Good Knight Entertainment Blog

In addition to music and video I also carry Karaoke and I mention that I do to each prospective client. I don’t charge extra for it but, regardless, I get no takers.

The perception of Karaoke these days is that it belongs in a bar or at a children’s event. Most people associate it with drunks caterwauling or kids screaming into the microphone so they don’t want it at their event. This is strike one against Karaoke.

Another strike is a movement among the Karaoke vendors (manufacturers) to require Karaoke Jockeys (KJs) to only play from their discs; that is, you cannot convert the CD+G to MP3 + G and play it. One company has been actively suing KJs performing public (bar) events by computer. I perform by computer; however, all of my events are private so I don’t think I’ll run into that. Regardless, I see this as the second strike.

I am also seeing fewer and fewer public Karaoke shows. As the popularity and availability decreases I believe this will be Karaoke’s third strike.

There are some areas where venues are adding in house systems and requiring DJs to use them and there is a debate going on among DJs as to whether these systems should be used by the DJ.

My personal opinion in the matter is that an in house system would make my set up and strike easier as there would be less equipment to load in and out of the venue; that’s the upside. The downside is the possibility that the system is of poor quality. I would require a demonstration of the system at the site visit and in the case where I find the quality below my standards I would require that the venue allow me to use my system instead.

Part of the debate among DJs also involves pricing. In my opinion, while load in, set up, strike, and load out are part of my fee, the biggest part is my service and talent and that is what my clients are paying for. Based on that a venue installed sound system would not affect my price.

Client: Dave and Christine
Venue: Martin’s East

The load in was great; in through the side, down the delivery corridor, and in to the room. When most of your gear is on wheels this makes it fast.

We arrived at about 11:30 and pulled up to the front. When we got inside a staffer, the manager, asked us if he could help us. I told him that we were there for the wedding and he said that it was cancelled last night; something about lousy DJs. OK, so now I know I’m working with a smartypants manager but that could really be fun.

After load in we got set up very easily and put on some Motown for the staff and us to enjoy. We had about an hour before guest arrival so we got changed and relaxed.

Guests were expected at 1:45and they started arriving just about then. I had already made the transition to cocktail music before they got there. Dave and Christine arrived a little after 2 and went back to the Bridal Suit.

At about quarter after we were ready to line the bridal party up and start the introductions. 5t was then that I found that the Best Man had gotten turned around leaving the church and was not there yet. I got them lined up and then recommended that we go without  him and Dave and Christine agreed. I went in to the room, asked all to be seated and got the intros rolling. When I came to the Maid of Honor and Best Man I did a quick double check and he wasn’t behind the curtain so I introduced the Maid of Honor and he came running in behind her to the rorus laughter of the guests. I then included him in the intros.

Toasts went very well and then Al and I treated them to Sinatra and Martin for dinner. The meal was Prime Rib and Crab Cake, which Dave and Christine insisted we partake of.

After dinner we moved into the Father/Daughter dance and then the Mother/Son dance. We then moved into a starter-up set consisting of Boom Boom Pow, Shake Your Tail feather, Apache, and then Play That Funky Music. The dance floor filled from the opening.

Then we had a special presentation from the Groom’s Men and the Groom of The Evolution of Dance. I was not able to see very well because everybody was standing but, judging from the reaction of the guests it went the way Dave wanted it to. Behind that the Father of the Bride had a little presentation welcoming Dave to the family.

The evening included the Apron Dance and we had a very nice and long line of folks wanting to dance with the bride and groom. A few got back in line and they followed my brief instructions and the dance went very smoothly. Behind that was the garter, bouquet, and two cakes; a birthday cake for the Father of the Bride and then the Wedding Cake.

During the garter toss I swore the guys into the single man’s club.  I have them raise their right hand and swear that if they catch the garter they will not hang it on their rear view mirror. This always gets a chuckle out of everybody.

For the cake cutting I did the upper hand joke. I get the bride and groom to stand facing each other with the wedding cake between them. I have the bride hold out her hands palms up and the groom place his hands in hers palms down. I then ask the groom to look lovingly into his new wife’s eyes and remember that this will be the last time he will have the upper hand. This is good for a chuckle and also sets up two pictures for the album; one with them holding hands in front of the cake and one with them holding hands and a big smile on their face.

The rest of the night progressed very well and when it was dance time Al and I kept the dance floor lively. Because of the mix of songs we played we were able to keep most of the guests there till the end.

The only complaint I had for the event was our positioning because it was hard to see the dance floor from where we were; however, I compensated by walking around getting a read on it.

This was my last wedding for 2009. This couple and the venue was very easy to work with to make it a great finish.

There is no doubt that children are our greatest gift. They bring much delight to their parents and loved ones. They bring light to the lives of all that know them.

I am not a parent myself but I have had the pleasure of taking care of the children of friends and family members. I have also had the pleasure of performing as a DJ at many events for children.

Weddings, no doubt are family events and children may be part of the families of the bride and groom; however, even if weddings are family events they may not necessarily be family friendly events. There is alcohol present, there are adult oriented activities present, the garter removal for example, and there may be adult oriented music played. Additionally, the typical supervision of children at any other family event may not be present at weddings and unsupervised children may end up in some sort of mischief that may be harmful to them or others around them.

To ensure that your wedding is enjoyed by all present it is highly recommended that entertainment be made available to any children attending. This can be in the form of a DVD player on the side, some coloring books, some children’s activities in another room, a children’s table with a menu just for them, and so on, but, make sure there are activities that cover all age groups. Also, you may want to ask your DJ or band if they can play child friendly music and play games for them during the meal and make this their time.

As to having them do activities in another room, hire reliable teenagers or adults to oversee the little ones. They do not have to stay in the other room the whole time, it could just be through the toasts and dinner and then they could be reunited with their parents. You may find a qualified day care specialist that offers their service on site for weddings and other events.

Client: Lexi and John

Location: Meadowlark Gardens

I had been cut breaks all day. I loaded my truck and it waited to rain till I was done. When Al and i got to the venue it waited to rain until after we had loaded in.

Meadowlark Gardens is a botaniocal park in Vienna, Virginia. It is a very beautiful place. We were in the Atrium which affords a scenic overlook of the gardens.

This was a very easy load in and set up. We were in and set up in record time which gave us some time to relax.

The only bump in the road we hit was that the client wanted a speaker on the Atrium outside patio and the venue does not allow that.

Overall the night went very well.

Client: Bree-Ahna and Kevin

Location: Martin’s West

Martin’s West is a fairly easy load in, unless you have rain, then it is difficult. We had rain and lots of it. But, we managed to cope with it.

We arrived at about 11:00 AM and had a planned 1:00 PM start. Other than the rain, the load in was uneventful and the staff was easy to get along with.

After set up we put on some Motown till guests started arriving at 1. Bree-Ahna had some specific songs requested for the cocktails and I started those but there were not enough of them so I moved on to instrumental love songs.

My agenda indicated that we were to seat guests at 1:40; however, the bride and groom did not arrive till then and they had a special surprise of a dove release. All of the guests were asked to go out to the front of the building to witness that. This took about fifteen minutes. I am a “go with the flow” DJ so that did not matter to me.

Bree-Ahna and Kevin took some time to relax and then we got everybody lined up for introductions. We had a few in line changes and then we were ready to go. The bridal party and bride and groom came in to “We Will Rock You”. The bridal party formed a semi-circle on the dance floor and Bree-Ahna and Kevin went into their first dance as husband and wife to “God Bless The Broken Road”. From there we had a bridal party dance to “It Feels Like Home To Me” and after a minute or so into the song I announced that others may join them. From there we had the blessing and the toast and we were back on schedule.

Dinner music included a selection of Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, and Harry Connick, Jr. specifically picked by the bride and groom but things went long so I added in some additional Harry and Michael and then some Rod Stewart from his Great American Song Book collection.

During dinner the Banquet Manager, Nick, asked if we could move the cake cutting to right after dinner so that they could serve it as desert. I checked in with the bride and groom and all was good.

Our next activity was scheduled for 3:45 but we did not get to it till around 4:30. Bree-Ahna and Kevin wanted to visit with their guests and this was not a problem for me.

We ran through the cake cutting, F/D dance, M/S dance, Garter Removal, Garter Toss, Bouquet Toss, Garter Place, and then we had a special tribute sung for the Groom’s brother. After that was the anniversary dance.

Many DJs start the Anniversary Dance with all married couples and then, by a prcess of elimination, remove couples to the couple married the longest is the only couple on the dance floor. Thanks to a comment from Justin at Sounds2Go DJ Service, I now do it in reverse; that is, I start off with the bride and groom and add people till I’ve found the longest married couple. As the dance floor grows, I ask couples entering to raise their hands so that I can recognize them. The couple we found had been married over 54 years. I asked them to give advice on longevity of marriage.

From there it was in to dance. I started with Boom Boom Pow. As I was playing this, Bree-Ahna asked me when she could do her special song. She had given me a CD with an instrumental version of At Last on it. She was next. She went back to the bar, which was behind a partition, and Al, my assistant, snuck the microphone to her. When Boom Boom Pow ended I asked Kevin to go out to the middle of the dance floor for a special presentation that was prepared for him. When he got there, I hit play and Bree-Ahna came out from behind the partition and sung to him.

I played a slow song behind that and then it was back to up beat. I kept the mix going till 5:50 when it was time for the farewell dance.

Since Martins is a multi-event facility, we had to stick with our 6 PM close. We got packed up in record time and, yes, it was still raining. According to the forecast, it will be like this till tomorrow (Monday), so I’ll unload my gear then.

BTW, I call this Security Dance because Martin’s West is near Security Blvd., home of the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Client: Lindsay and Kimball

Location: Waterford at Fairoaks

First of all kudos goes out to the Waterford. These folks planned their hall very well. The load in is great; just back up to the side door and wheel your gear in. The staff is very easy to work with and very friendly. They are very classy and elegant.

We arrived at three and got everything setup and checked out. We then got changed and relaxed a bit.

At abot 4:45 Lindsay and Kimball came in to let us know that they were there. Shortly after that the guests were ushered in from the cocktail room and then we got the bridal party lined up.  From introductions we moved to the toasts and then the meal; first dance was on the back end.

After the meal we played first dance and then a combined F/D and M/S.

Lindsay and Kimball had requested country for open dance and we went with that but it was only pulling a mediocre dance floor. Kimball came up to me and said that he didn’t think country was working and he was right so I pulled out All Summer Long and that helped. Next was Just dance and blam, big dance floor. We stuck with that general theme with one or two requests thrown in and did well with it.

Before we got started Kimball asked me what music goes with a 70’s dance called The Gator. I was at a loss but determined to find out as some of his guests were talking about it. It turns out that it was Land Of 1,000 Dances. We worked that in behind The Cupid Shuffle and then followed it with Shout.

After a dance segement of about an hour we were ready to do the rest of the formalities including the cake cutting. Now, I always tease the guests about cake smashing and get a vote going. I never expect the bride and groom to smash cake butr always put the cake cutting as the last formality. Well, this time the bride got the upperhand. As she took a step backward she thrust the slice of cake forward and got the groom square in the face and he didn’t even get a shot at her. That was pretty cool.

From cake cutting we played some slow songs and then ramped it back up till the fairwell dance.

The only bad incident I had was the DJ company in the next room was overdriving his bass and I had to pump up my volume more than I wanted to compensate.

Client: Nate and Michelle
Location: Lauxmont Farms Sunken Garden

This location was a bear. We had three systems to set up; a reception system, a ceremony system, and a cocktails system. We also had a huge hill to negotiate to get to the ceremony and cocktail site. But, I need the exercise.

We were supposed to be there at 3 for a five o’clock start but something told me to be earlier. It was good that I was as we had that hill and some technical difficulties.

We pulled the gear out of the van and grouped it for location. I decided to transport what had to be transported up the hill first and then worry about the rest after we were done that. It was a struggle but we did it.

When we got the main reception site set up I fired up the computer. It froze up on me the first time so I rebooted. It froze again and this time I shut off my drive array. It booted all the way that time. I then started the drives and fired up VDJ and it gave me an error on the sound card. I pulled the USB cable and put it back in and all was well.

We went up the hill and set up the cermony system. That went well. We then went up the steps and set up the cocktail system. That went well as well.

We went back down to the reception tent to make sure the video for the montage was a go. Then I realized that I needed to reboot to get the video card recognized. After another problem wityh the sound card all was well again. The video was fine and the sound was fine but now it was about twenty of five. We rushed to change and by the time I was back at the ceremony system it was about five of.

As it turns out, the rushing was for naught because the bridesmaids were not even there yet. They did not arrive till about fifteen after. So much for the schedule.

The ceremony went well and so did cocktails. As cocktails was happening Al and I took down the ceremony system and put it back in the truck.

At about twenty after six I announced that it was time for the guests to head down toi the main reception tent. Amazingly, they cleared out fairly quickly. Al and I tore down the cocktail system and stored it in a room at the cocktail location until we could get it down the hill and into the truck.

As I headed back to the reception tent Al got the wedding party ready. When they were all lined up we went into the introductions. Despite the fact that we wer pushing the 150 foot limit of the mics and some drop outs as a result, we made it through.

From there it was first dance, toasts, blessing and on into dinner.

Now, dinner was a musical table release and it went very well. My client had picked the songs (all fun stuff) and placed signs at each table with the number and song on it. This went well and dinner went smoothly.

After I had gotten the last table I let that song finish out and then announced the montage. Now, I had set up the projector and screen the best I could but the room was divided with the dance floor in the middle and I was along the long side of the dance floor so most of the folks could not see the screen. I announced that they might want to gather around the dance floor and then started the montage. Then, one guest pointed out that I might want to move the projector around and project on one side of the ceiling so that all could see. Darn, I wish I had thought of that. He positioned the projector and placed a cup under the front to angle it up. I restarted the montage. I was going to take down the set up after the montage but, with the new projector arrangement, why not just do video?

Nate and Michelle went visiting tables and I was through our release songs so I started playing toe tappers. Blam, dance floor!

Nate and Micheel continued visiting and Al asked me if he should get them prepped for the parent dances. I said go for it but they wanted to visit everybody. No big deal as many were now enjoying the dance floor. The guy that suggested the change in projector position asked for “You Should Be Dancing” by the Bee Gees; he helped me out so that song was next. Blam, bigger dance floor with a dance jam happening in the middle. I was loving it.

I followed up with “Play That Funky Music” and put “YMCA” behind that.

I continued with that until the bride told me that she was ready for her dance with her father. I let the last song play out and then told the guests, “And that was just a small sample of what we have in store for the rest of the night but we need to take a break to finish our formalities. And now some words I hate to say as a DJ … please clear the dance floor.” I then gave it back to Al and we went through the parent dances.

Next was what was supposed to be our first dance set but was now the second one. It started with “You Shook Me All Night Long” and ended with “Poker Face”. Then we were back into the formalities with an apron dance and then the garter and bouquet.

After that it was dance, dance, dance till the farewell dance.

While I had a change of dancers from time to time I never really lost the dance floor.

In the end, we were all tuckered out.

Client: Amy and Jason
Location: Jefferson Patterson Park

The location was great. The load in was easy and because of the shape of the pavilion it acted as an amphitheater; we really didn’t have to push the gear hard to get all around sound.

Al and I arrived at around two and we were up and running by 2:45. Once set up we changed and relaxed a bit.

Cocktails were scheduled for 4 but guests started arriving at 3:45. That was not a problem at all as we had some nice beach music ready for their enjoyment.

Intros were scheduled for 4:30 and went off without a hitch. After intros the bride and groom did their first dance as man and wife and then we had toasts. Afteter thoe toasts it was meal time and Al released the tables to the buffet. We used Rat Pack for dinner music and had some folks up on the dance floor dancing to Frank and Dean.

During dinner Al found out that the Bride’s sister was shy and did not come forward when we asked others to join in the toasts. Al told me and we decided to let her toast after dinner. The young lady, a victim of Downs Syndrome, also wanted to sing “My Heart Will Go On”. A little voice told me to just let this happen, so I did. I was awed by the love and respect given this young lady and a standing ovation from all of the guests when she was done. It tugged at my heart strings.

After the rendition of “My Heart will Go On” and toast by the bride’s sister, we moved into the parent dances.

After that we had one unplanned group photo on the dance floor which sent me scrambling for a song because i was ready to open the dance floor with Boom Boom Pow. The first thing that hit me was Danger Zone and that was what I played.

The Bride and Groom only gave me a few songs to play but somebody came up during dinner with a list of artists. That set the stage for the night. Boom Boom Pow filled the floor. Apache was on the card I was given and I thought, “What the heck” and played it next. Bam, more folks on the floor.

It turned out to be a mix of funk with Earth, Wind, and Fire, Daz Band, Parliament, and Wild Cherry with some current stuff, country, and a mix of slow songs in between that kept my dance floor full till the farewell dance at 8:45. Even with some other activities like the Corn Hole Game, people enjoyed the dance floor.

At 8:45 we had their farewell dance and then we moved into our closer.

As we were packing up guests kept telling us that we did a great job. The bride and groom and their parents added to that. We also got a nice tip.

All in all, an enjoyable night for us all.

Client: Samantha and Ryan
Location: Sheraton 4 Points BWI

I told you that several of the last parties were great; this one was the perfect storm! The only song I played all night that had a light dance floor was Swing The Mood but that one still had some great dancers enjoying the Jitterbug Style.

I used Dave as my assistant this time as Al was away. We arrived at the Sheraton 4 Points BWI at about 2:30 PM. We were way early but this was not a problem as we had to not only set up the main area but also a wireless setup in the hallway where drinks and cocktails would be sewrved and one by the pool where cocktails would also be served.

I have to tell you that the staff at the Sheraton are very easy to work with. Grady, the main banquet manager has been in the business for over thirty years and the man knows his stuff.

We concentrated on the main set up first. They had my table just where I asked for it. After we got set up in the ball room we moved to the hallway. We ran power from the the ballroom to the speaker and that was only a few feet from the wall socket behind the main rig, around the door frame (there was plenty of room between the bottom of the door and the floor to allow our power cord to slip beneath the door) and to the speaker which was essentially just behind us on the other side of the wall. I had the transmitters on so that when we plugged in the receiver we could tell if there was a signal coming through.

Once we got the hallway speaker up and running we moved to the one outside.  This was another easy set up. We ran power from a cobana the hotel had out there. This setup was easy and the music sounded good.

After we got the wireless speakers set I turned off the transmitters to save the battery.

After we were done all of this it was around 4:00; the time I had originally targeted for arrival. I still had to do a few little things like add some music updates to the drive and took care of that. After that Dave and I went over our game plan.

While we were going over the game plan I got down to the Apron Dance. It was then that I noticed that the apron that Mary Ann, the hotel’s coordinator, had given me was missing. I had left it on our DJ table. I went into panic mode and looked all over the area. There had been some boxes on our table when we arrived that the staff had removed and we thought that the staff had taken the apron with that stuff. We found Grady and he told me that he had put it under the table cloth of the cake table. Phew! It was then that we also had a chance to talk to Grady and get the low down on his vast career.

So, basically, we were set up early and had a chance to relax; this is a rare thing.

At about 5:30 I started up the transmitters again and around ten of six I pulled the cocktail list into the active play list so that it would be playing when guests started to arrive.  Almost on cue the guests started coming in at six.

I knew going in that we had changes to the bridal party introductions as Samantha had e-mailed me a few days before. She wasn’t sure at that time what the changes were. I was able to get them from Samantha, or Sam, as she likes to be called as she was getting bustled.

On my return to the ballroom I met Don Bryant, the photographer. Don is the most professional photographer I have ever met. Just look at his web site and blog and you can see that immediately. As Don says in his blog, I really kept him busy.

From the introductions things began moving very quickly. We used three songs for the introductions; Sirius for the Grand Parents and Parents, Here Comes The Hotstepper for the Bride’s Maids and Grom’s Men, and It Takes Two for the Bride and Groom.

From the introductions we moved into the bread, wine, and salt ceremony and then the Czypek. Did I mention that this was Polish?

With the bread, the parents are hoping that their children will never hunger or be in need. With the salt, they are reminding the couple that their life may be difficult at times, and they must learn to cope with life’s struggles. With the wine, they are hoping that the couple will never thirst and wish that they have a life of good health, and good cheer and share the company of many good friends.

In the Czypek the bride is unveiled and both she and the groom receive hats and a string of baby dolls around their neck to indicate fertility.

After the Czypek we moved into the meal for wich we played a combination of instrumental love songs and then some Rat pack/Crooners.

Their first dance was after the meal and then we moved into our first dance set starting with Boom Boom Pow. It was here that I really had a clue as to how the rest of the night would go and I was right. This group was phenominal. Usually I’ll just get the younger folks involved with songs like Boom Boom Pow but we almost had the whole room on the dance floor.

After three more breath taking songs it was time for the Father/Daughter dance. Sam never knew till then what song her father had picked. He wanted I Loved her First and it was the right choice.

We completed all the back-end formalities and then moved into one special presentation. Since this was a Navy/Marine wedding the “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” scene out of Top Gun had to be reenacted. The Bestman, Marine First Lt. Bender, gathered all his friends together and they seranaded Sam. I actually put him up to it but Lt. Bender is a cool guy and went with it.

From here we went into another dance set till 9:30 when it was time for the cake cutting. During this dance set i worked in the Chicken Dance, another tradition, and followed up with a conga line with jump In The Line. This was one of the longest conga lines I have ever seen. I thing everybody in the room was in it.

The cake cutting was followed by a Groom’s cake Samantha presented and then it was time for our toasts.

After the toasts the Grooms’ men dragged Ryan out and we began the apron dance. Since we were doing Polish traditions it was all Polkas.

From the apron dance it was back to dancing till the Farewell Dance. The only time I had a light floor was when I put on Swing The Mood but it didn’t empty because not everybody knows how to Jitterbug.

After it was all over and I was back home it took me about three or four hours to be able to sleep. I get into the zone and this one was the longest.

Thank you Sam and Ryan for a great time at your wedding.

See pictures by following this link.