Yes thats exactly what happened. Today, I did a "site survey" with him and the student council advisor, because this show is going to be huge and we have large power requirements and other things we needed to check on etc. Once I got to know him, he was completely different, the sense of humor came out and I felt alot better about working with him. I think that yes, in front of his superiors he pulled the censorship/bully card to cover his ass, and yes, that did scare me a bit, but thanks to everyone's input here I'm thinking that it'll turn out okay.
Greets, Brian.
You've gotten excellent responses in this thread... not a lot I can add to the discussion of music. Thanks, guys.
If it's any help I have had school admin people talk down to me on several occasions before DJing a school dance. And I'm nearly old enough to be their father, lol. I guess it's something they're trained to do.
As I'm sure you are aware, most of these admin types tend to talk in boilerplate language. I agree that this particular person's demeanor was unprofessional. But let's concentrate on what he said, not the manner in which he said it.
He (and I'm presuming, his superiors) are just voicing the old CYA approach. In other words, they informed the DJ company owner about their policy concerning music. The concern is not so much about innuendo in lyrics. Rather, these folks are more likely thinking about the hard-core rap stuff that's filled with swearing and degrading lyrics.
I have no doubts about your ability to run a great dance show at that school. You just need to alleviate their doubts, that's all.
Now that that's out of the way, let's spin some tunes and rock the house.
Thoughts?
Yes Fred, I believe he was just voicing those concerns to do so in front of his superiors, and after getting to know him a little bit better today, I don't feel that this will be as big of an issue as I thought it would be.
Good point, I'm going to talk to him one final time this week to tie everything together, and make sure to let him know that all of my music is certified radio clean by the FCC, and that I will do my best to ensure that all sexual and bad connotations stay out of the music. I am usually very cautious, but after the last mitzvah I did where the kids all screamed "****" during my clean edit of 3OH3's Don't Trust Me, I feel that being extra cautious is the only way to proceed.
I am ABSOLUTELY here to help, especially those who don't already know it all. I can relate to them better, because I don't know it all, either.
Let's get specific, and help Brian build a playlist, which he can use, or totally abandon, at his discretion. I definitely agree with the notion that what you can play at a high school differs from what you can play at a middle school. However, ALL of this will vary from school to school. THIS school is watching the D.J. (Brian) very carefully, at least this first time.
Brian, what music genres do you believe you'll need at this school? Example: if the school leans heavily urban, the content of the new Britney Spears single may not matter, since no one will be interested in having it played. I would do my best to avoid ANY words that might be "hot button" for this administrator. Can you get away with it? Possibly. I just don't think it's a point worth pushing, if you don't have to. Example: if this school is interested in country, I might play one of the *ssless versions of "Toes" by Zac Brown Band. Language is easy, the harder part is CONTENT. I disagree with those who stayed away from "Crank Dat". While there has been speculation on what the lyrics mean, I simply don't think there's clear enough meaning to determine "yes, this song is obscene". It's innuendo, at most, and LOTS of songs have innuendo. I might not play it now, simply because it's outdated and over.
Brian, please tell us more about this school, and what songs you anticipate playing, and/or songs you have specific content questions about, and let's hash 'em out.
Steve, I have no doubt you're here to help as best you can, like everyone else here but after listening to this administrator talk down to me for 15 minutes, your comment came off a bit harsh, but I know you mean well so no worries. As far as a playlist, honestly I have never done a dance from a playlist, and am the kind of DJ that will change my next song selection 3 times in the last 10 seconds of a song. This school is in the "Rich" part of town, but has a pretty prevalent portion of the student body that will only dance to hip hop, rap, and the new "jerkin" music. In light of these circumstances however, I'm considering making a list of the latest urban/rap songs that would work for this dance.
