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rickryan.com

DJ Extraordinaire
ODJT Supporter
Dec 9, 2009
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Hendersonville, TN
www.rickryan.com
Okay, I've had it with Amazon. This week's gig is a PITA with 62 tracks, half of which are alternative and the bride has made it clear that they only want me to play their selections (but I have the latitude to randomize them....groan). Went thru Amazon, and they keep changing their interface. Bottom line, it's a major PITA to get the mp3 actually downloaded to your machine now (they want you to stream it). My alternative is youtube>mp3 conversion, which I've always avoided doing (I want to pay for my music). For future gigs, do you guys have any suggestions for downloads? I'd really rather just pay per track if possible.
 
BTW, I know this has been discussed but what do you guys do for playlists where the client is picking it all? I'm tempted to put up a sign "Tonight's playlist has been specially chosen by the Bride & Groom. We are not taking requests this evening." What do you guys think?
 
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I think a sign or an announcement is in poor taste. Simply explain the situation to anyone making a request.
The only way to mention it without sounding like a jerk is to say something when dinner music begins. Perhaps, "Enjoy your dinner, we will use this time to play some of the bride and groom's favorite songs."
As for Amazon, they were always more interested in streaming than downloading.
 
BTW, I know this has been discussed but what do you guys do for playlists where the client is picking it all?
Pass and let them find another DJ. Just passed on a wedding & reception this week for early May at a venue I love to work & I'm a preferred vendor.
If the guest aren't happy , It will be the DJ sucks!

Priority Requests:
Twenty Songs (max)
Don't play Five total
Special Requests (Not Found in Library): Five total
 
BTW, I know this has been discussed but what do you guys do for playlists where the client is picking it all? I'm tempted to put up a sign "Tonight's playlist has been specially chosen by the Bride & Groom. We are not taking requests this evening." What do you guys think?

I wish them the best and refer them to someone else ;)

ITunes is the obvious if you have a stable internet connection Apple Music or Spotify. I haven't tried it but I hear 7Digital is good
 
The gig is tomorrow, so no option to pass it off. This is my friend's venue in TN and she sold me to the couple. I've already communicated to my friend as to what's going on. She was going to go to the bride but I told her "No, let me handle it." I just wanted her to know it wasn't ME who had picked bad material. As we all know, you get a micro-managing couple (it's usually the groom, who fancies himself a DJ), they give you a sucky list, then they blame the DJ because nobody is dancing. It's rare and I've obviously dealt with it before, but that doesn't make it any less annoying.
 
BTW, this is also another one of those "Don't play any typical line dance songs" (i.e. Cha Cha Slide, Cupid, Wobble, etc.) gigs. I've already finished downloading everything and have saved a playlist. Tomorrow, after I get to dance set I'll just pull up their playlist and auto-play and try to stay warm until it's over (outside gig).
 
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I limit requests... however I also have a consultation with them ahead of receiving the requests explaining why there is a cap on requests and how I get to the number of specified requests. What I do not have, and I think many dj's make this mistake, is a portal where clients can list endless amounts of requests.

Here's what I include in my follow up email and an example of how I break down request lists AFTER I have my finalization. (this is from an actual email I sent last night after my meeting with a november couple).
  1. 10-12 dinner songs (dinner is 30 min, so no more than that are necessary)
  2. 1-3 “slow” songs for couples
  3. 5 or so older requests for early on (as discussed these should around the 70’s or 80’s time period, and they'll be sprinkled in as you desired)
  4. 10-15 "throwback” (high school/college) songs for later on that you and your friends will really enjoy!
  5. 10-15 popular songs that are more current that you and your friends will enjoy for later (post-dinner)!
 
I limit requests... however I also have a consultation with them ahead of receiving the requests explaining why there is a cap on requests and how I get to the number of specified requests. What I do not have, and I think many dj's make this mistake, is a portal where clients can list endless amounts of requests.

Here's what I include in my follow up email and an example of how I break down request lists AFTER I have my finalization.
  1. 10-12 dinner songs (dinner is 30 min, so no more than that are necessary)
  2. 1-3 “slow” songs for couples
  3. 5 or so older requests for early on (as discussed these should around the 70’s or 80’s time period, and they'll be sprinkled in as you desired)
  4. 10-15 "throwback” (high school/college) songs for later on that you and your friends will really enjoy!
  5. 10-15 popular songs that are more current that you and your friends will enjoy for later (post-dinner)!

I don't mind tons of requests. I welcome those. Where I have a problem is when the client hands me a full list and tells me "Only play my selections." and then blames me when their party falls flat. The list has some good material in it and it's my guess that the first half is what the bride chose. After that, it goes off into the weeds, with nothing but obscure, non-danceable material. In hindsight, it really doesn't matter whether it flies or not. This is my last mobile DJ gig back in TN but these are long-time (30+ years) friends who run this venue and I just want to protect their interests.
 
I don't mind tons of requests. I welcome those. Where I have a problem is when the client hands me a full list and tells me "Only play my selections." and then blames me when their party falls flat. The list has some good material in it and it's my guess that the first half is what the bride chose. After that, it goes off into the weeds, with nothing but obscure, non-danceable material. In hindsight, it really doesn't matter whether it flies or not. This is my last mobile DJ gig back in TN but these are long-time (30+ years) friends who run this venue and I just want to protect their interests.
When you don't limit the number of requests and strategically structure them, you invite the possibility for them to give enough requests where they can now say play these only or make sure you get all of these in. With my structure, I get enough requests where I have a great insight as to what they're looking for, but doesn't get to the point where i have no creative control left or room to maneuver.
 
When you don't limit the number of requests and strategically structure them, you invite the possibility for them to give enough requests where they can now say play these only or make sure you get all of these in. With my structure, I get enough requests where I have a great insight as to what they're looking for, but doesn't get to the point where i have no creative control left or room to maneuver.

Great suggestion. I'll have to take another look at my timeline template that I send out. It's rare that I ever run into a problem like this, but it's obviously not the first time it's happened.
 
When you don't limit the number of requests and strategically structure them, you invite the possibility for them to give enough requests where they can now say play these only or make sure you get all of these in. With my structure, I get enough requests where I have a great insight as to what they're looking for, but doesn't get to the point where i have no creative control left or room to maneuver.

This kills all that noise

From my contract:

The contractor will make every effort to play all requests but cannot be held responsible if specific selections are not available. The contractor will remain in creataive control of their portion of the event. The contractor is not responsible for the purchase of songs not contained in the music library. The selection of equipment to be used at the event is left to the discretion of the contractor, and is based upon the size and conditions of the event location.
 
As we all know, you get a micro-managing couple (it's usually the groom, who fancies himself a DJ), they give you a sucky list, then they blame the DJ because nobody is dancing.

I did a reception for some friends of mine, who wanted NOTHING but 80's music.
After discussing why it was a bad idea, they persisted, stating "all of our friends will love it".
After an hour and a half of NO dancing, they told me to forget it and play whatever works.
I put on "Old Time Rock and Roll" and the dance floor was full for the rest of the night.
 
BTW, this is also another one of those "Don't play any typical line dance songs" (i.e. Cha Cha Slide, Cupid, Wobble, etc.) gigs. I've already finished downloading everything and have saved a playlist. Tomorrow, after I get to dance set I'll just pull up their playlist and auto-play and try to stay warm until it's over (outside gig).

At an initial meeting, or as soon as they suggest soemthing like this, I inform them that they're guests are from 2 to 80, and I"m sure you want them all to have fun at your wedding.

So the guests expect certain songs to be played, line dances, etc. If you truly can't stand them, I'll give you a heads up and you can go out with the photog for pics while I do a set of them.

99% agree.



As for a music source, as much as I hate apple I go to itunes for my music. amazon is my backup.
 
I have about the same thing in my contract.

Tomorrow's wedding I got list of 5 hours and 43 minutes of requests. OMG!
The bride said the groom has been making a list for 2 years.
I have all but about 5 of those songs, many I have but have never played! Many I'll play anyway, cupid shuggle is like a wedding staple here.

First time I've had polka's on the list...I've played a few in the past, but rarely (other than chicken dance).

The reception event music (none of which I had, or mostly even heard of) is nothing like the request list...should be interesting.

This kills all that noise

From my contract:
 
Here's what she sent me (not that it matters). My first thought was, after reading that first instruction about randomizing, why not just use spotify?

Requested Songs:

If We could have these songs shuffled and randomized that would be great:


1.) Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars) - Mark Ronson
2.) What lovers do (feat. SZA) - maroon 5
3.) Perfect - Ed Sheeran
4.) Shape of you - Ed Sheeran
5.) Thinking out loud - Ed Sheeran
6.) Good mood (Original Song From Paw Patrol: The Movie) - Adam Levine
7.) Sweet Lovin’ (Radio Edit) - Sigala & Bryn Christopher
8.) I couldn’t love you more - Sade
9.) We found Love - Rihanna & Calvin Harris
10.) Can’t Stop the Feeling - Justin Timberlake
11.) I wanna Dance with Somebody ( Who loves me) - Whitney Houston
12.) Dynamite - Taio Cruz
13.) Pitbull - Give me everything
14.) I gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas
15.) DJ got us Fallin’ in Love (feat. Pitbull) - Usher
16.) Yeah! (Feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris) - Usher
17.) Sugar - Maroon 5
18.) This is what you came for (feat. Rihanna) - Calvin Harris
19.) Just Dance - Lady Gaga
20.) Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO
21.) Blinding Lights - The Weekend
22.) Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C+C Music Factory
23.) All I do is Win - DJ Khaled
25.) Higher Lover - Kygo and Whitney Houston
26.) This is how we do it - Montell Jordan
27.) Because you loved me - Celine Dion
28.) A new Day has Come - Celine Dion
29.) Only a woman Like You - Michael Bolton
31.) Adventure of a lifetime - Coldplay
32.) Birds - Coldplay
33.) Magic - Coldplay
34.) Something just like this - The chainsmokers & Coldplay
35.) Don’t Let Me Down - The Chainsmokers.
36.) Ill be - Edwin McCain
37.) Jump around - House of Pain
38.) The way you look tonight - Frank Sinatra
39.) Love me now (feat. Zoe Wees) - Kygo
40.) Get ready for this (Dance Mix) - Remix Kings
41.) Journey - When you love a woman
42.) Luther Vandross - Here and Now
43.) The Cranberries - Dreams
44.) Odesza - Divine
45.) Jasmine Thompson - Sweet Child O’ Mine
46.) The Lumineers - Walls (Tom Petty and Heart Beahers Cover)
47.) Foster the People - Pumped up Kicks
48.) of Monsters & Men - Organs
49.) Head and the Heart - Down in the empire valley
50.) Hayden Jones - Something about you (Odesza Remix)
51.) Goo Goo Dolls - Let love in
52.) Gregory Alan Isakov - The Stable Song
53.) Echosmith - March into the Sun
54.) Sabrina Claudio - Stand Still
55.) Hippie Sabotage - Drifter (Extended Version)
56.) When a man loves a woman - Michael Bolton
57.) Love me like you do - Ellie Goulding
58.) Love me harder - Ariana Grande
59.) Here tonight - Brett Young
60.) God gave me you - Blake Shelton
61.) In the name of Love - Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha
62.) First Time - Kygo & Ellie Goulding


The above are specific songs we have chosen to be played: Fill in Music Jonas would like 70s,80s 90s classic rock, Fleetwood Mac
Fill in Mix Music Kendra would like Pop, Dance genre. Coldplay radio.


Music to NOT PLAY:

1.) Chicken Dance
2.) Cha Cha Slide - DJ Casper
3.) Cupid Shuffle - Cupid
4.) YMCA - Village People
5.) Hockey Pokey’
6.) Wobble - VIC
 
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As some of you know I hate getting a long list of songs to be played at an event and they insist you only play what's on their list regardless of how the event is going. I would ask if things aren't going well can I switch things up. If they say no then I say to doing the event. What I like to do is find out what styles of music they want played. Now I don't mind some songs from the client, just don't get carried away. I'm a DJ not a jukebox. If that's what they want that then just let them get some gear and use a Ipod or other device and let that do.m
 
I did a reception for some friends of mine, who wanted NOTHING but 80's music.
After discussing why it was a bad idea, they persisted, stating "all of our friends will love it".
After an hour and a half of NO dancing, they told me to forget it and play whatever works.
I put on "Old Time Rock and Roll" and the dance floor was full for the rest of the night.
If your having electrical problems call an electrician not a plumber.
If you would like a successful event call a Professional D J and let the DJ create an evening of memories.
 
Here's what she sent me (not that it matters). My first thought was, after reading that first instruction about randomizing, why not just use spotify?

For the most part that list isn't real bad. How many hours of dancing?