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.

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. 

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.

March 2018 Playlist

MEGHAN TRAINOR  NO EXCUSES

DJ KHALED  TOP OFF

LOGIC AND MARSHMELLO  EVERYDAY

X  NICKY JAM  AND J BALVIN

RAE SREMMURD  POWERGLIDE

GUCCI MANE  SOLITAIRE

MARSHMELLO  AND ANNE MARIE  FRIENDS

DRAKE  GOD’S PLAN

ZEDD  AND MAREN MORRIS AND GREY THE MIDDLE

SELENA GOMEZ AND CHAIN SMOKERS  HALLOW

BAZZI MINE

BRUNO MARS  CARDI B  FINESSE

GUCCI MANE  TIESTO BOOM

IGGY AZALEA FT QUAVO  SAVIOR

HAILEE STEINFIELD  BLOODPOP CAPITAL LETTERS

21 SAVAGE RICK FLAIR DRIP

Are Coaches good for Business?

While growing up, I had a little league coach who showed me how to play baseball. I would have different coaches thus I would get different advice on how to be a better player. Then I stopped playing sports with a team and I no longer have a coach. As a grown up, you feel that you are a stable adult and know how to world works. But in business one can still have a coach to learn and get to the next level. Business coaches have been where you want to go and have insight.

I found out about SCORE.ORG, which is a free service for businesses. I signed up and within a few hours I got a phone call and I set up an appointment with two business coaches. I had a choice of three locations and I asked SCORE please send me to the best coaches for me no matter the location since I am hungry to learn as much as I can.

 I met Lido and Judith at a Chamber of Commerce and they broke it down for me. They asked me what was working and what was not working then gave me insight. They told me I should tell everyone about my business. Make it be known that I do music.  Instead of sending out 100 postcards, send out 600.  They asked me why I did not give out my card when I met them and told me I need to give out my card to everyone I know and not be modest about it. They told me so much more but I cannot give out my secrets!

I learned a lot from my coaches and want me to follow up with them, so I am held accountable.