Infamy

It's That Time Of Year

If you are newly engaged, Fall is the start of a wedding planning process that can at times feel both fun & frustrating.  There’s much to coordinate but a key portion of your search is finding the right DJ to make your big day a fun & memorable experience – and this is where I come in.

As your disc jockey, I consider myself to be an authoritative resource on music from many different styles and eras.  This is important because your wedding reception will include guests whose musical tastes span across many generations and it is vital to have an experienced professional who intuitively knows how to play to this dynamic.

Additionally, I fulfill the duties of Master Of Ceremonies at your reception, which is perhaps the most crucial role of the day.  As such, I work with you throughout the planning process to coordinate formalities and express your musical tastes so that from your introduction to your final dance, all you have to do is have the time of your life!

This is your big day. All of the stress you go through during the planning process should culminate in a happy and enjoyable celebration for you both. My experience and references show I know how to make this happen.  So make sure you’re hiring a professional DJ and not an “MP3 player.“

As an MC, I speak on behalf of you to your guests. As an entertainer, I have over 30 years experience that helps you to create a memorable Soundtrack To Your Wedding Day!

Soundtrack For Today: djChrisPickett.com

I also offer music/microphones for your wedding service!

Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow

Just over 30 years ago, Sony introduced us to the cassette player they called the Walkman and it ignited a revolution of music playback not seen since the mid-1950s introduction of the portable transistor radio. 

Not only did the Walkman change overall sound quality, small and comfortable headphones further enhanced the new experience of listening to music on the run with store-bought and custom cassettes – not to mention in stereo!

According to published reports, today marks the end of production for the cassette version of the Walkman by Sony.  Today also celebrates the 9th birthday of one of the Walkman’s technological successors – the iPod.

Soundtrack For Today:  Lisbon by The Walkmen

Tiger Twist

The New England Patriots beat the Bengals in our season opener - Patriots 38, Bengals 24.

Go Pats!!

Soundtrack For Today:  Armando Sciascia & His Orchestra

2,977

California / Dream

Katy Perry created the soundtrack to the summer of 2010!  She began the first day of summer in the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with California Gurls and this coming week, that song sits at #10 while her latest release Teenage Dream, clamps down the top 10 on the other end at #1.  Katy’s album Teenage Dream also rules the charts at #1 this week.

Hear & Now:

Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin with a new album of that title.  It came out last month and captures the rebounding Beach Boy at his most creative.  If you know songs like Rhapsody In Blue, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, or I Got Rhythm, try to re-imagine what they sound like with a “Beach Boy-ish” flair. 

This album makes a bit of history as there are also 2 never-before heard and previously unfinished Gershwin pieces that Brian Wilson completed, courtesy of access granted him to the Gershwin archives.

Currently #1 on the Billboard Jazz chart, it's available through Amazon, iTunes and your local record store or visit BrianWilson.com.

Coming Soon:

John Lennon’s 70th birthday would have been next month on Oct. 9 and to celebrate, Yoko Ono has supervised the re-mastering of his solo catalog along with the compilation of a new box set and greatest hits collection.  Of particular note is a special stripped-down version of Double Fantasy, the 1980 comeback album Lennon completed just prior to his murder that December.  All are set for release October 5 on EMI.

Per The Beatles official website: “The Beatles’ original 1973 compilations, 1962-1966 (‘Red’) and 1967-1970 (‘Blue’) have been digitally remastered for worldwide CD release on October 18 (October 19 in North America).” 

The U.S. and British versions of these albums differed slightly in terms of mixes chosen – no word yet if there will be separate versions again and in particular, whether the ‘Red’ album will have the James Bond intro. on Help.

Soundtrack For Today:  iPod on shuffle

Update: No 'Bond' intro on the 'Red' album.

It's All In The Game

Tommy Edwards was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1922 and eventually grew up to be a talented pianist and singer/songwriter.  Edwards died in 1969 of a brain aneurysm at a young age 47.

His self-penned This Chick’s Too Young To Fry, was popularized by Louis Jordan in 1946 while other better-known solo recordings eventually became bigger hits for other artists, such as A Fool Such As I by Elvis Presley (#2; 1959) and The Morning Side of The Mountain by Donnie & Marie (#8; 1975.) 

But it was Edwards’ recording of a timeless ballad entitled It’s All In The Game, which he originally released and took into the top 20 in 1951, that made him stand out.  By the end of the 1950s, however, Edwards was looking to salvage his sinking career and decided to dust off the old tune one more time. 

With a new arrangement of the song that was geared towards the new rock & roll generation (as well as being an early stereo recording) he once again lent his unique voice & performed it on the Ed Sullivan show in September 1958.  It became his biggest and best known hit. 

It’s All In The Game also has a distinct and distinguished history in that it is the only charted song written by a Vice-President of the United States.  Charles Dawes, 30th VP of the United States to Calvin Coolidge during his 2nd administration in 1925, wrote the song in 1912 when he was an investment banker in Chicago.  Prior to the addition of lyrics by Carl Sigman, the tune was known as Melody In A Major and also Dawes’ Melody.  Dawes died in 1951; the same year the lyrics were added. 

On this day in history, Charles Dawes was born in 1865 while today in 1958, his signature piece It’s All In The Game was in its 2nd week of a 6 week run at #1 on the Billboard charts.  And as this tune approaches its 100th anniversary in 2012, it’s clear by the added lyric that the “game” is always on.

Soundtrack For Today: djChrisPickett.com – 

                              Soundtrack To Your Next Event!