James McCarthy

This was a great fun event. I played background quite a bit, infusing the bayside environment with a number of island styles including calypso, reggae and ska. As the evening progressed, i offered some of the kids and some parents a variety of percussion instruments to play along. This led to dancing. All ages joined in singing playing or dancing. Many smiles and many pictures. A special event.

Basically I think the rating should be higher .
It was above and beyond what should be expected for this kind of gig in a number of ways.

The event planner ( boys father ) contacted me the morning sof the event.

He asked me to come at 5 in a location that takes 2 hours to get to anytime after 3:30.

When I arrived and was ready to go the guests were not yet present.

There were multiple adults, al talking loudly during most of the stories and songs . I did my best with the situation.

Though I had requested to present/ perform when dinner was not being served, they stopped me to give everyone dinner then said I still had more to do.

I obliged in each case.
I worked hard to do my best despite the multiple obastacles

Eleu, the client contact, requested me to include holiday material for this special occasion. I incorporated a theme of giving and sharing. Children participated in echoing me telling a story. They even included to do that after the first story was over.
The show included : an African American carol with percussion, an African legend with abundant audience involvement and drumming (while telling the story); a classic 'finger play' story and the same story adapted for Christmas with singing; hand puppets making up new words to Christmas carols; dancing to "Feliz Navidad" and more. The children were delighted and delightful. I am eager to do more children's performances for all ages.

I was honored to be asked to sing at the memorial service for Sandy and Sharon's mother. Since I have helped organize memorial services, including for my own mother, I know that each choice is important and can take time to arrive at what feels right.
The family requested that I play "Over the Rainbow" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". I had a short preparation period but wanted both songs to be 'under my belt' so I could let the feeling be both relaxed and meaningful. My hopes for touching the right tone in the service were affirmed when various family and friends expressed that the songs were meaningful to them.

This couple was great to work with! Like most weddings I play in Hawaii, they were traveling here to get married in a beautiful place. In Sinead and Mick's case they were coming from Australia! They chose three unique (and unique from each other) songs: "Romeo and Juliet" by Dire Straits for pre-wedding (in this case the gathering arrived in a bus and walked in their wedding clothes to a bower set up on Waimanalo Beach); "You Got It" by Roy Orbison for the processional and the classic "At Last" made memorable by Etta James for the recessional. Though we had not met and the planners did not have a specific game plan for me, I watched until the limo started to pull in and began the first song. Timing was perfect and the same was true of the processional and recessional. I played some other tunes while hugs were given and pictures taken. I thoroughly enjoyed learning these new songs and playing for this great couple. Hope to do more of the same soon

This show was prepared for an audience of seniors for Fourth of July. The program included songs, singalongs and stories. I was touched by their interest and felt very appreciated by their feedback and questions after the show.