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We last met on a special trip aboard a magic carpet to visit 18 Mobile DJs from Los Angeles to Alaska, in a Mobile Beat cover story, where we learned about the similarities and differences of wedding receptions in different parts of our country. By the time we were finished with that trip, we had acquired enough "frequent flyer mileage" to take a few test spins in a new and im proved magic carpet — it's loaded: Pentium power... environmentally correct... dual air bags — wanna hop aboard? We're setting our controls for the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Hovering at 5,000 feet, we use our night vision goggles to spot a wedding reception in progress. Everything seems to be normal. There's a smiling bride and groom on the left. On the right, people are decorating the newlywed's car parked next to an ambulance... an ambulance? We better go down and get a closer look! Upon closer inspection, it's not an 92
Mobile Beat Magazine
ambulance after all, at least not any more! According to Bonnie (Kricket) Klingbeil, of Kricket and the Tune Boyz, the vehicle is now a "Jambulance." "We had been transporting our DJ/ KJ equipment in a small trailer," Bonnie said. "As our business grew, so did our equipment. We started looking for a larger vehicle for transporting everything and we came across a used ambulance. We fell in love with it for several reasons, including the large storage space inside and the marketing potential." Kricket and the Tune Boyz (her 21-year-old son, Joe, and David Mackin) call themselves the "Party Paramedics" who "pump life into your party." The group's "Kricket" name came from Bonnie's family nickname bestowed on her at birth by her brother. The "Tune Boyz" name originated from Joe and David's preference for Looney Toons clothing. When the trio entertains at
an outdoor event, they often park their "Jambulance" close to the stage area and use the vehicle's lights and sirens for extra effect. Taking their operation one step further, they also incorporate the vehicle into their show. "When we play the song They're Coming To Take Me Away, we put on white coats and take five or six people into the vehicle," Bonnie said. "The next song is always Y.M.C.A., and we bring these guests back out of the Jambulance dressed as the Village People in hats. People love it!" The "Jambulance" is an extension cont'dpage96