Midnight Hour takes "Special Requests" to the Next Level

Many of us will remember Saturday October 29th for the unusual weather that Mother Nature bestowed upon the Northeast … a snow storm BEFORE Halloween. That is certainly something worth remembering! However, the band and I will remember it as the night we saw someone fly down the grand staircase at The Racquet Club of Philadelphia .

We were privileged to perform for the wedding of Beth and Mike McDonald. Just a great couple. Upon arriving at The Racquet Club of Philadelphia that evening, it was clear that the wonderful snow fall had only enhanced the mood of their family and friends. Everyone was just glowing with happiness and warmth, and Beth and Mike made for a picture of happiness.

The Event Coordinator at The Racquet Club of Philadelphia is Marc Liss, and I had contacted Marc in advance of course. Great guy. He worked with us to ensure our plan was integrated with his meal service, and he really knew how to make things flow perfectly in that space. For anyone who has never visited The Racquet Club , you should stop in to see it some time. It’s truly one of our city’s gems.

We introduced the bride and groom, and they entered down the grand staircase in the foyer. I’ve seen this many times before, as we’ve played many receptions at The Racquet Club, but I never tire of the view one gets … it’s truly wonderful. Beth and Mike chose “In My Life” by The Beatles for their first dance, and the band did a great job with it. Beth’s father, Paul Henry, offered some truly moving remarks after their dance, and then the guests had dinner.

After dinner, we played “ Father and Daughter ” by Paul Simon for Beth and her father, followed by “ Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” for Mike and his Mother, songs they’d chosen that the band prepared for them.

Then, it happened … the Best Man flew down the stairs. Mike’s brother, Kevin, had come up to me during dinner and had asked if there were any way the band could play the “ Top Gun Anthem ” at the start of his speech after dinner. I checked my iPad, found a WIFI connection, and downloaded the song. He was ecstatic that we could play it! I asked him why, and he said “You’ll see, dude!” So, we played it, and there he was, being carried by two other members of the bridal party, his arms extended … he had become an F-14 fighter jet, and with the Top Gun Anthem playing, they carried him in for a landing. It was awesome! What an entrance.

The night went on, the guests dancing non-stop, the band playing special requests … we learned the old 70’s song “ Get Right Back To Where We Started From ” for Beth, and she and her friends all loved it. We ended the night on a high note, and it was a great way to spend a snowy night in October. Thanks again to Marc Liss, to everyone at The Racquet Club of Philadelphia, and especially to Beth and Mike!

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Mike Sr. (11.01.2011)

Beth & Mike 1 The MUSIC was great! Midnight Hour had us on the crowded dance floor all night. Also several non dancers on their feet all night. Incedible.

Thank you Quote