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LearJets, Hula Skirts, and Congressmen Party True Stories

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I was asked to play music in an airplane hangar.

It wouldn’t be the first time, but this party was different. Hosted by Staci’s Jet Center at Meacham Field in Fort Worth, this one turned out to be a political fund-raiser.

The hangar was immense, and even with an area the size of a football field blocked off for the festivities, there was still plenty of space for several good-sized aircraft, including Ben Fortson’s LearJet.

The party had a Pacific Island theme, with Tiki bars serving tropical libations, and an impressive buffet. The “social lubricant” flowed freely in hopes that well-heeled guests would open their hearts and minds (a.k.a. “wallets”) to some area candidates for public office. It flowed so freely, that it was not long before the drinking was “fierce and hand-to-hand.” We had us a party!

An airplane hangar filled with the Movers and Shakers of North Texas politics, all of them three (or more) sheets to the wind, was a heaven-sent gift for a Party DJ. They were putty in my hands, and I could get them to do anything. Conga lines, limbo contests, and all manner of line dances and silliness ensued.

I even got several men to put on grass skirts and coconut shell bikini tops, and hula dance!

Alright, plenty of mobile entertainers have done this, I know. But, I got the Speaker of the House to do it!

People who hear this story always ask me, “State or U.S.?”

To which I answer, “Yes! And with each other.”

That’s right, I got the honorable Jim Wright, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, to dance with Gibson D. “Gib” Lewis, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. Both in Hula skirts.

It’s hard to describe this on your resumé, but you gotta admit, no one else has done that!

Submitted by PM Celebrations of Fort Worth, TX

DO YOU EVER GET A BRIDEZILLA? Wedding True Stories

Definition of Bridezilla (a portmanteau of bride and Godzilla) is a generic term used to describe a difficult, unpleasant, perfectionist bride who leaves aggravated family, friends and bridal vendors in her wake. A bridezilla is obsessed with her wedding as her perfect day and will disregard the feelings of the family, bridesmaids and even her groom in her quest for the perfect wedding. (source: Wikipedia.)

The clinical diagnosis of acquired situational narcissism may be appropriate for the condition.

The earliest use of the term was in 1995, and it has been made universally popular by the cable TV program Bridezillas.

Every time I do a Bridal Show, I am asked if I ever work with Bridezillas. And my answer is always an emphatic “NO.”

Why is this? I certainly know a lot of wedding vendors who tell Bridezilla stories. And more than a few whom I have worked with have had bad experiences with the same brides that gave me no problem at all.

So what gives?

Well, let me propose a different definition: Bridezilla is a bride who is overcome by stress because she is not getting what she really wants.

Put yourself in her painfully tight shoes. A bride is pulled in different directions by well-meaning and sometimes selfishly motivated family and friends. She is torn between the vision of her dream wedding, and the practical reality of budget limitations and parental control. She is confused by the overwhelming number of choices she must make.

In my entertainment business, we custom-tailor each event to meet that bride’s preferences. We never try to force a wedding to fit into a certain mold. This is a recent trend among wedding Emcees, but I have always done weddings this way. My latest brochure uses the phrase “Your Wedding…Your Way.”

Therein lies the secret, I believe, to Bridezilla Prevention. When the bride is getting her way, and receiving full attention and cooperation from her DJ (or planner, photographer, caterer, florist, or decorator, etc.) she is content and tantrum-free.

Don’t get me wrong, as I have worked with some mighty stubborn brides, several who were obsessive-compulsive, and one who was even bipolar manic-depressive. In a way, they are much easier to work with than one who has trouble making decisions. Give me a bride who is picky and knows just what she wants, and I will make her happy!

As for the TV show, I take issue with the whole idea of glamorizing bad behavior. Weddings should be FUN occasions…and mine always are.

Submitted by PM Celebrations of Fort Worth, TX

Flaming Bridesmaids - Who Hasn’t Done That Before? Wedding True Stories

The event was the 2008 Southwest Entertainer’s Conference, sponsored by the DFW chapter of the American DJ Association. The top mobile entertainers from 5 states were in attendance.

After an intense day of presentations on everything from DMX lighting to better blogging and bookkeeping, we were treated to an excellent sit-down dinner. My lovely wife Brenda joined us for dinner, and we were seated with Peter and Lisa Merry, Jon Stricklan, Meredith Liewehr, owner of the Perfect Wedding Guide, and her husband Jason, and two other top DJ entertainers. The dinner conversation was lively, as only a group of extroverted professional Party Animals can be.

At a lull in the conversation, I popped the question to our table: What’s the weirdest thing that has ever happened at a wedding you were working?

Peter Merry, past ADJA National president and author of “The Best Wedding Reception – Ever!,” was quick to answer: “Well, I had a bridesmaid catch on fire!”

Now in any normal group of people, that would have gotten a big laugh. But this was what stand-up comics would call a “tough room.” These were experienced entertainers.

Instead of laughter, we all responded, “Well, yeah, I’ve done that, who hasn’t done that before?”

Then I shared my pulling the bride’s leg story, (read it here) and trumped them all.

Peter was our after-dinner speaker, and used this as his opening joke. A good time was had by all, and no injuries were reported.

I’m not just pulling your leg.

Submitted by PM Celebrations of Fort Worth, TX