As Seen On TV!!! Back in May I provided DJ services at a wedding which was being filmed for the popular BBC3 series 'Don't Tell The Bride'. You never know - I could be famous (although I won't hold my breath!). The series airs late summer/autumn 2008.

The Wedding Season has hit with a vengeance - I'm delighted to say this year is extremely busy. I've noticed a slight shift in my client base, towards those with more specific requirements, additional services and more all-day functions. This is a great challenge, but real fun, and it is lovely to be so involved in such a special day, ensuring everything goes according to plan. I've also been very fortunate in that all of my clients are such nice people. Having a good relationship is certainly conducive to a great event.

Bookings for the Projection Service and LED Uplighting Service are ahead of my anticipation, which is excellent news, and means I will probably invest in even more equipment for next year (where will I put it all!). Likewise the mini-PA hire is up on next year.

My new 'Ultimate Wedding Package' is almost ready to be announced, and is in response to the number of enquiries I get for all-day functions. Watch this space!

April 2008

It looks as though the Wedding Season has got off to an early start, and already looks like it will be an extremely busy one. I have read a few reports in the Press saying that Weddings are on the decrease due to the current extortionate cost of living. I totally understand a younger couple preferring to put savings towards property rather than their Wedding, but I do believe that just as many people will get married - just that some will wait longer before doing so. Fortunately for me enquiries and bookings have been as regular, and my 2009/2010 bookings are very slightly up on this year's. I think that Couples are starting to book their Core Services earlier, which is brilliant, leads to less disappointment and also shows that those who have got Engaged still believe in showing a long-term commitment to each other by booking things so far in advance. Last week I took my first booking for 2011!

I am also delighted and honoured to announce that I was recently appointed Secretary for 2008 to the National Association of Disc Jockeys. This should be a fulfilling and challenging role, and I hope can help give a boost to the membership in the North East. The NADJ work to improve the profile of the Professional DJ, setting standards of professionalism and development.

January - March 2008

At last I have been able to take a short break and managed to get away for a few days - much needed! Business has slowed down a little as is usual this time of year, and I am taking the opportunity to plan my equipment purchases for the year. For the larger event I will be investing in an Abstract VRX lighting system to complement my existing Abstract equipment. It is VERY nice!

I have now fully launched 2 new services. Firstly the Projection Service, which offers either a large (6x4) screen with full drape kit or a 42" Flat Screen Monitor, plus managed laptop service, including hire of a quality Pentax camera if required. This is a fantastic service for those getting married abroad who wish to share their photos at their UK reception, or for those who wish to share the day's memories with evening guests. Its also lovely if you have loved ones who for whatever reason are unable to attend - by showing photos of them you can feel their involvement. See here for more details.

Secondly the LED Uplighting service is proving very popular. These lovely lights can 'decorate' your venue in accents of colour to match or complement your theme, or in virtually any colour you wish. They can even be programmed to fade between colours all together or alternately if your theme is 2-colour! An essential for Marquees but will give warmth and atmosphere to any decor. Even better, they are cool to the touch so wont make the room uncomfortable or burn inquisitive little fingers, and use very little electricity! More details can be found here.

It seems every update announces Recommended Status with another venue, and I am delighted to announce that exclusive Blackfriars Restaurant in Newcastle now also recommend Colin's Disco for their Weddings and Party events. Susan and her team will go out of their way to ensure that every attention to detail is made to give you a fantastic night!

December 2007

Well December was very different this year! Instead of lots of Xmas parties I still had plenty of weddings - in fact 14 across December, with a 25th Wedding Anniversary for New Year's Eve. What a wonderful end to the year, and a fantastic start to the New Year. The Xmas parties I did manage were all great fun, from the small Karaoke Disco at Tall Trees to Tesco's large Christmas Disco for 300! I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all my clients for being so great throughout 2007, and I truly hope that continues into 2008. I'm also delighted to announce that I have been appointed Recommended Supplier to lovely Eslington Villa in Low Fell, Gateshead. With a Michelin Star restaurant the food there is fantastic, and the Events Manager, Nicola is putting together some very special Wedding Packages.

October/November 2007

Still no let up! It seems as though the Wedding season isn't ending this year, and my bookings are taking me right through till the New Year. I'm delighted to announce that Alnwick Garden have made me their Preferred & Recommended Supplier. That's a great honour, and added to Auckland Castle, Durham Castle, Hatfield College and several other fine venues in the North East is sure to keep the enquiries coming in! In November I also purchased a new deckstand/lighting truss which is not only very smart, and ingenious, it helps to reduce my setup times for those occasions where I have to set up during the room changeover. It means I can set up the bulk of the show outside the room, then wheel it in, place the speakers, connect up, which up the lights and I am ready to go!

August/September 2007

Phew! It's busy. I don't really have time for much of an update, and apart from just being extremely busy there isn't much actual news! I'd like to thank all my clients though - I have met some wonderful people, had some great meetings and been to a lot of fantastic Weddings! Back in June I started to upgrade my Sound System yet again, and bought a full powered system. Not only does this RCF system sound fantastic, but it fits in with my desire for the neatest, tidiest system around. You will see photos appearing in the gallery and around the site with the new equipment, and I hope you will agree my 'rig' looks extremely smart and tidy.

June/July 2007

Wedding season is in full swing, and so far not only my busiest but also the most enjoyable. Thanks to all my clients - you have all been so friendly and enthusiastic, its been brilliant working with you all!

This year I have also taken on some Summer School Karaoke/Discos, for foreign language students in the UK. So far they have been very successful and great fun. In fact Corporate work generally is increasing, and although very hard work so far I have thoroughly enjoyed it all - even the 13 hour gig after a 150 mile drive, tyre blowout, and only 2 hours sleep from the previous night's Wedding!

Children's Discos have become even more popular this year and I still really enjoy doing them - great fun whether its for 5 year olds or 15 year olds!

No other real news to talk about. Bookings are substantially up on last year, and both 2008 and 2009 are looking like being very busy already. Bookings for my new Mood Lighting service are starting to come in, and I'm looking forward to getting some great photos of them in action.

Oh yes - been doing some research into my business generally and the figures look interesting. Approximately 40% of all my work now comes from recommendation and repeat bookings. Another 40% comes directly from my website, with the remaining 20% split between various directories, the Yellow Pages and direct marketing.

My Client Satisfaction Surveys show that Clients feel real benefit from the pre-event contact I give, including Event Questionnaires and my new Wedding Checklists. Clients also like the way I communicate and discuss their requirements, rather than just turn up and play.

Thanks again to all my clients, and to anyone viewing my website!

April/May 2007

Well the 2007 Wedding Season is truly under way, and so far is looking like a very interesting one too! Several of my Brides & Grooms have practiced unusual First Dances, which certainly adds a different twist to the occasion. On the other hand, many other couples are choosing more traditional songs for their First Dance too, whereas last year it tended to be quite modern songs. Last year's most chosen First Dance was Snow Patrol's 'Chasing Cars'. So far this year the old classics such as Savage Garden's 'Truly Madly Deeply', Stevie Wonder's 'Sunshine Of My Life' and other classics such as Harold Melvin's 'If You Don't Know Me By Now' are marking a return to the real love songs of yesteryear.

I'm looking forward to all my Weddings this year - and so far have bookings at some fantastic venues including Auckland Castle, Alnwick Castle, Morritt Arms, Copthorne Hotel Newcastle, and several other lovely places, not to mention the ones I have already done. Should be a great season!

One thing that I do find strange though is how many couples leave booking their Disco till the last moment, then are surprised that none of the decent companies are available. Please, please choose your Disco carefully and book it as far in advance as possible. I have bookings already till 2010 so at least some couples are getting in early lol! By all means contact me just for a chat if you aren't sure what to look for in a Disco. I don't charge for advice, and even if I am already booked I'll happily try to find someone for you.

Plenty of other parties going on too, and I have done several 16ths/18ths, a couple of 40ths and even a 65th - there is a bit of variety! Also had a couple of Karaoke parties too.

Let's hope its a good Summer weather-wise, and that all the weddings go as smoothly as possible!

February/March 2007

RECENT EVENTS - Well the St Chad's Day Disco at St Chad's College, Durham Uni was a complete blast! 150 very drunken, very good-natured students who had set themselves the task of having the best time imaginable! It was a great night, and the video on my Home Page shows them all doing their thing to the Cha Cha Slide, the Macarena and Cotton-Eye Joe. Those guys love their cheese!

Similarly the Darlington Spraire Lasses thoroughly enjoyed their fund-raiser disco back in January. This under-10s girls football team and their friends/family showed just how much energy they all have. At about 10pm the organiser kicked all the youngsters off the dancefloor so that she and the other adults could dance to 'some proper music' and we played some real Disco hits from the 70s & 80s. The youngsters retaliated by demanding a 'dance-off', but they were no match for the hardened dance skills of the over 30s, who showed them what 'real dancing' is all about!

Other events this last few weeks have included a couple of christenings, 2 more children's parties, a spattering of general birthday parties, and a great surprise 21st party! 2 weddings make up the remainder, including one at beautiful Durham Castle, World Heritage Site.

EQUIPMENT - For a while now I have been wanting to upgrade my sound system. Although it's already of very high quality, I'm always looking to improve what I offer. I've especially wanted to upgrade the sound of my smaller rig.

Well I am delighted to announce the addition of a pair of the incredible DAS DS-115A Active speakers. Being 400watts each they are also extremely powerful and will also help bridge a gap at slightly larger events where the function room is upstairs. With a RRP of almost £2,000 a pair they certainly aren't cheap, but are a definite investment, and allow me to offer an even higher quality service for the money.

Other upgrades include the replacement of my lovely Behringer speaker system with a superb pair of DAS PF-112 mid-top speakers, and Class-D bass bins. The bass bins are lighter than my previous ones, but of equal sound quality. They will also be upgraded in the near future.

A new trussing system is in the pipeline (no pun intended!) for the summer, which will make my setup look even neater than it already does.

BOOKINGS - Bookings are up substantially on this time last year, and my calendar for the summer Wedding Season is filling up quickly. Also, bookings for Xmas 2007 are looking good, with only a few spaces still available. The 2008 Wedding season is about 30% booked, and 2009 following closely behind! Although my prices have risen slightly for the 2008 season, and will again in 2009, I have decided that any 2009 bookings made before the end of this year will be taken at 2008 prices, which will save some of you a little.

OTHER NEWS - Auckland Castle's new Wedding Brochure is due out in the next few weeks, and looks to be an exciting publication. As the Castle's recommended supplier, I have taken some space in it, and already the number of Auckland Castle bookings has increased dramatically. It's a beautiful place for a wedding, and the staff are friendly and highly efficient. They go out of their way to make you feel special and give you the most magical day of your life. My business has been built on similar principles - high quality, reliable and friendly service, which is perhaps why they continue to recommend me. Thank Yous due all round!

Photo Gallery Service - Well I knew this would be popular, but so far everyone I have mentioned it to has wanted it! And it's free - perhaps I should have made an extra charge for this service!! Basically it's a great way for your friends and family to see some photos of the night - all in one convenient place. Let me know at the time of booking, and get everyone to send/e-mail me some pics, and I'll build a gallery on my website for you, free of charge, which will stay online for up to a month. Click here for more details.

I'll update this page regularly, well when there is any news to be shared lol!

Colin