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Press Play’s Year in Review 2019

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Here is Press Play’s annual review of all things we loved about 2019.

Highlights from 2019

  • Keith’s son’s Bar Mitzvah!!!
  • DJing a wedding from a past Bat Mitzvah client (our 3rd year in a row doing so)
  • Press Play welcomed Big Mouth Jojo from Kiss 108 into our SuperStar DJ rotation
  • Miguel joined our ranks as a dancer/party motivator
  • We performed at our biggest wedding (over 400 people) @ Empire Garden Restaurant in China Town
    • We saw our first live Lion/Dragon Dance at the wedding
  • Received wedding requests from Buffalo, NY and Washington DC
  • The 1000s of compilations and remixes that were released in 2019
  • DJ Jay turning the BIG 40
  • Baby Yoda
  • Our continued partnership with the Biggsteps event in Needham in support of the Sean D Biggs Memorial Foundation (http://www.seandbiggsmemorialfoundation.org/)

Top Requested Songs of 2019

  1. Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
  2. Mark Ronson f. Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
  3. Cupid – Cupid Shuffle
  4. Toto/Weezer – Africa
  5. Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road
  6. Pitbull f. Kesha – Timber
  7. Jonas Brothers – Sucker
  8. Lizzo – Juice
  9. Walk The Moon – Shut Up & Dance
  10. Shek Wes – Mo Bamba

Press Play’s Favorite Artists & Songs from 2019 (in no particular order)

  • Lizzo – who didn’t love this breakout performer?!
  • Halsey – just keeps getting better with every new release and her Live performances of “Graveyard” were incredible
  • Post Malone – his new album “Hollywood’s Bleeding” was one of the best of the year
    • “Take What You Want” with Ozzy and Travis Scott is Keith’s favorite song of the year (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYa_ReqRlcs)
  • Ed Sheeran – another great year for the redhead. “No. 6 Collaborations Project” had so many great tunes.  Here are some of our favorites
  • “Only Human” by Jonas Brothers
  • NF – Dylan’s favorite new artist
  • Logic – has only gotten better since his first hit
  • Dua Lipa – her 2 end of the year song releases are great to get folks on the dance floor
  • “Dance Monkey” – Tones and I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0hyYWKXF0Q)
  • Songland on NBC – not only a great show for any music lover, but also produced some great songs in 2019 (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=songland+tv+show)
    • “Shadow” by Macklemore Featuring IRO
    • “Getting Started” by Aloe Blacc
    • “Greenlight” by Jonas Brothers
  • The remix and music video for “No Guidance” by Chris Brown & Drake
  • Mabel – one of the underappreciated artists of the year in our opinion
  • A big year for some great collaborations (including ones already listed)
    • “Seniorita” by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello
    • “Dancing with a Stranger” by Sam Smith and Normani
    • “Me!” by Taylor Swift and Brendon Urie
    • “11 Minutes” by Yungblud and Halsey
    • “I’ve Been Waiting” by Lil Peep, ILoveMakonnen and Fall Out Boy

Did we miss any of your favorites?  Let us know in the comments.

We are looking forward to creating our new lists and favorites for 2020!

Press Play’s Year in Review 2018

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Press Play Entertainment’s Year in Review 2018

Here is our 3rd annual Year in Review!  And, what a year it was for Press Play in 2018!  I want to extend a big THANK YOU to all our clients who chose us to help them celebrate their special occasions!  We also want to give a big SHOUT to our AWESOME vendor partners, who have become some of our closest friends in the industry and have helped us throw some great parties; Rachel @ Rachel G Events, Deb & Jen from sh Events, Elin from Elin Photography, Christian from Boston Photo Booth Rentals, Marc from Memories in an Instant, Scott and family from DJ Scott Events, and many more!  Another special THANK YOU to Rebecca Moran from Moran Media, who continually helps us with our website.

 

I, personally, want to thank my incredible team of Super Star DJs, Emcees, and dancers; Jay, Alan, Mikey V, Tony, Russ, Aly, Danaysha, and Rob, you make this job fun and memorable, not only for our clients, but for me as well.  I would not want to party with anyone else.

 

With 2019 right around the corner, we wanted to share some of our top lists and things from 2018.

 

Press Play Highlights from 2018:

 

  • Mikey V from Kiss 108 begins joins the Press Play stable of DJs and Emcees
  • Press Play finally joins The Knot and was selected as a 2019 winner
    in “The Knot Best of Weddings”, an award representing the highest-rated wedding professionals
    as reviewed by real couples, their families and wedding guests on The Knot
  • DJ Tony started helping us throw incredible parties for clients
  • Aly did her 1st gig as a DJ for us, after years of being our lead party motivator (she got incredible reviews from the client)
  • After over 25 years, we finally did a back-to-back gig at the same venue, on the same day.
  • We released our new website. Fantastic job Rebecca!
  • Press Play FINALLY joined Instagram
  • We had the honor and privilege of helping these INCREDIBLE foundations and organizations in 2018
    • Sean D Biggs Memorial Foundation
    • The Jimmy Fund
    • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – Needham
    • Cradles to Crayons

Press Play Entertainment is The Knot's best of Weddings winner

Top Requested Songs from 2018 – Overall

10.Despacito – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber

9.Cha Cha Slide – DJ Casper

8.24K Magic – Bruno Mars

7.God’s Plan – Drake

6.The Middle – Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey

5.New Rules – Dua Lipa

4.Cupid Shuffle – Cupid

3.I Like It – Cardi B, Bad Bunny, J Balvin

2.Perfect – Ed Sheeran

1.In My Feelings – Drake

Top Requested Songs from 2018 – Weddings

10.Cupid Shuffle – Cupid

9.Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

8.A Thousand Years – Christina Perri

7.Uptown Funk – Bruno Mars

6.Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond

5.I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston

4.This is How We Do It – Montell Jordan

3.Despacito – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber

2.24K Magic – Bruno Mars

1.Perfect – Ed Sheeran

 

Most Played Artists of 2018

10.Dua Lipa

9.Camila Cabello

8.Taylor Swift

7.Ariana Grande

6.Post Malone

5.J Balvin

4.Ed Sheeran

3.Cardi B

2.Drake

1.Bruno Mars

 

Finally, all of us at Press Play Entertainment would like to wish everyone a very Happy and Healthy New Year!  Let’s keep the momentum going on another great year!

 

Now booking into 2021.  Contact us today for details.  http://pressplayboston.com/contact-us/

 

 

Press Play’s 2017 Year In Review

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With 2018 right around the corner, we wanted to share our some of our top lists and things from 2017.  Here is Press Play’s 2017 Year in Review:

 

Top Requested Songs from 2017

10. That’s What I Like – Bruno Mars

9.   There’s Nothing Holding Me Back – Shawn Mendes

8.   Rockabye – Clean Bandit f. Sean Paul & Anne Marie

7.   Feel It Still – Portugal The Man

6.   Juju on that Beat – Zay ilfigger & Zayion McCall

5.   I’m the One – DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne

4.  24K Magic – Bruno Mars

3.   Closer – The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey

2.   Shape of You – Ed Sheeran

1.   Despacito – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, & Justin Bieber

 

Top Requested Wedding Songs in 2017

10. All of Me – John Legend

9.   Body Like a Back Road – Sam Hunt

8.   Meant to Be – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line

7.   Don’t Stop Believin – Journey

6.   Perfect – Ed Sheeran

5.   At Last – Etta James

4.  24K Magic – Bruno Mars

3.   Uptown Funk – Bruno Mars

2.   Shape of You – Ed Sheeran

1.   Despacito – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, & Justin Bieber

 

Favorite Artists of 2017

10. Greta Van Fleet – if you like Robert Plant/Led Zepplin, you will love this band!

9.   Halsey

8.   Kendrick Lamar

7.   Khalid

6.   Migos

5.   Portugal. The Man

4.   Dua Lipa

3.   Imagine Dragons

2.   Bruno Mars

1.   Ed Sheeran

 

Favorite Albums from 2017

10. Dua Lipa – Dua Lipa

9.   Taylor Swift – Reputation

8.   Calvin Harris – Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1

7.   Halsey – Hopeless Fountain Kingdom

6.   Bright – The Album

5.   Portugal. The Man – Woodstock

4.   Imagine Dragons – Evolve

3.   Kendrick Lamar – Damn

2.   Ed Sheeran – Divide

1.   Bruno Mars – 24K Magic

 

Keith’s Favorite Things from 2017 music

  • Emergence of Portugal. The Man and Great Van Fleet as artists – getting back to some rock n’ roll!
  • Dua Lipa & Initial Talks remix of New Rules – probably one of the BEST remixes we have heard in years!  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoDmXOjwrK0)
  • Bright The Album – The Netflix movie isnt the greatest, but the soundtrack is LEGIT. Check out these tracks
    • Home by Machine Gun Kelly, X Ambassadors  Bebe Rexha (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IumYMCllMsM)
    • Darkside by Ty Dolla $ign, Future & Kiiara (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3T3K2MHNjM)
    • Crown by Camila Cabello & Grey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYHuVBcxmhc)
  • Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic World Tour – this was one of the Best concerts I have seen in a long time.  Not only can Bruno sing and dance tremendously, he was funny and engaging.  For my son’s 1st concert ever, it was a BIG HIT!
  • Pearl Jam @ Fenway Park – Another great show by one of our all-time favorite bands.
  • The Latin-pop/Reggaeton movement into the mainstream – With the major success of Despacito, mainstream listeners are finally beginning to appreciate the wonderful artistry and musicality of artists like Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Nicky Jam, CNCO, and J Balvin.  Some of our favorites from 2017
    • Mayores by Becky G & Bad Bunny (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMFewiplIbw)
    • Mi Gente – J Balvin, Willy William (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnJ6LuUFpMo)
    • Reggaeton Lento – CNCO (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jpqqBX-Myw)
    • Havana – Camila Cabello & Daddy Yankee (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qooQd8AA7_M)
  • Live reuniting with lead singer Ed Kowalczyk – This was a dream come true for me, as Live is my favorite band.  I cannot wait for them to come back to Boston on tour, so I can bring my son.
  • While definitely NOT a favorite, I did want to send some love to the artists we lost in 2017.  We certainly played many of their hits in remembrance of the joy they brought to us over the years.
    • Malcolm Young – AC/DC
    • Fats Domino
    • Tom Petty
    • Glen Campbell
    • Chester Bennington – Linkin Park
    • Greg Allman
    • Chris Cornell
    • Chuck Berry

Boston Voyager Magazine Interview

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Recently, I was interviewed by Boston Voyager Magazine to discuss Press Play Entertainment for their “Inspiring Stories” section that highlights local entrepreneurs. I’m excited to share the newly published interview from their website.

Much love to Jodi and Dylan who continue to support me, even when I have had to miss special events, baseball games, and other family time. Please know, this is all done to support our family.

A big shout out to my crew over the years (Alan, Evan, Russ, Rob G, Rob W, Sean, Eli) and especially Jay, my partner in crime, who continue to be the best folks to work with and know how to throw a party and put smiles on clients’ faces!

And, finally, a special thank you to Jeff Glassman for being a great mentor and like a big brother to me for over 20 years. Without you, Press Play would not be what it is today.

Contact us today to book your next special event.  Great summer rates available for graduation parties, summer BBQ’s, and other events.

http://bostonvoyager.com/interview/meet-keith-levine-press-play-entertainment-needham/

CONTACT US!

Thank You for a Great Year!

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All of us at Press Play would like to wish our families, friends, partners and clients a very Happy Holiday season!!  Thanks for a great year!

We, especially, want to thank all of our current, and past clients, for an amazing 2016!  We truly enjoyed helping you celebrate your wonderful events; whether it was your son or daughter’s Mitzvah, your wedding day, corporate holiday parties, Sweet 16s or many other special events.  Thanks again for choosing us!

We want to send a big shout out to our vendor friends and partners who have helped us create spectacular experiences for all of our clients.  They continue to go above and beyond and we appreciate all of the support they have provided us.  We would highly recommend any and all of these wonderful and passionate folks!  Thank you all!

Photographers: Elin Photography & Ken Berman Photography

Photo Booth Providers: (Scott & Sean) Boston Photo Booth Rentals, (Juliette & Ali) Snapshot Entertainment, (Marc) Memories in an Instant

Event Planners: (Deb & Jen) S and H Events; (Rachel) Rachel G Events; (Wendy) Radius Events; and (Michelle) MH Productions

Venues: (Ashley) Needham Sheraton

Press Play had the pleasure of DJing many events/fundraisers, for some of Boston’s local organizations; including The Jimmy Fund, The Sean D Biggs Memorial Foundation, A Kid’s Brain Tumor Cure Foundation, and The Wayside Youth & Family Support Network.  It was an honor being a small part of these important events.

Special Thank You’s to the town of Needham, MA, our home base, the Needham Business Association, Temple Beth Shalom and all of the elementary schools and businesses for welcoming us and choosing us to help entertain our local community.  We are big proponents of “local supporting local” and could not have asked for a better community to be a part of!

And, of course, I cannot thank my outstanding team of SuperStar DJs enough for their amazing effort, dedication and passion for providing the soundtracks for all of these great events.  Alan, Russ, Rob, Ekko, Evan, and, especially, my right-hand man Jay, I could not do this without you.  You guys are the best!

Finally, I want to share with you a recent article from the Boston Globe, about a recent Bat Mitzvah.  Jay, Evan and I had the privilege of DJing this Bat Mitzvah for a family friend.  With all of the craziness of 2016, from the election to the global terror attacks and more, it was great to end 2016 with this amazing story of strength, perseverance, inclusion, family and community support.  We were extremely proud of Zoe and her entire family.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/12/19/interfaith-leaders-strive-include-people-all-abilities/jVe2vw7LkeImiAtyRSsgzM/story.html

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!  We hope to see you, and meet you, in 2017 and beyond!

-Keith

 

Mitzvah Chachkies

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Bar/Bat Mitzvah Chachkies

For many families, ordering prizes (give-aways or chachkies) can be a daunting task and comes with many questions. What should I get? How many should I get? Do I have enough? Am I wasting my money? Do these kids really need another top hat?

With over 25 years of DJing Mitzvahs, of various themes and sizes, I would like to share some of Press Play’s tips for ordering these chachkies.

• First and foremost, YES, you should purchase give-aways for your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah. We find that they help keep the kids interested and engaged. Even those who do not want to participate in the games and dancing get excited when we are handing out free stuff. With all of our Mitzvah packages, you will receive CDs and Mardi Gras beads.

• It is recommended that you purchase 2-3 other chachkies for the event. There are great places, both online and in-store, where you can find hundreds of choices. Our favorite shops include Oriental Trading Co. (online), Rhode Island Novelty (online), and Dart Sales (in Norwood). You can also go to Party City, but I find the selection to be limited and they are a little more expensive.

• We also suggest that you purchase one of each give away for each kid. It can be very difficult for DJs to remember who got what and how many. Sometimes we encounter the “puppy dog eye” from guests who never got one, or anything for that matter, because we did not have enough to go around. Any extras will be handed out to adults and sometimes even the wait staff (who are always extremely appreciative).

• What to buy is ultimately and entirely up to you and your Mitzvah girl or boy. However, here is a list of both good and bad options, based on our experience.

The Good – Kids and adults love them, there are tons of styles, and most of them last
1. Beads
2. Glow sticks or necklaces (keep in the freezer after the party and they may last longer)
3. Hats
4. Sunglasses
5. Anything LED that lights up or blinks (rings, earrings, balls, key rings, etc.)

The Bad – They break easily, can be destructive, and usually get left on the floor
1. Blow-up guitars, microphones, etc
2. Maracas
3. Hawaiian leis

We hope some of these tips will help as you begin planning your Bar/Bat Mitzvah! As always, if you have any questions, we are here to help. Our goal is to make your Mitzvah a fun, exciting, and memorable event for your family and all of your guests.