Filed under: Birthday, Corporate DJ, Disco, DJ, Random Benny Thought, Wedding DJ
I don’t often get the time to sit down and reflect on anything these days. I think that may have something to do with the fact that I have been running around like a headless chicken performing at events.
2013 has taken me to a variety of glorious venues, such as Somerford Hall, Ardencote Manor, Wroxall Abbey, Hampton Manor, Shustoke Farm Barns, Hogarths, Nuthurst Grange, Redhouse Barn, Moxhull Hall, Highbury Hall…and those are the ones I can riff off from the top of my head. It’s great being this busy, but it has all been a bit of a blur!
So after a break to Majorca where I caught up on my reading (or at least some of it), I am now back, fully recharged, sunburned like a prat and raring to go! It’s just a crying shame that I had to leave behind a friend I made on holiday. 😦
If you would like to a professional DJ, event host and broadcaster at your event who is at one with the animals and is currently covered in aloe vera, click here to hire Benny Smyth.
There’s a question I get asked quite a lot when I get enquiries: I’ve just got a quote from a guy in the Yellow Pages to work my wedding for £90. Can you beat that?
I love that question and I hear it so often, I already know how to reply. I tell them that it depends on what they’re asking. If you’re asking me whether I can beat the level of talent, the quality of the lighting, clarity of the sound and the level of overall service you will receive, then I dare say that I will beat it and rather comfortably too. If you’re asking me if I can beat the price, the answer will be no.
A wise man once told me that when it comes to hiring a DJ, you should use what he called the ‘Buffet Rule’. Let’s say you’re getting married and you’ve hired a DJ to entertain you and your (for argument’s sake) 100 guests. You’d be happy to pay anywhere between £7 – £12 a head for your buffet but if you took advantage of the quote I mentioned at the beginning of this blog, that means your DJ will be charging 90p a head.
Just let that sink in for a second. 90 pence a head. Now think back to all the weddings and events you have been to. Do you remember the buffet? Of course you don’t but I bet that you do remember the DJ – be it for positive or negative reasons.
Just purely out of curiosity, I asked who provided the quote and did a quick Google search. This was a picture from their own website.
Now scroll down and look at the pictures that I have taken of my lighting and sound system in previous blogs. It may very well be egotistical to say, but it certainly brings perspective to things, doesn’t it?
Last month, I was delighted to provide the entertainment for Simone’s 18th birthday party in Minworth. Normally I wouldn’t combine a blog about a gig with what I have already said, but when I sat down with Simone and her dad, Simon for the consultation, Simon told me something that is so apt. He said that he wanted to pay that little bit extra because a few weeks beforehand, the family attended a birthday party and the DJ had awful equipment and was not able read the room.
It was an investment that paid off, and it paid of big. Simone and all her guests had a storming night, they had that dancefloor filled all night and with my mobile nightclub, we made that room look and sound amazing. Happy 18th, Simone! I hope to be there for your 21st. 😉
The lady who made the enquiry that prompted this blog told me that she was going to go with the guy in the Yellow Pages. I hope for her sake that there is a drastic investment in the sound and lighting by the DJ because I would not want to be there at the very moment she walks into the room and is greeted by the above.
Professional DJ, Benny Smyth is available to make your night memorable, and for all the right reasons. Click here to get in touch.
Filed under: Birthday, Blogging, Disco, DJ | Tags: birthday party, dj, mobile disco, professional dj
It’s 2am on Sunday morning. I’ve just got back from providing the entertainment for a fantastic 18th birthday party (more on that later) and I’m currently in bed with a hot cup of cocoa, so I thought I’d write a blog before I drift off to sleep.
There is a well known fact about us DJ’s: we are essentially kids. If we see something that flashes pretty lights, then we must have it, but it is here where we separate the men from the boys. Instead of buying gear willy-nilly like some mobile discos do (and believe me, an over-filled light stand with a random assortment of lights is hideous to look at), what I like to do is spend some time researching and then purchase lights that add something different to my setup. I pride myself on having very high production values that make any event and venue look amazing.
The most recent purchase was a very easy choice to make: something for uplighting. It is a very simple but glorious effect that adds to any light show. Just take a look at the quick pic I took tonight.
Like I said, it’s simple but doesn’t it look great?
So anyway, that photo was taken right before we kicked off a huge party for Charlotte’s 18th birthday. When I met up with Charlotte, as well as her mom & dad a few weeks ago, I was told that Charlotte simply wanted a club night and that’s what she got! Dance and R’n’B all night and with our mobile nightclub setup, Charlotte and her guests had an amazing time and it showed because they filled that dancefloor all night.
But, as with a lot of birthdays, there are opportunities to embarrass the guest of honour and Charlotte’s dad wanted to make sure that happened. As a result, towards the end of the night, I played the theme tune to one of Charlotte’s all time favourite TV shows: Barney & Friends! Bless her though, she did sing and dance along to it. Best of all, she assures me that she doesn’t hate me for it. Result!
It has to be said though that the venue was the warmest place I have ever been, and I have worked in Ibiza for a season! Sweat was dripping off my brow and my team of technicians started to smell a bit ripe come the end of it. I’d hate to think what it was like for all those dancers!
If you want a DJ who has high production values, a large collection of TV themes and some deodourant, then drop me an email: benny@bsentertainments.co.uk
It’s always busy this time of year. The ‘wedding season’ (if there is such a thing) kicks off about now and of course there are other events to cater for.
For example, I was delighted to provide the entertainment for two birthday party’s so far this month. Firstly, there was Becky & Will who both celebrated their 39th birthdays and what a great night it was! The theme of the night was ‘Live Fast, Die Young’ so there were lots of Freddie Mercury’s and Amy Whinehouse’s and on top of that, it was a night where early 90’s indie took precedent. Just look at how we ended the evening (note: please excuse the shaky cam!):
After that, we made our way to Hogarth’s Hotel to provide entertainment for Andy & Alex’s joint 50th and 21st birthday bash (doesn’t anyone celebrate birthdays on their own anymore, or it that me being selfish because I want to double my income? 😉 ).
Another night of great fun there at a fantastic venue and best of all, Aston Villa legend Gary Shaw was there! I even got to meet him, though I may have giggled like a schoolgirl in the process.
As with any show, we use professional sound and lighting to make the venues look even more amazing then they already are. Professional DJs are a world apart from the standard ‘mobile disco’ and you need to bear this in mind when booking entertainment. When your event has to look and sound amazing then we’re here to help.
Drop us an email if you’re interested in having a professional at your event (even if you’re sharing a birthday!): info@bennysmyth.com
Filed under: Birthday, Blogging, Disco, DJ, Random Benny Thought | Tags: birthday party, dj, mobile disco, professional dj
18th birthday parties are always great fun, and I was delighted to provide the entertainment for Josh and co to celebrate his 18th birthday.
I was given a list of all the songs that Josh and his friends loves. It included the hardest of dubstep, the darkest of RnB and the coolest of remixes, but what was everyone singing and dancing to come then end of the night? One Direction and Carly Ray Jepson!
That’s one thing a lot of people don’t understand when they hire a disco: will your guests enjoy your type of music? That’s why I like to spend time with my clients to talk through what they want and help them decide if their guests would appreciate the same style of music. I know from experience that if I played your favourite songs all night, but nobody danced, then you wouldn’t enjoy yourself. Now if I played your favourite music along with some tracks that may not be your favourite, but got everybody going, then I know for a fact that you would have an amazing night!
If you want to hire a professional DJ who will give you top notch pre and post disco care for your wedding, birthday or any other event, then get in touch: info@bennysmyth.com
B.S. Entertainments 