It's not even the "prep" work .... it's the idea that for 4 hours, I've watched the crowd ..... held their hands, taught them to mingle and have fun. I've listened to their requests and woven a tight, organized, musical roadmap of where the party SHOULD go. I've taken them up to peaks of excitement, and down to moments of quiet relaxation, and back again. We've communicated and shared passion for the entire night. Now, as the end is drawing near ...... I plan a "climax" .... a meeting of mind and body, I lead them to a place that will gratify their "fun quotient" and leave them wanting more from the entertainment. (Me!)

I space out the tunes to end on time ..... I hand pick the best tempos and energy levels and lay my heart out with each offering. The moment comes ... we all arrive at the end of the show at the precise time that the last note fades into the night ...... and as you stand there ..... physically spent, and high on adrenaline ..... clutching to your every breath as if it were your last - you take your bows to thunderous applause.

You smile at the host and your eyes say "Thank you" in a way the words never can, and then as you prepare to unplug the mic wire .................. IT HAPPENS !

The client walks up to you and stuffs an undisclosed paper wad into your hand and says quietly ........ "Can you play for another hour?"

AAAAAAGHHHHH!!!!!!

Of course you CAN, but the build up .......... the climax .......... the thunder ........ ALL LOST.

Now, the stragglers are getting their coats, the hosts are saying good by to the guests as they leave, the wait staff begins to clear tables, strip linens and run vacuums .... And YOU ARE STILL ON STAGE!

The beauty of the "moment" has been lost. You've been replaced by exits, and coats ........ handshakes and "ones" for the road (THERE'S a brilliant concept! Lets drink MORE, and THEN drive)

Kids are stuffing their pockets with cookies, and running around the tables while Mom & Dad are dealing out last minute kisses to the nieces and nephews that they ....."never see enough of" ............. And YOU ARE STILL ON STAGE !!!!!

A half hour goes by, and a few 23 year old girls (barefoot, clutching cigarretes and beer bottles....) are dancing, and making noise ............... buy they were doing that ALL night anyway. You don't need to MOTIVATE young people when there is music and alcohol. You just have to play loud and fast......or at least HALFfast - they identify with that.

Now all you have to look forward to is a few extra dollars ......... tired feet and MAYBE, just maybe ..... a happier client. It's a "give & take" situation. The way I see it ........ I am paid to orchestrate the party. At the end of the party .... if they want more ... then O/T MUST be negotiated ..... NOT expected. It's best to have all that discussed prior to the engagement, but even as a spur of the moment disiscion ..... you need to feel confident that O/T is in the best interrest of ALL concerned.

Sometimes I refuse it because I KNOW the party is over. Even thought the host or some of their close drunks (friends) have not had enough ..... sometimes it's up to US to say ......... the party's over. It makes for a better affair. It adds class to the ending. It helps clear out the room.

Bottom line:

O/T is a PREMIUM service. Charge accordingly, my friends!