11/11/11 – Veteran’s Day 2011 – Guest Post
| Posted by: | CommentsHere is a guest post by Louise Thaxton via ChrisLoCurto.com, one of my fevorit blogs. Louise is one of the top commenters on ChrisLoCurto.com.
This Friday, 11-11-11, is Veterans Day. It’s also called “Remembrance Day” or “Armistice Day.” It is the federal holiday where we honor our military veterans and is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
World War I was brutal. One of the human angels who walked among the fallen, bruised and broken soldiers was Eleanor Roosevelt. She flew on an un-insulated military aircraft before there was such a thing as “first class.” She flew through combat airspace to Guam, the Philippines and other islands. It was NOT to vacation but to work for the American Red Cross to serve the American troops. She walked hundreds of miles in hospital halls, worked in emergency rooms and sat down and ate with the troops. She saw the wounds of war. And she wanted to REMEMBER. She began to carry a prayer that would stay with her for the rest of her life:
Dear Lord, lest I continue in my complacent ways, help me to remember that someone died for me today. And if there be war, help me to remember to ask and to answer, “Am I worth dying for?”
As we go about our daily activities on this day of remembrance, may we remember that we ARE a nation at war. May we remember that today there are men and women of the United States military who are fighting somewhere on foreign soil for our freedom. May we remember that freedom is never free. May we remember to ask ourselves the question as Eleanor Roosevelt did … “Am I worth dying for?”
My question to you today is this……will you REMEMBER this Friday?
Steve in Joe Bunn’s Blog
| Posted by: | CommentsRecently, I DJ’d the ceremony of a fabulous couple at the amazing Grand Marquise Ballroom in Garner. Joe was the primary DJ, and took over for the reception. But I wanted to share with you the blog post that Joe wrote complete with an amazing Father/Daughter dance mix custom created by our pal and fellow DJ, Randy Bennett! Check it out here!
Rachelle and Chris Chapman Reception-July 22, 2011
| Posted by: | CommentsIf you asked me to summarize my experiences this weekend in a word, it would be emotional. Rachelle and Chris are a young couple overcoming incredible odds to finally tie the knot. It began about a year ago. When innocent horseplay led to a tragic accident and the bride to be was instantly paralyzed. Next came the long uphill journey to get back to that day, and my role to provide the soundtrack of an amazing couple’s special day. A good friend Erin McLean of Erin McLean Events asked me to help locate the perfect band for the wedding, and asked if I would personally DJ the event.
Of course I agreed, and set off on a mission to find a band through my agency, The Lincoln Agency. Rachelle actually suggested one of their favorite bands, The Common Clay Band. In the coming weeks we prepped, and then plans kept changing, as that happens when you are talking live TV. The NBC Today Show had become interested in their story shortly after the accident. So we were attempting to work around their schedule. I just told the band to be ready for anything.
We began the reception with the Couple’s grand entrance into one of my favorite locations to DJ, Fearrington Barn. The couple are both graduates from ECU, so their introduction song choice was The ECU intro song, “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix complete with siren and purple lighting and smoke! Their first dance was to Rascal Flatts “I Won’t Let Go”, which ensured that there was no dry eye in the entire barn and wonderfully sums up the story!!
The band began to jam through country and rock as the guests proceeded through the dinner stations, and some guests getting up to dance to their favorite song. Rachelle then danced with her Father to “Sunrise, Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof, one of his favorites. Next came the toasts from the Best Man, Maid of Honor, and Father of the Groom. Again, there was not a single dry eye. The cake cutting followed to Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me”.
Then it was my turn to shine. With a mixture of Oldies, Motown, Country, and Top 40 hits, the dance floor quickly packed with guests! The entire afternoon was filled with so many events, it seemed as if there was only a few minutes before it was time to toss the bouquet and garter! Rachelle chose “Hot Legs” by Rod Stewart for the garter toss, and “Single Ladies” for the Bouquet toss.
At the exit, the couple was presented with a custom van equipped with a lift and custom passenger seat. Rachelle and Chris were then swept off to Fiji for the honeymoon. I was honored to be involved in this once in a lifetime event. And I loved working with everyone involved. Martha Manning of Martha Manning Photography recorded the event and sent us these early shots below.
Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs. Rachelle and Chris Chapman! I’m sure we will be hearing more about this great couple in the future!
The NBC Today Show aired the final update video on Rachelle and Chris after the Honeymoon. Here is that video:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Rachelle and Chris NBC Today Show snipits!
| Posted by: | CommentsMore to come later!
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
New VIDEO blog featuring TLA!
| Posted by: | CommentsBunn DJ Company Video Blog – Episope 28 – The Lincoln Agency
Cozart/Hendricks Wedding Ceremony/Reception-Saturday May 21, 2011
| Posted by: | CommentsAshley and Justin’s wedding ceremony was simple and elegant at Prestonwood Country Club‘s Ballroom. Christine Borneo and her staff always take care of the vendors that work there. The planner for the event was Catherine Kats with Cherished Celebrations. I had never worked with Catherine and her assistant Megan Bugbee, but they quickly proved themselves as professional planners.
While Ashley and Justin were taking photographs with Lisha and Matthew of Lisha Myers Photography, the guests moved to the lobby for cocktail hour while the rooms were flipped for the reception. I made the introductions to the Cupid Shuffle and the entire wedding party danced their way in and really set the mood for the remainder of the evening.
The first dance was the Keith Urban’s “Making Memories of Us”, then Ashley danced with her Father to “Daughters” by John Mayer. Justin followed with “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins. After dinner and the cake cutting, it was time to dance.
Ashley had indicated in our pre-wedding meetings that she wanted to start the dancing off with a bang. So she chose The Black Eyed Peas new hit “Just Can’t Get Enough”, and assured me that we would need a bigger dance floor! It did the trick and the floor filled and stayed that way all night!
After the bouquet toss to “Single Ladies” the party continued and finally ended on the “Bubble Getaway” to “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey. This was a great wedding in all its simplicity and proves that sometimes less is more. Lisha Meyers is planning on sending over some photos of the event, and I can’t wait to post them here. Congrats Ashley and Justin! A great wedding with an equally fantastic couple!
King/Grubbs Wedding Reception – Saturday April 2, 2011
| Posted by: | CommentsTyler and Laura were the kind of couple that smiled everywhere they went, glowed with the love that they have for each other, and made everyone happy that they came in contact with. So when they approached me to DJ their wedding reception in August of 2010, I jumped in and couldn’t wait to see what they had planned.
As graduates from NC State University, the NCSU Alumni Club was the natural choice for their reception. While the couple were getting hitched at First Baptist Church, Wendy Dorman, the Banquet Manager was decking the reception out in Red and White, including the cake!
The introduction of the bridal party was to “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas, followed by the first dance to Train’s “Marry Me”. Laura then danced with her Father to “I Loved Her First” by Heartland, and Tyler with his Mother to “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts. After emotional welcome and blessing, dinner was served, followed by touching toasts by the Father of the Bride, Best Man, and Matron of Honor.
The white, multi-layered cake covered in red roses was cut to James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is” and then it was my time to shine. Not without a guest appearance from Mr. and Mrs, Wulf, the NCSU mascots. Which only added to the dancing frenzy! The couple gave me a few suggestions, but really left it up to me. Starting off with a little motown and oldies, the crowd quickly moved up into some 80′s then to current hits.
Most of the crown stayed until the very end and most of them stayed on the dance floor all night long. This was a wonderful wedding with an equally wonderful couple. I knew when I met them over a year ago that this would be something special. The event was recorded by Ken and his wife with Ken Tart Photography. I will post photos when I receive a few.
Band Spotlight: Will McBride Band
| Posted by: | CommentsIn this blog post, I’m going to spotlight a group that may be only a few years old, but has been performing for a very long time.
From their facebook page: The Will McBride Group is a trio that creates a fusion of jazz, funk, and pop that “satisfies your cool side…and moves your backside!” The band performs 55+ shows per year in and around the Raleigh/Durham area. They are adept at creating original compositions and arrangements that rely heavily on the bands impressive jazz chops but at the same time never leaves the listener uncertain of where the melody went.
The members of the group bring together an impressive background, each having performed with members of one or more of a wide variety of internationally known, even Grammy-awarded, groups like:
“Godfather of Soul” James Brown
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Derek Trucks Band
Nantucket
Voltage Brothers
Hurricane Roger Wilson
The Original Drifters
The Fifth Dimension
David Sanchez
“Trifecta” is an organic recording of only three musicians, joining together to create an incredibly fun and infectious array of music that is imaginatively created, impressively performed and amazingly good. Here is what the critics have said:
“…this CD is excellent from beginning to end…4 ½ out of 5 stars.”
-Raleighmusic.com
“Trifecta is a winning combination of cool funky grooves that engages the listener.”
Matt Morrow, Triangle A&E
“…it is clean, melodic and grooving”
-Owen Cordle, Raleigh News and Observer
If you would like to see the band, they will be doing a jazz show in Burlington at the Alamance Country Club from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. I believe that this is a semi-private club, but if you’re in the neighborhood and would like to stop by, I’ll be you could take a load off there and hear a couple of sets in their unique brand of jazz. Tarik will once again sit in on drums for them. GOOD TIMES!
Featured Band: Johnny White & The Elite Band
| Posted by: | CommentsOne of our premiere bands, Johnny White and the Elite Band has recently updated their promotional video, and even added to their powerhouse set list. I wanted to take this opportunity to share a little of Johnny’s story and then show you these new features that have been added.
Johnny’s versatility as a performer, and the groups vocals and musicianship tops any band on the market today. Their experience spans 4 decades, and can delight audiences, both young and old.
JOHNNY WHITE & THE ELITE BAND PLAYLIST
THE BLACK EYED PEAS
Let’s Get Started
I Gotta Feeling
LADY GAGA
Born This Way
Just Dance
Poker Face
BEYONCE’
Single Ladies
Crazy In Love
The Jackson 5
Beat It
Dancing Machine
The Love You Save
I Want You Back
Michael Jackson
The Way You Make Me Feel
Billie Jean
Thriller
You Wanna Be Starting Something
Shake Your Body To The Ground
RHIANNA
Only Girl In The World
Please Don’t Stop The Music
KERI HILSON
Pretty Girl Rock
KATY PERRY
Fireworks
Hot & Cold
LIONEL RITCHIE
All Night Long
ELVIS PRESLEY
Can’t Help Falling In Love
ALICIA KEYS
No One
Like You’ll Never See Me Again
MARY J BLIGE
Just Fine
Let’s Get Crump
KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND
That’s The Way I Like It
Shake Your Booty
Get Down Tonight
EARTH, WIND, & FIRE
Shining Star
September
In The Stone
Let’s Groove Tonight
On Your Face
EMOTIONS
I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love
Best of My Love
Ain’t No Sunshine
RICK JAMES
You and I
Super Freak
Give It To Me Baby
CUPID
Cupid Shuffle
THE TEMPTATIONS
Stay
This Is My Promise
My Girl
Beauty’s Only Skin Deep
Don’t Look Back
The Way You Do The Things You Do
I’m Losing You
Ain’t Too Proud To Beg
I Wish It Would Rain
My Lady Soul
Since I Lost My Baby
FERGIE
Big Girls Don’t Cry
MONTEL JORDAN
This Is How We Do It
THELMA HOUSTON
Don’t Leave Me This Way
ANGIE STONE
I Ain’t Hearing You
FRANKIE BEVERLY & MAZE
Before I Let Go
Running Away
TOM BROWNE
Jamaica Funk
VICKIE SUE ROBINSON
Turn The Beat Around
SUPREMES
Can’t Hurry Love
Baby Love
Where Did Our Love Go
Come See About Me
Back In My Arms Again
Stop In The Name Of Love
Upside Down
CHIC
I Want Your Love
Good Times
Freak Out
GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS
You’re The Best Thing
Love Overboard
Heard It Through The Grapevine
Midnight Train To Georgia
Neither One Of Us
FOUR TOPS
Standing In The Shadows Of Love
Baby I Need Your Loving
I Can’t Help Myself
Same Old Song
Reach Out
OUTKAST
I Like The Way You Move
Hey Ya
SPINNERS
Could It Be I’m Falling In Love
Sadie
I’ll Be Around
SISTER SLEDGE
We Are Family
BARRY WHITE
Can’t Get Enough of Your Love
First, Last, My Everything
MARVIN GAYE
Sexual Healing
Pride & Joy
Stubborn Kind of Fella
Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing
Heard It Through The Grapevine
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Let’s Get It On
KOOL & THE GANG
Celebration
Get Down Tonight
Ladies Night
Hollywood Swinging
Funky Stuff
Jungle Boogie
DONNA SUMMER
Bad Girls
Hot Stuff
Hard For The Money
Dim All The Lights
BLUE MAGIC
Side Show
I Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely
Stop To Start
THE TRAMPS
Disco Inferno
TEENA MARIE
Lover Girl
Square Biz
SAM & DAVE
Hold On, I’m Coming
Soul Man
When Something’s Wrong
You Don’t Know Like I Know
GLORIA GAYNOR
I Will Survive
BROTHERS JOHNSON
Get The Funk Outta My Face
Stomp
WHITNEY HOUSTON
I’ll Always Love You
I’m Every Woman
Heat Wave
Jimmy Mack
PATTI LABELLE
You Are My Friend
Right Kinda Lover
Talk About Love
THE COMMODORES
Brickhouse
Easy
ISLEY BROTHERS
It’s Your Thing
Who’s That Lady
Voyage To Atlantis
LAKESIDE
Fantastic Voyage
All The Way Live
THE STYLISTICS
Betcha By Golly, Wow
You Are Everything
Stop, Look, Listen
Stone In Love With You
You Make Me Feel Brand New
Break Up To Make Up
Daddy’s Little Girl
EDDIE FLOYD
Knock On Wood
PRINCE
1999(2009)
Controversy
I Wanna Be Your Lover
BOBBY BROWN
My Perrogative
Don’t Be Cruel
Every Little Step
MARTHA REEVES & THE
VANDELLAS
Dancing In The Street
ARETHA FRANKLIN
Rock Steady
Think
Chain of Fools
Freeway of Love
Respect
Natural Woman
KOOL & THE GANG (2)
Fresh
Tonight
Victory
THE DELFONICS
La La Means (I Love You)
Break Your Promise
Didn’t I Blow Your Mind
STEVIE WONDER
All I Do
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Superstition
DENNIS EDWARDS
Don’t Look Any Further
SMOKIE ROBINSON
Tracks of My Tears
WILD CHERRY
Play That Funky Music
THE O’JAYS
Love Train
Backstabbers
Money, Money
She Use To Be My Girl
I Love Music
WILSON PICKETT
Midnight Hour
Mustang Sally
Outstanding
NATALIE COLE
Unforgettable
This Will Be
THE WHISPERS
Rock Steady
It’s A Love Thing
And The Beat Goes On
AL GREEN
Let’s Stay Together
Love and Happiness
TYRONE DAVIS
Turn Back The Hands of Time
Can I Change My Mind
Is It Something That She’s Got
CHERYL LYNN
To Be Real
Encore
LUTHER VANDROSS
I’d Rather
Here and Now
Love The One You’re With
Never Too Much
OHIO PLAYERS
Skin Tight
Roller Coaster
Fire
CAMEO
Word Up
Single Life
Candy
THE GAP BAND
Drop The Bomb
Burn Rubber
Early In The Morning
PEABO BRYSON
Did You Ever Know
My Heart Belongs To You
LARRY GRAHAM
Just Be My Lady
One In A Million
CHAKA KHAN
Sweet Thing
Ain’t Nobody
Whatcha Gonna Do For Me
BOBBY WOMACK
Harry Hippie
Nobody Wants You
Looking For A Love
That’s The Way I Feel About You
If You Think You’re Lonely Now
MARCIA GRIFFITH
Electric Slide
JAMES BROWN
Funky Good Time
Sex Machine
Living In America
JEFFERY OSBORNE
Back In Love
TASTE OF HONEY
Boogie Oogie
PATRICE RUSHIN
Forget Me Not
Haven’t You Heard
JACKIE MOORE
This Time Baby
DAZZ BAND
Whip It
STAPLE SINGERS
I’ll Take You There
The Chi-Lites
Have You Seen Her
Oh Girl
A Letter To Myself
EXCAPE
Tonight
FOR REAL
You Don’t Know Nothing
THE POINTER SISTERS
I’m So Excited
THE MOMENTS
Love On A Two Way Street
STEPHANIE MILLS
I Never Knew Love
EVELYN CHAMPAGNE KING
Shame
I’m In Love
THE JONES GIRLS
Who Can I Run Too
ENVOGUE
Never Gonna Get It
THE BLUES BROTHERS
Shout
CARL CARLTON
Mama Jama
Carolina Beach Music
EMBERS
I Love Beach Music
The Drifters
Lil Red Book
Under The Boardwalk
Up On The Roof
THE PLATTERS
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
Only You
Great Pretender
THE TAMS
I Been Hurt
Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy
THE TRAMPS
Hold Back The Night
IMPRESSIONS
It’s Alright
I’m So Proud
THE SHOWMEN
39-21-40 SHAPE
THE TYME
Ms. Grace
What Becomes of The Broken
Hearted
LOU RAWLS
You’re Gonna Miss My Loving
CLARENCE CARTER
Strokin
PART TIME PARTY BAND
Part Time Party Man
LENNY WILLIAMS
Ten Ways of Loving You
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Give Me Just A Little More Time
Carolina Girl
JIMMY RUFFIN
Jazz/Big Band
Folk/Country
RAY CHARLES
Georgia On My Mind
OLETA ADAMS
Get Here
GROVER WASHINGTON
Mr. Magic
DAVE BRUBECK
Take Five
ERROL GARNER
Misty
DUKE ELLINGTON
Take The “A” Train
Satin Doll
FRANK SINATRA
New York, New York
The Way You Look Tonight
Fly Me To The Moon
BOBBY DARIN
Mack The Knife
LOU RAWLS
Stormy Monday
You’re Gonna Miss My Lovin
ETTA JAMES
At Last
VAN MORRISON
Brown Eyed GirL
ALLISON KRAUSS
You Say Nothing At All
JOE COCKER
You Are So Beautiful
ERIC CLAPTON
Wonderful Tonight
KENNY ROGERS
Crazy
Through The Years
LYNYRD SKYNYRD
Simple Man
Roadshow: Landscape with Drums
| Posted by: | CommentsMany of you do not know that I love to read. When I was growing up, I had series upon series of various Science Fiction novels lining bookshelves in my bedroom. I spent my spare time reading about grand journeys and swashbuckling adventures with swords and pirate ships and dragons and space cruisers. As I’ve gotten older, gotten married, became a dad to a wonderful growing young man and opened my businesses in music (that has become my obsession). My focus turned from fiction to an expansive variety of subjects by an even more diverse list of authors. So I think that it befits this blog to review my most recent accomplishment in reading with you.
The book is entitled: “Roadshow: Landscape with Drums, A Concert Tour by Motorcycle” by Neil Peart. For those that do not recognize the author, Neil Peart is the drummer for the Canadian Progressive Rock Band “Rush”; whose nickname is “The Professor”, and whose last name is often mispronounced ‘Pert’; however it is “‘Pere’ rt”. Rush was formed in 1968, but grew more popular in 1974 when Peart joined the group and replaced the original drummer, John Rutsey. The band, who has yet to be inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has been a member of the Canadian counterpart for years.
This book, Peart’s fourth, is part musical journey through the band’s 2004 R30 tour to celebrate their 30th year, and part travel journal. The reader gets an informative, raw view of life on the road with a full time working band, but more interesting is Peart’s taste and reviews of dining establishments, hotels, highways, and event our national parks. The majority of the book is spent on his motorcycle in North America. I found it to be not only entertaining as he takes you through the back roads on America, but informative. It made me want to visit these places and experience the views that he describes with my family. The European tour near the end of the book, while almost an afterthought gives readers a peek into Europe’s rarely seen landscape.
“Landscape with Drums” is a great read that will open your eyes to a seasoned musician and a well traveled one.