Entertainer, Master of Ceremonies and Disc Jockey Blog of DJ PEACE
The Peace Perspective
DJ Peace Blog from Awesome Entertainment disc jockey, Master of Ceremonies and Event Director.
DJ Peace meets Spanish Rock Drummer: Alex Gonzales of Mana at NAMM 2010
I had the opportunity to meet drummer Alex Gonzales of the very popular Spanish rock band: Mana. Here are some pics...
The next evening I had a corporate event and the guests leaned toward Spanish music including merengue, cumbia, Salsaand Rock en Espanol. I mixed in one of my favorites: Oye Mi Amor - A Mana classic.
Here's Alex rocking Madison Square Garden...
Joe and Paolina - Rockin New Year's Day 2010 with DJ Peace
It was an honor to be a part of Paolina and Joe's wedding. Although a good percentage of their guests stayed up past midnight on New Year's Eve, they were still ready to celebrate the next day at their ceremony and reception. Here's a video clip featuring our newlyweds, their friends and family, Humorous Officiant Alan Katz and of course, yours truly... DJ Peace...
I worked on New Year's Eve for a repeat client: Professor Ares Rosakis. I was up until 4:00am and then back on the road by noon to set-up at La Canada-Flintridge Country Club. DJ-MC Jeff assisted me at the wedding. He also FlIPPED some of the video above. Pardon the sound quality at times. FLIP VIDEO is a great device but the microphone often peaks.
DJ Peace Meets the Phantom of the Park (KISS Alive 35 at Staples)
KISS toured California this November of 2009 and DJ Peace was there to support their final leg of the "Alive 35" tour.
KISS rocked Staples Center and played an assortment of hits from KISS Alive and other albums including their newest release:
Sonic Boom which is available only at Wal-Mart and includes bonus material.
Still going strong in a tough economy and still "worth more"!
Here are a couple of the latest FEEDBACK forms that came in for Me: Mark Peace Thomas. I am honored that couples are still choosing me after 20 years in business as a full-time Wedding Entertainment Director (DJ-MC-Event Director and more!).
Rock Soldiers secure the Grammy Museum
It has been 20 years since Ace Frehley (Original guitarist for the rock band: KISS) has released a solo record. The Grammy Museum invited Ace to give an exclusive album preview Monday night 09-14-2009. The event was called "The Drop: Ace Frehley Anomaly" because it was the evening before his new compact disc "drops" in record stores and online. I spent most of my teen years obsessed with the imagery, magic and music of KISS so it was an event I could not pass up.
It was fun to listen to Ace because he has a distinctive Bronx New York accent, laid-back attitude with no pretense and he always seems to be quick to laugh at his life experiences. I very rarely buy C.D.'s these days but I did buy a couple to have signed by the "Spaceman". Here's an edited scan of the Anomaly 'mini-poster' inside the unique packaging. If you happen to be a Rock Soldier, retired or active, in the KISS Army... AT EASE... you can get a signed copy from Ace's website:
Risking being dishonorably discharged...here's an unauthorized photo I took from my FLIP Video camera:
If you are a fan of hard rock / classic rock, you will enjoy most of Anomaly. Tracks played at preview:
Outer Space
Genghis Khan (Ace's favorite)
Fox on the Run (Originally written and recorded by "The Sweet")
A Little Below the Angels (One of my favorites, probably because I'm mellowing out as I age... sort of)
Fractured Quantum (the 4th and final installment in Ace's instrumentals beginning with "Fractured Mirror" from his 1978 solo record, pictured below. It was the most successful of the four KISS solo records and included the hit: "New York Groove".)
Two more happy couples and I'm proud to be there
Although the economy has had an impact on the disc jockey industry and most event professionals, I am staying consistently busy with referral business. Here are a couple of photos from August 29, 2009 and my most recent wedding on September 12, 2009...
09-12-2009 Wedding - Newlyweds: Cassie and Justin wanted their monogram featured behind them at their head table. Fortunately, they had a two-tiered head table which allowed me to place the light stand away from the wall to project it back. I then asked the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay A/V tech: Mark Eisenbeis for a table to place in front of the stand to make it safe for guests and staff. We moved the flat screen television from the cocktail hour into the main reception room and continued to show their slide show throughout the night. This event was referred by Mark and Rebecca Ferrell. Mark is responsible for teaching me how to be a better Master of Ceremonies and business person. He is the most influential teacher I have known and has helped thousands of disc jockeys nationwide!
08-29-2009 Wedding - Newlyweds: Joanne and Adam asked me to handle their ceremony music and microphones and as you can see... NO microphones and NO speakers can be seen. I pride myself in offering top-notch ceremony service complete with sound monitoring, lapel microphones and a clear shot for photographers and video professionals. I tend to have an eye for detail and continually come up with ways to enhance all aspects of my client's wedding. Joanne saw me handle her sister's wedding and asked me to be a part of her wedding.
Tip to the minister: Check your watch when you are "off stage". Friends and family may not be paying attention to you after you present the couple BUT we are taking pictures and video
Better Late than Never - A new record in Awesome history
I received a letter from my former office in Pasadena, CA from Lorena and Antonio, Jr. The letter was an Awesome Entertainment FEEDBACK FORM from September 08, 2007. The postmark was August 03, 2009. ALMOST 2 years have past but Lorena still managed to fill out the comments page and get it back to me!! I'm guessing it was under a stack on her desk at home Here's the form and their comments...
Here's the form and their comments...
Peace Feelin the Blues after a Rock Doo Wop Wedding
I was back at the Bowl on August 12, 2009 to witness three music legends: James Cotton, Dr. John and Buddy Guy. My friend, colleague and Blues aficionado: Mike K, joined me for this Hollywood Bowl concert event. I didn't know what to expect but BUDDY GUY was definitely the HEADLINER. His energy, humor, powerful vocals and guitar prowess helped me to remember why very few rock legends can touch the Blues Masters!
Attending concerts is just one of the many ways that I continue my music education which also includes XM Radio, movies, networking, I-Tunes Top 100 Chart and music videos (via DirecTV). The "50's on 5" came in handy for my wedding reception on Sunday, August 09, 2009 since it was the first time in a long time that I had newlyweds that preferred 50's Doo Wop and classic oldies as their main musical course. It started with pre-ceremony music featuring Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash and continued into the evening at the spectacular La Venta Inn in Palos Verdes Estates.
Here is a still photograph taken from my FLIP video camera during the ceremony. It was a nice surprise to find my friend and colleague, Reverend Clint Huftt, was marrying Lauren and Christopher on such a picture perfect day!
The newlyweds met on MySpace.com where Christopher first noticed Lauren's 51 Chevy! They both share a love for classic cars, tattoos and music! At the reception, the wedding party entered to Rancid's "Time Bomb" while the new Mr & Mrs Evans chose the Dead Milkmen's "Punk Rock Girl" for their Grand Entrance.
The couple's first dance was Johnny Cash - "I Love You Because" followed by the Father / Daughter Dance.
This FLIP video picture features Lauren and her dad dancing to Heartland's "I Loved Her First".
It was refreshing to play those Oldies but Goodies with some Punk and Alternative mixed in for good measure.
Attending concerts is just one of the many ways that I continue my music education which also includes XM Radio, movies, networking, I-Tunes Top 100 Chart and music videos (via DirecTV). The "50's on 5" came in handy for my wedding reception on Sunday, August 09, 2009 since it was the first time in a long time that I had newlyweds that preferred 50's Doo Wop and classic oldies as their main musical course. It started with pre-ceremony music featuring Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash and continued into the evening at the spectacular La Venta Inn in Palos Verdes Estates.
Here is a still photograph taken from my FLIP video camera during the ceremony. It was a nice surprise to find my friend and colleague, Reverend Clint Huftt, was marrying Lauren and Christopher on such a picture perfect day!
The newlyweds met on MySpace.com where Christopher first noticed Lauren's 51 Chevy! They both share a love for classic cars, tattoos and music! At the reception, the wedding party entered to Rancid's "Time Bomb" while the new Mr & Mrs Evans chose the Dead Milkmen's "Punk Rock Girl" for their Grand Entrance.
The couple's first dance was Johnny Cash - "I Love You Because" followed by the Father / Daughter Dance.
This FLIP video picture features Lauren and her dad dancing to Heartland's "I Loved Her First".
It was refreshing to play those Oldies but Goodies with some Punk and Alternative mixed in for good measure.
Crue Fest 2 report
My wife and I joined the KLOS Blood Drive a few days ago and chose "Crue Fest 2" at the San Manuel Amphitheater in Ontario as our choice of free concert. I ended up buying a pair in "Loge" so I could sit although the lawn was pretty open so it probably would have been fine.
I attended with my friend, Rafet from Aldente Gourmet since my wife had other plans.
The first band we saw was Theory of a Deadman. They were OK and I did not realize that I've heard a couple of their songs on rock radio. The vocalist sounds like pretty much every other modern rock band today which seems to be the way the industry often does business.
Godsmack followed and set the record straight that they had not broken up and over the last ten years of touring their bones and joints were getting weary so they took a break to hang out with their families. The show highlights remain the song: "Voodoo" and an instrumental tune that I can't remember the name of but features lead singer, Sully Erna, on percussion jamming with their drummer, Shannon Larkin. We walked up to the lawn to watch a small group of guys 'moshing' around a fire created with toilet paper rolls and anything that will burn.
We Caught a little of NYC's Rev Theory on the 2nd stage and they were pretty tight. Here is a link to their video "Hell Yeah" if you want a ROCK for a moment.
Motley Crue opened their show with Vince Neil wheeling in Bassist, Nikki Sixx in a giant wheelchair contraption. Nikkie popped out in a full straightjacket and they ripped into "Dr. Feelgood" in a giant padded cell. After the song the walls became a 'ceiling' and the stage instantly became wider. The lighting was far simpler than their original "Dr. FeelGood" tour which featured a 'laser demon' welcoming the crowd and infamous drummer, Tommy Lee flying high over people's heads during his drum solo. Vince sounded great but did seem to have issues with breath control which is not unusual for many rock singers. It was fun to hear songs I grew up with but have nearly forgotten. They played the "Dr. Feelgood" album in it's entirety. My favorites from that album include title track, Kickstart My Heart and the hokey: "Without You". I called my wife during the love ballad and she hung up on me!! (probably because it was too loud to make out or at least that is my story and I'm sticking to it). My favorites that took me back include "Live Wire" from their first 'self-produced' album and "Wild Side" from the "Girls, Girls, Girls" record.
My cousin, Brian (The Lucky Leprecaun at O'Sheas , The Luckiest Casino in Vegas) hung out with Vince the next day while Vince promoted his tattoo shop, Vince Neil Ink. They were celebrating O'sheas 20th Anniversary Birthday party! Brian later attended the Motley Crue show at The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel. Here's a picture from O'Sheas.:
Now it is back to business as I prepare for a wedding at the Radisson Chatsworth.
I attended with my friend, Rafet from Aldente Gourmet since my wife had other plans.
The first band we saw was Theory of a Deadman. They were OK and I did not realize that I've heard a couple of their songs on rock radio. The vocalist sounds like pretty much every other modern rock band today which seems to be the way the industry often does business.
Godsmack followed and set the record straight that they had not broken up and over the last ten years of touring their bones and joints were getting weary so they took a break to hang out with their families. The show highlights remain the song: "Voodoo" and an instrumental tune that I can't remember the name of but features lead singer, Sully Erna, on percussion jamming with their drummer, Shannon Larkin. We walked up to the lawn to watch a small group of guys 'moshing' around a fire created with toilet paper rolls and anything that will burn.
We Caught a little of NYC's Rev Theory on the 2nd stage and they were pretty tight. Here is a link to their video "Hell Yeah" if you want a ROCK for a moment.
Motley Crue opened their show with Vince Neil wheeling in Bassist, Nikki Sixx in a giant wheelchair contraption. Nikkie popped out in a full straightjacket and they ripped into "Dr. Feelgood" in a giant padded cell. After the song the walls became a 'ceiling' and the stage instantly became wider. The lighting was far simpler than their original "Dr. FeelGood" tour which featured a 'laser demon' welcoming the crowd and infamous drummer, Tommy Lee flying high over people's heads during his drum solo. Vince sounded great but did seem to have issues with breath control which is not unusual for many rock singers. It was fun to hear songs I grew up with but have nearly forgotten. They played the "Dr. Feelgood" album in it's entirety. My favorites from that album include title track, Kickstart My Heart and the hokey: "Without You". I called my wife during the love ballad and she hung up on me!! (probably because it was too loud to make out or at least that is my story and I'm sticking to it). My favorites that took me back include "Live Wire" from their first 'self-produced' album and "Wild Side" from the "Girls, Girls, Girls" record.
My cousin, Brian (The Lucky Leprecaun at O'Sheas , The Luckiest Casino in Vegas) hung out with Vince the next day while Vince promoted his tattoo shop, Vince Neil Ink. They were celebrating O'sheas 20th Anniversary Birthday party! Brian later attended the Motley Crue show at The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel. Here's a picture from O'Sheas.:
Now it is back to business as I prepare for a wedding at the Radisson Chatsworth.
