Alright fellow music pushers - - I would like some input on how you guys feel about using Mainstream vs. edited club cuts at wed receps. I know we all ask the clients for play list ideas but, there are still those times when ya' gotta make the decision. What's working best 4 u? Run with this one, I never judge other ideas(outloud anyway!! lol)

- ircoach

Mainstream for sure.

Little confused here.
Do you mean "clean versions" or "remixes?"

Either way, I'd say go with the clean versions, especially if there are children there...and as far as remixes, stick with the originals. I know I've played some cool remixes of songs and ended up with an empty floor because (I think) nobody really recognized the song right off the bat and then after some people left the floor, everyone else followed.

Didn't mean to confuse. 99% of my gigs are clean music things. I was just wanting to get a feel for what everyone else was playing especially at the longer receps. You know just searching, for ideas. Generally wanting to find out whats working best for yous guys. And I also agree that alot of the remixes are confussing so I seldom spin them, there are some that work but I don't rely on them to much.

- ircoach

Our company policy is, unless listed on the contract that no "rough" music be played, my DJ's have to go ask the person incharge of the event if it's ok to play it, we will only play it as a request if it's not listed as part of the music programming. We do this a lot and get great feedback for asking first before doing. We might be getting a club here by summer time, is so then anything will go, we do frat parties and parties for radio stations and anything goes there as well.

Thanks for the input although I think the way I posed the question, at first, was a little confussing. I've never played the "rough" stuff cause of the guests - ages 2 to 90 - guess maybe all I really wanted was a an idea of genre for weddings where the B/G are in their 20's. But I do appreciate the feedback. So any ideas would be great.

- ircoach

For weddings, talk with the B/G and find out what they mostly want played...and it doesn't hurt to ask what groups their parents might want to hear as well. Every event is different. Just make sure and watch the crowd's response to songs. I know I've played weddings where "country" music wasn't even a style of music that was requested, but hardly anyone was dancing, so I threw on a country tune and the floor was packed...guess what I played a lot of the rest of the night?

For a B/G that are in their 20's, feel free to play a lot of the newer songs, usually a lot of 20 somethings are still up with the times and are familiar with today's music.

Start with some oldies at weddings, usually the older people don't have a problem dancing to some 50's and 60's music, so they kind of help start getting people on the floor. Then work your way through a few different styles as the night progresses.

Most of the time I wait for the newer songs and rap/hip-hop stuff until later in the night. I was playing a wedding once (quite a few years ago) that was going well and about 45 minutes into the dance some of the bridesmaids were insisting I play Baby Got Back, which I normally wait until later to play, but I figured, why not--let's see what happens. Well, they danced for about the first minute of it...then cleared the floor! It wasn't long after that, that the bride's father approached me telling me to play something else. Fortunetely it WAS the bridesmaids who requested it, so I was able to tell him that, and (I think after that) he wasn't upset or anything.

So, don't be afraid to tell the people that request songs that might be somewhat offensive that you "need to wait until later to play it."

Thanks to all for the input. All ideas were right on with what I'm doing so once again the support we get from these posts either help w/ new ideas or reaffirm things we are doing. As prom season winds down(around here anyway) and weddings start to pick up - Good luck and have fun to all of you.

- ircoach

I only play remixes if the bride and groom request it or if the remix is more like an extended play.

If the bride and groom are in their 20's, then I would say late 70's and 80's music.. even some 90's.. you have to think they grew up in the 80's.. I like this genre the best myself anyways.. guess cause I myself am in my 20's

Gotta agree w/ your genre choice Joe, I'm twice older than you and the 70-80's is my fav too.

- ircoach

You know why you probably love the 70's 80's stuff so much? It WORKS!

I'd love Latvian clog-dancing music if it got the dance-floor up to a full rolling-boil.

Ron

Exactly, Ron. If it gets them off there seat and on there feet, thats all I'm searching for!!

- ircoach

I usually only play radio cuts at a Wedding reception, except for a few Ultimix tracks that work really well. Like their looking back Play That Funky Music-Wild Cherry, and You ***y Thing-Hott Chocolate.