By Frank “Smokin” Trua
The Christmas parties are winding down with about a week to go until the big day, and for me, I remember the time when I was a mobile DJ and how crazy the month of December would be. In the late 1980’s I was pretty busy doing the morning show on the local radio station and filling in at various nightclubs to earn some extra money. The real money, however, was to be the musical entertainment at parties. Just about every weekend I would have an event or two to be at. Once I got into the swing of things, being involved in every type of party was also part of the fun. Sure, it was work, sometimes taking many hours of preparation, but a party was just a fun place to be! As the month of December arrived, my schedule became the busiest as everyone was looking for entertainment for their Christmas party. Unlike today, just about every business would treat their employees to a party that involved a meal, drinks and entertainment. I always wondered if some of the employees saw their future in their company cut short because of their antics at their company’s party. After all, a little alcohol, a party atmosphere and a free night out can sometimes get a little rowdy. This would not usually be a problem, but always present at these parties was the boss and his wife, and even though it was not at the workplace, the boss is the boss and being on your best behavior was the thing to do. With very little rest, by the end of the season I would definitely be worn out, ready for a vacation, otherwise known as January, when the party events came almost to a complete stop.
I remember one Christmas party with fondness. It was just a couple of days before Christmas during a particularly busy season. It was my last event for the season. The party was at a clubhouse in a lake community in Sussex County, about 45 minutes away from home. There were not a lot of people there, just enough to fill the room. The room was perfectly decorated for the season and the people there were friendly and happy to celebrate together one last time before Christmas. After a couple of hours, the fatigue I was feeling from that hectic month began slowly fading away. The music that I had played all month took on a different light, I couldn’t get enough of the Christmas tunes, and along with the guests, we enjoyed the sounds of the season together. Eventually, they all said their goodbyes and left for their short walk home. As I wrapped up the equipment and loaded it for the ride home, I didn’t feel the cold. I looked around at the snowy sight at that perfect tree shining through the clubhouse window as snow flurries began to fall. I still get that warm feeling thinking about the special night when all was right with the world. My work for the season was done and now I could truly enjoy Christmas! I knew that it was going to be a special one. May your Christmas memories this year be special too!
