I rarely DJ on Independence Day, but who was I to pass up the chance to perform the first DJ set at Austin’s newest hotel and event space, 1 Hotel? When they asked if I was available to play an all vinyl set, of course I said yes!
The hotel is beautiful, and it’s built with corporate events, weddings, and parties in mind. From the massive loading dock and easy load-in to the nature-inspired beauty of the interior, everything at the hotel shows thoughtful planning, and careful implementation, and I look forward to DJ’ing more events there!
Check out the view from the 14th floor balcony. When the fireworks began, guests had a bird’s eye view!
Musically, I tried to take the guests in some interesting directions. I was told the invitees were primarily industry folks, party planners, and others who might want to book the space for their own events. With that in mind, I tried to avoid the music they likely hear all the time, and took full advantage of my large, diverse vinyl collection to build a set for them to enjoy. As always, I had no idea exactly what I’d play until I played it. As each record played, I looked around the room for reactions to help me decide what disc to grab next. Judging by the number of compliments and fist bumps I received throughout the night, I think I did okay!
Here’s what I played.
Sunnin’ and Funnin’ – MFSB Changes – Vernon Bunch Gimmie What You Got – Le Pamplemousse It’s Great to Be Here – The Jackon Five I Get Lifted – KC & the Sunshine Band Get Up and Dance – Freedom Dominoes – Donald Byrd Space is the Place – Pleasure Hold On to Your Mind – Andwalla Everything Good Is Bad – The Politicians Benzie Box – Danger Doom Eye Know – De La Soul I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do) – Hall & Oates Break My Stride – Matthew Wilder Breakout – Swing Out Sister Strut – Sheena Easton Laid – James Kids – MGMT One More Time – Daft Punk Funky Nassau – Beginning of the End Soul Drums – Pretty Purdie Woman – Barrabás Love Is the Message – MFSB Vitamin C – Can Bra – Cymande Playa Grande [feat. Bomba Estéreo] – Sofi Tukker Obsessed – Olivia Rodrigo Over and Over – Hot Chip Rebellion (Lies) – Arcade Fire House of Jealous Lovers – The Rapture Bad Guy – Billie Eilish Boneman Connection – Nicodemus Starman – David Bowie Strawberry Fields Forever – Candy Flip Moments in Soul – J.T. and the Big Family Fade Into You – Mazzy Star Wild Safari – Barrabás Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter Evan Finds the Third Room – Khruangbin You Know I’m No Good – Amy Winehouse Corazon – Creative Source Venus – Bananarama View to a Kill – Duran Duran Heaven Is a Place on Earth – Belinda Carlisle Apache – Incredible Bongo Band Step It Up – Stereo MCs Slave to Live – Bryan Ferry
Last night’s wedding was FUN. From the moment the guests walked in, you could tell they were ready to party. When I move guests from the cocktail area into the reception hall, I always play an upbeat, fun song, with the goal being to remind people they are walking into a party. I could tell it was working last night, because several people danced into the room before taking their seat for dinner. During dinner, I saw people dancing in their seats, so it was no surprise that when it came time to dance, everyone danced, and most of them kept dancing for the entire night.
There are several reasons that the dance floor stayed full last night:
The guests were there to dance. Some groups are more into dancing than others, and this was definitely a dancing crowd.
I read the room. If you look through the track list below, you’ll see that I moved from genre to genre, switched tempos, and kept things flowing all night. I don’t brag often, but I am really good at this, and last night is evidence of that skill.
The MOST IMPORTANT REASON: the couple allowed ample time for dancing. Last night’s timeline was very simple:
5:30 Cocktail hour 6:30 Guests move into reception hall 6:40 Introduce the couple 6:42 First dance, parent dances, champagne tower 6:50 Dinner starts 8:00 Bride & Groom give think you speech 8:05 Group picture on dance floor 8:08 Dancing 10:50 Dancing ends 10:55 Private last dance 11:00 Reception ends
Note two important things: there were just under 3 hours allocated for dancing, and it was uninterrupted. There was no stopping to cut a cake, toss a bouquet, have an anniversary dance, serve a late night snack, or to do anything else. There were cocktails, there was a dinner, and then there was dancing, Lots of dancing. THAT is how you create a wedding day timeline that turns into a fun dance party.
Now that I’ve provide the recipe for a successful wedding party that you are all invited to copy, I’ll go back to writing about last night in particular. Many of the guests traveled to Austin to be at the wedding, primarily from Detroit and Boston. Knowing that there were guests from those cities helped me when it came to selecting the songs once dancing started. Different cities groove to different music, and some of my music choices were based on what I learned during the cocktail hour.
The reception took place at the Thompson Hotel, in Austin, Texas. This was my first time performing there, and I appreciate all the work Serafin and his team performed behind the scenes that made my job easy. I didn’t have to worry about anything other than being a DJ. I’m also quite grateful to Meek and Wild, the wedding planners, who are florists as well, who kept everything flowing on schedule, to the minute (a rarity in this industry), and made the room look beautiful.
In addition to DJ’ing, I brought a saxophonist who played for an hour during cocktails, and another hour during dinner. I also supplied a photobooth, so guests had printed pictures to take home as a remembrance of the night.
Finally, as always, I will share what I played, and in what order I played it.
Cocktail Music
Summer Wind – Frank Sinatra Bei Mir Bist Du Schon – Janis Siegel It’s Only a Paper Moon – Nat King Cole Love and Marriage – Frank Sinatra Hello, Dolly! – Louis Armstrong I Left My Heart in San Francisco – Tony Bennett I Can’t Get Started – Bunny Berigan Anything Goes – Tony Bennett Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby? – Dinah Washington Angelina – Zooma Zooma – Louis Prima Undecided – Ella Fitzgerald Fever – Peggy Lee Cheek to Cheek – Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Sunday In New York – Bobby Darin Sway (Quien Sera) – Dean Martin Rags to Riches – Tony Bennett Begin the Beguine – Andrews Sisters Begin the Beguine – Ella Fitzgerald Make Somebody Happy – Jimmy Durante Takes Two To Tango – Pearl Bailey
Reception Music
Guests Move Inside: Rock With You – Michael Jackson Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms) – The Detroit Emeralds Unchain My Heart – Ray Charles
Couple’s Introduction: Bring ‘Em Out – T.I.
First Dance: Maybe I’m Amazed – Paul McCartney Father / Daughter Dance: My Wish – Rascal Flatts Mother / Son Dance: Even As You Go – Compass Road
Champagne Tower: How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
Dinner Music
I Can’t Help Myself – The Four Tops Ooh Baby Baby – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles Funky Drummer – James Brown Lovely Day – Bill Withers
Saxophonist’s Set
Pictures of You – The Cure Private Eyes – Hall & Oates You’re So Vain – Carly Simon What Is Hip? – Tower of Power Somebody to Love – Queen Fernando – ABBA
Dancing
I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor Copacabana (At the Copa) – Barry Manilow Bizarre Love Triangle – New Order Like a Prayer – Madonna Show Me Love – Robin S. Wannabe – Spice Girls Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) – The Backstreet Boys Poison – Bell Biv DeVoe Apache – Sugar Hill Gang Uptown Funk [feat. Bruno Mars] – Mark Ronson Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice SexyBack – Justin Timberlake Sarà Perché Ti Amo – Ricchi e Poveri Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton Cruel Summer – Taylor Swift Teach Me How To Dougie – Cali Swag District Tequila – The Champs California Love [feat. Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman] – 2Pac Hypnotize – Notorious B.I.G. Party In the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus …Baby One More Time – Britney Spears Wobble Baby – V.I.C. Dancing Queen – ABBA Levitating – Dua Lipa Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond Pursuit of Happiness [Steve Aoki Remix] – Kid Cudi I Was Made For Lovin’ You – Kiss Be My Baby – The Ronettes It’s Tricky – Run-D.M.C. Low [feat. T-Pain] – Flo Rida Levels – Avicii I Love It [feat. Charli XCX] – Icona Pop Tití Me Preguntó – Bad Bunny Trap Queen – Fetty Wap Mo Bamba – Sheck Wes Sicko Mode [feat. Drake] – Travis Scott Stanky Legg – GS Boyz All I Do Is Win [feat. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg & Rick Ross] – DJ Khaled Without Me – Eminem 1, 2 Step – Ciara Dancing On My Own – Robyn Don’t Stop Believing – Journey Livin’ On a Prayer – Bon Jovi Baby Got Back – Sir Mix-A-Lot Mr. Brightside – The Killers All the Small Things – Blink-182 Toxic – Britney Spears Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks Paper Rings – Taylor Swift Yeah [feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris] – Usher Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees Walk This Way – Run-D.M.C. Intergalactic – Beastie Boys Old Time Rock & Roll – Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band Twist and Shout – The Beatles Footloose – Kenny Loggins Take On Me – a-ha As It Was – Harry Styles Cupid Shuffle – Cupid Fergalicious – Fergie We Found Love [feat. Calvin Harris] – Rihanna
I seldom DJ public events, but I’m always open to it, so when two great businesses in Taylor, Texas, Black Sparrow Music Hall and Ripple & Rose Cafe, contacted me and asked me if I’d DJ a night for them, of course I said yes. They chose ’90s Hip Hop House Party as the theme, and from there, it was up to me.
Of course I had to play exclusively records at a ’90s house party. That’s how it was done back then, so I filled a couple crates with vinyl 12″ singles, packed up my turntables, and drove to Taylor last night. So yes, every song below was spun from its original vinyl pressing!
You may notice that the first two songs are not hip hop songs. I started playing a few minutes early to warm up, and the only patrons at that point were an older couple who asked if I could play a couple country songs for them, so I obliged them. As Brooks & Dunn were winding down, the doorman started letting folks in, so I switched into hip hop mode and never looked back.
We drew a great crowd. The dance floor was pretty much at capacity the entire night, and everyone sang and shouted along with the songs. At the end of the night, one patron, who introduced herself as Marissa, presented me with what she described as a drawing of my set. She said she’d sat and sketched the night as it happened. It was very kind of her to do that, and she gave me permission to share a picture of the drawing, which I’ve done below the set list.
And, on that topic, here are the records that I played, in the order in which I played them, last night at the music hall.
Man! I Feel Like a Woman! – Shania Twain My Maria – Brooks & Dunn Groove is in the Heart – Deee-Lite Now That We’ve Found Love – Heavy D & the Boyz The Magic Number – De La Soul Don’t Stop the Rock – Freestyle Supercuts (Yeah Boy) – Rodney O Joe Cooley No Sleep Till Brooklyn – Beastie Boys Shoop – Salt N’ Pepa Can I Kick It? – A Tribe Called Quest Make the Music With Your Mouth, Biz [feat. T.J. Swan] – Biz Markie Hand On the Pump – Cypress Hill Call Me D-Nice – D-Nice Let’s Do It In the Dancehall – Jamalski Needle to the Groove – Mantronix King of Rock – Run-D.M.C. The Overweight Lover’s In the House – Heavy D & the Boyz Hip Hop Hooray – Naughty By Nature Ditty – Paperboy Indo Smoke – Mista Grimm Goin’ Back to Cali – Notorious B.I.G. You Gots to Chill – EPMD Hip Hop Junkies – Nice ‘N Smooth Here Comes the Hotstepper – Ini Kamoze Puerto Rico – Frankie Cutlass Shamrocks & Shenanigans – House of Pain This Is For the Homies – Rodney O Joe Cooley Too Close – Next I Wanna Sex You Up – Color Me Badd Hey Ladies – Beastie Boys Jump – Kriss Kross Mama Said Knock You Out – L.L. Cool J Children’s Story – Slick Rick This Is How We Do It – Montell Jordan Jack of Spades – Boogie Down Productions I Ain’t No Joke – Eric B. & Rakim Rollin’ With Kid ‘N Play – Kid ‘N Play Walk This Way – Run-D.M.C. Intergalactic – Beastie Boys Jump Around – House of Pain New Jack Swing – Wrecks ‘N Effect The Power – Chill Rob G. Miami Bass – Stetsasonic Jingling Baby [Remixed and Still Jingling] – L.L. Cool J It Takes Two – Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock Poison – Bell Biv DeVoe Gonna Make You Sweat – C & C Music Factory You Got It (The Right Stuff) – New Kids on the Block 1, 2, 3, 4 – Coolio Apache – Sugar Hill Gang Do It to the Crowd – Twin Hype Feels Good [Ben Liebrand Remix] – Tony! Toni! Toné! Bust a Move – Young MC Funky Cold Medina – Tone Lôc Ring ‘Em – MC Hammer The Roof is On Fire – Rock Master Scott and the Dynamic Three Good Vibrations – Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch I’ll House You – Jungle Brothers It’s Like That – Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins Pump Up the Jam – Technotronic Paul Revere – Beastie Boys Just a Friend – Biz Markie Pony – Ginuwine Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) – Jay-Z You Don’t Love Me (No No No) – Dawn Penn It Was a Good Day – Ice Cube Baby Got Back – Sir Mix-A-Lot Whoomp! (There It Is) – Tag Team Push It – Salt N’ Pepa It’s Tricky – Run-D.M.C. You Be Illin’ – Run-D.M.C. U Can’t Touch This – MC Hammer Shake It – M.C. Shy-D Get UR Freak On – Missy Elliott No Diggity [feat. Dr. Dre] – Blackstreet Freaks of the Industry – Digital Underground I’m a Player – Too Short Ms. Fat Booty – Mos Def C.R.E.A.M. – Wu-Tang Clan Hypnotize – Notorious B.I.G. Brass Monkey – Beastie Boys Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice Treat ‘Em Right – Chubb Rock The Creator – Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Candy Rain – Soul 4 Real No Scrubs – TLC Killing Me Softly – Fugees (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!) – Beastie Boys
Here are some pictures of the drawing that was made for me. The backside folds over and connects to itself. You can probably see what I mean in the pictures better than if I try to describe it further.
I DJ’ed back-to-back weddings on Saturday and Sunday, so you’re getting back-to-back playlist posts. Lucky you!
Yesterday’s wedding was in Lockhart, at Wild Roots Getaways & Gatherings. It’s a rustic, quaint venue with a great, air-conditioned banquet room, a beautiful ceremony site nestled in a forest glade, complete with wooden benches, and an outdoor pavilion with a black and white checkered dance floor, as well as spacious lawns for lounging and gaming. It has everything one can want from a wedding venue.
Here’s a breakdown of what I played throughout the day.
Pre-Ceremony Music
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty – Rasmus H. Thomsen Pure – Draw Close How Great Thou Art – Rasmus H. Thomsen Deep Love of Jesus – Draw Close Gratitude – David Lindner Oh to Be Loved – Draw Close In Christ Alone – Piano Praises At Your Feet [feat. Simon Wester] – Khamir Music Lovely – Draw Close The Peace of God – Khamir Music Redeemed [feat. Simon Wester] – Khamir Music
Ceremony
Bridal Party: Goodness of God – Lighthouse Piano Bridal Processional: Come Thou Fount – The Worship Pianist Recessional: Be My Baby – The Ronettes
Cocktails
Dreams – Fleetwood Mac Mouthful of Diamonds – Phantogram Nothing Can Change This Love – Sam Cooke La Grange – ZZ Top Dance, Dance, Dance – Lykke Li Amarillo By Morning – George Strait Fast Car – Tracy Chapman The Chain – Fleetwood Mac Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli Show Me How – Men I Trust Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Elton John & Kiki Dee Should’ve Been a Cowboy – Toby Keith Jack & Diane – John Mellencamp
Couple’s Introduction: Brighter Shade – Lost Dog Street Band
Dinner
Dancing in the Moonlight – King Harvest (You’re the) Devil in Disguise – Elvis Presley Burn, Burn, Burn – Zach Bryan Dance the Night Away – Shane Smith & the Saints Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton A Little While – Yellow Days Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival Sedona – Houndmouth Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison Pride and Joy – Stevie Ray Vaughan Choosin’ Texas – Ella Langley Pink Skies – Zach Bryan Hands Down – The Greeting Committee Back on 74 – Jungle Little L – Jamiroquai You Get What You Give – New Radicals
Dancing
First Dance: Wondering Why – The Red Clay Strays Mother / Son Dance: Custom Prayer Song
Jump – Van Halen September [Phats & Small Remix] – Earth Wind & Fire All My Ex’s Live In Texas – George Strait P.Y.T. – Michael Jackson Blue Monday – New Order You Spin Me ‘Round (Like a Record) – Dead Or Alive Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good) – Neil Diamond Heartache on the Dance Floor – Jon Pardi I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas Club Can’t Handle Me [feat. David Guetta] – Flo Rida Low [feat. T-Pain] – Flo Rida Be My Baby – The Ronettes It’s Tricky – Run-D.M.C. Footloose – Kenny Loggins Copperhead Road – Steve Earle Dancing Queen – ABBA Neon Moon – Brooks & Dunn Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter Praise You – Fatboy Slim Da Funk – Daft Punk Bangarang [feat. Sirah] – Skrillex Block Rockin’ Beats – The Chemical Brothers Kiss – Prince and the Revolution Wannabe – Spice Girls Dance the Night – Dua Lipa Right Round [feat. Ke$ha] – Flo Rida Party In the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus Oops!…I Did It Again – Britney Spears Thrift Shop [feat. Wanz] – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Hypnotize – Notorious B.I.G. Gasolina – Daddy Yankee I Want You Back – The Jackson Five Sicko Mode [feat. Drake] – Travis Scott Best Love Song [feat. Chris Brown] – T-Pain Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver Congratulations [feat. Quavo] – Post Malone Fireball [feat. John Ryan] – Pitbull I Love It [feat. Charli XCX] – Icona Pop Suavemente – Elvis Crespo Like a Prayer [Block & Crown Remix] – Madonna Don’t Stop the Music – Rihanna Pursuit of Happiness [Steve Aoki Remix] – Kid Cudi I Was Made For Lovin’ You – Kiss Fergalicious – Fergie Barbie Girl – Aqua Danza Kuduro [feat. Lucenzo] – Don Omar Pepas – Farruko Laffy Taffy – D4L All I Do Is Win [feat. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg & Rick Ross] – DJ Khaled Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’) [feat. Yung Joc] – T-Pain Teach Me How To Dougie [clean] – Cali Swag District Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You – Lauryn Hill Despacito [feat. Daddy Yankee] – Luis Fonsi The Show Goes On – Lupe Fiasco
It’s been a while since I shared a playlist, so let me remedy this! I DJ’ed Hannah and Sean’s wedding in Austin at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum on the UT-Austin campus. This was my first time DJ’ing there, though I have another wedding lined up at the same site later this year, and it’s quite a venue! Where else can you sip cocktails amidst art deco decor, next to a Tyrannosaurus Rex while a Pterodactyl soars overhead? Yep, that’s what’s in the great hall, which was where we set up the photobooth, and where the cocktails were served. The ceremony, and later dinner and dancing, were outdoors in the plaza, and everything was fabulous.
For the ceremony, the couple chose two songs.
Processional: The Lark Ascending – Ralph Vaughan Williams Recessional: Never Walk Alone – BLOND:ISH
After cocktails, I brought the couple into the party with a rousing introduction, and played their song of choice.
Couple’s Intro Song: 6’s to 9’s – Big Wild
The dinner music was a mix of indie and electronic sounds.
Kingston – Faye Webster Champagne Coast – Blood Orange Sarah – Alex G. Cobra – Geese Anticipate [feat. Clairo] – El Michaels Affair Pictures of You [feat. Kate Bollinger] – Drugdealer This Is Why (I Don’t Spring 4 Love) – Saya Gray Talk 2 Me – 54 Ultra Chateau – Angus & Julia Stone Back on 74 [Full Crate Remix] – Jungle Mariella [feat. Leon Bridges] – Khruangbin Earthstar – Hannah Cohen Besties [feat. New Road] – Black Country There’s a Rhythm – Bon Iver 5 [feat. Elia Rønnenfelt] – Dean Blunt Prep School Gangsters – Vampire Weekend Snowbank Blues – The Backseat Lovers White Gloves ii – Khruangbin Why – Dominic Fike Call On Me – Daniel Caesar Take a Drive – Rex Orange County The Question – Balu Brigade Marseille – Oracle Sisters Devotion – Arlo Parks Flood [feat. Bon Iver] – Dua Saleh Babydoll – Dominic Fike
Then came time to cut the cake.
Cake Cutting Song: Chapel of Love – The Dixie Cups
And at last, the time to dance arrived!
First Dance: Until I Found You – Stephen Sanchez Father / Daughter Dance: My Girl – The Temptations Mother / Son Dance: Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
Double or Nothing – Western Centuries All My Ex’s Live In Texas – George Strait Blue Monday – New Order We Found Love [feat. Calvin Harris] – Rihanna Timber [feat. Kesha] – Pitbull Pursuit of Happiness [Steve Aoki Remix] – Kid Cudi Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good) – Neil Diamond Rasputin – Boney M. Gasolina – Daddy Yankee Danza Kuduro [feat. Lucenzo] – Don Omar Call on Me – Eric Prydz Pepas – Farruko Be My Baby – The Ronettes It’s Tricky – Run-D.M.C. Kids – MGMT Blinding Lights – The Weeknd Take On Me – a-ha Sugar, We’re Going Down – Fall Out Boy All the Small Things – Blink-182 Apt. [feat. Bruno Mars] – Rosé Hot to Go! – Chappell Roan Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) – ABBA Like a Prayer – Madonna Fireball [feat. John Ryan] – Pitbull Laffy Taffy – D4L Bottoms Up [feat. Nicki Minaj] – Trey Songz Stanky Legg – GS Boyz All I Do Is Win [feat. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg & Rick Ross] – DJ Khaled Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’) [feat. Yung Joc] – T-Pain EoO – Bad Bunny Get Low [feat. Ying Yang Twins] – Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz Work It – Missy Elliott Mi Gente [feat. Willy William] – J. Balvin Lovin’ On Me – Jack Harlow Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runner Doses and Mimosas – Cherub The Box – Roddy Ricch 1, 2 Step – Ciara Bangarang [feat. Sirah] – Skrillex Block Rockin’ Beats – The Chemical Brothers Da Funk – Daft Punk Praise You – Fatboy Slim Respect [One Rascal Mix] – Aretha Franklin Respect – Aretha Franklin Apache – Sugar Hill Gang Vogue – Madonna Raspberry Beret – Prince and the Revolution Playa Grande [feat. Bomba Estéreo] – Sofi Tukker Welcome to the Black Parade – My Chemical Romance
Yesterday I DJ’ed at a venue I’ve never played before, Golden Pine in Smithville. It turns out that yesterday’s wedding was the first they’d hosted, so no wonder I’d never been there! Despite it being their maiden voyage for weddings, everything went off without a hitch, and you’d have assumed they’d been hosting weddings for decades. The site itself is beautiful, and the venue is nestled into a lovely forest. I played from a balcony, outside an air-conditioned banquet room, overlooking a large lawn shaded by trees. It is truly an idyllic setting for a wedding!
Here’s my view from the balcony.
The wedding was just as wonderful as its setting. It was catered by Mandola’s, which was a treat for me as I love Italian food. And while I’m shouting out vendors, I have to mention the photographer, Evelyn Rude. She stayed for the entire event, which is not always the case with photographers, which meant there was no need to do a “fake sendoff” or rush anything, and she was always on the spot and ready to capture special moments.
As for me, I was asked to play music for dinner, and for the dancing that followed, and the timeline allowed for a relaxed pace. I really love it when a wedding timeline allows for several hours of dancing. Too often the timeline leaves only 2 hours, or even 90 minutes, for dancing, and that’s never enough. Last night I had 3 1/2 hours in which to play dance music for the guests, and even when the last song finished, they wanted more. Instead, we handed them bubbles, and sent them out front to give Emm and Mikey a beautiful send off!
Dinner Music
La Diferencia – Vicente Fernández En Tu Pelo – Javier Solís Yo el Aventurero – Pedro Fernández Light My Fire – José Feliciano Life On Mars? – Seu Jorge Samba Pa Ti – Santana Tres Hermanos [feat. Dan Auerbach] – Hermanos Gutiérrez Les Eaux de Mars – Stacey Kent French Bossa Nova [feat. Aupinard, GraceGrace & Chezile] – Ladji Mouflet Sea Gets Hotter – Durand Jones & the Indications Abusey Junction – Kokoroko Señora Diana La Ví -Eduardo Mateo Diane Denoir Perdido de Amor – Luiz Bonfá Mi Negrita – Devandra Banhart Flight Attendant – Josh Rouse Caminando – Isadora Saudade – Thievery Corporation Ladyfingers – Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass Elegantly Wasted [feat. Leon Bridges] – Hermanos Gutiérrez The Waters of March – Susannah McCorkle
Introduction of Wedding Party: A Milli – Lil Wayne First Dance: Ojitos Lindos [feat. Bomba Estéreo] – Bad Bunny
Dance Music
Baila Esta Cumbia – Selena Azúcar [feat. Fito Olivares] – A.B. Quintanilla III y Los Kumbia Kings Corazón Sin Cara – Prince Royce No Se Va – Grupo Frontera Macarena – Los Del Rio Neon Moon – Brooks & Dunn Dancing Queen – ABBA Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees 24K Magic – Bruno Mars Electric Boogie – Marcia Griffiths Head Over Boots – Jon Pardi Cowboy Cumbia – Javier Molina Cumbia Sampuesana – Aniceto Molina y La Luz Roja de San Marcos A Mover la Colita – La Sonora Dinamita Dance the Night – Dua Lipa Murder on the Dancefloor – Sophie EllisBextor September – Earth Wind & Fire Time of Our Lives [feat. Ne-Yo] – Pitbull Designated Drinker [feat. George Strait] – Alan Jackson Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton
Bouquet Toss: Girls Just Wanna’ Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper Garter Toss: Another One Bites the Dust – Queen
Copperhead Road – Steve Earle El Botecito – Los Hijos del Pueblo La Chona – Los Tucanes De Tijuana La Charanga – Hugo Guerrero Me Vale – Maná Apache – Sugar Hill Gang Uptown Funk [feat. Bruno Mars] – Mark Ronson Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) – ABBA Forever – Chris Brown Love Story (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift Fireball [feat. John Ryan] – Pitbull Low [feat. T-Pain] – Flo Rida This Is Your Night – Amber Calabria 2008 (feat. Natasja) – Enur Bidi Bidi Bom Bom – Selena Stand By Me – Prince Royce Adiós Amor – Christian Nodal Yo x Ti, Tu x Mi [feat. Ozuna] – Rosalía Hawái [remix] [feat. The Weeknd] – Maluma In Da Club – 50 Cent Wanna Be a Baller – Lil’ Troy No Scrubs – TLC Return of the Mack – Mark Morrison Party In the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus …Baby One More Time – Britney Spears Hypnotize – Notorious B.I.G. Gasolina – Daddy Yankee I Want You Back – The Jackson Five Pop a Top – Alan Jackson I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston Billie Jean – Michael Jackson La Vibora De La Mar – Los Kachorrillos De Tijuana Amor – Emmanuel Cortes Grillz [feat. Paul Wall] – Nelly Rock Yo Hips [feat. Lil Scrappy] – Crime Mob Shoulder Lean [feat. T.I.] – Young Dro Stanky Legg – GS Boyz Teach Me How To Dougie – Cali Swag District Swag Surfin’ – Fast Life Yungstaz Mo Bamba – Sheck Wes Cotton Eyed Joe – Rednex Pepas – Farruko Last Night – Morgan Wallen The Ketchup Dance – Las Ketchup No Rompas Mi Corazón – Caballo Dorado La Noche de Anoche [feat, Rosalía] – Bad Bunny Dale Don Dale [feat. Glory] – Don Omar Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life) [feat. J. Balvin] – Black Eyed Peas Lovin’ On Me – Jack Harlow Yeah [feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris] – Usher I Could Fall In Love – Selena Lean Like A Cholo – Down AKA Kilo
I DJ’ed Kadyn and Josh’s wedding at the Preserve at Canyon Lake yesterday. This was my last wedding of the spring 2025 season, and it was probably the most energetic dance party of the entire season. Part of that is no doubt due to the Preserve itself, as it has a large, indoor, air conditioned ballroom. That makes a massive difference when you’re DJ’ing a wedding in Texas in June! It was more than just the comfortable atmosphere however, that made for such pandemonium on the dance floor. I’m sure it was in part what I played, listed below as always, but mostly it was the 250 or so guests, every one of whom seemingly came prepared to party.
As soon as the anniversary dance ended, and we heard some advice from a couple who have been married more than 56 years, the dance floor was full, and it stayed that way through the final strains of Shake Russell’s “Deep in the West.” It was wild. There was screaming and shouting, jumping and bouncing, hands in the air, and people in the air, too, being surfed over the crowd. It really felt like every guest of every age danced the entire time. I love that energy!!
I’ll definitely share more video footage on my Instagram soon, so keep on eye on the ‘gram. In the meantime, here’s a recap of the music I played during the wedding.
Pre-Ceremony Music
Kadyn and Josh provided me with a short list of songs they wanted played before their ceremony began, and I happily obliged.
Springtime – Chris Renzema Lay It All Down – Will Reagan Fishes and Loaves – Josiah Queen Adonai – Chris Renzema Forever Amen – Stefafny Gretzinger How to Be Yours [String Version] – Chris Renzema Not In a Hurry – Will Reagan Abba – John Mark Pantana Open Space – Housefires How Deep the Father’s Love for Us [Live] – REVERE
Ceremony Music
Bridal Party Processional: Love Is a Wild Thing [acoustic] – Megan Nicole Bride’s Processional: Goodness of God [instrumental] – Remi Collins Couple’s Processional: You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
There was one additional musical element to the ceremony. I set up a microphone for a singer, and ran his guitar through my board to amplify it, so he could sing a song. I’ve heard some DJs complain about “doing extra work,” but I enjoy moments like that. It was nice to get to know the singer a bit, and I even got a thumbs up from him later, during dinner, when I played a song he’d mentioned that he’d liked while we were sound-checking.
Cocktail Music
After the ceremony, everyone moved outdoors to a patio, where a bar was set up, and food was passed. I provided an additional sound system outside so the guests had music to mingle by.
Beautiful – Bazzi Isn’t It Romantic – Tony Bennett Bittersweet – Louis the Child Backyard Boy – Claire Rosinkranz Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not – Thompson Square The Joker – Steve Miller Band Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare) – Kid Cudi, MGMT, Ratatat The Best Is Yet to Come – Frank Sinatra La Vie en Rose – Louis Armstrong Good Directions – Billy Currington
Dinner Music
After cocktails, the guests moved back inside, into the main ballroom, where dinner was served and dances were danced. I typically play some upbeat, fun, party music as guests make their way inside and find their seats. I want to make sure they know they’re at a party, and start building some energy that can be unleashed later, on the dance floor.
Wanna’ Be Starting Something – Michael Jackson Move Your Feet – Junior Senior Power of Love – Huey Lewis & The News Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag, Pts. 1, 2 & 3 – James Brown and His Famous Flames Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms) – The Detroit Emeralds This Magic Moment – The Drifters Better Together – Jack Johnson Kiss Me – Sixpence None The Richer I Miss You – Blink-182 Archie, Marry Me – Always (This is the song Beckett, the ceremony singer, mentioned to me.)
At this point, Kadyn and Josh were ready to rejoin the party, and of course I had to bring them into the room in my energetic, and I’d say inimitable, style. The came into a song of their choice.
After that energetic moment, I settled things down a bit, and played music that is still upbeat, but more conducive to dining.
Butterflies – Kacy Musgraves Beautiful Crazy – Luke Combs Greatest Love Story – LANCO Burn, Burn, Burn – Zach Bryan More Than My Hometown – Morgan Wallen Talkin’ Tennessee – Morgan Wallen The Architect – Kacey Musgraves Dive – Luke Combs 7 Summers – Morgan Wallen Smile – Uncle Kracker Sun to Me – Zach Bryan One Man Band – Old Dominion You Should Probably Leave – Chris Stapleton All Your’n – Tyler Childers Diamond In My Pocket – Cody Johnson
Dance Music
First Dance: Space and Time – Tyler Childers Father Daughter Dance: When She Grows Up – Craig Campbell Mother Son Dance: Deeper Than the Holler – Randy Travis
Anniversary Dance: Angel Eyes – The Jeff Healey Band
And now it’s time to get the party started! And boy did it start, and keep going. This really was one of the liveliest, dancing-est groups I’ve played for in some time. It seemed that the dance floor was not only full, but loud and energetic, for the duration of the party. This group really got down, and here’s what they got down to.
Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right – Billy Currington Amarillo By Morning – George Strait Man! I Feel Like a Woman! – Shania Twain Don’t Stop the Music – Rihanna Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) – ABBA Fireball [feat. John Ryan] – Pitbull I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas Low [feat. T-Pain] – Flo Rida Pursuit of Happiness [Steve Aoki Remix] – Kid Cudi I Was Made For Lovin’ You – Kiss It’s Tricky – Run-D.M.C. We Found Love [feat. Calvin Harris] – Rihanna You Spin Me ‘Round (Like a Record) – Dead Or Alive Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield September – Earth Wind & Fire Timber [feat. Kesha] – Pitbull Teach Me How To Dougie – Cali Swag District Gold Digger [feat. Jamie Foxx] – Kanye West Party In the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus …Baby One More Time – Britney Spears Wobble Baby – V.I.C. Dancing Queen – ABBA Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees Neon Moon – Brooks & Dunn Blurred Lines [feat. T.I. & Pharrell] – Thicke Nokia [clean] – Drake Hotel Room Service – Pitbull Fergalicious – Fergie I Just Want To Dance With You – George Strait Uptown Funk [feat. Bruno Mars] – Mark Ronson Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice Billie Jean – Michael Jackson We Are Young [feat. Janelle Monae] – Fun. Don’t Stop Believing – Journey Livin’ On a Prayer – Bon Jovi Found/Tonight – Ben Platt
Bouquet Toss: Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) – Beyoncé
Love Story – Taylor Swift I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston Forever – Chris Brown Like a Prayer – Madonna Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton Crank That (Soulja Boy) – Soulja Boy Humble – Kendrick Lamar No Hands [feat. Roscoe Dash and Wale] – Waka Flocka Flame Hit the Quan – iLoveMemphis Footloose – Kenny Loggins Mr. Brightside – The Killers Texas Fight – The University of Texas Longhorn Band The Fightin’ Texas Aggie War Hymn – The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band
Last Dance: Deep in the West – Shake Russell
Guests: Walking Out: Closing Time – Semisonic
Private Last Dance: I Don’t Wanna’ Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
Sparkler Exit: Light My Love – Greta Van Fleet
And with that, the wedding was over, and it was time to pack up all the sound and lighting gear and head home. I can’t wait for my next visit to The Preserve at Canyon Lake!
What did Kadyn & Josh think? Here’s some unscripted feedback they offered:
I DJ’ed a wedding just outside of Austin, in San Marcos, at Windermere Farms yesterday. The venue is lovely. It’s spacious, and easy to load gear in and out, two factors that always make a DJ happy.
There were a lot of guests at the wedding, which is something I love, as it means there is likely to be some great energy in the room. More people usually means more fun, and last night was no exception! Let’s find out what I played.
Pre-Ceremony Music
I started with some background music for the guests to hear as they came into the ceremony site and found a seat.
Lover – Relaxing Piano Covers God Bless the Broken Road – Matchstick Piano Man Love Story – Relaxing Piano Covers Until I Found You – Alan Ng Somewhere Only We Know – Stratus Can’t Help Falling in Love – Alan Ng I Dreamed a Dream – Stratus You Are the Reason – Alan Ng Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Steve Petrunak Wildest Dream – Relaxing Piano Covers
Ceremony Music
When it came time for the ceremony, I watched for my cues and brought people in. The wedding party was quite large: 12 bridesmaids and 12 groomsmen! I had to keep an eye on the music to make sure everything sounded perfect. There were also some additional songs. Typically I play two songs before the ceremony begins, but yesterday I had to run four, and time them all to fit the processions, which I did. And of course, I topped things off with a recessional for the couple. All in all, it was a perfect and beautiful ceremony.
Family Processional: Goodness of God – Lighthouse Piano Bridal Party: Make You Feel My Love – Magical Piano Player Flower Girl & Ring Bearer: Slipping Through My Fingers – Riyandi Kusma Bridal Processional: Unchained Melody – Johan Sander Couple’s Recessional: Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder
Cocktail Music
We’re on to cocktail hour!
Coming Home – Leon Bridges (Sittin’ On The) Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding Come and Get Your Love – Redbone Build Me Up Buttercup – The Foundations At Last – Etta James Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You – Frankie Valli This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole Everything – Michael Bublé For Once in My Life – Stevie Wonder I Say a Little Prayer – Aretha Franklin Cheek to Cheek – Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong You Can’t Hurry Love – The Supremes Valerie [Live At BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge, London] – Amy Winehouse Stay – Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs This Magic Moment – The Drifters My Girl – The Temptations Adalida – George Strait Every Little Honky Tonk Bar – George Strait Kiss Me – Sixpence None The Richer Love Grows on the White Oak Tree – Teddy Wilson
Dinner Music
And now, it’s time for dinner. But first, I must introduce Karsen and Cole into the reception area with as much energy and emotion as possible. I think they heard us cheering all the way down in San Antonio!
Couple’s Introduction: Forever – Chris Brown
We followed the introduction up with the first dance, and the parent dances. I like when couples do this, as it means we can more easily transition straight into open dancing after dinner.
First Dance: Dance of a Lifetime – Drake Milligan Father/Daugher Dance: Stand By Me – Ben E.King Mother/Son Dance: Her Little Man – Jami Grooms
And then, dinner time. The food was outstanding, perhaps one of the best two or three meals I’ve had at a wedding in recent memory. It was catered by La Pera Catering, and I highly recommend them! I hope I see them at another event soon, because they fed the vendors the same delicious food the guests were served. I love it!
Honky Tonk Crowd – Rick Trevino I Wish – Stevie Wonder Brand New Man – Brooks & Dunn Dancin’ With the Devil – Josh Ward Mountain Music – Alabama Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison Midnight Mess Around – Old Dominion I Can’t Help Myself – The Four Tops It’s a Great Day to Be Alive – Travis Tritt The Truth About Men – Tracy Byrd Watermelon Crawl – Tracy Byrd Move It On Over – Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys Got to Be Real – Cheryl Lynn That’s Texas – Cody Johnson Be My Baby Tonight – John MichaelMontgomery Work Boots – Cody Johnson Gonna Get a Life – Mark Chesnutt King of the Road – Roger Miller River Road Dream – Curtis Grimes
Cake Cutting: How Sweet It Is – Marvin Gaye
After the cake was cut, the couple did a champagne toast, during which I fired off a pair of my cold sparklers. Those things really elevate a moment, and deliver a wow factor that must be seen to be believed. You can get a sense of it in the video below, which I’ve shared on Instagram as well as YouTube.
Dance Music
At last, we’re dancing, and as I mentioned above this was an energetic group. They did NOT stop dancing until the final record was spun! At one point the groomsmen spontaneously lifted the groom and crowd-surfed him around the dance floor. Not to be outdone, the bridesmaids hosted Karsen and took her on her own surfin’ safari.
Jubel – Klingande Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield Club Can’t Handle Me [feat. David Guetta] – Flo Rida Feel So Close – Calvin Harris Be My Baby – The Ronettes Pursuit of Happiness [Steve Aoki Remix] – Kid Cudi I Was Made For Lovin’ You – Kiss Low [feat. T-Pain] – Flo Rida Here for a Good Time – George Strait Dancing Queen – ABBA Neon Moon – Brooks & Dunn I Want You Back – The Jackson Five Careless Whisper – Wham Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton Rockstar – Nickelback Fat Bottomed Girls – Queen
Bouquet Toss: Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) – ABBA
Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus Hotline Bling – Drake Don’t Stop Believing – Journey Livin’ On a Prayer – Bon Jovi Eenie Meenie – SeanKingston I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston September [Eric Kupper Remix] – Earth Wind & Fire The Climb – Miley Cyrus Gettin’ You Home – Chris Young Fight, Raiders, Fight – Texas Tech University Marching Band Respect – Aretha Franklin Best of My Love – The Emotions Wannabe – Spice Girls Poison – Bell Biv DeVoe Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runner Mr. Brightside – The Killers All the Small Things – Blink-182 Toxic – Britney Spears Tainted Love – Soft Cell I Want it That Way – The Backstreet Boys Medley: Summer Love / Set the Mood (Prelude) – Justin Timberlake Get Low [feat. Ying Yang Twins] – Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz Yeah [feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris] – Usher Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks
Last Dance: Last Dance – Donna Summer
And then it was time to send everyone out front for a sendoff that featured both handheld sparklers for each guest, and four of my cold sparkler machines. It was spectacular, and can be seen in the video linked above.
Sometimes, when a client wants you, they really want you. Such was the case this weekend, when I was hired to perform at a wedding in Des Moines, Iowa. Yes, I’m normally an Austin wedding DJ, but this time I hit the road. I had a nice journey, stopping for a great chicken dinner and a good night’s sleep in Pittsburg, Kansas, and then spending a full day exploring Kansas City, Missouri, before bedding down again. But enough about my mini-road trip, let’s talk about Ana and Noah’s wedding!
The wedding took place at the Des Moines Art Center, a museum that doubles as an event space. There’s a lovely outdoor fountain where we held the ceremony and cocktails before moving inside for dinner. For dancing, we went right back out to the fountain and enjoyed the perfect weather.
The couple gave me some requests, but primarily trusted me to get people dancing. As long as they heard a lot of music from Two Door Cinema Club and The Strokes, everything would be good, so I made sure to include a solid amount from both bands in my set.
Pre-Ceremony Music
As guests arrived, the couple wanted them to hear a selection of songs from the game Animal Crossings, and so that’s what I played. 🙂
Able Sisters 9AM 5PM The Roost Bubblegum K.K. Mystery Island Tour Evening Island Life Orientation 6PM New Horizons Theme [strings] New Leaf Wild World New Horizons Theme [piano]
Ceremony Music
Bridal Party & Bride’s Processional: Concerning Hobbits – Howard Shore Couple’s Recessional: Taken – Hayley Williams
Cocktail Music
Cocktail hour was time for me to play lots of the couple’s favorites, which leaned heavily in the direction of indie rock and new wave music.
She Blinded Me With Science – Thomas Dolby Always Like This – Bombay Bicycle Club Tongues – Joywave, KOPPS Welcome to Japan – The Strokes Something About Us – Saint Motel Meet Me At Our Spot – The Anxiety, Willow, Tyler Cole Everything In Its Right Place – Radiohead Call It Fate, Call It Karma – The Strokes On the Other Side – The Strokes Rocky’s Late Night – Albert Hammond Jr. Synthesize Her – TWRP Bad Decisions – Two Door Cinema Club Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush Head Over Heels – Tears for Fears Vertigo – Mini Mansions, Alex Turner Under Pressure – David Bowie & Queen Wake Up – Two Door Cinema Club Como te Extraño Mi Amor – Café Tacvba Sun – Two Door Cinema Club Kids – MGMT
Couple’s Entrance: Lovesong – The Cure Cake Cutting: Lovin’ You – Minnie Riperton
Dinner Music
Sugar on the Rim – Hayley Williams Destruction – Joywave Red Light – The Strokes What You Know – Two Door Cinema Club Just Like Heaven – The Cure Crystal Clear – Hayley Williams Black Sheep – Metric Life On Mars? – David Bowie This Is Way – Paramore Cold Cold Man – Saint Motel W.I.F.I. – Wildermiss Lavender – Two Door Cinema Club Hard to Explain – The Strokes
Dance Music
And at last, the dancing!
First Dance: Think About Things – Daði Freyr
I don’t normally share videos of the dancing in these music recaps, but, with the couple’s permission, I’m sharing theirs. They did the “traditional” thing for about 30 seconds, then pivoted to something a little more interesting.
It was a tough act to follow, but after that, it was time for open dancing, and I kept the dance floor full until the very end of the night. It was easy– the guests came to party!
Dancing Queen – ABBA Burning Down the House – Talking Heads Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter Yeah [feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris] – Usher Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand Jump Around – House of Pain Walk This Way – Run-D.M.C. Uptown Funk [feat. Bruno Mars] – Mark Ronson Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice Don’t You Want Me – Human League We Are Family – Sister Sledge Good Luck, Babe – Chappell Roan Girls & Boys – Blur Talk – Two Door Cinema Club Hungry Like the Wolf – Duran Duran Cha Cha Slide – DJ Casper I Love It [feat. Charli XCX] – Icona Pop Pursuit of Happiness [Steve Aoki Remix] – Kid Cudi I Was Made For Lovin’ You – Kiss Low [feat. T-Pain] – Flo Rida Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time – Panic! at the Disco Rock Lobster – The B-52’s Dancing With Myself – Billy Idol Take On Me – a-ha Hard to Explain – The Strokes I Write Sins Not Tragedies – Panic! at the Disco Sugar, We’re Going Down – Fall Out Boy Turn Down For What – DJ Snake & Lil Jon Beware of the Boys (Mundian to Bach Ke) – Panjabi MC Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) – Beyoncé Party In the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus …Baby One More Time – Britney Spears Hypnotize – Notorious B.I.G. Tequila – The Champs Mr. Brightside – The Killers All the Small Things – Blink-182 Apt. [feat. Bruno Mars] – Rosé Hot to Go! – Chappell Roan Thunderstruck – AC/DC Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) – ABBA I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston Something Good Can Work – Two Door Cinema Club Psycho Killer – Talking Heads Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode Blue Monday – New Order Atomic – Blondie Friday I’m In Love – The Cure Rockstar – Nickelback Pink Pony Club – Chappell Roan Undercover Martyn – Two Door Cinema Club Hey Ya! – Outkast Shake It Off – Taylor Swift I Saw Her Standing There – The Beatles Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham Disturbia – Rihanna Fireball [feat. John Ryan] – Pitbull Forever – Chris Brown Love Story – Taylor Swift Don’t Stop Believing – Journey Livin’ On a Prayer – Bon Jovi Save Your Tears – The Weeknd SexyBack – Justin Timberlake Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
Last Dance: Kiss From a Rose – Seal
And the next morning, it was time to drive back to Texas. But not before about a dozen or more guests from the wedding, who were staying in the same hotel, stopped me to tell me how much they’d loved the music the night before. Many even called out specific songs that they appreciated hearing. It was very flattering, and it made me very happy knowing that everyone enjoyed the music that much.
I’ve made it to Oklahoma! I’ll be back in Texas tomorrow!
Yesterday, I DJ’ed Yini and Matt’s wedding at Ma Maison, a wonderful wedding venue just outside Austin, in Dripping Springs, Texas. The guests were an even split of Americans and Chinese, many of whom traveled from China to attend the wedding. I was warned ahead of time by Yini and Matt that the Chinese guests probably wouldn’t dance, but in the end, I managed to get some of them out on the floor.
Pre-Ceremony Music
For the pre-ceremony list, Matt, the groom, prepared some custom edits of songs by The Antlers, which he asked me to play as guests were seated, along with a song from Flight of the Conchords, which he described as a song it “might be fun to make everyone listen to.”
Here’s the list of what was played.
Strawflower – He Antlers Solstice – He Antlers Stubborn Man – He Antlers Equinox – He Antlers Porchlight – He Antlers It Is What It Is – He Antlers Pencils in the Wind – Flight of the Conchords
Ceremony Music
Matt also prepared custom edits of the songs the couple wanted me to for me to play during the ceremony, which were,
Bridal Party Processional: Things That Hide Away – The Dear Hunter Bridal Processional: Adieu – Enter Shikari
The couple asked me if I would mind Rock’rollling the guests during the recessional. Would I mind? Of course not! I encourage that sort of behavior! I even worked out with them what the officiant would say. He explained that Matt and Yini had an original song they’d created just for their wedding recessional, and to pay close attention. But of course, when the time came…
Couple’s Recessional: Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley
Cocktail Music
As is customary at a wedding, the guests moved over to the cocktail area to eat, drink, and mingle while the couple took pictures with the bridal party and family.
Dinner Music
Rock With You – Michael Jackson Ain’t Nobody (Loves Me Better) – Felix Jaehn This Magic Moment – The Drifters Only Wanna Be With You – Hootie & The Blowfish Tell Me Something Good – Rufus and Chaka Khan Lovely Day – Bill Withers Genius of Love – Tom Tom Club Stand By Me – Ben E. King My Girl – The Temptations Get On the Good Foot – James Brown Baby I’m Yours – Arctic Monkeys Budapest – George Ezra Rebel Rebel – Seu Jorge You’ve Got the Love – Florence + The Machine Heartbeats – José González The Book of Love – Magnetic Fields Redbone – Childish Gambino Hey Jude – The Beatles I Don’t Like Mondays – The Boomtown Rats Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah) – Andy Grammer Wedding Song (There Is Love) – Noel Paul Stookey You’re the Voice – John Farnham
Dance Music
Couple’s First Dance: Dark Side of the Gym – The National Father Daughter Dance: Somewhere Over the Rainbow/ What a Wonderful World – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole Mother Son Dance: And the Birds Sing – Tyrone Wells Anniversary Dance: Unforgettable – Nat King Cole Cake Cutting:Love You Madly – Cake
And then, it was an open dance floor for all the guests.
Burning Down the House – Talking Heads All Star – Smash Mouth Dancing Queen – ABBA Neon Moon – Brooks & Dunn Who Let the Dogs Out – Baha Men Pepas – Farruko Low [feat. T-Pain] – Flo Rida Pursuit of Happiness [Steve Aoki Remix] – Kid Cudi I Love It [feat. Charli XCX] – Icona Pop Cotton Eyed Joe / Schottische – Isaac Payton Sweat Footloose – Kenny Loggins Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham Happy – Pharrell Williams Sugar, We’re Going Down – Fall Out Boy I’m a Believer – Smash Mouth Party In the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus Oops I Did It Again – Britney Spears Hypnotize – Notorious B.I.G. Gold Digger [feat. Jamie Foxx] – Kanye West Thrift Shop [feat. Wanz] – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Blame It on the Rain – Milli Vanilli I Want it That Way – The Backstreet Boys Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter This Is How We Do It – Montell Jordan Paper Rings – Taylor Swift Cha Cha Slide – DJ Casper I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred September – Earth Wind & Fire Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton Lover – Taylor Swift Until I Found You – Stephen Sanchez Jump in the Line – Harry Belafonte Uptown Funk [feat. Bruno Mars] – Mark Ronson Apache – Sugar Hill Gang Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice Hooked on a Feeling – Blue Swede Apt. [feat. Bruno Mars] – Rosé Hot to Go! – Chappell Roan All the Small Things – Blink-182 Mr. Brightside – The Killers Toxic – Britney Spears Tainted Love – Soft Cell Where You Are [feat. Hayla] – John Summit I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas A Changed Man – Absence of Anchors Take On Me – a-ha
Jordan
Jordan Miller brings years of experience from the festival and club circuit to the world of private events and weddings. Renowned for his upscale professionalism, he knows how to create an unforgettable celebration that resonates with guests of all ages.
Whether it’s the timeless sounds of disco, the vibrant hits of the ’70s and ’80s, or the lively rhythms of Afro beats, Jordan tailors the music to perfectly match the atmosphere of your event. With a portfolio that includes collaborations with prestigious brands like Formula 1, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, as well as a wealth of experience in diverse cultural weddings, Jordan is dedicated to making your special day a truly memorable experience.
Michelle
Michelle, aka DJ Kazami, is our newest DJ, but she has many years of experience as a wedding DJ. She is also a professionally trained MC through the MarBecca method. She has shared the stage with famous artists such as Markus Schulz and Claude Von Stroke.
Michelle has worked many corporate events and destination weddings in Maui, Hawaii. She is versatile in many genres and knows how to read a crowd. She recently won a remix competition through the major record label Realm Records.
Mark
Mark, who goes by the stage name DJ Sway, began DJ’ing at Playland Skate Center, where he wanted to create the open format and crowd focused DJ experiences he always craved. He now uses that ability to play all genres for a diverse audience to read the floor and keep guests dancing at weddings and other private parties.
He still maintains his residency at Playland Skate Center, and plays frequent gigs on 6th street and local bars In Austin, and has become known for blending genres and creating mashups that keep the energy high. DJ Sway brings fresh life to familiar tracks, making them feel brand new while ensuring his audience has a great and memorable, time.
Keith
Keith, aka DJ Design, is not just a great party DJ, he’s also a semi-celebrity in the hip hop world. While more of a behind-the-scenes player, his work has had a sizable imprint on the history of modern hip-hop. As a both DJ and Beatmaker, and as a visual artist, he has contributed production and art since the late 90’s for notables including The Beastie Boys, Madlib, A.G., Foreign Legion, Rasco, Peanut Butter Wolf and Phat Kat. But don’t think he’s only going to spin hip hop. He has a vast knowledge of music, and an equally large collection, and can play all the hits you want, plus those great deep cuts to keep the party going!
