Auld Lang Syne

The lyric itself dates back to a 1788 Scottish poem that was soon set to music and traditionally sung on occasions that signified the conclusion of something - including the year’s end for which it is most famously associated.

It would eventually become the anthem to big band leader Guy Lombardo’s New Year’s Eve broadcasts aired live from NYC on radio and TV between 1929 & 1979.  Despite it’s popularity and having been released as a single by Lombardo in 1947, Auld Lang Syne failed to make the Billboard hit singles chart until 2000 when Kenny G took it to #7 with his special “Millennium Mix.”

"Dick Clark’s New Year's Rockin' Eve” premiered in 1972 and signaled a changing of the guard for New Year’s Eve TV programs.  Taking a page out of his days as host of American Bandstand, Clark’s program showcased performances by the latest and greatest hit makers of the day and set it against the live backdrop of the ball drop in Times Square and the millions of revelers that assemble there each New Year’s Eve.

Clark utilized a rock version of Auld Lang Syne as the program theme and in Dick’s final appearance on NYE 2011/12 before his unfortunate death in 2012, Guy Lombardo’s version of Auld Lang Syne plays as he kisses his wife at midnight.

Dick Clark will be missed by generations as Guy Lombardo is still by others.  For now, the guard changes again tonight but the tradition lives on in days of ‘Old Long Since.’

Soundtrack For Tonight:  Auld Lang Syne & Rock Around The Clock

Happy New Year from djChrisPickett.com!

We Made The A-list (again!)

Chris Pickett Disc Jockey Service made the 2012 Boston A-List!!

I'm happy to report that once again, we made the top 5 in both Best Wedding DJ and  Best Wedding Ceremony Music categories - the only DJ to win in the latter category (& for the 2nd year in a row!)

For reasons unknown, I noticed that during the voting process, I was also nominated (and dwelling in the top 5!) under the "Best Wedding Accessories" category.  While music is a great accessory to your wedding day and I am grateful for the votes I got, I am very glad that I did not appear as a finalist there. So, congratulations to the appropriate vendors who did round off that category and I hope you weren't upset by my unintentional appearance.

Also, a sincere thanks to everyone who voted for me and congratulations to everyone else nominated.

With over 30 years experience, there are many years of weddings and gatherings ahead so please keep djChrisPickett.com in mind as the Soundtrack To Your Next Event!

Soundtrack For Today:  Call Me Maybe (781-337-8187)

The Boston A-List 2012

It's time once again for the Boston A-List!

Last year's Top 5 placement for Best Wedding DJ and Best Wedding Ceremony Music was an honor and I would greatly appreciate your help at making it to the top again this year by asking for your votes in these same 2 categories.

Along with your vote, if you could please leave comments on the voting page, they would be greatly appreciated!

Find us on the A-List DJ Chris Pickett

Just click on the link to vote and I thank you for making djChrisPickett.com The Soundtrack To Your Next Event!

Soundtrack For Today: www.BostonCityVoter.com

Robin Gibb

The Bee Gees’ vocals were a unique blend of the three voices of twin brothers Robin & Maurice Gibb and older brother Barry - whose own high falsetto (self-discovered in the mid-1970s) led to a rejuvenated group sound that ultimately defined the disco-era of the 1970s with dance floor anthems such as Stayin’ Alive, Night Fever and You Should Be Dancing.

But if you dig back deeper into the earlier songs of The Bee Gees’ massive and impressive catalog, for which they celebrated during their 50^th anniversary just a couple of years ago, you’ll find a large number of memorable hits that you may have forgotten or just discovered.

Songs such as Run To Me, I Can’t See Nobody and Massachusetts showcase the Bee Gees’ craft of writing timeless pop hits whose sophisticated lead vocals would be seamlessly verse-traded, most often between Barry’s smooth lyrical narratives and Robin’s trademarked and textured expressions of pathos, which were often sprinkled in a way similar to a chef who knows just how much spice to use and when.

The underlying moments of Maurice’s arrangements lead to a blending of sounds that would crescendo into magic choruses of harmony by all three brothers that solidified the unique sound that was the Brothers Gibb.

And unfortunately, was is the tense that is and shall remain as the world has lost the unique gift that was Robin Gibb this past weekend, as he succumbed to his battle with cancer at the age of 63.

Outside of the Bee Gees, Robin Gibb maintained a sporadic solo career and had just recently completed the classical score The Titanic Requiem with his son Robin-John and performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In a coma and near death, Robin was unable to attend its London premiere on April 10, 2012, a few days ahead of the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  This album is available on iTunes and Amazon.

Barry Gibb remains the sole survivor of his three now-departed brothers; Maurice passed on in 2003 and in 1988, youngest brother Andy, who was not a Bee Gee but whose own solo career was undeniably launched into superstardom with the help of his older brothers.  Heart-felt sympathies go out to Mrs. Gibb, who at 91 has lived to see the loss of another son.

Soundtrack For Today: Bee Gees: Mythology