Spencer Weddings | Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville DJ Entertainment

Kyle and Roze – November 13, 2011

Last weekend’s wedding was unlike any other that I’ve had the chance to attend. Roze and Kyle have a very unique Love Story. One such that the wedding itself was themed in a whimsical world of Hatter’s Tea Party.

Top hats, gloves, vintage, semi-Victorian/Steampunk and formal attire are encouraged.

It was almost as it passing thought the black iron gates of Michael’s on Main in Soquel transported you back in time. Everything was beautiful and inspired, from the invitations to the centerpiece arrangements. The cake proclaimed “Eat Me” while the favors enticed guests by saying “Drink Me.”

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In their 25th year of raising money for a worthy cause, Neil and Pegi Young put together a great lineup of artists this past weekend at the Bridge School Benefit concert. Two sold out days at Shoreline Amphitheatre made for a great day of musical entertainment.

Saturday, which started at 5pm, had a few problems with the cancellation of Diana Krall (knee injury) and comedian Jimmy Fallon (missed flight), the latter of which was to be the Master of Ceremonies for the day. I wasn’t able to make the first day because I was busy entertaining at a beautiful wedding at the slightly refurbished Cinnabar Hills Golf Club in south San Jose.

Undoubtedly, Sunday was the best bang for your buck, starting at 2pm and going until just past 11pm. My wife Staci and my good friend Ted accompanied me this year, as we made our tiny base camp on the lawn. All I can say is that the rules have really relaxed in the fifteen years since I worked for Shoreline Security. There was a time when you were lucky to get you blanket in the door. Now you seem to be allowed to bring just about anything that you can carry – from large picnic baskets stocked with tasty food and sealed non-alcoholic beverages, to larger-than-lowback lawn chairs and tarps (instead of beach blankets). I’m not sure if those items, or simply the capacity crowd of 22,500 (16,000 of which are on the lawn) made for some incredibly cramped quarters. I’ll be better prepared next year!

The Acts

It was a great lineup, with returning names like Eddie Vedder, Dave Matthews, Norah Jones, Santana and Beck. Newcomers this year included Mumford & Sons and Arcade Fire, and both put on an outstanding performance. It was unfortunate that many people left before Arcade Fire went on, but it did open up the lawn a bit for those of us sticking around.

Having never seen them in person, Foo Fighters was certainly one of the main reasons I attended on Sunday (the only day they played).  Given that the show is all acoustic, it was expected that a tremendous rendition of “Everlong” would be played, and it was. Tony Bennett and his full ensemble made an appearance – basically just schooling all the younger artists.

Norah Jones came with her country covers group, Little Willies. It was not exactly what I was expecting, but she covered a few Hank Williams songs, a pretty decent offering of “Jolene” originally by Dolly Parton, and ended with a Willie Nelson tune. All in all, if it were darker and what I had been expecting, I think it would have been great.

I missed Eddie Vedder as a result of taking the opportunity to hit the restrooms and grab a bite to eat. Seeing as I didn’t like either of those, I’ll have to find a way around it next time (Shoreline has lots of room for improvement). Thankfully, I found the full performance online, and have to admit – I really liked seeing an acoustic pounding of “Porch” from the Ten album.

Beck came on stage and showcased songs from his “Sea Change” album, which was performed with the original band that he recorded it with twenty years prior. He joked that it was a reunion tour of sorts. Near the end, they snuck in a last minute “Loser” performance, which for being acoustic came across very well.  I would have liked to see him later in the evening, but he had a lot of competition.

As a long time fan, my favorite overall performance came from Dave Matthews.  It was the first time I’d seen him and Tim Reynolds perform their acoustic sets that many fans on the east coast have been able to experience for many years. The downside is that he is still compressed to the 35-minute performance, so his typical jam sessions were not part of the experience. Joined by Marcus Mumford (of Mumford & Sons), they performed a brilliantly crafted cover of “All Along The Watchtower” – somewhat of a trademark Matthews song at live performances.

Canadian pop band Arcade Fire did their best to round out the guest performers, but was a little to melodic (or perhaps unknown) for the majority of the remaining attendees. That’s not to say they didn’t put on a great show – a full ensemble of fiddles, piano organs, and who knows what else was on stage with them – but it was almost a little too “folk” music for some. I think they summed it up when they said “everyone else had to figure out what hits to play, good thing we didn’t have that problem.”

October is usually one of my busiest months for wedding work, but I’m always ready to mark the calendar for Sunday’s Bridge School performance. I’m sure I’ll do the same in 2012, even if Eddie Vedder makes his 11th appearance. The only difference is that I might pay the price for reserved seating and pack a cooler.

Believe me – This will NOT stay in Vegas

Last week was a very interesting one. A year, I attended the Wedding MBA convention in Las Vegas.  I enjoyed the show so much, I took advantage of an incredible special they were running if you registered during the show. As time passed, I wasn’t sure that I would go. To be honest, it didn’t seem like much of the content was refreshed (or unique) enough to warrant the trip.

Then about five months ago, the American Disc Jockey Association announced they would have their annual education conference the same week, prior to and slightly overlapping the Wedding MBA. It happened to also be around a time when Southwest had anniversary pricing on their flights from San Jose and San Francisco to Las Vegas – the pot thickens!

So now my bags are packed, and I’ve headed out the door. The amazing content I gained from the ADJA show was somewhat unexpected. I’ve seen many of the presenters previously, but nearly all of them delivered new content, something I welcomed warmly into my tiny brain.

Wedding MBA… Meet Sam Day!

Wedding MBA, however, had an influx of last minute attendees, putting them close to the 2000 attendee mark. It was here that I met Sam Day, Wedding Painter, for the first time.

As The Wedding Marketing Blog points out, Sam is not unique – but rather rare. “While Sam is not the only wedding painter on the planet, he is one of very few.”

Sam’s rare talent is listed right there on his website, where he describes it as “oil paintings, live, at weddings and events.” I came to the sessions a little late, but early enough to see him still in action. He had begun painting the audience when I arrived, and within a few hours time had finished him masterpiece.

Like nearly all the other impressed wedding vendors, I hurried to the exhibit hall where I could meet Sam and chat it up with him. I learned that he has ties to the Bay Area, which might encourage him to paint your wedding here, for a price.

How much does it cost?

No. I didn’t ask him what he charges.  Much the same way that I frown upon other vendors asking me what my price is, I didn’t see it fair to pre-judge him (or my client’s desires) based on a price. I will tell you that I saw them listed on him blog, so just go check that out. Better yet give him a call in his studio at (206) 382-7413.

Painting © Sam Day; Photo © Jason Spencer

What are you waiting for? I already told you that there’s only one Sam, but there were nearly 2,000 wedding pros that saw his work live last week. His phone is probably ringing off the hook right now. If that’s the case, contact me directly, I’ve got his email address too!

Hey Everybody! It’s The Muppet Show OK Go!

I personally have always had a soft spot for The Muppets in my heart. Growing up in the 80’s, three of my favorite childhood films were The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, and The Muppets Take Manhattan. Heck I still love them, and that’s why I’m counting the days until their new movie, The Muppets, lands in theaters this Thanksgiving (91 days at the time of this writing).  If you haven’t seen The Muppets trailer yet, you should really check it out.

It’s time to to play the music. It’s time to light the lights.

When OK Go originally released their video “Here It Goes Again” the world went nutes.  It was just an amazing video that boggled the mind, all while using synchronized treadmills.  To see that video redone to the tune of The Muppet Show Theme Song, well it’s been a while since I’ve been so wow’d over.  If you need a pick me up, spend 3 minutes and 47 seconds checking this out!

It’s time to raise the curtain…

When I got married at Monterey Plaza in 2008, my wife and I were introduced to the room to the original Muppet Show theme song. There were other meanings and stories associated with this song, which made the entire room smile and laugh as we entered. It was fitting for us.

It’s not for everyone, but as someone that’s been in this business 16 years, I advise everyone to reflect on your relationship and time you’ve spent together. Find a song that is unique to you. If the meaning is really only known to the two of you, then consider having your master of ceremonies talk about it in your personalized Love Story presentation.

Nation’s Singers Rudely Telling DJs How To Do Job (Season 1: Ep 9 on IFC)

That’s what I’m talking about

If the past events I’ve worked with acts like Smash Mouth and Live 105 are any source of measurement, then Brooke Alvarez could be on to something. It’s about time someone stood up to these pushy artists and reminded them that we have the power to not only stop the song, but change it too.

Okay, that’s not fair. Working with the Bay Area’s Smash Mouth at the release of Astro Lounge was a great honor. And thankfully, groups like The Maids of Honor probably don’t have a dance hit to save their lives.

And yes, this post is all in good fun.  I loved working with Smash Mouth, and if you’ve ever seen Greg and Lex wail in Maids…  Well, that’s a sight you’ll never get out of your mind!