The Ideal of Hollywood
Just as we in the West have romantic ideas about the ideal that is Paris or New York City, I am sure that those residing anywhere else have their ideas of the romantic ideal that is Hollywood. So what better place to invite out of town guests than to a wedding on the roof top of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel!
This historic location (the site of the first Academy Awards in 1929) is across the street from the Kodak Theater the present location of the Academy Awards. In many ways the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is at the heart of Hollywood.
Ever notice just how well “the presenters” speak during the Academy Awards? What with Bob Hope, Billy Crystal and Neil Patrick Harris setting a high bar I felt compelled to up my game and rehearsed my announcements a little more and was certainly on my best behavior as the DJ and Master of Ceremonies presiding over the festivities in such venerable surroundings.
Creative Wedding Ceremony Music Choices
Many songs in the Elegant Music Quartet repertoire were once requests. Indeed some of the more unusual and beautiful selections we perform have been chosen by brides for their wedding ceremony processionals and recessional. Sheila and I always associate a song with the wedding and bride who requested it. Andrea wanted to surprise her groom Diarmaid. As it turns out he loves AC/DC. So she chose “Back In Black” for their wedding recessional.
I wrote a quartet arrangement of this iconic rock song and it totally worked as a recessional! The groom was surprised and yes another really cool song was added to the Elegant Music Quartet repertoire.
Thank you Andrea; great request!
Here is what the Quartet played for Andrea and Diarmaid’s wedding ceremony:
Bridal Party Processional Music: No One, Alicia Keys
Bride and Father Music: Paradise, Coldplay
Recessional Music: Back in Black, AC/DC
See: Composing and Arranging for Quartet
Wedding Reception
Grand Entrance DJ/MC:
Parents Music: Rather Be, Clean Bandit
Bridal Party Music: This will Be, Natalie Cole
First Dance Music: I Only Have Eyes For You, Flamingos
Father Daughter Dance Music: My Girl, Temptations
Mother Son Dance Music: Stand By Me, Ben E. King
Married Couple Dance Music: Anywhere With You, Jake Owen
Irish Sing Along
One of my favorite parts of the evening was the audience participation in the Irish music requested. There was a contingent who knew all the words and loudly sang along. I was thoroughly entertained by the poignancy, whit and humor of these pub songs sung by insouciant if not slightly intoxicated wedding guests:
Whiskey In the Jar, The Dubliners
The Men Behind the Wire, The Wolfe Tones
We’re on the One Road, The Wolfe Tones
The Galway Girl, Sharon Shannon & Friends
The Helicopter Song, The Wolfe Tones
Horse Outside, The Rubberbandits
Weather or Not, We Partied!
Yes, it rained but only for a short time. The Roosevelt staff brought us downstairs to the party penthouse but soon it cleared and we were all back again on the roof. A little rain couldn’t dampen the party spirit of this wedding. Everybody danced! Here is some of what I played:
Fireball, Pitbull
September, Earth, Wind & Fire
You’re The First, The Last, Barry White
Jump Around, House of Pain
Ay Chico, Pitbull
It’s Tricky, Run-DMC
Boogie Wonderland, Earth, Wind & Fire Earth, Wind & Fire
Cake by the Ocean, DNCE
Anywhere With You, Jake Owen
You Send Me (Duet with Chaka Khan), Rod Stewart
Right On The Money, Alan Jackson
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy), Big & Rich
Electric Boogie, Slide Marcia Griffiths
Wagon Wheel, Old Crow Medicine Show
Friends In Low Places, Garth Brooks
Beer For My Horse, Toby Keith
Some Days You Gotta Dance, Dixie Chicks
You Shook Me All Night Long, AC/DC
I’ll Make Love To You, Boys To Men Boys To Men
Return To Sender, Elvis
A Summer Place, Percy Faith
I’m Too Sexy, Right Said Fred
Hey Bitty, Nitty
California Love, 2Pac, Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman
Shake It Off, Taylor Swift
It Takes Two, Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock
Sweet Home Alabama, Lynard Skynard
Gone And Done It, Shania Twain
Dancing In the Dark, Bruce Springsteen
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, Bruce Springsteen
Start Me Up, Rolling Stones
Teach Me How to Dougie, Cali Swag District
Footloose (From “Footloose”), Kenny Loggins
Born To Be Alive, Patrick Hernandez
Shake Your Groove Thing, Peaches & Herb
Boot Skootin’ Boogie, Brooks & Dunn
Back In Black, AC/DC
I Run to You, Lady Antebellum
Get Ur Freak On, Missy Elliott
Watch Me (Whip / Nae Nae), Silentó
Just One Look, Doris Troy
My Way, Frank Sinatra
Save the Last Dance for Me, Michael Bublé
You Are the Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne
Blow Torches and Late Night Food
What with all that dancing Andrea and Diarmaid had correctly predicted that guests would get hungry and so made provision for their guests to enjoy the food antics of “Gastro Garage.” I really can’t explain what these guys do with blow torches and food but it was certainly delicious and welcome as the evening went late.
This was an amazing night. It was clearly evident that the guests were sincerely happy for Andrea and Diarmaid. I was particularly impressed by the eloquent toasts by the Father of the Groom and Father of the Bride; again, poignancy, whit and humor; right up there with Hope, Crystal and Harris. Andrea works for a Hollywood event production company and so being “in the business” she is an artist. She had a vision for her wedding and knew what it would take to make that vision come true. It was a total joy working with her on her wedding.
Congratulations Andrea and Diarmaid!
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 626-797-1795
Elegant Music 626-797-1795
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