Summer of 2014

Summer of 2014 has come and gone. In a blur… it has warmed our bodies and our hearts. I am grateful  for each experience of this past season and have nothing but the best of wishes for each and every family we served. I speak for each of us here: Barbara, TR, Lindsay, Sam, Cody and myself. We have had the time of our lives.
In the early months of 2014, during the polar winter we were experiencing, I finished a study of each song our music library. Checking each for quality and applicability. This set me up with a fresh perspective and breadth to my music programming for weddings.

I prepared each computer with identical music libraries

First Dance at the Bay Harbor Golf Club

First Dance in Cheboygan Michigan

This party was crazy fun!

First dance at the Inn at Bay Harbor

I took my son, TR under my wing in the summer of 2014 for a final year of DJ and Emcee training. It's easy for a Dad to say, but each of the couples we served knows how terrific he was. We had full dance floors and 'off the hook' parties week after week.

DJ TR Pluister

550 guests at the Cheboygan K of C hall

We had opportunity to serve some of the largest wedding receptions in my 35 years... 375-550 guests.

Ceremony sound system at Dunmaglas. Reading Stands and Microphones ready for the wind

First Dance at Dunmaglas event Tent

Bay Harbor Beach Ceremony

I always take a walk when the Ceremony begins to make certain that guests can hear. I snapped this with my phone quickly.

First Open Dance in downtown Bay Harbor

Chris and Melissa Photography and www.bayharbordj.com

And then THIS happens! We had so much fun under the tent in downtown Bay Harbor that people we literally Dancing in the Streets!

Wedding Ceremony at Stafford's Perry Hotel

 Can I just say that we LOVE the Perry Hotel in Petoskey…

Mother-Son Dance at the Perry Hotel 

Lindsay, Sam, TR and I get half way through our summer and the Thank You cards begin showing up. Thanks for the Thanks! We are grateful for the opportunity to share your day!

Here is a last dance that Lindsay put together at the Knights Hall in Petoskey. She shed joyful tears when showing me this outpouring of love and support from friends and family.

Last Dance

Lindsay got to work with some recording artists this year for a Wedding Ceremony. She met famous people and rocked their world. What else can I say… she is an awesome Wedding DJ. (and needs a taller table!)

Lindsay P at work

In East Garden Room at Castle Farms

At Dunmaglas 

Microphone ready for the Pastor

Small Ceremony Systems can provide sound for up to 120 people in just about any location. On the top of a hill in Charlevoix County or by the River in Leland… you name it… we can do it!

Bayfront Park wedding ceremony sound www.petoskeydj.com

TR's highlight of the Summer was this set-up near Cheboygan under the coolest, biggest tent ever! We had this two tier Stage with sub-woofers underneath, 4 -15" speakers, 550 guests and a mind blowing night of dancing and celebration. The families did not want to let him leave… we checked in at home base around 2:30am on August 24!

DJ TR on stage www.northmichigandj.com

Occasionally we take a break from entertaining and try to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty that draws our clients here.

Rock Find on the shores of Lake Charlevoix

 We attended a couple Beach Bums games in Traverse City this summer and had a blast!

Barbara, Lindsay and TR

To those we have served - we sincerely wish you the best in your marriages. To those whom we have yet to serve… rest assured that my family is ready and capable of serving up a fantastic party on Wedding day.
Here's to the summer of 2014 everyone! Cheers!
Tom Pluister
www.petoskeydj.com
www.bayharbordj.com
www.charlevoixdj.com
www.leelanaudj.com
www.northmichigandj.com

Winter Project

www.petoskeydj.com
www.bayharbordj.com
www.charlevoixdj.com
www.boynedj.com
www.northmichigandj.com
www.leelanaudj.com

I bought some url's last year and haven't done much to publicize them. So this is a shameless attempt to post them into some search engines…

But I also have things to say!

Studio Cat- Tubby

I gave myself a project for the long northern Michigan winter season. I began in late October and am only about half way complete… I have the best Studio helper in Tubby. He's really good at holding my pencil while I boogie.

I am listening to every song in my computer library. I have around 12,000 songs from every imaginable genre' (except for maybe some death metal). I sorted them by title and began with A-Tisket, A-Tasket by the Andrews Sisters right before Halloween of 2013. As I write this I am listening to songs that begin with the word "My…".

WHY? you may ask… For a number of reasons really. Let me explain:

When songs that were recorded in analog get transferred to a digital master, they don't always sound that great. Some of the dynamics seem to be missing. Led Zeppelin for example mastered to digital sounds like it's coming thru a tin can! Then, when transferred to a computer there can also be some loss. So I have become the "Director of Quality Control". I check each song for audio quality. If it doesn't meet my standards, I grab the CD off the shelf and re-rip it into my MacBook. 

Another reason for this project is to properly identify the song's genre' and other sorting options. I will identify if a song is good for Cocktail, Dinner, Dancing, Father-Daughter, Bridal Dance and more. I will also make note of songs that are explicit or just plain bad. 

I've also been archiving tracks off the computer that never get played and burning hard copies of CD's that I've purchased.

But- the main reason that I've challenged myself is because of how much I love music! Some days it seems like I should be doing something more productive… but it's not like I can mow the lawn!

So far, my journey has been incredible! There are so many highlights, it's hard to put into words. Music that soothes and moves me at the same time include the Jazz greats like Miles and Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, Sinatra and Tony… Music that makes me dance in the studio is mostly R&B tracks from Detroit and Philly, Marvin Gaye and James (expletive) Brown! I enjoy some old Hank, George, Waylon and Willie… And the Rock! Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, Santana, Hendrix… When it comes to great old Rock and Roll, it doesn't get any better than dropping a needle on my turntable. You'll hear the original recording when listening to a record. The dynamics return, the ambience, the breathe between words… vinyl is where it's at for sonic quality.

My resolution for 2014 is actually the same one I had last year. To be the best Disc Jockey I can be.

I encourage you to dig into music that you may not be familiar with… and to sell me your old records!

ALL THE BEST!
Tom Pluister
www.petoskeydj.com

Pluister Entertainment 2013 Weddings

Connect and Serve

DJ Tom Pluister at the Perry Hotel in Petoskey
www.petoskeydj.com

To Connect and Serve...

I just completed my 33rd year of Wedding Service a week ago. At the end of each 'season', I try to look back and reflect on our success. It's become apparent to me that we are successful  because we care. 

It's truly a pleasure to serve couples and their families on Wedding Day. I take great pride in my preparation and attention to detail. I take greater pride from knowing at the end of the Celebration that all of my hard work brings such JOY to families.

What my entire family has taken from this season of service is this: That in order to serve properly, we must connect with our 'clients'. This sounds easy, but honestly, many of the couples and families that we meet and serve do not live in Northern Michigan. Music is the universal language and when we talk music, we connect deeply.

www.charlevoixdj.com
Wedding Ceremony at Castle Farms

www.petoskeydj.com
Wedding Ceremony at BayFront Park

The Bride you see walking the aisle in this picture had some very specific music for her Grand March. Timing was extremely important. DJ Sammy K showed up at her rehearsal the day before wedding day and played the song over and over until the Brides maids had the timing right. The song's dramatic nature required volume, big bass and perfect timing. Had we not connected deeply with this Bride and her fiancé, her day may have been disappointing. The party that ensued, by the way, was "off the hook" great!


Rachel and Jeff here had a large wedding party! It took a very long version of Canon in D to walk all of these people from the Trolley to the "Altar". Local guitarist, Pete Kehoe played what we now joke as "Inna Godda D Canon"... I timed it at around 11 minutes!

I hope I've made my point... that we succeed at our work because we CARE deeply about our craft and we connect deeply with the clients we serve through the Joy of Music.

www.northmichigandj.com
www.petoskeydj.com
www.charlevoixdj.com
www.boynedj.com
www.leelanaudj.com

www.bayharbordj.com
DJ Sammy K behind the board for a First Dance

www.bayharbordj.com
www.plu-ent.com

www.leelanaudj.com
First Dance at Willowbrook Mill, Northport

www.petoskeydj.com
DJ Sunshine from Pluister Entertainment

www.boynedj.com
First Dance in the Vienna Room at Boyne Mountain

www.petoskeydj.com
At the Perry Hotel in Petoskey with Pluister Entertainment

www.charlevoixdj.com
A two step stomp at Dunmaglas Barn with Pluister Entertainment

Summer of 2013 Disc Jockey Service - Northern Michigan, www.northmichigandj.com

A fantastic First Dance at Stafford's Perry Hotel

Lindsay's set-up at Dunmaglas Barn in Charlevoix

Here is another picture blog of our adventures in entertainment this year. I hope you enjoy it. For booking information, visit: www.plu-ent.com

A look through the Barn doors at Dunmaglas in Charlevoix

www.northmichigandj.com

At Castle Farms West Garden room with lots of up-lighting

Another example of our up-lighting... this time at Little Harbor Club on historic Harbor Point

First Dance at the Inn at Bay Harbor with family and friends surrounding the newlyweds

Our set-up inside Sagamores at the Inn at Bay Harbor
For Toasts, Prayer and dinner music

A look past our set-up inside Sagamores at the Inn at Bay Harbor

A fantastic last dance / goodnight moment on the patio at the Inn at Bay Harbor

Behind the Catholic church in Cross Village, Sam and Lindsay are set-up for a Wedding Ceremony

The walk down the Aisle

Ceremony music, microphones and reading stands by Pluister Entertainment
...Special moments need to be heard...

The Reception was under this pavilion

A first dance at Brengman Brothers Crain Hill Vineyard outside Traverse City

Lindsay's work space at the Vineyard

On the Beach Lawn at the Inn at Bay Harbor

Ceremony microphones, sound system and music from Pluister Entertainment 

First dance on the patio at the Inn at Bay Harbor

The newlyweds are joined by their parents

Yup- that's me at Willowbrook Mill in Northport

A fantastic first dance at Willowbrook Mill in Northport

A wedding Ceremony at BayFront Park in Petoskey 

A wedding Ceremony on Douglas Lake at a private residence

A private party out in the country

At the Inn at Bay Harbor - a special song creates an indelible memory

Lindsay at the controls for a terrific wedding reception at Stafford's Perry Hotel in Petoskey

Back out in the Country for this home-grown wedding Ceremony and Reception - It rained a little!

The Reception 'venue' was a Parachute!

Cowboy hats, boots and parachute to dance under! Awesome...

Next stop - A beach party!

An amazing, historic Ceremony location in Bay View. The audio quality was remarkable...

Back to the Perry Hotel for a first dance surrounded by family and friends

Tubby giving us his blessing before we travel to another event!

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I'm such a lucky man... setting up sound gear for wedding Ceremonies in locations like this...

First dance on the Marina Lawn in downtown Bay Harbor. What a terrific night of music and dancing we had...

It even looked great from out here...

Dancing until the very last moment

Lindsay's serving up the tunes at a beach wedding on Old Mission Peninsula