Wedding Entertainment Director: Mark Peace Thomas and his buddy David Jay, attended the NAMM show on Friday 01/15/2010. They researched new software for disc jockeys, investigated new lighting options and ran into friends and colleagues. Here are a few photos from the day...

        

DJ-MC Zan was excited to get a card from Jodi & Blake. Not only are Jodi and Blake a good looking couple (Awesome Entertainment client's tend to be exceptionally good looking!) but their words helped make our holiday bright!

        

DJ-MC Webb enjoys repeat and referral business from Awesome clients but is also known for appealing to vendors because of his attention to detail and ability to keep all professionals up-to-speed before making announcements. Here is a Christmas Card sent to Webb in 2009:

        

        

Zan the Man was asked to entertain at Jodi and Blake's wedding which took place at Dana Powers House in Nipomo, California. The ceremony was outside and the reception was held in the Barn. Jodi and Blake saw Zan at their friend's "Morro Bay wedding" and they loved Zan's energy and enthusiasm. Although, Zan has been based in Las Vegas for nearly three years, he is no stranger to travel since he remains popular in California.

In fact, In 2009, Zan has worked in Southern, Central and Northern California!

Here's a picture of Zan on August 15, 2009 with newlywed: Blake Vanderlei. Zan was preparing Blake with a wireless "lapel" microphone for the ceremony.



This photo demonstrates why we recommend using "Lapel" microphones for ceremonies:



No microphone, no stand, no equipment. Clean pictures and video with crystal clear sound.

Here's "The Wizard" behind-the-scenes. Zan is off to the side handling the two lapel microphones and music without affecting pictures or video.



Our goal is always to enhance EVERY aspect of your wedding!

DJ-MC Zan the Man and his assistant DJ Peace want to thank Jodi and Blake for letting us be a part of their big day!

        

Here is a FULL LOVE STORY presented by DJ-MC-Director Jeff. Watch if you have 8 minutes.

Unfortunately the videographer did not understand what Jeff meant by a '3-shot' and cut the narrator out of most of the story Enjoy:

        

The Centre at Sycamore Plaza was the reception site for Kyle and Stephanie's wedding reception. Here is a very small sampling of the music that was played for a very outgoing group:




Originally DJ-MC Keith was requested for this wedding because of the good job he did at another wedding but he was already booked. Kyle and Stephanie decided to stay with Awesome Entertainment and DJ PEACE had the honor of being a part of their wedding day.

        

Angeles National Golf Club was host to Mark Peace Thomas' seminar: Awesome Weddings: Tips for a Successful Reception.
It was held on July 15, 2009 and if you missed it you can find educational materials at: Awesome Wedding Ideas or Call DJ Peace at (951) 244-8300 to arrange a personal phone consultation starting at $200.00 for two hours.

Mark is a Wedding Entertainment Director and has owned and operated Awesome Entertainment for twenty years.

A big thank you to Carrie Contreras, Director of Catering at Angeles National for arranging a wonderful night.

Here is a 30 second clip of the Blue Breeze Band specializing in R&B/Soul. The Band played before the presentation.

        

Jeff and DJ Peace attended the Hollywood Bowl to see Death Cab for Cutie with the Los Angeles Philarmonic. Opening was the New Pornographers and Tegan and Sarah.

Jeff is pictured RIGHT below. Dodger fans! Don't be hatin' this Cubs supporter, Jeff is still an AWESOME DJ!
 
 
Photography courtesy of Adam Latham.

Jeff handled a pool party for members of the Chevy Chase Country Club on Saturday while Peace took the day off!

JEFF'S REVIEW of the show...

Death Cab Avoids Near Crash:
The recent Hollywood Bowl debut of Seattle indie-band Death Cab For Cutie was woefully understated despite a fantastic firework finish.  Unlike most LA events, the evening began with the sold-out crowd already respectfully in their seats ready for the opening act The New Pornographers. They performed a flawless set before a mostly comatose post-collegiate depressed crowd. This Vancouver rock band with its catchy pop-rock tunes is ready to headline its own shows and had no business playing on stage before Tegan and Sara. Also from Canada, this twin-duo looked uncomfortable at best, letting their fans know early in their set that the most entertaining part would be their in-between song banter. If you didn’t know they were an indie-lesbian folk band and close your eyes, Tegan and Sarah sound like Hannah Montana’s older sisters. Their songs are full of sugar and pop and suitable for consumption only by 13 year old girls. Or anyone trying to reclaim lost youth. Which brings us back to the fans.

When did rock become boring? 

I know we’re talking about indie-rock but still. By the time Death Cab made it to the stage the few 100 fans with any life in them stood out among the 17,000 fans  who were still adjusting to their medication and hadn’t the ability to show any human emotion. Adding to the anti-drama was the production design team’s idea to show an empty orchestra pit during the first half of the DCFC set. Then they showed the orchestra clumsily filing onstage during what was billed as an intermission, but that lasted only 4 minutes. And after all this, the 7 song second half of the set featuring the Los Angeles Philharmonic somehow made you forget all that was wrong with the production. Death Cab frontman Ben Gibbard led his band into powerfully poetic rock ballads that sounded right at home on top of a full orchestra. Without any help from the crowd he managed to build the drama until it cumulated in an introduction to the creepy yet tender love song “I Will Posses Your Heart” where Gibbard billed it as “a love song about when you love someone and they just don’t love you back.” Ten years of performing hasn’t been lost on these guys. Through all the bumps of life, Death Cab delivers a smooth ride.

        

When I was a boy, it was music and TV that kept me enchanted. The most beautiful woman on the planet was Farrah Fawcett-Majors. I owned a throw pillow, countless magazines and of course: "The Poster":



My musical preference was hard rock including: KISS, Black Sabbath, Ted Nugent, Rainbow, Rush so Michael Jackson was not part of my vinyl record collection, nor was I a fan... until... I heard Eddie Van Halen solo on "Beat It". I immediately purchased the album: Thriller.  Michael Jackson now had validity for a guitar-oriented rock and roller like myself!  Little did I know that I'd be playing Michael Jackson nearly every week of my life for the next twenty-five years including: "Thriller", "Beat It", "Billie Jean", "Wanna Be Startin Something", "PYT" and recently: "Lady in My Life" for a client's first dance. All from Thriller. When an audience is fickle about dancing, Michael Jackson will get them back on the floor with the song: "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough" from the Off the Wall record or any of the Thriller favorites; not to mention The Jackson 5 hits which also work with all ages. It is a very rare event when I do not get a request for Michael in some form or another!



Two childhood influences, gone too soon.

Rest in Peace.

-Mark Peace Thomas
Owner, Awesome Entertainment