As some of you may know, I did some small-time DJing when I was in high school & college, both parties & at a radio station. But I haven't done anything remotely resembling DJing in over 15 years.

Well I just found out this morning that the wife of my wife's boss is throwing said boss a surprise birthday party and she wants me to DJ it. This guy is president of the company's banks for the whole city, so it's a big deal.

I have the music, they want all 80's and I got that covered (in mp3 format). But what don't have is up-to-date professional equipment and the knowledge of how things have changed in DJing since the late 80's. Now the equipment I can get my hands on if I knew what to buy, but I need some advice on how to run the gig.

I'm both excited and a little nervous about this deal. There will be alot of important & well-to-do people there, & if I do well I may be able to get back into DJing again, which until this morning I hadn't thought about in over a decade. At least there's no rush, the party is not until December.

I know some of you guys are really good at what you do, so I know I'm coming to the right place for info. So, I'm all ears...any advice you can give me will be awesome and most appreciated! :thumb:

I can't give you any DJ advice, but I just wanted to say good luck & have a great time :thumb:

Thanks, PG. :) This guy is pretty cool so it should be a fun party. My worst fear is embarrassing my wife in front of her boss. :lol:

Ok Nolan, first of all Congrats on getting the gig. With a little help from us at the xchange we're gonna ensure that your night goes swimmingly and seamless too. I would recommend you pm Daffy in case he misses this as his help will be invaluable.



From a djing point of view this gig is no different to any other. They may be high-fliers in their professional capacity but at your gig they are people who want to dance and have a good time.



Now as to the gig. Well seing as you have your music on MP3 you can always use a laptop plugged into a power amp or you can make up CD's if you wanna use CD players.



Whatever you decide upon (and we'll make sure you are comfortable with this decision) you will need a power Amp, Speakers and lights.



Amp and Speakers

This is very important indeed. You need to know how big your room is and how many people are going to attend. Knowing the size of your room and numbers will affect your choice of amplification. If the room is massive in size then a small amp and speakers will be drowned out. It will be the sonic effect of throwing a brick into the grand canyon. Its not that you want to drown out your audience so they cant talk – but you need to know that if people want the music turned up that you can do it without overloading your amp or speakers.



As a minimum system I use 300w speakers with an amp that has 2x 250watt channels. This is the minimum system you should use. Any less and a room full of people will drown out your sound!



Lights

You want to create an atmosphere without blinding people so I would say to use a set or two of Box lights with one or two other “Twister” lights to create a suitable ambience.





The above will be decided by the size of the venue so make sure you visit the place before the gig. When you go to the venue check where you will be setting up – is it on a raised podium or are you setting up beside the dance floor? One of the big problems mobile DJ’s have to face is Cd’s skipping. Wooden Dance Floors can be a nightmare for the CD using DJ as people jump up and down causing vibrations which can mean songs skipping. Putting a rubber mat (A car mat will do fine) between the decks and the table can help alleviate this problem. Make sure that your plug sockets are beside where you are playing. This may sound obvious but in some venues the electrics are the other side of the room and then you have problems with extension leads which can be a health and safety hazard..



I’m in work at the mo so this is just off the top of my head. I’ll continue with this later, Nolan and as I said Don’t worry, we’ll all help out!

and remember to make the open bar your beyotch, with a few stiff double rum and cokes , what ever you do will be incredible, you'll also be the best looking, funniest and toughest in the room

Prefab, thanks, bro! I knew you guys would be a treasure trove of info!
I'm not sure of the # of people yet, but I've been in the venue before, it's a fairly standard party room at a country club, probably around 40' by 60' if memory serves. I will definitely be going there to look the room over in detail soon.

Cal, the bar was the only part of my plan that I had worked out so far. :lol: Since this party is for my wife's boss, maybe she'll make bar runs for me to keep my head right.:thumb:

One thing to add to the equipment list is a mixing board, you will need one.

Otherwise,since Prefab gave you very sound advice (Sound advice is the name of my DJ Service :lol: ) on equipment, here's some for music:

I don't care that they say they want all 80's music, take a little bit of everything!

If they are having dinner at the beginning I would suggest playing a Jim Brickman CD at low volume. You can turn it up when everyone is finished. Kenny G is OK for this time too, just mostly instrumentel (sp?), light, and jazzy kinda stuff. Near the end of dinner start to play a few mid-tempo songs like "Islands in the stream" and so on. Then when they are ready, start the party music at a louder volume.

You must play these songs:

Electric boogie-Marcia Griffiths (more commonly called the Electric Slide)
Macarena-Los Del Rio (Bayside Boys mix)
Cha Cha Slide-Mr C the Slide Man (sometimes called The Casper Slide)
YMCA-Village People
The twist-Chubby Checker
Loco-motion-Kylie Minouge (great song for them to do a "train" around the room)
The chicken dance (any version)
Old time Rock-N-Roll-Bob Seger (have them clap their hands near the end of the song where it breaks down)
Cotton eyed Joe-Rednex

As sick as I am of these songs, they will get people from age of 1 to 91 and older up to dance.
Any song that the crowd can participate in, be it a dance or clapping or singing along, is a good song to play.

As for 80's songs, some essentials for a good party:

Love shack-B-52's (have them sing the "Tin roof rusted" part at the top of their lungs :lol: )
I love Rock N Roll-Joan Jett
You shook me all night long-AC/DC (make them play the "air guitar" during the solo)
Come on Eileen-Dexy's Midnight Runners
Into the groove-Madonna
Billie Jean-Michael Jackson
Celebration-Kool and the Gang
Mony mony-Billy Idol (if it's OK, have them sing the alternate lyrics of "Hey, hey what? get la*d, get f*cked" in between, if it's not OK, make a joke about it being a "family event")
Pour some sugar on me-Def Leppard
Swing the mood-Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers (good for those who want to swing dance)

Of course play your songs in sets, two or three dance tunes, then a few rock songs, a couple of slow tunes and so on. Read the crowd, if they are dancing more to one style of music then, obviously, play more of that kind of music. For goodness sake, PLAY REQUESTS! So many people tell me how much they like me because I play their requests and a lot of DJ's won't. of course if the request isn't appropriate, just tell them you don't have it :lol: . It sounds basic, but believe me it isn't.

I have a feeling everything will be just fine. You probably already knew everything I had to say anyways :)

Wow! Thanks, Daffy, for all that great info! That is some good stuff, especially the "must play" songs, great ideas. I'm also glad you mentioned the dinner music, since I will probably be doing that too. Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I haven't done this is so long, even the most basic advice or reminder is much appreciated!

I'm definitely going to play requests, but with a little of my own discretion, of course. The guest of honor is a bank president, so most of the crowd will probably be fairly conservative and 35 - 45 y/o. But I've seen some of them after a few drinks, they loosen up some. :lol:

Are there any "avoid like the plague" songs that I wouldn't know about? Any other "don'ts" to worry about? What about playing disco (I'm sure it will get requested) ;)

Like I said, bring a little of everything. Some great disco songs to play include:

I will survive-Gloria Gaynor
Dancing queen-Abba
Stayin' alive-Bee Gees
Get down tonight-KC and the Sunshine Band
Bad girls-Donna Summers
September-Earth Wind and Fire
Ring my bell-Anita Ward
I love the nightlife (disco round)-Alicia Bridges
Knock on wood-Amii Stewart
Don't stop until you get enough-Michael Jackson
Brick house-Commodores

some other 70's party music would be:

The Grease megamix-John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and Cast
Copacabana-Barry Manilow (trust me on this one)
Paradise by the dashboard lights-Meatloaf

Here's a guarenteed party pleasing set:

Brown eyed girl-Van Morrison
Build me up buttercup-Foundations
December '63 (Oh what a night)-Four Seasons
Cecelia-Simon and Garfunkle
It's not unusual-Tom Jones

This age group also usually likes Jimmy Buffet, might I suggest:

Margaritaville
Fins
Why don't we get drunk

There really aren't any "avoid like the plague songs". I mean, obviously I would avoid real heavy metal and gangsta rap for a crowd of this age. I would also get radio edits of songs if you are going to play newer songs.

There are a few raps that would probably work with this crowd:

Push it-Salt N Pepa
It takes two-Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock
Bust a move-Young MC

As for slow songs, some of the biggies are:

Wonderful tonight-Eric Clapton
Unchained melody-Righteous Brothers
Lady in red-Chris DeBurgh
Amazed-Lonestar
Could I have this dance-Anne Murray
Crazy-Patsy Cline

If they want country:

Boot scootin' boogie-Brooks and Dunn
Watermellon crawl-Tracy Byrd
Mountain music-Alabama
Fishin' in the dark-Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Save a horse (ride a cowboy)-Big and Rich
Redneck woman-Gretchen Wilson
She thinks my tractor's sexy-Kenny Chesney

The possibilities are endless. I've only listed a few songs, just use your judgement!

If you need more, you could always get ahold of "Mobile Beat" magazine. ( http://www.mobilebeat.com/index.asp ) It comes out about every two months and just amazing when it comes to Mobile DJ news and advice. I have a series of discs that Mobile Beat put out years ago of some of the top songs to play. I can play a wedding with just using those discs, it's amazing. Every year they put out a list of the top 200 most played songs compiled by DJ's all over the USA. I have participated in this for a long time. Here's a link to 2005's list:

http://www.themixmaster.net/music/Default.htm

If you are real serious about getting back into it, I would suggest using a music service like Top Hits USA (my personal favorite, I use this company www.tophitsusa.com ), Promo Only, Nu Traxx and countless others. For club use, Ultimix and Funkymix are the big names.

Great Advice Daffy (Told You Nolan he'd be invaluable on this :D ) and here are some other thoughts that are to complement the advice already given.


Two essential items that you should bring with you:

TORCH - when the lights go down you will need to see the tracklistings and you can strain your eyes trying to read in semi-darkness

PAPER AND PEN - If you get a few requests (and you will!!) its better to write them down. You dont need distractions and you need to concentrate on reading the dance floor.

As regards reading the floor, this is the most difficult aspect of DJing and one that has no exact plan to go by. A good rule of thumb is to change your music every so often; If people arent dancing to New Romantic music then the max no of songs to play is 2, if they are dancing then keep it to 5 or so. Even if they like it dont linget too much on one type, they will get bored eventually. Changing the genres will keep people interested and wondering "whats up next"

Requests can be a useful tool to gauge what types of music people want.


Ok, Daffy has given you a really good list of songs to play and here are a few more that I have found work really well:

70's

My First, My Last, My Everything - Barry White
Lets Stick Together - Bryan Ferry
My Sharona - The Knack
Pump it Up - Elvis Costello
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Come up and See Me - Steve Harley and cockney rebel
Crocadile Rock - Elton John
Upside Down - Diana Ross


50's and 60's
Build me up Buttercup - The Foundations
I'm a Believer - The Monkees
Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison
Tequila - The Champs
Your love (Liftin me Higher) - Jackie Wilson
I cant Help myself - The 4 Tops
Rescue Me - Fontella Bass



Just realised something else Nolan about hiring equipment; Make sure that when you go to collect your gear, you see that it works. Ring them in advance to ask them to have it set up. I have lost count of the number of Dj's who have had problems with CD players or Amps because they didnt do this simple thing. If the music store is anyway good they wont mind. When you are checking it always bring two CD with you. Check that the trays work and that the mixer is in good condition. Check the sound going into the speakers. You want this gig to go well and this is a good way of ensuring it happens.


As regards the bar my advice would be to go easy. A free bar can be great but dont forget that you are working (Yes you are doing a job) and as such, you cannot afford to get drunk. I know I sound like a nerd but if you wanted to start doing this again then everybody at the party is a potential gig and you will want to make a good impression. :mwaha:

Anyway just some more thoughts on it!

"Tequila" ia a definite good song for crowd participation!!!! I usually turn the music off when they sing "Tequila!" and let the crowd sing it. Remeber to tell them to sing it or you'll just get a bunch of blank stares when the music stops for a second :lol: It's interesting to see what songs work in Ireland! Thanks Prefab!

One other sonng I forgot to put down that I usually play after "Push it" is "Da butt" by E.U.

Great advice again, guys! I can't thank you enough! Now I wish the party was this weekend! :lol:


As regards the bar my advice would be to go easy. A free bar can be great but dont forget that you are working (Yes you are doing a job) and as such, you cannot afford to get drunk. I know I sound like a nerd but if you wanted to start doing this again then everybody at the party is a potential gig and you will want to make a good impression. :mwaha:

:laugh: No worries, my friend, I'm not much of a drinker these days. I have a low tolerance for alcohol (a.k.a. - cheap drunk) so I keep the adult beverages to a minimum. Plus I'm usually the one driving home, so two drinks is usually my max. I'm not saying I won't drink, but it will be more diet coke than anything else. Isn't getting older grand? :lol:

As for the job aspect, I certainly want to do a good job, since this party is for my wife's boss. This may sound nuts, but I told them I would do it for free. I figured, wtf, it's my wife's boss's birthday, he's a good guy, and I would feel a little weird taking money until I've proven I can do it right.

[QUOTE=djdaffy1227]

You must play these songs:


The chicken dance (any version)
QUOTE]


Thats why I'm getting married by a justice of the peace, they don't make you do that at cityhall

[QUOTE=djdaffy1227]

You must play these songs:


The chicken dance (any version)
QUOTE]


Thats why I'm getting married by a justice of the peace, they don't make you do that at cityhall

No, the Hokey-Pokey is all they require. :lol:

Don't laugh Nolan, I play the Hokey Pokey after the Chicken dance every time! :lol:

Here is my wedding set (after I get all the formalities out of the way), without fail I play these songs in this order, I could do it blindly.


Old time Rock N Roll-Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
Mony Mony-Tommy James and the Shondells
The twist-Chubby Checker
The electric boogie-Marcia Griffiths
The Macarena-Los Del Rio
The cha cha slide-Mr C the Slide Man
YMCA-Village People
I will survive-Gloria Gaynor

a couple of slow songs

The chicken dance
The hokey pokey-Ray Anthony
The loco-motion-Kylie Minogue
Love shack-B-52's

It varies from time to time but this is the basic line-up. Once in a while I play a polka after the Hokey Pokey. I play some requests in between at times but you get the idea.

Here are the stupid songs I play for the formalities:

Cutting the cake-Love and marriage-Frank Sinatra
Bouquet tossing-Chaple of love-Dixie Cups
Taking the garter belt off-The stripper-Ray Anthony
Throwing the garter-Another one bites the dust-Queen
Reverse garter-Oh yeah-Yello

I love this thread Nolan. I never really ever talked about my buisness this way. Sharing how I run things at gigs!

Weddings can be really bad. There are some that no matter what you play, NOBODY dances. It makes you feel like shit but you got to remember that it is not entirely your fault.

I'm loving this thread too, Daffy! This is fascinating reading! The other DJ's around here should dive in and spill all their trade secrets too! :lol:

So, do you have a "theme song"? I used to play just the intro to Billy Ocean's "Lover Boy" when I was welcoming the guests & introducing myself. Sounds corny I know, but it's just cool music, IMO.

I don't have a theme song but I do play "Happy trails" at the end of the gig. Either Roy Rogers and Dale Evans or Van Halen's version depending on the crowd. I also end with Porky Pig saying "Th-Th-Th-That's all folks" :lol:

Weddings can be really bad. There are some that no matter what you play, NOBODY dances. It makes you feel like shit but you got to remember that it is not entirely your fault.Well always remember the old saying Daffy: You can take a horse to water but you cant make 'em drink!!!! It can be demoralising but you just gotta remember the good gigs and the fact that we have the power to make people dance!

A typical set that I play would be

Swing the Mood - Jive Bunny
I'm A Believer - The Monkees
Mony Mony - Tommy James and the Shondells
Twist and Shout - The Beatles
Do You Love Me - The contours
Hey Baby - DJ Otzi
Uptown Girl - Billy Joel
Chain Reaction - Diana Ross
Man I feel like a Woman - Shania Twain
I wanna Dance the Night Away - The Mavericks


A few old time waltzes for the older crew should be brought along just in case, especially at weddings

Towards the end of the night if it is going quiet I will announce the end of the night and that everyone is to stand for the national anthem. When everyone stands up, then go straight into "I love Rock and Roll" by Joan Jett, "We Will Rock You" by Queen and then "love shack" by the B-52s. sometimes this works really well!!

Great thread!! cmon Roem, Midas and any other djs here. Give us your tips!!!

Not much I can add here that DJs Daffy & Prefab haven't already covered, Nolan. My DJ experience comes primarily from bar/nightclub experience but I have done my share of mobile gigs, including weddings AND one surprise birthday party. For the surprise party, I consulted with someone close to the guest of honor (in this case it was one of my aerobics mixtape clients whose husband was the birthday boy) to make sure I had the type of music he was into, as well as get a scope of the age range of folks attending and what their tastes may lean towards. For weddings, same thing (plus I suggest some songs and pretty much everything that Daffy says he plays at weddings :D).

For getting the dance floor going, I'll play something that everybody recognizes, such as one of the tunes already listed. I'll usually play songs in groups of 3-5, in ascending BPM order, then drop off to a slow dance song or back down to a low BPM song (90-110 BPM) and start again.

At a bar or nightclub it's a slightly different ballgame. The DJ is responsible for more than getting people on the dancefloor. They also play a part in turning the dancefloor and getting the patrons back to the bar for more drinks. I DJed an 80's night for nearly 5 years in NC and my playlists would include no more than half requests and the other half songs I liked or figured would get some people off the floor and back to the bar.

Hope this helps. Sounds like it will be a fun party! :)

Bad news.

The party has been cancelled. Which obviously means my DJing services won't be needed. They decided to take the money they were going to spend on the party and put it towards a pool.

I was pretty bummed out when I first found out, but I really can't blame them, it is their money. And since I was doing it for free, not doing it will actually save me money. Plus not having to plan for the party removes some stress in what has been a very stressful year for me, so I guess I should be relieved.

But I was looking forward to it, so I can't say I'm not disappointed. But thanks to all of you guys for your help & suggestions. It was very interesting to read, and a fun discussion. :thumb:

Hey man! Try to get a feel of the type of music the group wants to jam too, then take it from there. try to go with some obscure titles from those artists too. What I mean is...you dont always have to play the top hits by these guys and gals, play the lesser known stuff as well. many times, youll find that the lesser known hits/bands are a great way to go. have fun and just do your best. Try to be very request friendly(even if it's a song you may deem "crappy or too overplayed"), try to play it anyways. You could (in a NICE way) always try to hint for a tip or 3. Im not expecting it everytime I spin, and there's no rule on how much you should/shouldn't. But, keep in mind, you're hookin em up with their favorite jams, a few bucks(I usually dont give an amount,they usually get the hint and offer a few m\bucks) doesnt hurt and would probably get a song played faster than another. Dont Expect it, but it's a nice thing to make a few bucks for a gig.

NEVER demand they tip you to play anything, it's your job. People try to take advantage of it, but still. If the guys a dic* or the girls a B*&^%, I usually say"Aw man, sorry, forgot to bring it". They usually get the hint and become immediately "nicer".


Have fun. Let us know what happens.