Tag Archives: Rhode Island Anniversary Party DJ

13 Gigs In 16 Days For DJ Mystical Michael

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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 

Roxy Music Dance Away

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Roxy Music, an American enigma. They reached international acclaim for their string of singles from the late 70’s through the 80’s. They reached as high as number 1 in the UK several times including number 2 for this song, Roxy Music Dance Away.

 

Some attribute Roxy Music along with David Bowie for the shift in the music business to include electronic instruments and melodies with horns for making a new, danceable pop music for teens, adults and professional DJs. Their music was sexy and clean at the same time.  Many bands like The Police, Duran Duran, U2 and a host of others have paid tribute to their success following that of Roxy Music Dance Away.

 

I had the opportunity to see them at Carnegie Hall in the mid-80’s. A great show and with a real performer who understood the fine balance between showmanship and quality sound. There are many songs of theirs that I have appreciated over the years. Roxy Music Dance Away I still sneak into certain professional DJ gigs when it makes sense.

Roxy Music Dance Away:

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Don McLean American Pie

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Don McLean American Pie is Pop classic that has been covered by Madonna among others. This particular video demonstrates many of the lines in the song and where they were derived from. Don McLean American Pie is a deep song that is written in a fun and happy style, although not a fun or happy story.

 

Don McLean American Pie was one of my first cassette tapes and I loved it and played it again and again till the tape broke. I did not fully understand the story about the deaths of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper till older and then the full meaning of the lyrics older yet.

 

I invite you to watch Don McLean American Pie video and the story behind the story, interesting, historical and a small window into an era that has been glorified and glamorized without true inspection.

Don McLean American Pie:

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Santa Esmeralda Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

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There have not been many times that a Flamenco inspired song makes a hit on the Billboard charts in the USA but Santa Esmeralda Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood was an exception; twice. The first was released at the peak of the Disco era as a long dance song that was an entire side of an album but was released as a single in a shorter version similar to the one in the You Tube video. Round two was from the movie Kill Bill. Then Santa Esmeralda Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, became even larger since the movie scene enhanced the music to many new listeners.

 

As a professional DJ, Santa Esmeralda Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood has many positive qualities besides the obvious hard-driving beat. It allows a professional DJ to mix it in from many genre without losing the feel of what is being played. This is true for Disco, Dance, and most Latin rhythms, especially Flamenco. Santa Esmeralda Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood in its longer form has many places to mix in or out since there are several breaks with just the beat, clapping and guitar not audible in this version posted here. People also love the opportunity to ‘spread their wings and fly’ while dancing during the long version  of Santa Esmeralda Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,and its constant beat with layers of textured instrumental and vocal arrangements.

 

If you can find a copy of the album version or 12″ dance version on vinyl of Santa Esmeralda Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, you will be pleasantly surprised by the remake of an old Animals song. Another song for professional DJs to use for mixing genre.

Santa Esmeralda Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood:

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Spins An Oldies But Goodies Anniversary Party

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Saturday Night could not come fast enough for the adult children of two happy couples celebrating 50 years of marriage. Imagine trying to plan a double surprise anniversary party for your parents and your spouse’s parents on the same night!  The good news is that all the siblings helped put the event together and kept the secret all along the way.

 

After dinner they each said a few words about their parents and most were tear-filled.  Their parents were beaming from ear-to-ear and did not stop smiling till we were breaking down our gear at 10:30pm.  After the announcements, we turned up the volume and Oldies Tunes from the 50’s and 60’s started the fun part of the night.  They reminded me why I enjoy this music so much as a professional DJ. It is fun, playful and great to dance to for young and old. There were even some kids and teens on the floor grinning and moving to The Drifters, Dion & The Belmonts, The Four seasons and Bill Haley and The Comets.

 

 

My ride home from The Holiday Inn in  Manahawkin, NJ was nice while reflecting on the party and the celebration of two marriages still going strong 50 years later. I know us professional DJs participate in so many events but I still get moved by special moments and celebrations.

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ For A Double 50th Anniversary Party!

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This weekend I will have the opportunity to DJ, MC and provide music for a dual 50th anniversary party.  A woman is throwing a party for her parents and her husband’s parents, who are both celebrating their 50th wedding anniversaries. I think it is amazing.

 

Can you imagine how mind-boggling it must have been when they discovered both their parents were wed the same week in the same year? What are the chances of that? Talk about a marriage meant to be.

 

I love that my work as a professional DJ allows me to connect with people and their lives in such a meaningful and profound way. I get to hear their stories and their plans for their future. I listen while they share what is important to them and what is not. I offer support and direction as it pertains to my role as professional DJ in this brief period in their lives.

 

I find it funny that after more than fifteen years as a counselor and social worker, I am provided with just as many opportunities to support families and help them meet their needs as a professional DJ. These days it takes a much different shape and form but the supportive, calm, focused demeanor still creates space for individuals and families to be clear in what they want and not get caught up in the details that do not matter or out of our control.

 

 

I can’t wait till the party! The music is predominantly from the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. I have a large collection from this era and glad to continue to get requests to play it at the right events. A double 50thanniversary party is just that event!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Oldies DJ For Birthdays and Anniversaries

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I have been hired as professional Oldies DJ for several Oldies events lately. These are typically parties with lots of good, clean fun. I grew-up with plenty of the songs from the late 50’s and early 60’s with artists like Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Dion & The Belmonts, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Sam Cooke, Johnny Mathis and all the MoTown stuff being the ones that stick out in my memory the most. My family also listened to a lot of Jazz, Pop Vocalists and Big Bands as well.

 

For reasons I do not know, as a child I gravitated towards the Oldies genre on my own. It started with me asking my parents to find me The Crusin’ Series of albums and cassettes. They are where I first began to study the history of  music and the roots of Rock and Roll. The Crusin’ 1961 album was the first since it was the year I was born, then 1958 and 1962. Soon after that I got the double album soundtrack to the film American Graffiti.  My brother gave me as a gift a couple of albums by Shanana with covers of many of the great tunes of that era. The collection grew with time and patience.

 

When I first started as a professional DJ, I was hired for a party for some Morristown Police Officers. They had so much fun they kept hiring me for all their events and it wasn’t long before all the police, fire and P.A.L. events booked me and I became known as the “Oldies DJ” even though I was only nineteen or twenty at the time. I had fun and learned a lot about music and Rock and Roll.

 

I still enjoy the opportunity to break out the Oldies and spin great times with folks who really appreciate the music and memories.  I think it is easier for me since I was alive during most of this music and grew-up with it. I imagine a young professional DJ who is trying to play the songs of the 50’s and 60’s through reading about them or just what Billboard says would struggle with knowing what works with what, as I did when I was DJing in my early twenties and playing some Big Band and Swing gigs back then. I do know a couple of young professional DJs who actually do an excellent job with both The Oldies and music of today though.

 

Back to the playlist I am working on for a 50th anniversary party coming up soon!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Professional Anniversary Party DJs

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One of the beautiful aspects of a professional anniversary party DJ at an anniversary party is the opportunity to chronicle lifetimes and moments of a relationship through music. It is an event that is really shared by the family. It speaks to their periods of joy and grace and the periods of hardship and struggles. All of which are the testaments of a marriage that has lasted time and the pressures of the outside world.

 

When I first started professional DJing anniversaries, they were not a big deal – at the time Americans stayed married through thick and thin. Times have changed and now anniversaries hold a higher value in this climate of divorce and separation. I am not judging, just speaking to a change in values of a culture and how long term marriage is becoming more of a miracle every day. One to be celebrated by and with the family.

 

As a professional Wedding DJ, we get the opportunity to play music from many eras and genres at such an event due to the diversity in age and personalities of the guests without the familial pressures of a wedding that often don’t allow the host s to enjoy the event.  Sinatra, Bennett, McCartney, Jackson, Ross, Madonna, Hammer, Beyonce and Lady GaGa all share the night’s entertainment. It is fun and sentimental all at the same time.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ