Three Years Later

Three years ago, right around this time, I was one hour away from polishing off an amazing wedding. It was the celebration for Christine and Pat. It was a great party, but it was what happened earlier in the day that seemed to make it all the more special.

On the morning of the July 22, 2006, my daughter, Marissa Natsumi Kanoya was born. And while the post-birth activity is usually a time to hang out in a hospital room and absorb all the love and adulation from a newborn, I hardly had a chance to practice swaddling before I needed to get to the Estancia in La Jolla for the wedding.

I was beat, mentally and physically. Since my wife had checked into the hospital the previous day, and was essentially in labor for 24 hours, I had been awake since 6 a.m. July 21st. But I fought through the lack of sleep the seemingly 110 degree temperature and mustered up everything I had to make the gig special.

It's hard to explain why it was special. Maybe if I had not been a part of bringing a life into the world earlier that day it may not have been. Or maybe that just made it all the more better. I know I made friends that day. It was the first time I had worked with Mike and Paula Luna , two of San Diego's best wedding photogs. We've run into each other a couple of other times since then. The coordinator was Jennifer Molloy of Amore Events, whom I had always wanted to work with. And I later DJ'd Pat's sister's wedding.

At the end of the night, the father of the groom thanked me for making the night memorable. He handed me a tip and asked that I buy something nice for Marissa. It was a nice gesture from one father to another and I'll always remember that.

Happy Birthday, my little princess!

One Last Dance

At nearly every gig I play at least one Michael Jackson song. Of course, this past weekend was a little more touching when I hit the play button.

I had the privilege to perform at two weddings. I decided to kick off both dance sets with the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back." Not only is this a great dance tune, the chorus seemed a little more poetic this time around.

On Friday, a day after MJ's death, I decided to play "Man in the Mirror" at the closing of one of the weddings. I determined to do it for Sunday's gig, because I felt the crowd would respond positively too it.

So at the end of David and Margret's wedding at the Island Club (Naval Air Station North Island), I played their requested last dance song, Jack Johnson's "Better Together." And while everyone thought the night was over, I said something to the effect of:

"This has been a beautiful day and I'd like us all to share in one final song tonight. It's been a sad last few days with the unfortunate deaths of a few American icons. I thought it would be nice to go out with this. (Man in the Mirror starts to play). So let's all join in and celebrate a man that I really believed wanted cultural harmony and was an incredible artist."

And then something happened that I did not expect.

As we started to sing the first verse and chorus together, I gathered up every guest and brought them to the dance floor. The people started to grab the votive candles off the tables and brought them onto the dance floor. They gathered around in a circle and as the music hit that emotional crescendo, we sang over and over, "Make that change." Hands clapped, candles waved from side-to-side and illuminated the dim ballroom.

We were celebrating the beginning of a life and the end of one. It was magical and I am so proud to have created that moment and memory.

Laura and Bennett Say Thanks

Justin,

We just wanted to send you a quick note to tahnk you for doing such a fantastic job DJ-ing our wedding. Everyone had such a great time and the music was perfect! Also, thank you for helping us select the music beforehand. You were such as a big help! Thanks again!

Laura and Bennett Walker

Park Manor Wedding

Travis and I had a great time danging with our friends and family at our wedding reception. You did a great job keeping us on schedule while allowing for flexibility. Everyone had a wonder time

Thanks again,
Stephanie Taggart

Mixed Up

I just found this great remix service and purchased a handful of new/old music. I'm excited about playing some of these songs at my upcoming gigs because most are crowd pleasers, but these version put a little extra twist and a little extra beat to take the energy level up a few notches.

So don't be surprised if you hear a little New Kids on the Block or Neil Sedaka mixed in with Usher and Beyonce. Trust me, this stuff is good!

Staying With Lisa

I was driving home today, clicking through songs on my Ipod and hit play when I came across "Stay (I Missed You" by Lisa Loeb.

Unbelievably this song has been around for 14 years. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1994.

The story behind the song is that actor Ethan Hawke heard it, and persuaded the makers of the film, Reality Bites, to put it on the soundtrack. They obliged. Lisa didn't even have a contract with a record label and when it hit No. 1 she earned the distinction of being the only artist in history to have a No. 1 hit without a record contract. That record still stands.

In these YouTube days, who knows how long she will hold onto that title.

Fourteen years have passed and I still love this song as if it's the first time I've heard it. It's so well written and has a great sound to it. I've seen Lisa in concert three times and each time she's performed her biggest hit, as it winds down, I wish it would keep going on.

I've added the song to my jukebox. It's track No. 5, and it's a version you might not have heard, a live acoustic version. Just Lisa and her guitar. Good stuff.

One Last Look

Every so often when I'm running sound for a ceremony, I'll see the bride walk up to her position just before she hits that aisle. Most of the time this is the first time I've seen her since our consultation meeting. Sometimes she's close enough for me to say "you look great." Other times, she's too far, but we make quick eye contact and trade smiles.

I'm sure there is relief in her mind that I showed up -- as I'm sure there's always always a slight fear of vendor "no shows." But I'd like to think that my smile or comment eases a few of those nerves she may be experiencing.

It's an interesting moment, because in many cases it's only the third time I've ever seen her. The other two times in casual settings, while she is casually dressed. And here she is, probably the most beautiful she's ever been in her entire life.

So after that quick smile, I hit the music and she's off. Walking as a "Miss" and coming back a "Mrs."