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

This was a quiet day for me work wise, with only the delivery of a LCD projector that was hired to Essex County Council for a conferance they were holding at Stock Brook Manor in Billericay Essex, so I was up early, as it needed to set up by 8.30am, I'm not very good with these early mornings, but I manged it.

Then it was an afternoon of paperwork, before I had to return to Stock Brook Manor so that I could set up complete system for a conferance that was starteing the next day, and the people wanted to make sure that all their powerpoint presentations worked properly, they had hired a 4 speaker system, 2 wireless lapel microphones, a hand held radio microphone, projector and 8ft screen, wow it was massive.

Everything was set in time, and I even helped the people with some problems they had with their power point.

I was then picked up by Sharon & Jazzily, as we were going to Bluewater for a little bit of Xmas shopping, so I left the van at the venue, as I was back there the next morning to give AV assistance to the conferance.

Ian Stewart Conferance Equipment

This was a welcome day off, as Sharon & I went to see one of our favourite comedians at the moment, Frankie Boyle, he of Mock the Week fame, and what a gret night it was. We arrived at the Cliffs Pavillion at 7pm, about an hour before the show was to begin, and the car park was quite empty, so managed to get a space near the door, then when I opened the door, I new why the car park was empty, the wind was so strong, that I struggled to open the door, and even my 18st was almost blown over. The short walk into the theatre was an experiance.

We managed to get our drinks, which sometimes can be difficult there, and sat and waited for the show to begin, and it did, bang on 8pm sharp, with the support act Martin Bigpig, an act I had heard of but never seen, and his near the mark interaction with the audience was I think this was to prepare you for what was about to come from Mr Boyle, This was a very short set about 20 minutes, with an interval.

Then the main show started, and it is true what the support act says watching Frankie Boyle perform stand up, is like drinking 10 pints of Guiness, eventually you are going to see some dark shit! and boy did we, he took us to places you never dreamed existed, but in my opinion that is one of the jobs of comedians, to push the boudaries.

If you get the chance to see this show I can reccomend it, only if you are not easily offended though

This was one of those wedding Disco's that are easy to set up, as I was in the same venue, and place in the room as the previous night, which meant that I could arrive at the venue at 6.40pm, and switch everything on, and start right on time at 7pm.

On afrival the manager of the venue, told me that I needed to organise with the bride & groom the cutting of the cake, and the times of the first dance, so he introduced me to Kelly & Ben, we arranged the times and had a little chat about the music etc, as they had only chosen the 1st dance, after a while it became obvious that the music required was a mix of rock anthems, the bride loved Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams and Queen the groom loved hisRat Pack style swing and some party anthems

So we waited until all the evening guesta arrived, then organised the cutting of the cake, followed quickly by the 1st dance which was all for love by bryan adams, rod stewart & sting, then the main dancing started with all the music played, the bride & groom went out of their way at the end of the night to thank me for a brilliant evening, which is always appreciated

Wedding Disco For Essex

The Disco for this wedding was in the Rosewood Suite, and I had been told by the bride that that I would be working with a live singer, and one of my favourites Mr Harry Cambridge, who has one of the finest soul voices you will ever hear, he appeared as Luther Vandross on Stars In Their Eyes. As I had worked with Harry many times, I had arranged for him to plug his mixer into my sound system, that way there is not too much equipment taking up the space.

Wow what a night it was, as soon as I started up my disco and started to DJ for the music at this wedding, the floor was full, with some of the best soul music I had played for a very very long time, here is the music that the bride and groom had chosen via the planning part of my web site:

1st Dance So Amazing Luther Vandross
2nd Dance Daddy Beyonce
Last Dance Love & Marriage Frank Sinatra - at the end of the night, while walking the wedding arch

Requests
1 1 Thing Amerie
2 Solid Ashford & Simpson
3 Crazy In Love Beyonce
4 Check Out The Groove Bobby Thurston
5 Love Town Booker Newberry III
6 Stomp Brothers Johnson
7 Young Hearts Run Free Candi Staton Disco Anthems
8 The Glow Of Love Change Ft Luther Vandross
9 Never Knew Love Like This Charrelle & Alexander O'Neao
10 Trapped Colonal Abrams
11 Dance Wiv Me Dizzee Rascal & Calvin Harris Ft Chrome
12 September Earth Wind & Fire
13 American Boy Estelle ft Kanye West
14 Love Come Down Evelyn King
15 Love Like This Faith Evans
16 I Found Lovin' Fatback Band
17 Glamourous Fergie & Ludacris
18 Maybe Jay Sean
19 Ordinary People John Legend
20 Green Light (Feat. Andre 3000
21 Work (Freemasons Remix) Kelly Rowland
22 Daylight (Feat. Gym Class Heroes) Kelly Rowland
23 All Summer Long Kid Rock
24 Get Down on it Kool & The Gang Dance
25 Hangin' On A String Loose Ends
26 Dance Tonight Lucy Pearl
27 Beggin (Original Version) Madcon
28 Give it to Me (Album) Madonna
29 4 Minutes Madonna
30 Valerie Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse
31 Without You Mary J Blige
32 Shackles (Praise You) Mary Mary
33 Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now Mcfadden & Whitehead
34 Wanna Be Startin' Something Michael Jackson Ft Akon
35 Midas Touch Midnight Star
36 Sing It Back Moloko
37 Closer Ne-Yo
38 Going Back To My Roots Odyssey
39 Forget Me Nots Patrice Rushen
40 You Know How To Love Me Phylis Hyman
41 We Got The Funk Positive Force
42 Show Me Love Robin S
43 A Night to Remember Shalamar
44 I Can Make You Feel Good Shalamar
45 Imagine Shola Ama
46 Masterblaster (Jammin') Stevie Wonder
47 Get Down (Shapeshifters Vocal Mix) Todd Terry Allstars
48 Its a Love Thing Whispers
49 And The Beat Goes On Whispers
50 Heartbreaker Will I Am Ft Cheryl Cole

I also played some other soul, funk, rare groove, funky house and even some danceable jazz at this wedding disco

Ian Stewart Wedding Disco For Essex

Normally at this time of year I am pretty quiet mid week, it is that time between the wedding disco season, and the madness of the christmas party disco's, well this week was a bit of an exception, with me proding AV (Audio Visual) equipment and assistance for 3 conferances at Stock Brook Manor in Billericay, with equipment ranging from Flip Charts, Projectors, Screens and PA Systems with Lapel microphones.

Ian Stewart Mobile Disco In Essex

This wedding was one that I had been preparing for for some time, I had been booked as part of the wedidng package by the venue, but had met the bride & her mother at a reent open day at the venue, and really got on well with them, and we discussed the possibility of me acting as MC / Toastmaster for the day, as although it was not a "Jewish Wedding" the bride was Jewish.

Now the day came, and there was quite a lot for me to do, they had booked the light curtain for behind the top table, and also the LED Uplighters fopr around the room, as well as a projector and screen for the best man's speach, so it was all hand to the pump with Sharon, Murray and myself making sure everything was in place, we were held up a little by the chair company taking nearly 4 hours to put the covers on the chairs (and there were 4 of them), but all was done, then it was a drive home to have some lunch, and watch the football.

I arrived back at the venue in plenty of time, as I had been discussing with the father of the bride some music that was needed to be played as the happy couple entered the room, with some tradittional Jewish dancing before the meal, which was done, with everyone in the room joining in.

Then the meal, followed by the toasts, and then immediatly into the dancing, and boy did they dance all night, what a fantastic wedding disco it was.

below is the music that they chose for the event:

1st Dance Amazed Lonestar
2nd Dance isn't she lovely stevie wonder
3rd Dance like a star neyo
Cutting Of The Cake a million love songs take that
Last Dance (I've Had) The Time Of My Life Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

all were played plus a mix of 70's & 80s classics, and as the bride requested some quality R&B

www.ian-stewart.co.uk

Just for a change, I was booked to supply the disco for a joint 60th birthday party at the Orwell Park School in Ipswich.

but before that, I went to see the greatest football team in world, namely Southend United who were playing their nearest neighbours Colchester United, wow what an exciting game finishing 3-3.

unusually for me, at The Orwell park School, they do not require me to arrive at the venue, until one hours befor mr start time, so I left home a little later then usual 7pm, and drove to Ipswich in the pouring rain, and the roads were very very bad, luckily enough, when I unloaded the equipment from the van, the rain had subsided alot.

I had all the equipment set by 9.00pm, and the staff at the venue were lovely and gave us our dinner, and allowed us to sit in the staff room until the clients had finished their dinner, which did over run quite a bit, and instead of a 10pm start, I started at 10.45pm, and went straight into the dancing, with a full floor right up until the end of the night.

As with most of my clients they had completed their music list online, here is what they chose for their birthday party disco:

1 Must Play Dancing Queen Abba
2 Must Play Waterloo Abba
3 Must Play More than a woman Bee Gees
4 Must Play Stayin' Alive Bee Gees
5 Must Play (I've Had) The Time Of My Life Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
6 Must Play Lady in Red Chris de Burgh
7 Must Play Dancing in the Street David Bowie & Mick Jagger
8 Must Play Walk of Life Dire Straits
9 Must Play American Pie Don Mclean
10 Must Play Mercy (Album Mix) Duffy
11 Must Play Hero Enrique Iglasias
12 Must Play Sweet Dreams Eurythmics
13 Must Play Moving on up M People
14 Must Play I heard it through the grapevine Marvin Gaye
15 Must Play I'm In The Mood For Dancing Nolans
16 Must Play Another day in Paradise Phil Collins
17 Must Play Sussudio Phil Collins
18 Must Play Whiter Shade of Pale Procol Harem
19 Must Play We will rock you Queen
20 Must Play Don't Stop Me Now Queen
21 Must Play Let me entertain you Robbie Williams
22 Must Play Maggie May Rod Stewart
23 Must Play Paint it Black Rolling Stones
24 Must Play Get Off of My Cloud Rolling Stones
25 Must Play We Are Family Sister Sledge
26 Must Play Keep on running Spencer Davis Group
27 Must Play Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours Stevie Wonder
28 Must Play I love to Boogie T Rex
29 Must Play Substitute The Who
30 Must Play It's Raining Men Weather Girls
31 Play If Possible Yes Merry Clayton Dirty Dancing
32 Play If Possible Fields of Gold Robbie Williams
33 Play If Possible Paint it Black Rolling Stones

www.ian-stewart.co.uk

Well I almost managed to keep my promise, who am I kidding well it looks like I need to do a couple of days at a time until I catch up.

Friday 31st October 2008 I was DJ for the wedding of Claire Palmer & Robert Parrott in the Banqueting Suite at Stock Brook Manor, Billericay, as always for Mobile Disco's at Stock Brook Manor, I arrived at the venue at 10am, so that I could set all my disco equipment up nice and early, so that there was no disruption to the wedding breakfast at all.

As always the planning was done online, and they had chosen the following music that they wanted me to play:

The main songs requested were

1st Dance Footprints In the Sand - Leona Lewis
2nd Dance She's the One - Robbie Williams
3rd Dance Waterloo - Abba
Last Dance Rule the World (Radio) - Take That

and they also asked if I could play the following Requests
1 Footloose - Kenny Loggins for the groom Rob Parrott, who's a secret Footloose fan!
2 I wanna dance with somebody - Whitney Houston For Norman, who's a big Whitney fan!
3 mamma mia - abba
4 (I've Had) The Time Of My Life Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
5 Valerie - Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse
6 Billie Jean - Michael Jackson History
7 Brown eyed girl - Van Morrison
8 Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham! Video
9 Take on me - A-ha
10 fascination - alphabeat
11 Let Me Be Your Fantasy - Baby D
12 When the going gets tough.... - Billy Ocean
13 Livin' on a prayer - Bon Jovi
14 Summer of 69 - Bryan Adams
15 Build me up buttercup - foundations
16 Jump (For My Love) - Girls Aloud
17 Don't You Want Me Baby - Human League
18 Can't Get You Out of My Head - Kylie Minogue
19 Fame - Irene Cara
20 Flashdance (What a Feeling) - Irene Cara
21 Spinning Around - Kylie Minogue
22 Like a prayer - Madonna
23 (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles - Proclaimers
24 Rock DJ - Robbie Williams
25 Let me entertain you - Robbie Williams
26 Mr. Bojangles - Robbie Williams
27 I Don't Feel Like Dancin' - Scissor Sisters
28 Sweet Like Chocolate - Shanks & Bigfoot
29 We are family - sister sledge
30 Music Sounds Better with You - Stardust
31 It only takes a minute - Take That
32 Relight My Fire - Take That & Lulu
33 I think we're alone now - Tiffany
34 YMCA - Village People

www.ian-stewart.co.uk