Guitarist Paul Musso

A teacher of mine once said, “Anyone can read music and play notes off a page, but not everyone can play notes how they’re written to be heard and felt.”

Paul Musso is that guitarist. Every note he plucks, every chord he arpeggiates, resonates as if it’s sounding for the first time. And when compounded upon, his music makes for something more than just listening to- it is an experience. Paul Musso’s style is captivating, his musical expression poignant, and his performance uniquely memorable.

As a well versed guitarist, Musso’s repertoire includes Jazz Standards, Brazilian and Latin Styles, Classical, Blues and Popular tunes. He has been performing for over twenty years throughout Europe and the United States, and as a freelance musician, he has also played in numerous music festivals and orchestras. For the past sixteen years Musso has taught at the University of Colorado at Denver, and is currently a Senior Instructor and Coordinator of Guitar Studies.

A Music Plus is privileged to work with such an incredibly talented and professional musician as Paul Musso, and equally delighted at the opportunity to provide our clients with his exceptional guitar performances! He makes every event truly unforgettable.

Every Wednesday night you can find Paul at Mead St. Station at 32nd & Lowell in the Highlands from 8:30pm to 11:30pm.

April Bridal Showers Bring May Wedding Flowers

Welcome to the new A Music Plus Blogspot! We are so excited for the 2009 wedding season, and what a joy it is to be a leader in music and entertainment in the Denver region.

For the past ten weeks we have been training our DJ Intern Class of 2009, teaching the skills and knowledge required to be the best professional disc jockeys in the industry. We have developed a very talented group of individuals and look forward to seeing them succeed at every Wedding, Bat-Mitzvah, and 60th Birthday Party! Once they have completed their internship and auditioned, we hope to add them to our existing roster of talented DJs at A Music Plus.

Weekly events have rapidly picked up this past month, and the summer is looking brighter than ever! We anticipate providing music entertainment for more events this year than ever before- what a great place to be! Did someone say recession?

Groom's Checklist

If you read wedding blogs like ours or hang out on any of the big wedding web sites, then you know that there are about a bazillion checklists for brides. There are bridal beauty checklists, bridal accessory checklists, and pre-wedding checklists galore. What we don't see too often are checklists for grooms, and let us tell you... as wedding disc jockeys in Denver, Colorado, we see plenty of grooms, some messy and some dashing.

That's why we decided to create our own groom's checklist for all the guys out there who want to be prepared to walk down the aisle in style.

Three Months Before Wedding
Choose your menswear and either purchase it or reserve it. Remember that when you're shopping for a tux, your body type matters almost as much as the formality level of your wedding.

One Month Before Wedding
Schedule your fittings and alterations. Don't think you can get away without getting your suit or tuxedo altered, and TRY IT ON IN ADVANCE! There's nothing sillier than a man with a size 30 waist walking around in size 40 trousers.

One Week Before Wedding

• Go for a haircut.
• Get your nails buffed and manicured.
• Purchase new boxers... seriously.

One Day Before Wedding
Pick up the menswear and again, have everyone TRY EVERYTHING ON. Take no chances! If you are renting, double check for correct size of all the elements: trousers, jacket, tie, shirt, cummerbund or vest, cuff links, shoes, and socks. Pack everything up.

On the Wedding Day Morning

• Go for a close shave.
• Take a hot shower.
• Remember the deodorant.
• Take one last glimpse in the mirror to ensure your perfection.

Good luck!


A Music Plus
Denver Disc Jockeys
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Wedding DJ Basics

As wedding DJs ourselves, we feel we are uniquely qualified to help brides and grooms choose the best wedding reception entertainment possible. Hiring wedding vendors is usually a new experience for couples, and wedding disc jockeys are some of the most influential wedding vendors out there. After all, they are the ones who set the tone for your entire reception!

If you've decided to hire a disc jockey instead of a live band, you will need to find a real pro. To start with, you need to decide on where the DJ fits in your reception plans. What is the role of the DJ? Will the DJ just be spinning music or are you expecting him to also be the Master of Ceremony? What is the kind of music you would prefer-- will the DJ be able to accommodate that? And finally, how much are you looking to spend on your wedding reception entertainment?

Look at Yellow Pages and online listings of wedding DJs, known names you get from loved ones, references, and recommendations. Check with local dance clubs and radio stations -- they can often provide good leads. Magazines and newspapers may sport advertisements of companies that provide wedding DJ services.

Look everywhere! This will give you a broad picture of the prices involved and will also help narrow down the list to fit your budget. Don't assume that the most expensive DJ will be the best DJ -- sometimes wedding disc jockeys are quite reasonable even though they have the skills to pay the bills!

A Music Plus
Denver Disc Jockeys
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Bridesmaids Gifts and Groomsmen Gifts

Gifts for wedding attendants are typically a nice way for the bride and groom to thank their bridesmaids and groomsmen for all of the money they've spent and the effort they've expended in helping to plan the perfect wedding. Choosing the right gift isn't always easy and can be downright stressful if you're not sure what your attendants might like to receive.

The following tips will help you make meaningful gift selections:

• When choosing personalized gifts for groomsmen or for bridesmaids, allow time to have the gifts personalized with the date and occasion if it's appropriate. This can take up to eight weeks from the time your order your items... and even longer if a mistake is made.

• Choose presents that mean something instead of gifts that are stereotypically wedding-y. Think of shared experiences, common interests in activities or books, and what will be most widely accepted. You don't have to get all of your attendants the same gift.

• On the other hand, to keep costs reasonable, choose the same gift for all of your attendants, perhaps only differing between men and women. A universal gift like an engraved or imprinted pen, carafe or mug or a CD of your favorite music can delight both genders. Ask yourself if your particular friends will be happy receiving the same gifts.

• Poll your attendants to see what they might like to receive as gifts. That way you'll be sure to get them something they want, and it might turn out to be less expensive and more special than whatever you had previously planned.

Good luck, and happy shopping!

A Music Plus
Denver Disc Jockeys
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Questions to Ask Your Wedding DJ

As the premier Colorado disc jockeys, we know that it's a wedding DJ's job to keep the party moving. That means so much more than lining up a list of tunes and letting the records play. We keep the party going, make sure people are out on the dance floor, and help set the mood. Consequently, when it comes time to choose your wedding DJ, you should be pretty careful!

Here are eleven questions you should ask your wedding DJ before signing a contract:

1. Can I choose my own music? If you love a song, ask for it. If you hate a song, let your DJ know ahead of time so he doesn't play it. Your disc jockey should work with you on a set of reception guidelines, and a professional will abide by those guidelines.

2. Can you suggest songs? You'll probably have some favorite songs you'll want played at your reception, which your wedding DJ should be eager to play. The DJ should also be able to make suggestions for music you're not sure about. If you need help choosing music, just ask!

3. What is the cost of your services, and what do they include? Are there any hidden fees or taxes not included in the base price? Make sure you're getting what you want. Create a list of DJ duties ahead of time so your disc jockey knows what you hope to receive in return for your money.

4. What contingencies do you have if a piece of equipment fails? Good wedding DJs bring backup equipment and may even bring an assistant to help deal with any problems that may arise.

5. What happens when you're on break? How many breaks will the DJ take? Make sure that it states in your contract that the DJ will leave music playing during bathroom breaks.

6. What will you wear? If your wedding is a black tie event, you might not want the wedding DJ showing up in cargo shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. Clarify the dress code in advance.

7. When do you arrive to set up? This will be based on when the venue is available, but the DJ should be there between one and two hours beforehand. There should be time for the DJ to become familiar with the venue, set-up, perform a sound check, and to work out any last minute kinks.

8. Do you provide a contract? Never hire a wedding disc jockey without getting everything in writing!

9. Do you provide references? You should be able to speak with someone who has used the wedding DJ in the past, and if possible see his work on a wedding video.

10. Are you insured? All wedding DJs should have business liability insurance. In fact, your venue may require it. It protects you if your DJ should damage property or if one of your guests is injured due to contact with the DJ or his equipment.

11. What happens if you are unable to perform DJ duties on the day of my event? Your wedding DJ should have a replacement on call if an emergency prohibits him from working your event.

If the wedding DJ you're talking to doesn't answer any of these questions, RUN. Only work with wedding vendors who act like professionals.


A Music Plus
Denver Disc Jockeys
http://www.amusicplus.com/