Oh, I never consume alcoholic beverages at any event I host - not even New Year's Eve! I'm working and my credo has always been - "I never drink when I work-period!" Not on radio, at clubs and certainly not at your wedding!

Group dances are another thing that pops up from time to time... and I can't tell you how frustrated I get watching some DJs play the Electric Slide or some other group participation song and then just leave the crowd to themselves.

What's frustrating is that you then have 5 splinter groups going every which way, bumping into each other and, well, what a mess. That's the whole reason we play group dances - the fun is doing them as a group.

Are you dressed formally at the wedding? Do you drink at the wedding?
Two legitimate questions. I've always been a firm believer that the DJ/Host should look as good as the wedding party. But, I like to go a step further!

I always try and arrive at least 75 minutes before the cocktail hour begins... so that I can set up without your guests seeing me in a less-than-perfect outfit. To me, nothing looks worse than guests arriving and seeing the DJ setting up equipment in a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. When your guests arrive, I try to be perfectly dressed and even greet them with some light jazz as they enter a quiet room. After all, the cocktail hour is to chat with people you haven't seen in a while. Plus, it's to see and be seen. I want them to walk into that banquet room feeling like everyone (including the DJ) is dressed to the nines!

These are the types of things that I analyze to make sure your dance floor stays busy. Things you shouldn't have to worry about - but I most certainly do because I want your night to be the most successful I can make it! The greatest compliment I get over and over is "Boy, people are telling us this is one of the best receptions they've ever been to!"

Frequently Asked Questions

What if we don't want certain songs played at the reception?
This request comes in from time to time... Normally, I bring music from the 40s through today because I realize there are 3 generations there and I try to play a little bit for each group, looking for the most mass appeal songs from each generation to try and keep the dance floor busy. But, there are times when a bride and groom just don't want to hear a certain song or 2 at the reception. That's fine... I don't play from a rigid set list and each party is different. What one couple doesn't want, another couple insists be played. That's the beauty of a DJ... the selection is great and special requests can be worked in through the night. If the songs that are "banned" do get requested enough, I will usually seek out the couple and inform them of such and let them make the call. Believe me, there's enough in my library to make the night just as successful! Do I suggest one type of music through the night? No, I try and play to the entire crowd. Many wedding preparation books advise the bride and groom that the party is for them and that is true to a certain extent but there has to be a balance that's fair to all the guests. I know sometimes those in their 20s don't like the musical preferences of those in their 40s and 50s and vice versa but, the party is also for the guests - a thank you for their wonderful gift and the honor of having them share this special moment in your lives. Plus, many times, those in their 40s and 50s and 60s give the largest gifts and it's a shame to have them feel left out at the affair.

How about grandparents at the reception?
While some can walk in during the traditional introductions, many cannot so what I normally suggest is introducing them at their tables. I normally do it before the introductions, spotlight them and encourage warm applause from guests.

It's their special day too and they do deserve the recognition.

Oh and one more thing. Please be careful with seating when it comes to grandparents and older attendees. For many of them, it's a tough night if they're seated right in front of the DJs speakers.

Next year is starting to book! I want to work with you on your reception or party! Call (352) 874-7544

   Here are 100 songs that will rock your party! People are there to dance and have fun and these songs will insure that!

I usually let them know it's coming up, ask if everyone knows how to do it and if there's not a lot who do, get out there with them and show them. With wireless mic technology it's not that difficult and it does make me a part of the party and not some guy in the corner playing the music. It's very easy to stay behind the equipment and just sorta watch...

I choose to get involved with the crowd at opportune moments but, most importantly, try not to interfere with the flow of the music. There really is no reason to stop the flow - that really only causes the dance floor to empty and then the DJ has to work extra hard to get them back up again.

I RECENTLY WORKED WITH A PROFESSIONAL...

who was telling me how his brother had read in a book on how he should give his DJ a full list of every song to play - in order - for the whole reception! Well, this photographer told his brother that a qualified professional DJ can't function like that. He or she needs to feel out the crowd, see what they're responding to and select songs to keep the party busy! Of course, a DJ will take suggestions from the couple of honor and guests but the placement of songs is critical to the success of a party! Luckily, he convinced his brother that this was NOT a good idea. His advice was "let the DJ do his or her job - you have a good time"!

Over the years, I've dealt with some very nervous brides... and rightly so. It's certainly one of the biggest days of their lives. So, I'm glad to be able to calmly and professionally answer their questions and calm their fears. It’s years of experience that makes all that possible. To many harried brides, the obstacles to a successful event seem insurmountable. My job is to tackle those obstacles and make for smooth sailing through that day. 

Rank                                               Artist                                                           Song
1                                             Black Eyed Peas                                        I Gotta Feeling
2                                                   Journey                                              Don't Stop Believin'
3                                         Lady Gaga Feat. Colby                                O'donis Just Dance   
4                                                   Beyonce                                      Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
5                                                   AC/DC                                           You Shook Me All Night Long
6                                                  Bon Jovi                                                 Livin' On A Prayer
7                                               Morrison, Van                                             Brown Eyed Girl
8                                                    Cupid                                                       Cupid Shuffle
9                                               Diamond, Neil                   Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)
10                                              Def Leppard                                          Pour Some Sugar On Me
11                                                   B-52's                                                          Love Shack
12                                          Usher Feat. Will.I.Am                                                Omg
13                                           Jackson, Michael                                                 Billie Jean
14                                            Lynyrd Skynyrd                                           Sweet Home Alabama
15                                                DJ Casper                                                     Cha Cha Slide
16                                                Lady Gaga                                                     Poker Face
17                                            Black Eyed Peas                                           Boom Boom Pow
18                                                    ABBA                                                       Dancing Queen
19                                                   Outkast                                                           Hey Ya!
20                                  Usher Feat. Ludacris & Lil' Jon                                          Yeah

21                                           Timberlake, Justin                                                  Sexyback
22                                              Clapton, Eric                                                Wonderful Tonight
23                                              Sister Sledge                                                   We Are Family
24                                           Kool & The Gang                                                   Celebration
25                                              Sir Mix-A-Lot                                                    Baby Got Back
26                                                  Rihanna                                                   Don't Stop The Music
27                                                   Beatles                                                       Twist And Shout 
28                                               Brown, Chris                                                         Forever
29                                            Jackson, Michael                                                      Thriller
30                                                Mraz, Jason                                                        I'm Yours
31                                               Isley Brothers                                                         Shout
32                                              Brooks, Garth                                               Friends In Low Places
33                                            Black Eyed Peas                                              Let's Get It Started
34                                              Sinatra, Frank                                          The Way You Look Tonight
35                                              Temptations                                                             My Girl
36                                              James, Etta                                                              At Last
37                                                  Ke$Ha                                                                  Tik Tok
38                                               Lady Gaga                                                         Bad Romance
39                                                Vanilla Ice                                                           Ice Ice Baby
40                                              Foundations                                                 Build Me Up Buttercup
41                                       Flo Rida Feat. T-Pain                                                         Low
42                                          Jackson, Michael                                         Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
43                                             Commodores                                                          Brick House
44                                            Loggins, Kenny                                                          Footloose
45                          Seger, Bob & The Silver Bullet Band                                  Old Time Rock & Roll
46                                              Presley, Elvis                                                Can't Help Falling In Love
47                                           Armstrong, Louis                                              What A Wonderful World
48                                             Village People                                                             Y.M.C.A.
49                                                Bee Gees                                                              Stayin' Alive
50                                                Big & Rich                                              Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)
51                                         Righteous Brothers                                                 Unchained Melody
52                                             Lauper, Cyndi                                              Girls Just Want To Have Fun
53                                              Mars, Bruno                                                     Just The Way You Are
54                                              Wild Cherry                                                      Play That Funky Music
55                                            Adams, Bryan                                                          Summer Of '69
56                                             Cyrus, Miley                                                         Party In The U.S.A.
57                                               Taio Cruz                                                                    Dynamite
58                                        Beyonce Feat. Jay-Z                                                      Crazy In Love
59                                     Dexy's Midnight Runners                                                 Come On Eileen
60                                                Aerosmith                                                   I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
61                                              Rascal Flatts                                                     Bless The Broken Road
62                                                 Kid Rock                                                              All Summer Long
63                                          Jackson, Michael                                                The Way You Make Me Feel
64                                                  Rednex                                                                Cotton Eye Joe
65                                 Flo Rida Feat. David Guetta                                           Club Can't Handle Me
66                                          Black Eyed Peas                                                               Imma Be
67                                                Lonestar                                                                       Amazed
68                                      Flo Rida Feat. Keisha                                                         Right Round
69                                         Jackson, Michael                                                  P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
70                                                   Pink                                                                    Raise Your Glass
71                                                   Train                                                                     Hey Soul Sister
72                                  Mraz, Jason & Colbie Caillat                                                         Lucky
73                                             House Of Pain                                                              Jump Around
74                                            Springfield, Rick                                                              Jessie's Girl
75                                             Buble, Michael                                                                 Everything
76                                             Johnson, Jack                                                              Better Together
77                                                Perry, Katy                                                                      Firework
78                                      Jay-Z Feat. Alicia Keys                                                   Empire State Of Mind
79                                          Earth, Wind & Fire                                                               September
80                                           Jackson, Michael                                                                   Beat It
81                                                Young M.C.                                                                 Bust A Move
82                                          Cascada Evacuate                                                          The Dancefloor
83                                                    Usher                                                              DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love
84                                                    Queen                                                         Crazy Little Thing Called Love
85                                             Guns N' Roses                                                          Sweet Child O' Mine
86                                  Franti, Michael & Spearhead                                               Say Hey (I Love You)
87                                            Brown Band, Zac                                                             Chicken Fried
88                                                   Journey                                                                         Faithfully
89                                                    Ke$Ha                                                                Your Love Is My Drug
90                                                   Rihanna                                                              Only Girl (In The World)
91                                                   50 Cent                                                                         In Da Club
92                                                      Pink                                                                  Get The Party Started
93                                        Guetta, David Feat. Akon                                                       Sexy Chick
94                                              Griffiths, Marcia                                                   Electric Boogie (Electric Slide)
95                                                       Nelly                                                                        Hot In Herre
96                                                  Four Tops                                           I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
97                                                 Romantics                                                              What I Like About You
98                                  Medley, Bill & Jennifer Warnes                                      (I've Had) The Time Of My Life
99                                   Iglesias, Enrique Feat. Pitbull                                                          I Like It
100                                             Jones, Norah                                                             Come Away With Me

I get many calls asking "Which song should be used to dance with my dad" or "With the groom's mom?" Now, for that bride/father dance, the moment is absolute emotion most of the time (with 2 daughters of my own, sometimes I get a little misty-eyed) but, for most guys, dancing with their moms is pure torture. However, after years of hard work and the tasks of motherhood, moms deserve this moment. So, I'll suggest ways to please mom and yet, shorten the song. Not an abrupt clip of the song... but just a casual moment so that guests don't even realize it's happening. It makes the moment work for both concerned and I always make sure both special moments are followed by a generous round of applause by guests.

It's what you pay for and expecting any less is just not acceptable!