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

• DJ

• Master of Ceremonies

• Pianist

• Bandleader

Elegant Music 626-797-1795

Elegant Music 626-797-1795

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