being set up?
3. Will you have a musical performer or have music played from a CD?
4. Where will you go if the weather is not suitable?

Because I've provided music for so many weddings, I'm prepared for almost anything! I've even had to run my PA equipment off of a DC inverter in my car! Where there's a will, there's a way. But it's important to plan ahead and communicate with the people who will be working for you.

Dreaming of June

2008-12-14T10:29:00.000-08:00

As I look out my office window, you can almost SEE the cold air. It makes me anxious for the return of warmer weather, and the wedding season.

In many parts of the country, mobile DJ's stay busy year-round. In this area, however, I've always had an off-season from about November 1st to April 1st. Since I mostly do wedding receptions, and we tend to have fewer of those during the Arctic months, I find myself spending a lot of Saturday nights NOT working. The good part about that is it is ideal time to socialize with friends and family. From about May through November, the free weekends are few and far between.

The downside of a seasonal break is that I don't want to get rusty. To fight that tendency, I try to keep up on new music and other trends. For music research, I rely on iTunes. I have found that their top downloads are a very good gauge of what guests are likely to request during an event. I also communicate with other DJ's around the country though online forums like the one at djchat.com. It's great to compare notes with others like me in other areas of the nation, and I am always picking up tips on how I can further enhance the services I offer.

The off season is also an opportunity to update my website or, in the cast of this year, to start a blog!

Music Requests and Your Event

2008-12-08T17:24:00.000-08:00

One of the most frequent questions I get is, "Do you take requests?" The answer, of course, is an enthusiastic YES! Requests are one of the most valuable tools a DJ has because the requests you receive give you an idea what the guests at the event are thinking that night.

Unfortunately, some people have an unrealistic idea of just how MANY requests can fit into a 4-6 hour wedding dance. I have many times met with couples that bring me a two-page list of songs that they'd like to hear at their reception. But unfortunately, it's just not possible to fit in a lot of requests in the average dance. Let's do the math.

Average dance = 4 hours
Minus special dances and dollar dance (30 minutes) = 3:30 of music
Average song length = 4 minutes = 15 songs per hour
Number of songs in average dance = 50-60

Let's assume that you'll want me to also play some requests from your guests. Plus, there are songs that my years of experience tell me "fit" a particular moment and will keep the guests dancing.

With all of those factors taken into account, a request list of about 20 songs from the bride and groom is just about right. I always advise to start with a bigger list if you'd like, then put an * by the 20 or so that are THE FAVORITES. Those are the ones I will try my best to play at some point during the evening.

How's YOUR Economy?

2008-12-06T15:05:00.000-08:00

Being in the mobile DJ, I keep a close eye on economic conditions and how they might affect my business. And with all the bad news the past few weeks, things are looking bleak in some parts of the country.

Fortunately here in northwest Iowa, conditions are still pretty good. A friend of mine asked me the other day if I'd seen a drop in business due to the recession. So I looked back at the past couple of years' records to see. And I haven't noticed a change. I have about as many confirmed events on my calendar for 2009 as I usually do this time of the year.

I have talked to some couples who have expressed concerns about paying for their wedding. One idea that has benefited my clients in the past is to make payments rather than having to come up with one lump sum. I also can accept credit card or debit cards on my website, and that is becoming an increasingly common way for people to pay.

My First DJ Gig

2008-12-06T09:25:00.000-08:00

Do not be frightened by this photograph. It depicts my first performance as a DJ. The date was September 18, 1981. I was a member of the Wheatland High School junior class committee responsible for raising money to put on the Junior-Senior prom in the spring of 1982. The summer before the school year, we ran concessions during baseball/softball games to raise money. Then someone came up with the brilliant idea that we should put on a dance.

My friend Todd and I agreed to spin records and (occasionally) talk. None of us had a lot of music, so we asked our fellow students to bring in their records that week so we would have some sort of library to utilize. In all I think we had about 50 records or so to use.

Our band director had "two turntables and a microphone" as well as a mixer board that we used, along with two PA speakers. It was a primitive setup by today's standards, but it seemed perfectly suitable for the teenagers of Wheatland, Iowa (pop. 831) at the dawn of the Reagan era.

I need to directly address my apparel. Although I was a nerd at age 17, I wasn't quite THAT bad. I was impersonating a DJ that had performed at a dance the previous school year who had come from a Davenport, Iowa radio station. He dressed like a combination of Herb Tarlik and Johnny Fever from "WKRP in Cincinatti", so I was spoofing what I thought was how a typical DJ acted and dressed. I didn't really have much in the way of crazy headwear (I would have died for a Huggy Bear hat), so I did the best I could. That's a souvenier Cincinatti Reds helmet with some balloons attached to the top. Classy.

I do retain a lot of memories about that night, although very little about the DJ performance itself. I remember some of the songs we rocked to that night:

Flirtin' With Disaster-Molly Hatchet

Pearl Necklace-ZZ Top

Rock and Roll All Nite-KISS

Never Been Any Reason-Head East

I think you can see a pattern here. The kids of Wheatland, Iowa were not in a disco mood in 1981. I believe we did try dropping "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees at some point and were booed. So we stuck with rock, which was 90% of what our classmates brought us that day anyway.

Of course no high school dance would be complete without a few dozen S-L-O-W dances. That night we were belly rubbing to:

Open Arms-Journey

Waiting For A Girl Like You-Foreigner

Keep On Lovin' You-REO Speedwagon

Beth-KISS

Among many others. I'm sure I danced one or two with the girl I liked at the time, Kim Garrow. It was the beginning of an off-again, on-again (mostly off again) relationship for the rest of my high school years.

About a month later, on October 16, 1981 I helped again with a second Junior Class dance. I'm sure we played most of the same songs because of our limited library. I have some strong memories about that night, in particular jumping down from stage to slow dance with a different Kim, Kim Voita. As I sang "Waiting For A Girl Like You" into her ear that night, one octave lower than Lou Gramm but on pitch, I fell for this cute freshman girl. It was the beginning of an off-and-on relationship (mostly off) for the rest of my high school career. Are you detecting a pattern here?

In the Fall of 1981, I had no intention of ever being involved in broadcasting or becoming a DJ at all. I was going to be the next Carl Sagan, an astronomy nut who wanted to go to college and then spend the rest of his life staring into the business end of a telescope. Ah, life and its twists and turns. I lasted in the astronomy program for one year at the University of Iowa. I fell into student radio as a way to escape from calculus and physics, and ended up finding something I was better at than quadradic equations. In the spring of 1984 I picked up a microphone for the second time at KRUI, the student radio station at the University of Iowa.

It would be another four years before I would do a mobile DJ gig again. In the fall of 1988 (yes, a frightening 20 years ago), I got paid a whopping $270 to do a wedding dance in Iowa City on behalf of my boss at the radio station I was working at part-time. The rest is history.

Welcome to the Music Man Productions Blog

2008-12-06T09:21:00.001-08:00

Thanks for stopping by! I have created this blog in order to share thought about my DJ service, Music Man Productions, and provide clients with resources for planning their event.