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When we started planning our wedding, one of the first decisions my husband and I made was to handle the music ourselves via our trusty iPods. Music is integral to both of our identities, something we’ve always shared—we were writing, exchanging mixes, and going to concerts together long before we realized we were something more than friends—and we wanted to extend that to our wedding. The key word that we both seized on when describing the music for this important night was “personal”; the unspoken expectation was that the right combination of the right songs, through some kind of alchemy of sentiment and aesthetic, would converge into a perfect expression of ourselves and our relationship, infusing each moment with meaning, like the best movie soundtrack of all time.
Nobody cares about the playlist as much as you do. As important as music is to us, thinking back to the weddings we’ve been to over the years we remember very few of the specific songs that were played—even for iconic moments like first dances. The songs that do stick in our minds don’t tend to be the coolest, the most gushingly romantic, or even the ones we like the best; they’re the songs that were playing when we looked over and realized the bride’s dad had happy tears streaming down his face, or when the newlyweds started shouting along, bouncing in each other’s arms, murdering all the lyrics and laughing so hard. Choosing the playlist for your wedding can be an incredibly personal expression of self—of history, meaning, aesthetic—but in the end it’s really just background music. It’s the wedding that infuses the soundtrack with meaning, not the other way around.
Don’t be afraid to break your own rules, either. We included my in-laws’ request, “Hey Jude,” in our dance playlist, and yep, it cleared the dance floor. But seeing them swaying blissfully, alone and completely oblivious to the world around them, is a memory we’ll both treasure forever.
Included in the PGDMK6-XLR mic kit you get: three PG56 snare/tom mics, two PG81 small-diaphragm condenser mics, and one PG52 kick drum microphone, that doubles as a killer bass cabinet mic.
Shure PGDMK6 Drum Microphones are included in some of our Live Music PA Systems.
Recently, we had a discussion in my Theater of the Oppressed class about the question: what makes theatre "good"? What are the characteristics of a theater experience that makes it "successful"? One of my students, Mark Shell, wrote on his blog some of his thoughts, and he suggested that I post them to my blog and encourage the other students in the class, and (he hoped) anyone else who might want to join in, to contribute their insights. I am happy to oblige, and you will find Marks' thoughts below.
What Makes Theatre a Success?
I have my own ideas of this, as everyone does, but I feel bold enough to post them to the world. Although, frequently whenever I express my viewpoint and opinions to the class, or the world for that matter, I feel somewhat idiotic. So what? Here goes nothing.
Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan give you seven effective strategies to get your music noticed that are easy on the pocketbook
In some music business schools, they still give students assignments that go like this: “Assume that you have one million dollars. Make up a marketing plan on how to promote a band.”
Here’s a more realistic assignment: “Go online. Pick a band. You have zero dollars. Now go promote them.”
Although most bands would like to have the kind of budget to promote their latest album on TV, radio, and billboards, they are more likely to have just enough to print up posters for the next gig. And yet indie artists can get the kind of attention that major label acts get. You just need to plan appropriately and implement a few tried-and-true strategies.
Here are seven effective strategies to get your music noticed. The good news is they’re easy on the pocketbook and can be acted on today. All they take is a bit of time and some thought about how to get your music directly in front of the people who are likely to be your new fans. While they may not have heard of you yet, if you follow these strategies, they will.
A short video guide on how to quickly change the frequency channel on the Shure SLX4 wireless receiver using an SLX1 Bodypack or a handheld SM58 microphone.
Big Deal Entertainment provided sound for the Atomic Punks, a Van Halen tribute band from Los Angeles. We used our Pro Concert PA Package and the show was extremely energetic!
Equipment Used
- PreSonus StudioLive 16.4.2 Digital Mixer
- QSC KLA12 Powered Line Array 12" Speakers
- QSC KLA181 Powered 18" Subwoofers
- QSC K12 Powered Monitors
- Shure SLX4/SM58 Wireless Handheld Microphone
- Shure SM58 Microphones
Big Deal Entertainment provided sound for the Steven Page of Bare Naked Ladies at an anniversary party in Phoenix. We used our Pro Concert PA Package and even provided him with a Guild D55 acoustic guitar. The sound was incredible and he gave quite a performance!
Equipment Used
- PreSonus StudioLive 16.4.2 Digital Mixer
- QSC KLA12 Powered Line Array 12" Speakers
- QSC KLA181 Powered 18" Subwoofers
- Shure SM58 Microphone
Big Deal Entertainment provided sound for the Gilbert Vietnam Memorial groundbreaking ceremony. This was a large area, so we used four QSC line array speakers with wireless microphones and a PreSonus StudioLive 16.4.2 Digital Mixer for complete coverage. We were also able to mic the entire army band, as well as a guitar duo.
Equipment Used
- PreSonus StudioLive 16.4.2 Digital Mixer
- QSC KLA12 Powered Line Array 12" Speakers
- Shure SLX4/SM58 Wireless Handheld Microphones
- Shure SM57 Microphones
Big Deal Entertainment provided sound for a High School Cheerleading Competition in Tempe AZ. We used our Premium Sound System.
Equipment Used
- Yamaha EMX212S 8 Channel Powered Mixer
- JBL PRX715 15" 2-Way Speakers
- Hookup for iPod or Other Audio Devices
Big Deal Entertainment provided sound for a youth dance company performance at Desert Ridge Marketplace in Phoenix. Our popular Basic PA Package was a perfect size for this crowd and includes a cable to hook up any audio player.
Equipment Used
- Yamaha EMX212S 8 Channel Powered Mixer
- 15" Carvin 2-way Speakers
- Hookup for iPod or Other Audio Devices
