Ian Stewart Blog

The normal statement from people when I tell them that I DJ full time is, "what an easy life, just a couple of days a week" that statement could not be further from the truth here is my Monday

got up about 9.30am, did all the usual daily things then into the office at about 10am, for the paperwork for the week ahead, make sure that I have all the music needed, and that all the DJ's know exactly when & where they are working, this week there are 7 disco's between 2 DJ's, 1 dinner dance, 4 weddings and 2 Xmas parties.

Then a drive to Stock Brook manor in Billericay to collect the disco equipment from last nights wedding, once that has been done, off to Wickford High Street to do some banking, but like an idiot I left the cheques on my desk, then home for some more administration, like sending out the evaluation forms for the previous weeks events, raising invoices, paying the DJ's their wages, writing the photographs I took onto CDR's so they can be posted. That takes me to about 6pm, almost a normal days work.

As mentioned above, I send Evaluation forms for the events that I and the DJ's who work for me do, this morning I received the online form for Saturdays wedding here is a copy

I arrived at the venue at about 11am, as I had to move the sound system from the Rosewood Suite (where I DJ's the night before) into the Banqueting Suite for Tonights wedding.

I was aked to set up my disco in front of the planters by the kitchen doors, this is becoming a far more popular location, ever since the last wedding open day at the venue, I must say that I don't really have preferance, as both loactions have their plus & minus points.

I had also agreed to agreed to put a playlist of songs onto my disco computer, so that they could be played during the wedding breakfast, this was all done in plenty of time, I even put a message of congratulations on to the screen so that everyone could see it as they entered the room.

Then it was off home for some lunch, and a chance to catch up on some recorded TV, what did we all do before Sky +.

I arrived back at the venue at 6.40pm, as I needed to start at 7pm on the button, as they had got married very early in the day.

On arrival I was greeted with the usual from the photographer & Toastmaster "What Time are yoiu doing the 1st dance", so a quick chat with the bride & groom, and a time was organised 8pm.

I had also brought a separate mixer in as the couple had booked the excellent Harry Cambridge this guy is truly superb, and if you are looking to book a vocalist for your party you can't go wrong with him.

here is the music that they chose for their wedding disco

Special Songs
1st Dance Lady In My Life Michael Jackson
Cake Cutting magic robin thick

Requests
1 Play If Possible club classics
2 Play If Possible 1999 tunes
3 Play If Possible ketchup song
4 Play If Possible alexander o'neal
5 Play If Possible ride on time black box
6 Play If Possible chaka khan
7 Play If Possible street life crusaders
8 Play If Possible come on eileen dexy's midnight runners
9 Play If Possible cha cha slide dj casper
10 Play If Possible rock you tonight freddie jackson
11 Play If Possible iou freeeze
12 Play If Possible oops upside your head gap band
13 Play If Possible summer mix gypsey kings
14 Play If Possible now that we've found love heavy d & the boyz
15 Play If Possible hi ho silver lining jeff beck
16 Play If Possible kool & the gang
17 Play If Possible too blind to see it kym simms
18 Play If Possible never too much luther vandross
19 Play If Possible the best things in life are free luther vandross & janet jackson
20 Play If Possible dreamlover (Morales Mix) mariah carey
21 Play If Possible michael jackson
22 Play If Possible mr loverman shabba ranks
23 Play If Possible oh carolina shaggy
24 Play If Possible hips don't lie shakira
25 Play If Possible I can make you feel good shalamar
26 Play If Possible gold spandau ballet
27 Play If Possible pop your coller usher
28 Play If Possible saturday night whigfield

Back to my normal work of DJ'ng at weddings, now I had to arrive at the venue quite early, as a friend of the bride was going to sing a few songs in the evening, and we wanted a quick sound check, just to make sure that everything was fine for him, which of course we did, then it was home for a bit of a rest (well I needed it after the busy week I'd had) and watch a bit of TV, and listen to Southend United commentary on the radio.

I arrived back at the venue at about 6.40pm, and switched everything on had a brief discussion with the bride & groom about the times of the first dance, cake cutting etc, and then spoke to David who was going to sing, to sort out his times and then we were off.

as mentioned in previous blogs when you book me, you get a username and password so that you can plan your wedding, and select the music you want to hear, I had also had a planning meeting with the couple. Here is the music they had requested:

The Special Songs Asked for were:-
1st Dance Chasing Cars - Natasha Bedingfield
2nd Dance Someone Like You - Van Morrison
Last Dance Time Of My Life Bill Medley

And The Other Requests:-
Do Not Play cheesy action songs
Do Not Play michelle manus
Do Not Play big girls mika
Do Not Play time warp rocky horror Video -
Do Not Play ymca village people Dance Classics 10 -
Must Play 80's soul weekender Anthems
Must Play 70s disco
Must Play flashdance - Irene Cara
Must Play suspicious minds - Elvis Presley
Must Play sweet caroline - Neil Diamond
Must Play Irish Music
Must Play footloose - Kenny Loggins
Must Play irish rover
Must Play California Love (Short Radio Edit) 2Pac
Must Play finally ce ce penniston
Must Play got to be real cheryl lynn
Must Play somebody elses guy jocelyn brown
Must Play jackson johnny cash
Must Play ain't no mountain love marvin gaye
Must Play Sing It Back Moloko
Must Play this is how we do it montell jordan
Must Play vibe r kelly
Must Play please release me tom jones to michelle from groom
Play If Possible ring of fire
Play If Possible ain't no stoppin us now
Play If Possible walk the line
Play If Possible valerie
Play If Possible new stuff
Play If Possible i found lovin

this wedding was great because I was working with an friend the cariacturist Steven Hearn please have a look at his website, he is really very very good.

What a great night with some great music.

Ian Stewart Wedding Disco

This was my third early morning of the week, up at 5.30am, so that I could arrive at the venue, as I had to have all the equipment set up by 7am, which was the time that the client was due to arrive.

They had hired a sound system consisting of 2 speakers, a wireless lapel microphone, a radio hand held microphone and a projector with infa red remote control so that they could operate their powerpoint presentation.

All set in record time with everything ready for 6.45am, then ehen the client arrived I helped them connect their laptop to the projector, and sound checked the people who were giving the talk.

I work for this client about 4 times a year, and their guest speakers are always intersting an informative, this was about the role of a financial director within a company.

Once finished it was a very quick break down of the system, then a drive home, as I had promised Sharon that I would take her shopping, as she needed to return a few things, this was done, we even had a sub way for lunch, I must say I do love them, then home as I had a night off from gigs, we were going to watch Children in need, now I do know that it is a good cause, but what a compltete load of rubbish the event was, not one amusing or entertaining part of it, that must be what happens if you gag presenters

Ian Stewart Conferance Hire Company

As I had left my van at the venue the night before, I had to get up at 5.30am, and walk down to Wickford Rail station, and caught a train to Billericay, now I worked out that this was my first rail journey for some 16 or 17 years, and a repeat of a journey I did every day when I went to school. Also I was surprised how many friends caught that very same train that I did.

After the walk from Billericay Rail station to Stock Brook Manor I arrived just before 8am, in plenty of time to switch everything on for the conferance.

I left there at 9am, for the short drive home, for another day of paperwork

Ian Stewart AV Assistance