Fake Shure SM58 Microphones

May 30
2010

I’ve seen a lot of these fake microphones popping up again, so I thought I’d post this as it’s good consumer advice. It also applies to the Sennheiser brand and presumably others, although I don’t have pictorial evidence of them. Read the rest of this entry »

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The Empire in Petone- A pleasant Surprise!

Apr 29
2010

Last night, my fellow Hutt City Chamber of Commerce members and I gathered at Petone’s old Empire Hotel in Jackson Street. Although I’d heard it had been refurbished, I was still not expecting much, as for many years it had languished Read the rest of this entry »

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An amazing season of wedding entertainment

Apr 20
2010

It’s this time of year when I’m putting the final touches on the last couple of weddings for the season. I like to take stock of the memories of the celebrations past, the wonderful people I’ve met and the enjoyment I’ve helped create. I think about what I’ve learned, what I could have done better and what went very well. Read the rest of this entry »

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Amazing Distances Driven In 4 Months!

Apr 15
2010

The first quarter of 2010 has been incredible for me. I’ve enjoyed DJ and MC work literally all over the country and have clocked up some astonishing kilometres in my car.

Because I need to take my gear with me, it’s most convenient to drive to my events. When choosing a vehicle for my work, I had to take this into consideration. Read the rest of this entry »

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DJ & MC work all over New Zealand

Mar 19
2010

What a fascinating season year it’s been already been. I’ve been fortunate enough to entertain clients and their guests in some of the country’s most beautiful locations and there’s more still to come before winter hits.
Read the rest of this entry »

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2010 Best Nationwide DJs & MCs Award

Feb 23
2010

For the second consecutive year, I’m honoured and extremely proud to have been nominated as a finalist in the 2010 Corporate Events Guide People’s Choice Awards in the classification “Best Nationwide DJs & MCs.

I was delighted to win this accolade last year, thanks to the support and wonderful comments from my previous clients and other event professionals who I had worked with over the year.

Please vote for me- the button is below.


Wellington DJs and MCs

Corporate Events Guide Peoples Choice Awards Nomination for Entertainer DJ

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Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards

Nov 15
2009

On the evening of Friday 6th November I was the Master of Ceremonies for the auspicious Hutt Valley Business Excellence Awards. These awards recognise Read the rest of this entry »

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Award Entertainment now an award winner!

Nov 08
2009

The Corporate Events Guide People’s Choice Awards honour New Zealand companies that have excelled in their field of expertise over the last 12 months. Now in their fourth year, the Corporate Events Guide People’s Choice Awards Read the rest of this entry »

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Crowd-sourced radio show ditches the DJ

Oct 26
2009

In a recent news story I read how in Australia, Austereo radio listeners will be able to control what is being played on air in real time and even nix bad song choices as they are playing in a radical new experiment that blends online and traditional broadcasts. Read the rest of this entry »

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Wedding Show in Auckland

Sep 13
2009

I’m sitting in a 737 waiting to take me to Auckland. It’s already been a big day, as I worked last night until 1am at the Turoa Ski Lodge in Ohakune, which was a three hour drive from Wellington airport.

I’m to be the Master of Ceremonies for the two bridal fashion parades and I’m looking forward to it very much. Lisa runs a great wedding expo and it will be a huge day. I’m planning to offer a few nuggets for brides attending to help with the planning of their big day. Should be fun!

I’ll be flying back home this evening for some much-needed catch up sleep!

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Is your DJ Police checked?

Aug 19
2009

It came to my attention recently that there is a DJ operating in the lower North Island who has a conviction (and spent time in prison) for an abhorrent indecent assault on a female guest after an event. Another DJ in New Zealand had a complaint of alleged inappropriate behaviour levelled against him when he was a scout leader.

I realise that these are isolated cases, but it got me thinking about ethics, morals and scruples and it prompted me to get in touch with the Ministry of Justice to get a letter confirming my own clean criminal record. Read the rest of this entry »

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Ohakune Mountain Mardi Gras photos

Jun 27
2009

Ohakune Mountain Mardi Gras, 27th June 2009

Tonight is the biggest party night of the year for Ohakune. As I sit in the upstairs lounge at the Turoa Ski Lodge writing this post, teams of people are busy rigging up the main stage, the sound the lighting, Read the rest of this entry »

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Michael Jackson, King of Pop. Rest in peace.

Jun 26
2009

It is with huge sadness that I read today of Michael Jackson’s death, aged 50. Ranked as one of Rolling Stone’s top 25 singers of all time, Michael was a true chameleon, changing looks, styles, sound and entertainment style with the decades. I’ve been Read the rest of this entry »

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Swine flu & social events

Jun 25
2009

With the H1N1 Swine Flu now officially a worldwide pandemic, what thoughts have you given to preventative measures at your event or celebration?

Do you have sterilising hand gels in the rest rooms? How about face masks? Imagine, just for fun, a wedding group photo with everyone wearing a mask! What are your thoughts?

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The best wedding video EVER?

Jun 02
2009

Take a look!

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Big events or specific sound and lighting requirements

May 29
2009

Compared with many DJs, my equipment when set up, is incredibly compact and visually discreet. The aim is to not detract from the (usually) beautifully decorated venue with big speakers, lighting frames, cables and other equipment.

When the situation requires it however, I use substantially more equipment than most. Read the rest of this entry »

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“I do everything he does, but for less money…”

May 11
2009

In a recent post on his blog, my fellow DJ Nick Logan commented “If you’re looking at a photographer who “has great pictures but is much cheaper than everyone else”, ask yourself WHY that is”.  I found this comment extremely poignant and it really holds true for any service provider, DJs included.

If a DJ says he does everything for you that the recognised professional DJs do, but for a fraction of the Read the rest of this entry »

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Travel all over New Zealand in April

Apr 11
2009

In addition to the two wedding shows in Dunedin and Auckland where I am acting as the Master of Ceremonies for the bridal fashion parades, I’ll be entertaining at lovely weddings in Taupo and Queenstown. I do love seeing other parts of the country and entertaining at new venues.

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Dunedin Wedding Show & Auckland Wedding Show

Apr 10
2009

Once again I’m honoured to have been asked to act as compere/MC for the bridal fashion parades at the wedding shows, which are now in Dunedin and Auckland. Otago’s wedding show was on 5th April 2009 and Auckland’s one is coming up on the 19th April.

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Corporate Events Guide People’s Choice Awards

Feb 25
2009

I’m extremely proud to have been nominated as a finalist in the Corporate Events Guide People’s Choice Awards for the Entertainment section in 2009. Please vote for me- the button is below.

Corporate Events Guide Peoples Choice Awards Nomination for Entertainer DJ

Corporate Events Guide Peoples Choice Awards Nomination for Entertainer DJ

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Mobile Beat DJ Trade Show in Las Vegas

Feb 20
2009

For the third time I made the pilgrimage to America for the annual MBLV DJ show. This trip is always incredible, as I get my enthusiasm boosted, catch up with the very latest developments in equipment and performance, but mostly because of the incredible knowledge sharing and ideas I get from other attendees. The one area where most DJs fail is in continual self improvement Read the rest of this entry »

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First Civil Union

Feb 15
2009

Valentines Day, the most romantic day of the year and this year one that I got to spend helping Jan and Cath celebrate their civil union wedding. It was a lovely ceremony at Old St Pauls in Thorndon, Wellington, which I provided music for. We all then moved on to the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor for the reception. I was the Master of Ceremonies and played the first few tracks before handing over to Nudge dance band. It was a great day and Jan and Cath were lots of fun.

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Lots of lovely weddings in Hawkes Bay

Feb 02
2009

It’s been the season for gorgeous, sunny Hawkes Bay weddings. In the last few months, I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved with couples and their guests at The Mission Estate Winery, Church Road Winery, Te Awa Winery, Elephant Hill Winery and the Old Church Restaurant. Please click on the links to view pictures.

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Fantastic weddings in Queenstown, Auckland and also a newspaper article.

Nov 02
2008

Well it’s true to say that the wedding season is underway once more and what a spectacular start! Chris & Che’s stunning wedding at Stoneridge in Queenstown was lavish, spectacular and great fun, with music from both myself and iconic New Zealand band The Feelers. Jon & Denise’s wedding was just as memorable, out at the impressive Castaways in Waiuku on a very energising, blustery day. Following on from that was a fantastic article in the Dominion Post about planning company and corporate events.

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Classic Hits $35,000 wedding giveaway

Sep 04
2008

On Friday 5th September I’m excited and very honoured to be the DJ and MC for Classic Hits FM’s complete classic wedding giveaway. Read all about the competition, the contestants and the winners (Tamar & Glenn) here.

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Why be a wedding DJ?

Aug 26
2008

Some people ask why I like do work so often as a wedding DJ. It’s because I truly want people to have an incredibly great wedding day. I want to be the person who takes the entire burden off their shoulders, who makes things go smoothly, who helps them avoid mistakes and create memories that Read the rest of this entry »

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Winter weddings and planning for Spring & Summer

Aug 11
2008

The 2008 Wedding Dreams Bridal Expo was a huge hit and was thoroughly enjoyed by attendees and exhibitors alike. The next Wedding Dreams Wellington wedding show is on Sunday 29th March 2009, again at the TSB Bank Arena. Expect an even bigger, brighter and better wedding expo this time! Winter is a traditionally quiet time for weddings and it’s a time to regroup and plan. This next season will see Richard entertaining in Auckland, Queenstown, Napier, Hastings, Taupo and of course, Wellington and the Wairarapa. It promises to be another fantastic year full of beautiful, memorable weddings.

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Busy in the off-season

Jun 26
2008

Time is racing by at the moment as I’ve taken on the challenge of creating and organising the Wedding Dreams Bridal Expo at Wellington’s TSB Bank Arena. It’s aiming to be the annual Wellington wedding show that sets the standard for other wedding shows in Wellington to strive for. Expect an unprecedented radio campaign in the week leading up to the expo. Visit the website www.weddingdreams.co.nz for more information.

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An enormous weekend

Apr 08
2008

This last weekend was huge. I had a wedding on Friday, another on Saturday and another on Sunday. Each one was lovely and all were totally unique and different. Matt & Lisa’s wedding at Wallaceville House was an intimate affair, with lots of amusing Irish antics setting the tone. Paul & Krupti celebrated their wedding in Essex with a New Zealand wedding ceremony and reception for all of Paul’s family and friends and it was a wonderful celebration at Soi Restaurant at Greta Point. On Sunday, Tony & Nicolette FINALLY tied the knot after about ten years together and had a great fun knees-up with their friends and families. Thank you all- didn’t we have a great time??!

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Back from Las Vegas & Melbourne

Feb 09
2008

Wow. Just wow. I’m freshly energised, refocused and totally excited about the new direction, ideas and skills I’ve learned at the MC workshop and Mobile Beat DJ convention in America. The wedding at Bear Gully Cottages, 4 hours east of Melbourne straight after the convention was wonderful also and I look forward to the next few weddings here in New Zealand! This was the second wedding I’ve entertained at in Australia, following on from one in the Victoria Hotel in beautiful Port Fairy, about 4 hours west of Melbourne.

I’m proud to be one wedding DJ and wedding MC who insists on continuing to learn and invest in my professional development to the benefit of my clients. Too many mobile DJs don’t invest anything in this area, which is a great shame.

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© 2009-2010 DJ Richard Mills, Award Entertainment Ltd All Rights Reserved