Tag: Fun DJ Austin

  • Jillian & Andrew’s Wedding 4-18-2026

    Jillian & Andrew’s Wedding 4-18-2026

    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:

    1. The guests were there to dance. Some groups are more into dancing than others, and this was definitely a dancing crowd.
    2. 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.
    3. 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

    Last Dance: Closing Time – Semisonic

    Private Last Dance: You – Miley Cyrus

  • Emily & Micah’s Wedding 3-29-26

    Emily & Micah’s Wedding 3-29-26

    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

  • Hannah & Sean’s Wedding 3-28-26

    Hannah & Sean’s Wedding 3-28-26

    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

  • Kadyn & Josh’s Wedding 6-13-25

    Kadyn & Josh’s Wedding 6-13-25

    Kadyn and Josh

    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.

    Couple’s Introduction: Signed, Sealed & Delivered – Stevie Wonder

    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:

  • Karsen & Cole’s Wedding 5-17-25

    Karsen & Cole’s Wedding 5-17-25

    Karsen and Cole's Wedding

    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.

  • Ana & Noah’s Wedding 5-3-25

    Ana & Noah’s Wedding 5-3-25

    Ana and Noah

    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!

  • Yini & Matt’s Wedding 3-29-25

    Yini & Matt’s Wedding 3-29-25

    Yini and Matt

    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

  • How to D.I.Y. Your Wedding DJ Music

    How to D.I.Y. Your Wedding DJ Music

    You can’t.

    I’m sorry if that’s not the answer you were expecting, but trust me, it can’t be done. Sure, you can create a Spotify playlist full of your favorite songs, and you can even create separate playlists for each stage of the wedding, but there are too many intangibles in play, and too many unpredictable circumstances that will crop up, for any D.I.Y. wedding music plan to ever have a chance to succeed.

    Can you DIY Your Wedding DJ?

    You probably won’t ruin your wedding if you forego a DJ and create your own playlists, but you are absolutely going to have a lackluster affair. At best, you’ll achieve half the amount of fun that was potentially possible, and at worst you’ll kill the party before it even starts.

    How Do I Save Money on My Wedding?

    You are better served to D.I.Y. just about any other aspect of your wedding than the music. A potluck dinner in lieu of a caterer will be less detrimental to your event’s overall success than will be relying on playlists. You’d be better off nixing the videographer and asking guests to take short videos throughout the evening for you to edit together into a document of the day.

    If you honestly evaluate a typical wedding, you’ll find that the ceremony and the party after dinner are the two elements that really matter. Everything in between is secondary, as the primary focus for everyone between “I do” and “let’s dance” is socializing. Family members are catching up with one another, as people who may not have seen one another in 20 years reconnect. While some people talk with old friends, other people are making new friends.

    Cocktails, flowers, dinner, cake, and the rest provide for a festive, traditional backdrop to this, but that’s what it is, a backdrop. It’s what happens after dinner ends, and the lights go down and the dance music starts, that dictates whether this will be a night your guests remember forever, or “just another wedding.”

    What Do the Numbers Say?

    Let’s look at some hard data. The following numbers are aggregated from over two dozen surveys of brides and their guests, conducted by a number of wedding websites and publications.

    • 63% of wedding guests do not remember what was served for dinner, but do remember the entertainment.

    • 81% of wedding guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding was the entertainment.

    • 72% of over 5,000 brides surveyed after their wedding say they wish they had spent more time planning the entertainment.

    • 98% say if they could go back, they would allocate more of their budget to the entertainment.

    You did not read that wrong. 98% of over 5,000 brides surveyed said that they while they would not have spent any more money on their wedding, they wish that more of what they did spend went to the entertainment, and less went to everything else.

    Don’t Forget, It’s a Party

    The DJ and the MC make or break a wedding. The entertainment is what turns an ordinary event into a fun party, and it’s what most guests remember years later. Unless you bring in a Michelin Star chef to craft a legendary menu for your guests, nearly no one is going to remember what they ate at your wedding. Neither will they remember what color the flowers were, or the cute decor you placed on the table with the guestbook. But they will remember the wedding where everyone danced and sang together until last call, or the wedding where the groom crowd-surfed over their head, or the wedding where even the oldest guest was on the dance floor, walker in hand, busting a move. They’ll also remember the boring wedding where everyone left early because the entertainment was ill-conceived, i.e. a Spotify playlist.

    Sad young woman sitting at dining table during birthday party, friends dancing behind her

    How Bad Can It REALLY Be to D.I.Y. My DJ?

    Let’s examine some of the drawbacks of taking a D.I.Y. approach to your wedding entertainment.

    1. The Drunken Takeover

    Invariably, someone, probably someone drunk, and almost certainly someone with questionable taste in music, will at some point decide they know exactly what everyone wants to hear, and they’ll head over and, right in the middle of a song, switch to the song they think will take things to another level, but will, in fact, kill the vibe. At that point, another guest will come over and chastise them. “No, no, Oswald, that’s not what we want to hear!” And on will come an even worse song. At that point, it becomes a free-for-all, as others come up to change the song, and guests will head for the door.

    2. No Mixing = No Dancing

    Don’t underestimate the need for a DJ who can mix songs together. You and your guests don’t want to hear all 5 minutes of a given song. Sometimes you want just a couple verses, other times you want the full song. And when the song ends, you don’t want to wait for it to fade out, and for another song to fade in. You also need the tempo to remain consistent. If this all sounds technical, well, it is. But it’s also incredibly important! The best DJs mix in a way that keeps a steady groove going, and they blend seamlessly from one song to another. This is what keeps people on the dance floor, and how a great DJ builds the energy in the room. Spotify can’t do this. Nothing can, except an actual DJ.

    3. Spotify Can’t Read the Room

    A DJ can read the room. A playlist can’t. You can line up 20 great dance songs in a row only to have them fall flat when you press play, because your guests were in the mood for 20 different great dance songs. There’s no way to anticipate this in advance. The only way to successfully play for a group of people, especially a group as diverse as what one finds at a wedding, is by reading the crowd, and choosing the next song while the current song plays, based on what is happening live, in that moment.

    4. Great DJs Take (Some) Requests

    What’s the best way to read the room? Listen to what the guests are saying. Great DJs take requests. The best possible way to decide what to play next is to play what someone just asked you to play. This of course involves using judgement, as a DJ isn’t a jukebox, and playing any and every request willy nilly won’t work. But a professional DJ knows when a request is valid, and when it isn’t. You’re playing “Uptown Funk” and someone wants to hear Daft Punk? Yeah, that’s probably going to work. “Play some Jello Biafra next!” Yeah, probably not. Or maybe yes? Read the room!

    5. The MC Factor

    When is a DJ not a DJ? When he’s an MC. That’s right, your DJ is also the voice that guides your guests through the day. He lets them know when it’s time to sit down, move from one area to another, or hit the buffet. He’ll introduce you into the reception hall, bring you onto the dance floor for your first dance, and invite your father to give a toast. Most of all, he’ll adjust on the fly to all the myriad things that can, and will, go wrong on your wedding day, and make sure it all happens behind the scenes, and that no one notices anything.

    But MY Friends are FUN!

    I’m sure they are, but the bottom line is that for every wedding there is a minimum and maximum level of potential fun, which is based on the attitudes and preferences of the guests. Some groups are outgoing, dancing, party types, while others are more of a low-key mingling bunch. Both groups can have fun, but neither will have the maximum amount of fun possible without a live human DJ and MC there to make it happen.

    Resist the temptation, and don’t try to D.I.Y. your wedding music. You only have one chance to get it right!

  • Alyssa & Alex’s Wedding 11-2-24

    Alyssa & Alex’s Wedding 11-2-24

    I was back at Camp Lucy yesterday. I just DJ’ed a wedding there last month, and another in May, making this my third appearance there this year. As always, it was a great time. I started the day by providing microphones for the ceremony in Ian’s Chapel, while music was provided by a string duet from Terra Vista Strings. Everything went off without a hitch, and the ceremony was lovely.

    The string duet relocated and played during cocktail hour, which gave me a little downtime. That’s always a nice thing, and it gave me time to break down the ceremony system and pack it away in the van before it was time to fire up the dinner tunes.

    The interior of the reception hall looked fabulous last night. A lot of time and care went into preparing it, and the end results were well worth it. One of the things I love about the hall behind Ian’s Chapel is how transformable it is. Every time I’m there it looks different, and always elegant. Last night I played in an alcove in front of a green draping that not only made me look better, but gave me a place to tuck my gear bags out of sight. One less trip to the van? Yes! The candlelit room, accentuated by my uplighting, was mesmerizing, and the entire affair looked like it was taking place in a medieval castle. It was certainly a memorable night for the guests, and one I helped make more memorable with my musical selections, which I’ve listed below.

    Dinner Music

    Classic – MKTO
    And the Beat Goes On – The Whispers
    Higher Love – Steve Winwood
    My Girl – The Temptations
    My Cherie Amour – Stevie Wonder
    Tell Me Something Good – Rufus and Chaka Khan

    Couple’s Introduction: Try a Little Tenderness – Otis Redding

    My Eyes Adored You – Frankie Valli
    Mykonos – Fleet Foxes
    Cherry Wine – Hozier
    I’m Gonna Crawl – Led Zeppelin
    I Want to Hold Your Hand – The Beatles
    One Of These Nights – The Eagles
    Your Song – Elton John
    Danny’s Song – Loggins & Messina
    Work Song – Hozier
    Too Sweet – Hozier
    All My Love – Noah Kahan
    Where We’re Going – James & the Shame
    Rhythm of the Night – DeBarge
    Somebody to Love – Queen
    Turn – Travis
    Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler

    Cake Cutting: When I’m Sixty-Four – The Beatles

    Dance Music

    First Dance: I, Carrion (Icarian) – Hozier
    Dances with Parents: Landslide – Fleetwood Mac

    Are You Gonna Be My Girl – Jet
    Party In the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus
    Neon Moon – Brooks & Dunn
    Dancing Queen – ABBA
    Tubthumping – Chumba Wumba
    Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runner
    Electric Love – BØRNS
    Like a Virgin – Madonna
    Stacy’s Mom – Fountains of Wayne
    Dont Stop Me Now – Queen
    I’ve Got My Mind Set On You – George Harrison
    All the Small Things – Blink-182
    Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
    Blister in the Sun – Violent Femmes
    I’ll Be There For You – Rembrandts
    Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton
    Copperhead Road – Steve Earle
    Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
    Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks
    Boot Scootin’ Boogie – Brooks and Dunn

    Bouquet Toss: Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) – ABBA

    Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good) – Neil Diamond
    Cha Cha Slide – DJ Casper
    Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
    Livin’ On a Prayer – Bon Jovi
    Suavemente – Elvis Crespo
    Wobble Baby – V.I.C.
    Hypnotize – Notorious B.I.G.
    …Baby One More Time – Britney Spears
    Gold Digger [feat. Jamie Foxx] – Kanye West
    Thrift Shop [feat. Wanz] – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
    Back That Azz Up – Juvenile
    Hot to Go! – Chappell Roan
    You Really Got Me – The Kinks
    I Love It [feat. Charli XCX] – Icona Pop
    Pink Pony Club – Chappell Roan
    Elephant Love Medley – Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman, and Jamie Allen
    I Want to Know What Love Is – Foreigner
    Rag Doll – Aerosmith
    Where It’s At – Beck
    The Greatest Show – Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Keala Settle, and Zendaya
    Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You – Frankie Valli
    Piano Man – Billy Joel

    Private Last Dance: Something – The Beatles

    As ever, I like to remind anyone who reads this that I’m both an Austin wedding DJ and a party DJ, too. I DJ corporate parties, birthdays, and all manner of special events. If you need a DJ for your next party, please contact me.

  • Jordan & AJ’s Wedding 10-27-24

    Jordan & AJ’s Wedding 10-27-24

    I love playing for couples like Jordan and AJ. They wanted to hear their own flavors of music, and they wanted me to avoid the overplayed wedding hits once dancing started, but they also understood that my job is to make people dance, and they gave me the freedom to do just that. Another plus is that they happened to want to hear music that I enjoy– Lo-Fi electronic music, indie rap, and country, with some classics mixed in, and they didn’t mind if there wasn’t a radio-friendly version. It was about the vibe and the music. I’d have probably listened to the same songs had I not been working yesterday!

    Yesterday’s wedding took place at the Sunset Cliff Resort on Lake Travis. It’s a beautiful spot, with a large lawn that overlooks the lake. It has everything needed for a gorgeous outdoor wedding. It’s great for a DJ, as you can pull in and load right where you’ll play, and one setup covers the ceremony, cocktails, dinner and dancing. Truly an all-in-one location!

    Sunset Cliff Resort Lake Travis

    The entire day was a relaxed, low-key affair. There was no timeline, no planner, nothing but me and a big group of the couple’s family and friends. Everyone was pleasant, and everyone seemed to be enjoying the music at all times. During cocktails, I saw a couple of the older guests get up and dance by their seats when I put on Mac Miller, and I knew I was in the right place.

    When it finally came time to officially start dancing, people were ready. I’d seen many of them dancing in place during cocktails and dinner, and everyone was ready to go, so when “Neon Moon” came on, the dance floor filled up more or less instantly. It stayed full for the duration of the dancing, which only lasted for an hour. I’d have gladly played on, but I was told they had a hard stop. I was able to sneak in one extra song, so I let the country roads take everyone home.

    Here are the songs I played. And no, it’s not a typo. I played “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” twice in a row. As the song was winding down, someone came running from the dance floor and said the groom wants to know if I can play the song again as soon as it’s over. You bet I can! You should have seen the groom launch himself in the air when it came on again!

    Pre-Ceremony Music

    January – Verzache
    Chasing parties – Sasha Alex Sloan
    The Few Things – JP Saxe
    No Less [feat. SG Lewis & Louis Mattrs] – G-Eazy
    Crazy Girl – Eli Young Band
    Islands – The xx
    Foreign [feat. Atlas] – Sam Gouthro
    Happy Anywhere [feat. Gwen Stefani] – Blake Shelton
    You Make It Easy – Jason Aldean
    Love Song – Miranda Lambert
    Crashing Into You – Vance Joy
    Being In Love With You – Tomppabeats

    Ceremony Music

    Bride’s Walk: Missing Piece [acoustic] – Vance Joy
    Couple’s Recessional: Dreams – The Cranberries

    Cocktail Music

    Beautiful – Bazzi
    Better Together – Jack Johnson
    Bittersweet – Louis the Child
    Backyard Boy – Claire Rosinkranz
    Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not – Thompson Square
    The Joker – Steve Miller Band
    All Night [feat. Knox Fortune] – Chance the Rapper
    Pursuit of Happiness (Megaforce Version) [feat. MGMT & Ratatat] – Kid Cudi
    The Best Is Yet to Come [feat. Count Basie] – Frank Sinatra
    La Vie en Rose – Louis Armstrong
    Good Directions – Billy Currington
    Out of My League – Fitz and the Tantrums
    Wow. – Post Malone
    Bad 4 U [feat. Gnash] – Imad Royal
    BDE Bonus – Mac Miller
    All That Talk – mike.
    Beautiful Crazy – Luke Combs
    Meet in the Middle – Diamond Rio
    Best I Ever Had – Drake
    Good Morning – Max Frost
    Black Dog – Led Zeppelin
    It Must Be Love – Alan Jackson
    Blue Skies – Willie Nelson
    Can’t Help Falling in Love – Jess and Gabriel
    Shake Something [feat. Joey Purp] – Louis the Child
    Calabasas – Skizzy Mars
    Donald Trump – Mac Miller
    Lalala [feat. BBNO$] – Y2K
    Big Love [feat. Earthgang & MNDR] – Louis the Child
    Dust on the Bottle – David Lee Murphy
    Caroline – Animé

    Dinner Music

    Scarlet Begonias – Sublime
    6’s to 9’s [feat. Rationale] – Big Wild
    Better Not [feat. Wafia] – Louis the Child
    No Problem – Chance the Rapper
    Pretty Little Poison – Warren Zeiders
    You Are My Sunshine – Zach Bryan
    Venice Venture – Big Wild
    Time [feat. G-Eazy & Olivver the Kid] – Skizzy Mars
    Awaken – Big Wild
    Slow Down Love [feat. Chelsea Cutler] – Louis the Child
    Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home) – Elle King and Miranda Lambert
    Good Time – Niko Moon
    Do You There – Skizzy Mars
    Favorite Song [feat. Childish Gambino] – Chance The Rapper
    Yo Love [feat. 6lack & Mereba] – Vince Staples
    World On Fire [feat. Ashe] – Louis the Child
    What I Got – Sublime
    Stuntman – Tyler the Creator
    When I’m Down – Whethan
    Spice Girl – Aminé
    XOXO – Cherub
    Ghost – Jack Harlow
    Big Fish – Vince Staples
    Blue World – Mac Miller
    Boondocks – Little Big Town
    By the Way – Red Hot Chili Peppers
    Top of the World – Tim McGraw
    Red Solo Cup – Toby Keith
    Joy of My Life – Chris Stapleton
    Can’t Hide [feat. Ashe] – Whethan
    Can’t Tell Me Nothing – Kanye West
    Congratulations [feat. Quavo] – Post Malone

    Dance Music

    First Dance: All Your’n – Tyler Childers

    Neon Moon – Brooks & Dunn
    Jack and Diane – John Cougar Mellencamp
    Lovin’ On Me – Jack Harlow
    Edamame – BBNO$
    Can’t Feel My Face – The Weeknd
    Holla Back Girl – Gwen Stefani
    Theme From New York, New York – Frank Sinatra
    Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma – Luke Combs
    Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma – Luke Combs
    Truck Bed – Hardy
    Fergalicious – Fergie
    Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) – Katy Perry
    TiK ToK – Ke$ha
    (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!) – Beastie Boys
    All the Small Things – Blink-182
    Blister in the Sun – Violent Femmes
    Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks
    Gold Digger [feat. Jamie Foxx] – Kanye West
    Party In the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus
    Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver

    As usual, I want to to remind everyone who reads this that I’m both an Austin wedding DJ and a party DJ, too. I DJ corporate parties, birthdays, and all manner of special events. If you need a DJ for your next party, please contact me.