Random Thoughts

I suppose music will be debated till the end of time, peoples taste are very different and they hold these taste with a reverent passion. A long time ago I
met a guy who was a dj and he told me that my taste in music would change
based on how that song made my crowd respond.

When I first started Dj'ing I played songs that I thought were great and they bombed (people don't know what they like they like what they know) this gave me a wake up call.

So for 2007 here is a list of songs that, though I may not personally like them I love to play them...If that makes sense.

1. Stronger
2. Low
3. Crank That
4. Get my Drink on....Country
5. Crazy &itch.... (bleeped for your protection)
6. Buy you a Drink
7. Ladies Love Country Boys.
8. Lost in this moment with You.
9. The Sweet Escape
10. Fergalicious

A long time ago I
met a guy who was a dj and he told me that my taste in music would change
based on how that song made my crowd respond.

When I first started Dj'ing I played songs that I thought were great and they bombed (people don't know what they like they like what they know) this gave me a wake up call.



Mike Love (a retired DJ) gave me these pearls of wisdom many years ago and I've never wavered from that mantra.

Although, the mantra has changed somewhat over the years....

Nowadays, an increasing number of clients (mostly wedding couples) are telling me NO CHEESE, giving me a DNP (do not play) of overplayed songs (complete list at my web site......thanks to Travis B).

Even though there are still clueless guests who occasionally request Macarena or Chicken Dance or YMCA (in direct contrast to B/G's DNP)..... I'm having to stray from being a crowd pleaser, because my primary mission is to get a 5-star review from B/G.

However, at a niteclub or teen dance, all bets are off and the only restriction (as I see it) is that of language or content.

And its definitely true that my tastes in music are shaped by the crowd.

In a "normal" universe, I would HATE songs like "This Is Why I'm Hot" or "Party Like A Rock Star".......but since they are very popular (with the right crowd) I'm inclined to like these songs more than I would, if I weren't a DJ.:sqmad:

No cheese. the longer I do this the more I realize what you mean by the NO CHEESE thing. My earlier post were quite the contrary, but hey we do grow up!

I have done weddings where I didn't play much cheese just a sprinkle. ie, Elelctric Slide, Cha Cha. I have also switched the song that I would normally use to get the crowd going in a Conga Line from Locomotion to Jump in the line by Harry Belefonte and I feel it works better and is not so cliche which in my opinion is basically what the whole NO CHEESE really is NO CLICHE'.

Mike Love (a retired DJ) gave me these pearls of wisdom many years ago and I've never wavered from that mantra.

Although, the mantra has changed somewhat over the years....

Nowadays, an increasing number of clients (mostly wedding couples) are telling me NO CHEESE, giving me a DNP (do not play) of overplayed songs (complete list at my web site......thanks to Travis B).

Even though there are still clueless guests who occasionally request Macarena or Chicken Dance or YMCA (in direct contrast to B/G's DNP)..... I'm having to stray from being a crowd pleaser, because my primary mission is to get a 5-star review from B/G.

However, at a niteclub or teen dance, all bets are off and the only restriction (as I see it) is that of language or content.

And its definitely true that my tastes in music are shaped by the crowd.

In a "normal" universe, I would HATE songs like "This Is Why I'm Hot" or "Party Like A Rock Star".......but since they are very popular (with the right crowd) I'm inclined to like these songs more than I would, if I weren't a DJ.:sqmad:

You know Matt I may disagree in part to what you said on what your job is......Yes you have to please the Bride & Groom, but I also think the Bride & Groom want to please their guests.

I've had several situations where a song or a "genre" of music has been on a DNP, and I have declined to play per Clients request. In one situation it was the Clients Brother who requested a DNP, and I declined and client came back with, but you're here to entertain my guests, that's why I hire you, you are the professional. That has only happened once!

We had this very situation last Sat. Night @ my Country Club. We had a band hired by our entertainment committee and they were told what to play.....it bombed. They did not give them the oppurtunity/responsibility to do their job. Over 2/3rds. of the people left very early. During the evening several people went to the band to request some different music, and were told this is what I was told to play.

How many referrals do you think they will get from that gig? The people who hired them were gone by 10:00.

I always get the approval from the client to do what is necessary to keep there guests happy, and to do the best I can to observe their DNP. I have not had any client disagree with this approach.

P.S. I have a sneaky suspicion we may have a DJ next year!

These types of discussions are invaluable to new DJs like me especially with specifics like in the first post in the thread. Thank you!

You guys are right about that. Clients say no cheese, guests want cheese anyway. The band or DJ company gets caught in the middle. No matter what ya do, you're gonna end up as the bad guy in somebody's opinion.

I don't have the answer, my friends. :dontknow:

I have a simple answer, because I am a simple man :sqbiggrin:


I am far too old, and far too experienced, to be told what to play, and when to play it.

I will play what I sincerely believe the guests will enjoy, and do my show as I see fit, to make it a good one. I will do even better -- I will try my best to make it better than my last show.

I am an entertainer.

If you would like a jukebox, I can rent you one... :sqwink: :sqbiggrin:

These types of discussions are invaluable to new DJs like me especially with specifics like in the first post in the thread. Thank you!

You are Very welcome Stogie so you are a new Dj welcome to your New Addiction

I regret to tell you that a Methadone Clinic cannot save your from this.:sqbiggrin:

Definitions of "cheese" vary from person to person...

I have a simple answer, because I am a simple man :sqbiggrin:


I am far too old, and far too experienced, to be told what to play, and when to play it.

I will play what I sincerely believe the guests will enjoy, and do my show as I see fit, to make it a good one. I will do even better -- I will try my best to make it better than my last show.

I am an entertainer.

If you would like a jukebox, I can rent you one... :sqwink: :sqbiggrin:And there ya have it. :)

Letting someone dictate music selections is a disaster waiting to occur. People aren't paying the big bucks for a human juke anyhow.

Jim's scenario is a textbook example of why we should get all the poop before accepting a booking. In the band's case, they were doing what their employer told 'em to do. They may have been thrown in the lions den by an agent. It happens.

If there's any indication that the show is a train wreck waiting to happen, don't accept it. It's OK to say "You have the right idea but the wrong DJ."

You guys are right about that. Clients say no cheese, guests want cheese anyway. The band or DJ company gets caught in the middle. No matter what ya do, you're gonna end up as the bad guy in somebody's opinion.

I don't have the answer, my friends. :dontknow:

I have dealt with this several times, and again I don't do weddings. What I end up getting from my senior crowds is no rap, hip-hop, nothing past the 1970's........

There are some great fast songs in the early 80's from Foreigner, B-52's etc....and I can usually get by playing those.

Again what has worked for me is to convince the client that I have theirs, and their guests, best interest at heart, when I make music selections. I will mention to them that neither one of us wants an empty dance floor.....

One problem with the Seniors is after an hour and a half, there done....tired, it's bedtime.....

If you still have an hour left for your program, you can usually get them to let you loosen up a bit, especially if it's a birthday, retirement, or Anniversary party. You will have younger people there, and they will dance when the "oldies" crap out........

As long as you appeal to your client along the lines of that if you have to deviate from the planned program, it's to keep the party moving, and not to have an empty dance floor, you will usually get them to go along.

When I was doing weddings years ago, I would "turn the floor" recognizing maybe 3 generations of people, present at the reception. Play say 3 from the 60's, go to a couple current Pop, then maybe 2-3 from the 80's, 90's.......and observe the responses to each genre....and adjust accordingly

I done a New Years Eve gig for the local Meals on Wheels program that consisted of mostly a group in their later 60's and 70's and I noticed something I have not seen, they applaud after every song:sqerr: is this typical.

I done a New Years Eve gig for the local Meals on Wheels program that consisted of mostly a group in their later 60's and 70's and I noticed something I have not seen, they applaud after every song:sqerr: is this typical.
Yup. With audiences in that age range, it's a show of respect and kudos for the dance turn. This is a very old practice and we don't see it as often as we'd like. :)

Shirl and I did a dance party at the Dover Sheraton a few years ago where most of the guests were over 60ish. They too applauded after dance turns, mostly waltzes etc. At the end of the show we thanked everyone for coming and dancing with us to a round of applause. That was a good show. :)

Yup I did a large event a couple yrs back with mostly 60-70 yr olds.Amazingly I had the floor packed for nearly three hours and yes every song recieved a ovation. The first round or two I was blending and realized they needed a break between songs for the applause as a few complained about missing the beginning of the songs.

I done a New Years Eve gig for the local Meals on Wheels program that consisted of mostly a group in their later 60's and 70's and I noticed something I have not seen, they applaud after every song:sqerr: is this typical.

Yes.....You know why? If you are playing there music I mean the 50's 60's, and sometimes the 40's, these are songs they have not heard, sometimes in years.
I did a medley one time, of songs from Slim Whitman, Jim Reeves and Sammi Smith, and got a standing ovation......Nice tip, and several referrals.....