The industry standard is the Shure SM58. Everywhere any live events happen this microphone will be there. They range from 90 to 110 dollars new. They are built be rugged and used for outside or inside use. Some SM58 microphones do have an off on switch and one is always live so the volume can be adjusted with the mixer if the microphone needs to be off. 

Wireless Microphones are handy to have around too if one does not want to have the cable extend onto the floor. Shure does make a good wireless microphone. It is really easy to use. The user has to sync the microphone with the receiver and its good to go. Shure makes hand held microphones and lavalier which can be connected to the body incase the person does not want to hold to a microphone. Be ready to have new batteries handy incase they run out. Typically I have batteries handy and a wired microphone connected to the mixer just in case.

When it comes to cabling, the xlr microphone cables are the way to go. They came in different lengths and for some reason if the cabling is not long enough then they can be connected together so it can reach where it is supposed to go. I invested in short 3-foot cables, 6-foot cables, and 25-foot cables. The beauty of these cables is that they can be used for microphones and speaker cables. Xlr cables can be used to connect multiple speakers.

During the New Orleans marathon, I thought the dj had the coolest job on the course right next to the volunteers who hand out the finish medals.  The closest race I saw was in San Francisco. I filled out the form online and figured why not. A short period time later I got a voicemail inquiring about my services. They wanted to know my specifications of my dj set up to make sure I was legit. Once I was verified then I was given a contract and mailed the instructions of the event.

The day before I scoped the scene to see where I was playing at to check logistics. I was checking if I needed to park far away and run to my event if needed

I had to get up really early just like a marathon. I set my alarm at 4 since I had to get ready and load equipment and head to San Francisco. Waiting for me was my stage manager who made sure I was fed and hydrated during the event and to fix any issue if any arose.  The police officers were very helpful and one suggested I park behind the set up, which made life so much easier.  The race provided me a powerful generator that fed my four speakers. I was able to walk down the street and hear the clarity of the music.

I got to play a lot of top 40 and jock jam type of music. I know music plays a big part for motivation. When I ran my marathons and felt a little defeated I would hear a good song that would push me toward the finish line. Overall it was a good experience and would do again. 

CARDI B  BE CAREFUL

BEBE REXHA  MEANT TO BE

ZEDD MAREN MORRIS  THE MIDDLE

DRAKE  GOD’S PLAN

CAMILA CABELLO  NEVER BE THE SAME

BAD WOLVES  ZOMBIE

POST MALONE  PSYCHO

LIL DICKY  CHRIS BROWN FREAKY FRIDAY

MARSHMELLOW  FRIENDS

SAWEETIE  ICEY

SZA KENDRICK LAMAR  ALL THE STARS

XXXTENACION  SAD!

BLOCBOY JB FEATURING DRAKE  LOOK ALIVE

MIGOS  STIR FRY

OFFSET AND METRO BOOMING  RIC FLAIR DRIP

MIGOS FEATURING DRAKE  WALK IT TALK IT

STEFFLON DON AND FRENCH MONTANA  HURTIN ME

BLAC YOUNGSTA  BOOTY

TINASHE  FT OFFSET  NO DRAMA

Mixers are the brain of the PA system. A forty-dollar mixer can work but at the same time people get what you pay for. The professional mixers I recommend is the Yamaha MG06X and his bigger brother Yamaha MG10XU.

The MG06X is the size of an ipad. You can connect multiple microphones to it and have so much control of the gain, highs and lows. Also it has buttons to mute out a microphone if needed.  A 2 dj setup can be connected with this mixer. The beauty of this mixer is it can be added with another music system and it gives you more headroom to add more volume if needed. Each channel has a gain and then the master gain can be increased. If a dj decides to just play music and use microphones off his dj set up it sounds a certain way. Most controllers do not focus on the clarity of the microphones. They have other attributes it focuses on. But if the microphones are connected to the Yamaha mixer, it is so much clearer and it gives the option of multiple microphones. The mixer can be purchased for 120 dollars.

The older brother Yamaha MG10XU is a force of nature. Four microphones can be connected with the mixer. The highs, lows, and mids can be manipulated plus it has 24 effect programs that can add to the channel such as delay, flanger and echo. This mixer is so much bigger than his little brother so you would need more space for it.  This mixer can be purchased for about 200 dollars.

Both can do the job and it depends on how many microphones are needed and how fancy somebody wants the effect to be. 

The Perfect P.A. System: The speakers Part 1

When you purchase an item and use it then you start to realize it is all over the place. For example you purchase a Ford Flex, then all of a sudden you see them on the freeway or the parking lot. The exact same thing happened when it came to my P.A. system.

When I did the New Orleans Marathon, I noticed all the speakers by the stage were QSC powered speakers. QSC is known for the clarity of sound. The new K 12.2 monitors are the epitome of grade A equipment. The KW153 QSC 3- way speakers often pair up with the 12 inch monitors to perfect the sound. I stumbled upon the QSC discovery when I dropped off my JBL speakers to the shop. When I started doing music, I loved using my Mackie 450s, since they were flashy and sounded great, but I would blow them out. Next I went with the JBL brand, which were workhorses but eventually were blown out also. When I spoke with the speaker technician he said that QSC rarely came through his doors and is a fine speaker. When I looked into it, QSC offers a 6 year warranty on their speakers, so if any thing goes wrong QSC fixes it. Gone were the days of paying 200 dollars for a blown out speaker. The question was should I get subwoofers or a 3 way speaker. A sub would give you more punch in the bass. But say for example if the monitor (speaker) for some reason blows out then the sub would not work well since it would only have bass no mids or highs. The 3 way speaker would work  better with or without a monitor (speaker). 

I am currently reading a book, Write it Down, Make it Happen by Henriette Klauser. It has a basic concept but it can lead to monumental goals. One story mentions a football coach, Lou Holtz who was fired early in life. He then wrote over 100 goals on paper. Since he wrote them throughout his life, he has accomplished over 80 of his goals. It did not matter if his goals seemed to be impossible.

  He wanted to be the head coach for Norte Dame (one of the most powerful football programs in the country), and he made it happen. Also he wanted to have dinner in the White House, and it was done. Putting goals in writing puts it out in the universe.  It makes the goal setter more aware of the goal and causes the goal setter to see different avenues to reach the goal that they may have missed and not even know it.

   This year I had my ninth marathon on my to do on my March list. A marathon is 26.2 miles of goal right in front of the runner’s face. Unfortunately I had to take January off and only had a month of training. I had to start fresh in January with only running a half mile and build my way up. Each time I ran I would increase the distance. By the time I got to the last week of training, I maxed out with 7 miles.

 I was able to finish my marathon. Quitting was not an option. I was not going for time but just to finish. I was able to go 17 miles before my first break.  My marathon goal in my goal notebook now has been checked off. 

30 FIRST DANCE WEDDING SONGS

A wedding is the customized playlist for the newly married couple. There is no cookie cut playlist to play at every wedding. But there are songs that are commonly picked for the first dance. Often times the couple will want to pick  a song everyone knows. Sometimes the bride and groom cannot agree on what song to pick. Either they can flip a coin or can get a song sliced and diced so both of the songs can fit during the first dance spot. A good dj can blend two songs via software to make sure it fits the 3 to 4 minute dance routine.  I prefer to use Logic software  to do my first dance masterpieces.  Below are some first dance choices, but then again they are suggestions, it’s the couple who have the final say on what should be played:

HEARTLAND  LOVED HER FIRST

FRANK SINATRA  THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT

SNOW PATROL  CHASING CARS

LIFEHOUSE  YOU AND ME

AEROSMITH  I DON’T WANT TO MISS A THING

BRYAN ADAMS  EVERYTHING I DO I DO IT FOR YOU

SAVAGE GARDEN  TRULY MADLY DEEPLY

NAT KING COLE  L-O-V-E

TEMPTATIONS MY GIRL

GOO GOO DOLLS  IRIS

JOE COCKER  YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL

RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS  UNCHAINED MELODY

BEN E KING  STAND BY ME

BRUNO MARS  MARRY YOU

ELIE GOULDING  HOW LONG WILL I LOVE YOU

ELTON JOHN  YOUR SONG

JASON MRAZ  I’M YOURS

VAN MORRISON  CRAZY LOVE

LOUIS ARMSTRONG  WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

ERIC CLAPTON  WONDERFUL TONIGHT

ELVIS PRESLEY  CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE

JASON MRAZ AND COLBIE CAILLAT

AL GREEN  LETS STAY TOGETHER

JACK JOHNSON  BETTER TOGETHER

CHRISTINA PERRI A THOUSAND YEARS 

JOHN LEGEND  ALL OF ME

ETTA JAMES  AT LAST

SADE  BY YOUR SIDE

LAURYN HILL CANT TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU

K-CI AND JOJO  CRAZY

Customer Service that Commands Attention

I do not know why but when I go to a restaurant I pay attention to the customer service more than I pay attention to the good food I am eating. If the food is scrumptious then it’s a bonus. Rarely there is a time, where I am blown away.  That happened last weekend in New Orleans.  Commanders Palace, located next to a historical cemetery in a residential area, was a marvelous experience. As I entered the restaurant the host and 4 waiters greeted me as we were guided to our seat. Every table had balloons floating overhead. During the meal, a three-piece band played blues and took requests. At one table, there was a birthday and the band hung out longer than usual, and then there was an instant conga line. Of course being an entertainer I had to jump in the line with the strangers.

  Back to the customer service, I asked a waitress for location of the restroom and she actually walked me to it. In the middle of the meal, the water was exchanged for new water since the restaurant wanted to make sure I had new ice.  We were deeply surprised about that being that we are from California. Apparently Louisiana is not in a drought. We had numerous waiters come by the table and talk with us. They were so knowledgeable with their food and gave suggestions to other locations that were their favorites.

  I give this place a standing ovation with customer service. The food was excellent but the customer service makes a huge difference and believe is so important in any industry.