Cutting Edge Entertainment » Justin Guarini

N.A.C.E. Philadelphia at The Loews: My First Program

Cutting Edge — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:01:12 +0000

Once upon a time – around 2004 – I joined a very prestigious organization called The National Association of Catering Executives (N.A.C.E.). I remember my first N.A.C.E. event well. I particularly remember a young woman by the name of Hillary Werner (vice-president of the organization at that time) who was kind enough to take me around and introduce me to a bunch of “Who’s Who’s” that were (and many still are) the movers and shakers of the event industry in the greater Philadelphia region.

Since joining N.A.C.E. I’ve gained some great friends, made priceless contacts, and learned a great deal. And while prior to joining I’d already been in the event industry for over a decade, being part of a professional organization has turned out to be an invaluable resource to myself, and my company.

Sometime in February or March of this year I was speaking to Adam Rineer, the current President of the Philly N.A.C.E. chapter. I was bending his ear about my experiences with social networking and my wish that more chapter members would get involved. Twenty minutes or so into the conversation, Adam suggested that I run an educational program on the subject at an upcoming meeting, and I agreed. At first I was honored to be asked…

And then the panic set in.

I’ve always been an internet person. From online games to YouTube to today’s social networking websites, I’ve always been a pretty serious surfer. But doing and teaching are two very different things, and the prospect of speaking in front of my industry peers on a subject which I believed to be so important created quite a bit of (admittedly self-imposed) pressure for me. Through my frequent activity on Twitter and Facebook I had learned a lot. But the thought of distilling all that information into a one hour presentation seemed quite a challenge.

My first task was to choose my team, and I must say that I chose pretty well. Staffing the right people for the right job has always been one of my strengths. So choosing Mark Kingsdorf from Queen Of Hearts Wedding Consultants and Dave Williams from DVideography was a no-brainer. Both of these guys know their stuff on this subject and were well-suited to bring a lot to the program. As my moderator, I chose Justin Guarini (that’s right, the American Idol guy) who is also quite the Internet Guru in his own right. And maybe just as important, I wanted this program to be fun-filled and entertaining as well as informative… after all, entertainment is what I do best.

So fast-forward to the big night. September 15, 2009 at The Loews Hotel in Philadelphia, ‘Marketing On The Edge’. I’m guessing that Adam Rineer, and N.A.C.E. V.P. of Programming Doug Quattrini (who was a huge help) included the ‘Edge’ part in the title as a reference to Cutting Edge Entertainment, but I haven’t had the chance to ask yet.

The program was flawless, and although I rehearsed and rehearsed my agenda beforehand, I was pleased (and relieved) to see the program take on a life of its own. As Adam told me afterwards, “You can judge the success of a program based on the level of audience participation” and there was certainly no shortage of that. I can’t even pretend that I wasn’t “in my glory” that night as dozens of attendees lined up after the program concluded to tell me how successful they thought it had been, with emails and phone calls that followed for days after saying very much the same thing.

I have so many individual thank-you’s to acknowledge, but I’ll try my best to mention just a few…

To Adam Rineer, thanks for giving me the opportunity, honor and privilege to contribute and to share my knowledge with my fellow industry peers. You will be missed when you move to Houston, and I wish you all the luck in the world.

To Doug Quattrini, without whose assistance the program wouldn’t have been the success that it was.

To my fellow panelists Mark Kingsdorf and Dave Williams, who more than being just fellow panelists, were moral support and good friends.

To Justin Guarini, I owe you one for this. You were perfect.

To David Hall (Director of Catering at The Loews) for having me and making me feel welcome.

To Eddie Bruce for coming out and showing your support, it meant a lot. And thanks for primping me before I went on stage, you are truly class-personified.

To my staff for coming out to show moral support, and for representing Cutting Edge Entertainment. I am very lucky to have you on my team.

To Meryl Snow (Feastivities) for your audience participation… bravo.

To Brittany Campli, for teaching her Dad about the internet.

To Hy Goldberg for your kind words after the program… that meant more to me than you will ever know.

To all my other N.A.C.E. friends and family, Thank you for your attendance, your support, and your friendship.

I hope to see you all online soon!

-Craig Sumsky

Photos courtesy of Drexel Hill Photography

Thanks to the September N.A.C.E. meeting sponsor Joe Pulcinella Photography

Follow Cutting Edge Entertainment on twitter – http://twitter.com/cuttingedgedjs

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Justin Guarini: Idol Of A Philadelphia DJ Company

Cutting Edge — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:14:10 +0000

For an Entertainer, Hell hath no fury like a posse of sugar-crazed thirteen year-olds at a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

In a career that mirrors the best of roller coaster rides, I consider my time at Cutting Edge Entertainment as one of the definitive high points. It was here that I truly honed my skills as an entertainer, as opposed to just being a Vocalist/Musician (now, now… for all of you Vocalists and Musicians out there, no offense meant, much love to ya).

I believe it was my mother who first brought the ad in The Bucks County Courier Times to my attention which said something like “looking for young, energetic personalities,” and something about “having to be a good dancer.” I thought that it seemed right up my alley…and indeed it was.

After what can only be called an interesting social audition (we basically did a speed-dating-round-robin-get-to-know-you-social-chat-without-the-dating-part-conference), we moved on to the dance audition. It was kind of different, but certainly interesting as far as auditions go(Let’s just say Craig has a very unique style of auditioning, but in the context of the industry very effective).

I remember being a bit tentative about jumping in the middle of the dance circle we formed, but it really wasn’t anything more than what I’d done numerous times before through out my years in Junior & Senior High School. The fact that I’d gotten to know everyone made me forget about the usual fears, so in I went.

I came out an employee.

The Bar & Bat Mitzvah business can be the butt of jokes for the outsider (which I take liberties ribbing Craig about frequently) but inside the business there’s a serious amount of preparation and presentation that goes into each event. For just short of two years, I learned what it took to entertain people of all ages. From getting the whole crowd warmed-up and excited for the night’s events, charming the lovable Grandparents into getting up and on the dance floor, facing and conquering dreaded thirteen year-old gangs that could sense weakness as easily as they could surf the web, assisting and preparing the post-synagogue ceremony, and of course making the Bar/Bat Mitzvah feel like a million bucks.

All the while I danced, sang, played, told a few jokes (poor ones) and soaked up each moment. I learned where I could improve as well as role-modeled myself off of my amazing co-workers night after night.

As my tenure with Cutting Edge came to a close, I realized that my entire experience with the company was a proving ground, and was an integral part of the lifelong preparation I’ve been given for a life in the entertainment business. Now, I entertain across the nation, I have my own sketch comedy show at www.SketchedOutTV.com, and am working on my third studio album. Among all the feathers in my cap, though, my time with Cutting Edge stands out, as a pivotal point in my career helping pave the way for all I have done since, and – as always – a second family.

-Justin Guarini

Justin’s sketch comedy show – www.SketchedOutTV.com

Justin Guarini photo by Matt Beard

In March of 2002 Justin Guarini came to me asking for a few months off to go to California to be on a new reality television show. Little did I know it would be his last request as an employee. That June I went to Australia for a month, only to return to a media frenzy that not only will I never forget, but that turned Cutting Edge Entertainment upside down (in a good way) for quite some time after. Who could have predicted that this unknown reality show (yes, American Idol) would have become what it is today. Although Cutting Edge has had near misses on Idol since Justin, he will always be our number one.

-Craig

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Could This Song Be In The Twilight Soundtrack?

Cutting Edge — Fri, 01 May 2009 05:17:58 +0000

Here’s the ultimate test in viral influence and social networking…

This song is being considered for the soundtrack of the upcoming motion picture ‘New Moon’ from the Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series.

How would it feel to know that you helped choose a song in what could very well be one of the biggest films of the year?

Go to www.buddytv.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to cast your vote.

The song – titled ‘I Can’t Live’ – was written by Justin Guarini, Tammy Hyler and Shaye Smith. Performed by Justin Guarini.

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

From Justin To Kelly… and Me

Cutting Edge — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:36:01 +0000

It was the Summer of 2003…

I’ll never forget when Craig invited me to the after party for the premiere of “From Justin to Kelly,” starring none other than Cutting Edge Entertainment alum Justin Guarini and American Idol, Kelly Clarkson. I was fourteen at the time and a big fan of Justin’s. Needless to say, I was so excited to be at the premiere and to experience everything that it entailed – flashing paparazzi cameras, red carpet, reporters, cameramen, and even a man holding an umbrella for Justin to shield him from the rain as he signed autographs for fans. But little did I know that the best part of my night was going to take place after the credits had started rolling.

After the movie had finished, I had started to walk out into the lobby of the theater. As I was walking, I heard Craig, who I had previously known, calling my name. He asked me where my mom was, I showed him, and he immediately ran over to talk to her.

About six minutes later, Craig came back over to where I was standing and said, “Syddi, come with me. We are going to the after party.” As I heard what he said, I couldn’t believe it. Craig knew how much it meant to me to meet Justin, stood out in the rain with me for twenty minutes while Justin finished signing autographs. Was he really going to take me to the after party too?

Sure enough, a few minutes later I was in Craig’s car with two other Cutting Edge staff members at the time, Monica and Alison. I hadn’t met either of them before, but they immediately made me feel as if I had known them forever.

When we got inside the restaurant where the party was taking place, I was quickly introduced to the rest of the Cutting Edge family. Once again, everyone who I met was beyond friendly, and not to mention, an amazing dancer as well. I couldn’t have asked for a more fun group of people to spend the night with.
I also got a chance to talk to Justin again. He remembered me from earlier and made sure that we got a picture together.

Just before the night was over, Craig found me again. This time, he wanted to make sure that I met Kelly Clarkson. We pushed through the crowd, and he introduced me to her and took a picture of us together.
My night at the From Justin to Kelly premiere and after party is one that I still tell my friends about to this day. Thanks, Craig, for making it so amazing.

-Sydney Fenkell

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

A Chance Meeting In Winnipeg

Cutting Edge — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:33:58 +0000

Well I recently spent a few weeks in Winnipeg, Canada, and I have been meaning to get around to blogging about the experience. Now there is so much to tell about the trip (and even more I as I am finding out now) that I’ll certainly never be able to touch on all of it in one blog post. Being that this is more of a business oriented blog I’m really not going to delve into the personal nature of my trip, but I will say that I have been to Winnipeg a few times in the past year and – although I would never have been able to predict it – it is really an amazing place. Yes, it’s the coldest city in the world with a population over 500,000, and yes it may be crazy to go to such a cold place in the middle of February but what can I say… I like to live dangerously.

So before I digress, let me get back to what inspired me to sit down and write today. I was scheduled to fly out of Winnipeg to Toronto, and then home to Philadelphia on Monday, February 16. So I’m waiting in line to check my two massive bags (yes, two, but don’t fault me… Mr. Howell brought chests filled with cash for a three hour tour right?) and up behind me in line rolls this young cat with a guitar case, several amplifier-type cases a suitcase or two and a few other random shaped equipment cases that I didn’t recognize. We exchanged pleasantries and I made a remark (which I probably considered quite clever at the time) something to the effect of “So I guess you’re a musician.” Looking back I wonder what’s in my head when I try to be clever like that because had I been this guy I probably would have replied something like “No, I’m actually a sharpshooter but the guitar case gets through security much more easily.” Regardless, he cracked a smile and we chatted it up a bit, turned out that he was on my flight to Toronto and it seemed to me for whatever reason that there was just something about this guy… a certain something that I just couldn’t quite put my finger on.

After saying my difficult goodbyes, I went through security and then boarded my Air Canada flight. I saw him again on the plane, said hello and then found my seat. Then I sat… and sat and sat and sat. The Pilot came on the intercom and apologized for the delay, saying it was a computer malfunction and it would be another twenty minutes. Twenty minutes later he came on again saying it was a landing gear malfunction, and asking the passengers to un-board the plane while the ground crew investigated. A half hour later an announcement was made from the gate that the flight was grounded and the passengers were to pick up an Air Canada voucher with a phone number to call to re-schedule another flight at a later time (I am still waiting to hear back from Air Canada in regards to this, as they have not responded to my emails yet). So long story short, the plane never left Winnipeg and as it ended up I was to to be staying another night in the city where Christopher Robin first met Winnie the Pooh.

We were directed to pick up our luggage which was being unloaded from the plane and I made my way to the luggage pick up area where once again I encountered my young musician friend. We chatted it up again and he stopped for a moment as he was approached by a young girl, and promptly handed her a CD (this should have been my first clue right?) and turned back to me to chat a bit more. He seemed happy to be staying in Winnipeg for another day and was pretty upbeat for a guy with six checked bags to schlep home again only to schlep back on another day. I mentioned the CD and asked if I could buy one for myself but he shook his head no and quickly produced another CD from his bag and handed it to me saying, “I hope you enjoy it.” I looked at it briefly, pushed it into my jacket pocket, picked up my luggage and proceeded to be on my way. I left Winnipeg on a flight the very next day, this time no sign of the musician who had been on my grounded flight the previous day.

Today – literally today – I looked at the CD that had been given to me in an airport in Winnipeg three weeks earlier sitting quietly on my desk. I’ve been pretty preoccupied since the trip and apparently this little compact disc wasn’t very high on my list of priorities. I picked it up, looked it over, and then began to remove the plastic wrapping, with a decal that – had I bothered to read it – should have inspired me to open the CD much sooner. As soon as it was opened, I popped it into the drive and played the title track ‘Revolution’ (not to be confused with The Beatles track of the same name). Wow! Then track two, then three… and just wow! The dude from the airport with the guitar was pretty good! The ‘group’ was called Keith and Renée, and my guitar slinging buddy was the Keith of the duo. Next to the little booklet inside… Macpherson, Keith Macpherson. That’s when I looked at the little decal. ‘As seen on CDN Idol.’ CDN Idol?? Wait… CDN Idol??? Time to Google… Canadian Idol, Keith MacPherson… the girl asked him for the CD in the airport… this guy was on Canadian Idol!

So apparently, Craig, me, Mr. ‘I’m buddies with Justin Guarini hung out with Simon Cowell and talked to Anthony Federov just last week on the phone and should have built in Idol radar’ totally had no clue. Hey, maybe it means very little to you the reader but to me it’s huge! It’s as if I was asleep on the job! Look I’m no Perez Hilton or Michael Buckley for sure, but I can’t help but feel like maybe I should have asked the man if I should recognize him somehow. Yeah, yeah, I’m American so how should I know a Canadian Idol right? Well, I should have and that’s that. Especially because the CD is good – VERY good – and at the very least had I known who he was I might have gotten an autograph.

I’m still listening to the CD as I type… track eight ‘Stumble.’ I’m happy to have met him. It’s one of those stories that is worth the telling. Nice guy that Keith Macpherson, I wish him the best and hope our paths cross again someday… he’s a talented one, and he deserves to go far.

All the best to you Keith (and Renée), and thanks for the great CD.

For more information on Keith and Renée click here – http://www.easilyamused.ca/

-Craig Sumsky

http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Katie’s Opinion – Cutting Edge on YouTube

Cutting Edge — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:35:22 +0000

In early 2006, I received an email from my friend and co-worker Pedro Coelho with a link to a YouTube video. The video was one of a series of videos titled ‘Ask A Ninja‘ in which ‘viewers’ wrote in asking all sorts of questions to ‘The Ninja.’ The short three to five minute clips were absolutely hilarious, and as new episodes, or ‘webisodes’ were released, Pedro would continue to send them to me… each one being just as clever and witty as the last. This is how I first stumbled across YouTube.

Coincidentally, Sean Gallo, another good friend of mine had been discussing the idea with me of doing some sort of creative project. I had known Sean since the second grade, and we had both been part of the Humanities program at Council Rock (the schools program for the gifted and talented). Sean and I shared quite the common background in regards to the creative itch, and we both were searching for something… but we weren’t sure what.

It wasn’t long before Pedro and I included Sean in our ‘Ask A Ninja’ loop. The three of us worked together at Cutting Edge Entertainment and would sometimes sit together after a gig mulling over ideas and concepts into the wee hours. We knew we wanted to do ’something,’ but what specifically we had no clue of. Our think-tank just sat and thunk (or is it thank?), never quite coming up with a solid idea that we all agreed upon.

Enter Katie…

During one of our dead-end think tank sessions one late Saturday night/Sunday morning another Cutting Edge employee happened to return from a job as we began our musings… and that employee had no idea what they were getting themselves into. Katie sat down with us, and began to rant to us about a date she had just had, and how all men – or ‘penises’ as she called us – were out for the same thing. The three of us naturally felt inclined to defend our gender, but to no avail. Regardless of what defense we tried to mount against her absurd theories, Katie was quick with a retort which not only justified her theory, but was in some twisted way arguably correct. We laughed together for hours trying to shoot down her ideas but no matter what she stuck to her guns.

It was just before sunrise when the three of us looked at each other, then at Katie, asking “Hey Katie… Have you ever heard of YouTube?”

In June of 2006, Pedro, Sean and I, calling ourselves ‘The Big Wheel Gang’, unleashed the character ‘Katie Sah’ on to the unsuspecting internet. Katie was the ultimate misandrist (man-hater) in an internet dominated by uber-geek guys who would come to love to hate her. Katie herself has said that if it weren’t for the ‘haters’ on YouTube, she would never have achieved the notoriety she has attained.

Over two years and millions of views Katie’s antics have become almost reknown. Her love for Kelly Clarkson and The Philadelphia Eagles, her male-bashing hijinx and her backwards fashion tips (“Don’t wash your hair girls, just put baby powder in it.”) are all trademarks of a character – and partially real person – known as Katie Sah, the ‘Poison Ivy’ of YouTube. Katies personae is part of the YouTube sub-culture and will not soon be forgotten.

Katie and The Big Wheel Gang have produced over one hundred viral video clips (vlogs) for YouTube, while also appearing on DIRECTV’s ‘The Fizz’ as well as doing viral videos for companies like Cactus Tube Amps and Coors Light. The katiesopinion channel on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/katiesopinion) currently has over 20,000 subscribers and is a part of the YouTube partnership program.

Although the katiesopinion project is not officially finished, Pedro left the team in mid 2007 to be replaced by ‘Crazy E,’ or Eric the Drummer. In the summer of 2008 Katie moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, California, and The Big Wheel Gang have gone back to brainstorming…

-Craig

http://www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Factoid: The katiesopinion episode ‘The Philadelphia Eagles‘ which was produced in September of 2006 has the director of the episode listed as ‘Broccolihead.’ In fact, Broccolihead is none other than Justin Guarini, who directed and edited the episode. If you listen closely during the closing credits, you can hear Justin singing the Eagles fight song ‘Fly Eagles Fly.’

The katiesopinion channel on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/katiesopinion

If you are interested in finding out how to create your own viral video and optimize its visibility on YouTube, contact The Big Wheel Gang through Cutting Edge Entertainment. craig@cuttingedgedjs.com

Famous Former Cutting Edge Employees

Cutting Edge — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:42:24 +0000

(and some not so famous and not so former)

In the last two months more than a dozen people have asked me about Brianna Taylor, a former Cutting Edge employee who appeared on the most recent installment of Mtv’s ‘Real World.’ The answer is yes, she did work here for about two years before and after her stint on American Idol. Unfortunately she didn’t get as far as our first Cutting Edge American Idol contestant Justin Guarini (another former employee), but she certainly has the voice and the talent.

Another former employee (and the greatest choreographer I have ever known), Mike Gamble, is currently in the heat of competition on NBC’s ‘American Gladiator.’ So far, Mike seems to have things very much under control… as he typically does. Since I know Mike personally I am confident that he has more than a good chance of winning, but my gut also tells me that the show – and the outcome – are already taped and simply waiting to be aired.

Naturally, having semi-famous former employees is nothing new at Cutting Edge Entertainment. Our first foray into pop stardom was with Angela Trimbur, who was one of the original competitors in the Mtv show ‘Popstars (2),’ as well as on the Mtv show ‘Road Rules.’ Also, Monica Devlin - who still does work for us from time to time – was a Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader for four years, serving as captain of the squad when they went to the Superbowl and also cheering in Hawaii at the Pro Bowl.

One of my most recent discoveries has been that former dancer Lyndsay Chauveau is working at the Lincoln Center in New York City for none other than Wynton Marsalis, one of my all-time favorite Jazz artists. Lyndsay has promised that I can meet Mr. Marsalis in the fall if I make the trek to N.Y.C., so I look forward to taking in some cool jazz in the near future.

Lastly, and I think one of the most interesting and unique ’semi-celebs’ from Cutting Edge, is Katie Sah, known on YouTube as ‘katiesopinion.’ Katie is what some might call an e-celebrity, with over 15,000 subscribers to her videos on YouTube and over a million video views.

Is Cutting Edge Entertainment a star-maker? Hardly. It’s a simple formula… hire talented people and they inevitably do remarkable things.

-Craig

www.cuttingedgedjs.com