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Mobile Stage Rental: An Event Solution for Any Occasion

Mobile Stage Rental Near Me

Mobile Stage Rental: An Event Solution for Any Occasion   Hosting an event is exciting and stressful. One of the biggest challenges for event organizers is finding the right mobile stage rental. A mobile stage is the focal point of any event, and it is where the main attraction takes place. That’s why having the […]

The Most Important Things To Consider When Renting A Mobile Stage

Portable Stage Rental

Whether it’s your first time renting a stage or you’re a seasoned professional with even rentals. Here is a quick list of the most important things to consider when renting a mobile stage. How big should we go? The size of your stage rental can be determined by the amount of performers or the type […]

Should You Increase Your Event Budget In 2023 ?

Should You Increase Your Event Budget In 2023 ?

  Should You Increase Your Event Budget In 2023 ? After sitting in the bleachers in 2020 and 2021 a lot of folks are ready to get back at it. This past year was a great sign for the event industry. Events and conferences rebounded quicker than a delayed flight. Having to raise our budget […]

If You’re A Gigging Musician Don’t Do This! 

If You’re A Gigging Musician Don’t Do This! Here is a list of tips and tricks I put together for the gigging musician. These insights have been gathered over twenty plus years in the live music industry.  Showing Up Late – When you are late you are behind and when you are behind your show […]

How To Finish Your Project By Silencing The Negative Voices

Last week I had the pleasure of running into a musician we used to work with. As the conversation progressed we started talking about songwriting and recording. As soon as she mentioned songwriting I could see her eyes light up! The passion and excitemnt shined through her voice. During our chat I could also tell […]

Let’s All Find A Way To Get Better

The summer heat hit me hard…… A community superhero that I looked up to passed away from Covid last week. 44 years young. As of today, 153 Floridians lose their lives each day due to covid. Friendships are being destroyed over communication flaws. “Your wrong! I am right!” We no longer know how to listen. […]

Short Order Cook

Short Order Cook

 Back in the day, after a hard night of drinking, my friends and I would always hit up the Waffle House. It was in the wee hours of the night, inside the greasy spoon, where I saw the magic of the short-order cook.   This hash brown slinger blazed through orders with grace and lighting […]

I found this on the road!

Have you ever been faced with a problem or important question? Something serious…. like choosing a career path, finding a place to live, or picking out an air freshener for your car? Every time you ponder a solution, your brain goes back to a default answer. This motion feels like hitting refresh on your internet […]

The Divorce Is Final

Eight years ago, when my daughter turned three, I was addicted to looking at media on my phone. My internet marriage was inside a glass prison. I was drunk on casino juice. I’ll never forget that day, I was sitting on the floor while my kid was playing with building blocks. We sat like this […]

Click Refresh On Your Internal Browser!

Have you ever wondered why we leave so many goals on the table? I started CJS with these lofty goals in mind:   I am going to host a cutting-edge music festival in Central Florida! I am going to publish a book on the music industry!! I am going to open and run a kick-ass […]

Fear Of Missing Out!

The other day I asked my wife what an old friend was up to. She replied, “ I am not sure.” Then she proceeded to tell me how our friend moved in with her new boyfriend and they adopted a puppy.   Wait.. a second, I thought you said you didn’t know? “I don’t, I […]

Echo Chamber

Echo Chamber

Echo Chamber: is “an environment where a person only encounters information or opinions that reflect and reinforce their own.”   The other day I was listening to the Jocko Podcast. He was interviewing Medal of Honor recipient, Dakota Meyer. Toward the end of the interview, Jocko starts exchanging views on being stuck in an echo […]

Avoid These Pitfalls

Avoid These Pitfalls

Save time and money and avoid these pitfalls. This past March, CJS celebrated its 11 year anniversary. Over the eleven-year period, we worked with a wide variety of clients and musicians and we made a ton of mistakes. These mistakes helped us grow and place us on the right path. I hope these takeaways provide […]

Arriving in April of 2021

April Events

A  little over a month ago I posed this question to our blog followers. “What type of industry news would benefit your career? ”We received this response from multiple readers.  “What festivals are bringing back live music?”  The industry went from broadband to 5G in two shakes of a lamb tail. Each day the list […]

A Pirates Look at 40. A new perspective

A new perspective

“Mother, mother ocean. I have heard you call. Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall. You’ve seen it all.”    A Pirate Looks at 40   Those lyrics were written by Jimmy Buffet in 1974. The song “A Pirates Looks at Forty,”  was inspired by Phillip Clark. Clark was a […]

Video, The Modern Day Business Card

Demo Video

I Wouldn’t Lie To You This week I spoke with two videographers, one from Central Florida and one from South Florida. Both used to play music full time. I knew their experience as a gigging musician would help me accomplish my goal. The goal was simple. I needed to find someone to capture professional demo […]

The Truth Is In The Eyes

It was garbage night and my truck was in a direct line of fire. If I didn’t move it the pails would have sat stagnant for another week. And Lord knows mama would have given me an earful.    So I cranked up the old Chevy and out the speakers comes “Smiling Faces Sometimes by […]

The Looming Darkness! Who Turned The Lights Off?

Who Turned The Lights Off

Who Turned The Lights Off? It felt like somebody turned the lights off. I was in a dark spot.   Why am I here? These paralyzing thoughts swam through my head, over and over as I tried to navigate a 3.1-mile open water swim.   I knew at some point the cold and dark water […]

Communication Breakdown

Communication Breakdown

Communication Breakdown I wish this blog was about Led Zeppelin’s song “Communication Breakdown” but unfortunately it’s in regards to expectations. And how often the music and event industry has failed to properly communicate our services and desires. This includes yours truly. When you’re in the middle you hear both sides of the story. One side […]

Change

 Now is the time to explore and play the music you have always dreamed of. Don’t let past memories and emotions cloud your judgment.

Let’s Grow Together! 

Growth

Let’s Grow Together!   I don’t recall the actual time and place that I heard this quote. But When I did. I repeated it.    “If You Are Not Growing You’re Dying”     And after the second time of saying it out loud. I realized this quote would always stick with me. The quote […]

Creative Talks on Zoom

        Welcome to Creative Talks. This series was designed to help inspire and educate the creative community. We will be showcasing Zoom chat sessions bi-weekly. Topics will include guerrilla marketing, social media, sales, business, and creating. All creatives are welcome. Musicians, Artists, Graphic Designers, Authors, Copy Writers, Designers, Public Speakers, Poets, Illustrators, […]

How To Set Up Your Home Studio with Todd Pillars

This weeks feature  “Creative Talks”  is  “How To Set Up Your Home Studio For Live Streaming” My good friend Todd Pillars will be discussing lighting, audio, and setup features. Todd is a Visual Storyteller and will help you take your online presence to the next level. The room opens at 8 pm and the chat will start […]

Virtual House Concerts with Steve Arvey

Steve Arvey

Are you tired of sitting around the house but not quite ready to get back out?   We completely understand where you are coming from. That is why we designed a private listening experience.   CJS has teamed up with singer/songwriters across the country. We are now featuring private house concerts via Zoom. This experience […]

Virtual House Concerts

House Concerts

Are you curious about the songwriting process? Have you ever wanted a more intimate experience while listening to music? Now you can host your own private listening party via Zoom. CJS Live Music is now featuring Virtual House Concerts. This experience resembles a House Concert. The setting is intimate and the room is set up […]

COVID 19 Musician Relief Fund

Funding

Last year, in the middle of March. The country shut down and a ton of folks lost their jobs. The below list is a resource guide for Musicians displaced by COVID 19. COVID 19 Musician Relief Fund is a list of grants and loans to help offset lost income. If you are incorporated and have […]

Exploring Creative Mornings

Exploring Creative Mornings   Every month a group called “Creative Mornings St.Pete” gets together. During these meetups, they give birth to new ideas. Hailed as the world’s largest face-to-face creative community. This meetup is destined to make a difference.   I had the pleasure of visiting Creative Mornings at The Station House in St.Pete. At […]

Discovering New Music

Discovering New Music

One of my favorite things to do at CJS Live Music is to discover new music. We like finding those intricate artists who can take the party to the next level. We recently started working with Matt Frick. Matt has a BA in Folklore and Ethnomusicology at Indiana University. He plays the Banjo, Guitar, Piano, […]

Portable Stages For Your Next Event

Stage Rental

Are you in need of a portable stage for your next event? We have just recently added more stage panels and can now accommodate a variety of sizes.   This mobile stage works great for corporate functions, private parties, trade shows, festivals, and more. Raise Up Your Next Event with Live Music or a Stage […]

Dispatch at Thompson’s Point: Artist & Venue Spotlight

Artist & Venue Spotlight with Dispatch at Thompson’s Point Situated on the Fore River in Portland, Maine, Thompson’s Point is a great place to see a show. Outdoor music venues have always captured my soul. The combination of fresh air and live music moves through the body like a flowing river. The only major concern […]

Track Your Event Data

Track Your Event Data

A County in Utah Started tracking their special event data and here is what spawned from it.   Wasatch County in Utah recently decided to track all event data. This data was compiled by the tourism department and county records. The goal was to figure out how much tax revenue each event generated. Looking at […]

Central Florida Entertainment: DJ Hoof

Central Florida Entertainment I recently caught up with DJ Hoof and we spoke about his experience inside the music industry. DJ Hoof provides live entertainment along with creating custom mixes for his clients.  How long have you been in the music business? Over 20 years as a professional mobile, radio and club DJ. How did you get […]

Central Florida Entertainment: Raising Cadence

Central Florida Entertainment

Escape with Raising Cadence I recently caught up with Raising Cadence from Central Florida. The band has just released a new single along with a music video.   Before we get to the Q&A let’s take a look at their latest release. It is available on Youtube or Spotify.   “Escape” This song made me […]

Does Your Company Have A Purpose?

“When your company decides to have a Purpose it will start making Leadership easier. “ In my last couple of newsletters, we discussed sustainability in the hospitality industry. Major companies in the Bay Area are taking giant leaps to cut waste. My company, which only has two employees has taken the first step in curbing […]

Central Florida Entertainment

Cover Bands in Central Florida

Central Florida Entertainment Spotlight – “Who Rescued Who”  Besides organizing events and booking bands, my next favorite part of the job is seeing the renditions and creations our musicians come up with. We are fortunate enough to work with some amazing musicians throughout Central Florida. One of the brands we work with,  “Who Rescued Who” […]

Sound Check Your Next Event With These Easy Tips

Cover Bands

You glance over at your boss and he gives you the look. You choose the wrong band. Wondering, why in the world would they play that song? How am I going to explain this? If only I would have booked a band when I was given the date of the event. By waiting until the […]

The Legit Musician Explores the Cover Scene

Battle of the Bands

Cover bands can be a great outlet for musicians looking to play out live. Even if they aren’t comfortable writing original material. It is a great way to make some extra money as well. The more experienced musician can do well in a cover band without putting a lot of work into it even. But […]

Musicians Corner with Steve McNulty

Cover music

We love feedback. Especially when the insights come from the professionals who do it daily. Here is Steve McNulty’s take on improving the guest experience at your music venue. I was thinking about great times I’ve had listening to music in iconic places. Landmarks like Duval Street in Key West, Ski season in Colorado and […]

3 Tips For Creating A Following For Your Music Program

Create a following

WoHoo! The band is back together! We are going to pack the house every weekend!! I am going to get on the phone right now and book them every Friday night for the next year. This is going to increase sales and get us back on track! Are you in the hospitality business? Does your […]

Think Time

“Take care of the minutes and the hours will take care of themselves.”– Earl of Chesterfield   Has the clock ripped away your think time? Do you find yourself scratching your head at the end of the day and saying “where did the day go?” As you get older does the clock move faster?   […]

Stop Complaining!!!

“Can you believe that venue owner expects us to fill the place? They don’t even market their own shows!” “That stage is so old, I wish they would replace it.” “I am tired of that musician canceling on us!” Complaining. Every single one of us does it. Some more than others. I’ll be the first person to […]

Planning Ahead

“Plans are of little importance, but planning is essential.” ― Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister Planning Ahead One of the most consistent themes we see inside the event industry is the failure to plan out. Waiting till the last minute can make or break your happening. By utilizing lead time, you can secure a professional […]