The 4A DJ service

03/06/2024

As many of you know, I have not been doing much business for a while. As a matter of fact, I believe that I have had 3 jobs that I made any income since the pandemic started in 2019. On top of this, the muscular dystrophy has been increasing it's problems at a faster pace. It is at this time that I am considering shutting it down with the exception of the GearHead Ministries car and truck shows every September. If I have a job that I can get help for from someone who is knowledgeable and can take direction, I am not against it, but as a general rule, without providing help, I will more than likely not take the job. If good help is available, I may take any gigs you may have.

On another note, I am taking luthier classes, and will begin doing guitar setups and repairs. This time, I will have a web presence, and some advertising go on. I am hoping to get enough work to sustain it, but not so much that I am working a full time job. I want to continue to take out the RV with friends and family, as well as the jobs at home and still have time to relax and recover. I am also getting back into playing guitar again. The way that I am doing this, that I have given the bass and all acoustic instruments (including the Martin guitars, upright grand piano, et cetera) and am strictly playing electric guitar (including a Reverend Airwave 12 string as a favorite) which requires far less finger strength to play. I can still play the acoustic instruments, but only for about 10 to 15 minutes before my hands and forearms give out. I don't recall any music gigs that are that short. When I was playing for the worship team at my previous church, we would gather for an hour long practice, then go straight into worship. I was not playing so well by the time the church service began. I still play fingerstyle and often use an acoustic simulator (basically, I cheat)!

As far as the new business goes, Poppy's guitar setups and repair, I currently have my first customer's bass (formerly mine) on my workbench. The switch had come loose and someone decided to rotate the switch to change the pickup selection, and when I got to it, the line to the jack was completely severed and lying uselessly in the bottom of the guitar. Not a physically demanding job, nor requiring much know how, but it is a hollowbody without access plates. After I have the electronics put together, I have to work through the F hole and the pickup mounting holes to install it. Not fun! Think about how you would reach a hand in. It is not possible. But I have to pull the jack and k***s and switch through their mounting holes, and install them from outside the guitar!

09/29/2023

Anyone have any decent pictures of me in the booth? I am generally busy and not thinking about pictures when working. I want to use a few pictures for social media.

09/08/2023

Hey everyone. If you are in the area tomorrow and want to see the car and truck show and fish fry, it will be at Real Life church on Division, 0.4 miles east of West Bypass. Flyer attached, or you can go to gearheadministries.org for more information. When you stop by, make sure to come to the DJ station to say hello. My youngest granddaughter and I will be providing music, as I have been their DJ since the 2nd annual show, and this is the 12th annual show.

Gearhead Ministries is a non-profit organization that serves the needs of people in the Springfield, MO area.

07/13/2023

Everybody in the area, save the date of 9 September, 2023. It is time for the 12th annual Gearhead Ministries car and truck show! I have been their DJ since the 2nd annual show, and this marks my 11th time of providing music. I can't say 11th year, as it has actually been 13 years for 11 shows (dang you COVID). I was glad to be back last year, and I hope that we don't miss another year. I will keep going as long as I am physically able, though the muscular dystrophy is making it more difficult every year, but I refuse to give up and follow what my doctors have told me before; "in 5 to 10 years you will be confined to a wheelchair, and in 10 to 15 you will be relying on a pacemaker to live." I am happy to announce that while I do walk with a cane (and still fall down on a regular basis), I am not confined to the chair, and I have no scars from anything going into my body besides new lenses in my eyes, but I will take that. The 5 to 10 and 10 to 15 is currently at the 25 year mark, and I am still waiting to be held down! I refuse to give up. I do need a little help to move gear around nowadays, but I am still moving gear, playing the tunes, and having fun. What more could I ask for from our Lord and Savior? As long as He continues to bless me with the ability, I will continue to pass the blessings on to the listeners. Let's continue to make the car and truck show bigger every year, and keep Jr. & the crew at Gearhead Ministries fixing cars for those in need!
Again, that is the ninth of September, in the year 2023 at Real Life church at 3104 W. Division in Springfield, Missouri. Let's keep it going and growing.
See you there, and don't forget to say hello to the DJ staff! Just because we are kept separate from the rest of the crowd, it is not because we bite!!! Even if we look busy, we still have time to share His love with the world. This year will feature DJ Poppy and probably DJ Bakker, but the assistant is TBD.

10/13/2022

I am doing music for Dogwood Ranch on the 22nd. Not sure what to expect, but I know that there will be a petting zoo, and I will play music during the camel rides and such, as well as the show afterwards. Never been to Dogwood Ranch, but a dear friend recommended me to them. Anyone who has been to one or more of my shows, put up a reply of how you think I did. I have but a couple pictures of me at events, and no videos. Those at Dogwood Ranch are wanting to know about my work, and I am not making any money to have a web site, and it costs money to own a domain name and have someone maintain the site for me. I know a lot about computers and networking, but not enough to do all that, nor do I have the time and desire!

09/07/2022

Hey everyone. This Saturday is the 11th annual Gearhead Ministries car and truck show and fish fry!!! Those with vehicles to enter, registration begins at 8am, and those that just like to see nice wheels, the best time is between 10:30am and about 1pm. And while you're there, don't forget to say HI to the DJ! While it is the 11th show, this is the 10th for DJ Poppy and the 4A DJ service. For those who don't know, Gearhead Ministries is a service that provides help for the less fortunate among us, that don't have reliable transportation to get to and from work, hospitals, etc. to get their vehicles fixed and get back amongst the world! Buying lunch, entering a vehicle into the show, donating either money, parts and/or vehicles, helps keep the ministry operating through the year, and anything helps. You can even give online through gearheadministries.org so come on out if you are in the area, and support a great organization. It is at Real Life church on Division, about 1/2 mile east of West Bypass. Using GPS? Real Life church, 3104 W. Division, Springfield, MO. Hope to see you there!

Gearhead Ministries is a non-profit organization that serves the needs of people in the Springfield, MO area.

06/20/2022

Save the Date! Mark it on your calendars! It's not here yet, but I expect a strange DJ will be there for the 10th car show in a row. Don't want to give any names, but his initials are Scott Miskowski! Yep, DJ Poppy will probably be there. I have not confirmed it with Jr yet, but I don't expect it to change since the 2nd annual GearHead Ministries car and truck show!

04/08/2022

Hey all. I am still not doing any business, and I would really like to. Got any parties, receptions, dances, etc that you would like music for? Reach out to me! I am a regular person and hopefully, easy to talk to. Having a business sale, business promotion, reaching out to the neighbors? DM me, and we can talk about it. The worst thing to come from a conversation like that, is me being unavailable on the date you want. As I say repeatedly, I am not in this business to make money, I am in it because I enjoy it! I have a decent income from the VA, everything I make from the business goes right back into the business. Shoot me a message and let's see what I can do for you!

01/29/2022

Hey all, just a reminder to let you all know that I am open and available through the winter as well. I am probably available when you need me, as I don't have any scheduled work until June. I appreciate every one of you, even though I have not received any reviews in a few years! My love goes out to all of you, even those that I have a name as liked my page but I don't even know. This even includes the person in Mexico!!!

01/10/2022

It's only been a couple years in the waiting, but I am finally putting up my QR code for the School Dance Network. I am school dance certified, which means that I can play clean music without fowl language and sexually suggestive lyrics. My standards are actuall a little more stringent for school dances than the School Dance Network guidelines. Now for other events that want music in those categories, I may not like it, but I will play what you request.

12/24/2021

Just trying to see how many I reach and how quickly it takes to be seen. If you would, just hit the like button. That will give me all the information I need. Thanks you all, and Merry Christmas!

10/22/2021

Have gone two years with only one paying job, and going into October, I had no prospect of gigs through the end of 2021. I am now getting ready for weddings on the 23rd and 30th, a school dance on the 28th, and a car show and Trunk or Treat on the 31st. I sit here getting ready, wonder, what happened? I am actually looking forward to November, as I am tired. I don't normally do more than two jobs in a month, and generally have help, but this month, my grandsons are busy during all except the 31st, which is the easiest one! I would like to get back to one or two gigs each month, but I guess I am doomed to most months having no work, and then getting swamped a couple times per year. I just have to wait and see what 2022 has in store!