1977 40 year Reunion Playlist

I love doing all sorts of events. Sometimes the events that are different make us grow as djs. I had the opportunity to do a 40 year reunion. I loved every minute of it. It was more a rock themed event. I spoke with a graduate that day and she said there were the rock kids and the disco kids. Apparently most of the rock kids were there.

Below is the playlist:

Eagles:  Hotel California,Take it Easy, Heartache Tonight

America:  Ventura Highway, Tinman, Sister Golden Hair

Bad Company:  Can't Get Enough, Feel like Makin' Love

Earth, Wind, and Fire:  September, Boogie Wonderland

Boston:  More than a Feeling

Pablo Cruise: Love Will Find a Way, Whatcha Gonna Do

Marshall Tucker Band:  Fire on the Mountain, Desert Skies, Heard it in a Love Song

Frankie Valli: Grease is the Word

Star Wars Theme

Elvis:  Burnin' Love

Chicago:  Colour My World

Pointer Sisters:  We are Family, I'm so Excited

Rolling Stones:  Brown Sugar, Honky Tonk Women, Start Me Up

Linda Ronstadt:  You're No Good, It's So Easy

Lynyard Skynyrd:  Free Bird (short version), Sweet Home Alabama

Loggins and Messina:  We May Never Pass This Way Again, (Loggins) Danger Zone, Foot Loose

Willie and Waylon:  Don't let your babies grow up to be Cowboys

Doobie Brothers:  Takin it to the Streets, China Grove 

Cool and the Gang:  Celebrate, Ladies Night

Commadores: Brick House

Bee Gees:  You Should be Dancing, Stayin' Alive

James Taylor:  Carolina, How Sweet it is, Fire and Rain, Mexico

Gordon Lightfoot:  Sundown

The Who:  Summertime Blues, My Generation

Elton John:  Crocodile Rock, Philadelphia Freedom

Fleetwood Mac:  Rhiannon, Go your own way, Don't Stop

Led Zeplin:  Stairway to Heaven (short version) Whole Lotta Love (short version)

Donna Summer:  Last Dance

Jimmy Buffett: Margaritaville

Peter Frampton:  Baby I love your Way

Steve Miller Band:  Jet Airliner

Supertramp:  Give a Little Bit

Crosby, Stills and Nash:  Just a song before I go, Southern Cross

Heart:  Barracuda

Jefferson Starship:  Miracles

Wild Cherry:  Play that Funky Music

Paul McCartney:  Live and Let Die

Bellamy Brothers:  Let Your love Flow

Thin Lizzy:  The Boys are Back in Town

BTO:  Takin' Care of Business

Rod Stewart:  Tonight's the Night

KC and the Sunshine Band:  Shake your Booty

ABBA:  Dancing Queen

David Bowie:  Golden Years

Beach Boys:  California Girls, Little Deuce Coop, Surfin' Safari

Hamilton, Joe, Frank, & Reynolds:  Fallin' in Love

10cc:  I'm not in Love

Gerry Raferty: Baker Street, Right Down the Line

Foreigner:  Hot Blooded

Jerry Reed:  East Bound and Down

Kenny Rogers:  The Gambler

Deep Purple:  Smoke on the Water

Three Dog Night:  Shambala

Cool and the Gang: Celebration, Ladies Night, Jungle Boogie

Stevie Wonder:  Superstition

Aretha Frankin:  Respect

The Brothers Johnson: Strawberry Letter 23

LTD:  Everytime I turn around Back in Love Again

Rose Royce: Carwash

Aerosmith:  Walk this Way

Daryl Hall and John Oates:  Rich Girl

Barry Manilow:  Looks Like we Made it

The Emotions: Best of My Love

Firefall:  Just Remember I Love, You are the Woman

The Evolution of DJ Wingman to BWADJ:

Changing with the times

When I was 21 I had my first taste of spinning records. Of course I did not know what I was doing but I enjoyed having the power of selecting the songs at a social gathering.  I did not know what it meant to beat match or anything about playing the same genre together. All I knew what how to put a record on a technic turntable and use the mixer to pick which record would be heard aloud. That is when I started collecting vinyl. Just In case, vinyl maybe a foreign word, it was what djs would play on their turntables. For one record, it would cost 6 dollars to 12 for one song. So it was quite an expensive hobby.

Half the fun was scouring record crates to find a hidden gem.  Eventually with the accumulation of these gems I felt confident enough to play in public again. No longer did I not know what to do but I had the skill and confidence to play in public.

With a high school buddy, we formed Dj Wingman. It had a nice ring to it.  A buddy of mine created a Wingman shirt and the name stuck. Our philosophy is “We are Wingman because we always have your back.” We designed Wingman T-shirts and people would love them.  The first few years we played the mobile circuit playing private parties and weddings. We carried  heavy records in cases to our events. In 2008, we started playing at night clubs in downtown San Jose.  Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday we were playing the top hits of the day. At Midnight, we would play the midnight mix which would be the heavy hitters of the day such asBlow the Whistle, Goodies, and Yeah.  One song would feed into another song to keep the vibe up. At 1:25 we would go with a song like Lets Stay Together

At that time there were two of us so we could do multiple events at one time. Then my dj partner moved to Florida so I had to do all the events solo.

I was not marketing DJ Wingman as before. I did like the brand but realized brides do not want a Wingman to do a wedding so I had rebranded the name to Black and White Affair. Now its Bwadj for short. I still believe in the Wingman mentality that we have your back but now incorporated the Black and White aspect.  

Before while playing at a night spot people would ask for our cards and want us to do their weddings and birthday events. But now since I do not play at the night scene I had to include other types of marketing.  I revamped the website.  Once started paying different companies to do my site but opted to go with a professional template and incorporated Social Media, so I can keep everything current.

Today’s age everything has to be current since the times are changing.The Evolution of DJ Wingman to BWADJ:

Changing with the times

When I was 21 I had my first taste of spinning records. Of course I did not know what I was doing but I enjoyed having the power of selecting the songs at a social gathering.  I did not know what it meant to beat match or anything about playing the same genre together. All I knew what how to put a record on a technic turntable and use the mixer to pick which record would be heard aloud. That is when I started collecting vinyl. Just In case, vinyl maybe a foreign word, it was what djs would play on their turntables. For one record, it would cost 6 dollars to 12 for one song. So it was quite an expensive hobby.

Half the fun was scouring record crates to find a hidden gem.  Eventually with the accumulation of these gems I felt confident enough to play in public again. No longer did I not know what to do but I had the skill and confidence to play in public.

With a high school buddy, we formed Dj Wingman. It had a nice ring to it.  A buddy of mine created a Wingman shirt and the name stuck. Our philosophy is “We are Wingman because we always have your back.” We designed Wingman T-shirts and people would love them.  The first few years we played the mobile circuit playing private parties and weddings. We carried  heavy records in cases to our events. In 2008, we started playing at night clubs in downtown San Jose.  Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday we were playing the top hits of the day. At Midnight, we would play the midnight mix which would be the heavy hitters of the day such asBlow the Whistle, Goodies, and Yeah.  One song would feed into another song to keep the vibe up. At 1:25 we would go with a song like Lets Stay Together

At that time there were two of us so we could do multiple events at one time. Then my dj partner moved to Florida so I had to do all the events solo.

I was not marketing DJ Wingman as before. I did like the brand but realized brides do not want a Wingman to do a wedding so I had rebranded the name to Black and White Affair. Now its Bwadj for short. I still believe in the Wingman mentality that we have your back but now incorporated the Black and White aspect.  

Before while playing at a night spot people would ask for our cards and want us to do their weddings and birthday events. But now since I do not play at the night scene I had to include other types of marketing.  I revamped the website.  Once started paying different companies to do my site but opted to go with a professional template and incorporated Social Media, so I can keep everything current.

Today’s age everything has to be current since the times are changing.  

Weddings are amongst the few life time memorable events. And to make it truly memorable and fascinating, it is important to plan for an appropriate entertainment. Underestimating the power and effect music on a wedding ceremony and reception is not ideal because music is essential in order to create an appropriate backdrop and the desired tone for your event. Thus, hiring a professional DJ offers you a diverse selection, authentic versions of songs, better volume control and for usually a much lower cost than a band.

Furthermore, the presence of a DJ will tremendously enhance the success of your wedding. The DJ runs the music for the reception, and if the music or announcements were to stop, the reception would come to an awkward halt. The DJ also guides the mood of the event and works with the schedules of all other vendors and staff at the event. However, discussed below are the best reasons why you need to hire a professional DJ for your wedding ceremony:

1. ADAPTABILITY

Event DJs are brilliant at adapting to both the needs of their event coordinators as well as those of the guests in attendance. They are skilled at reading their audiences and easing them out onto the dance floor. Their vast music collections make it possible for them to fulfill most song requests. Also, their fun personalities, language skills and confidence at handling microphone make them terrific emcees for guest introductions, video presentations, contests, etc.

2. DEPENDABILITY

A DJ will always provide their own sound equipment, even lighting and video in some cases, and you can count on the fact that they will have all of the current hits available upon your request. They will provide you with a written quote, ensure all of your song requests are played and avoid any songs that might offend your guests.

3. PRESENTATION

Great DJs are often equipped with sanity, humor and the ability to emcee guest introductions, provide live narration for video or slide presentations, ease the crowd and coax reluctant guests out onto the dance floor, and even offer toasts. To further enhance the visual experience, many can also provide their own LED lighting equipment and  shiny disco balls.

4. THEY ENSURE PEACE OF MIND

Furthermore, the greatest reason for hiring a DJ for your wedding ceremony is the peace of mind you'll get at seeing that your guests are constantly entertained. Unlike a band in need of breaks, a DJ can spin the all through the day without interruption.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HIRING A TIME KEEPER

A designated time keeper ensures that the wedding ceremony goes as smoothly as planned. He does not fasten or delay other events planned in the schedule.

Lastly, your wedding event would only be successful if you and your guests are able to have fun and remain present and in the moment. Hiring a professional DJ will guarantee you just that!

The wedding day is one of your biggest days that you will always remember. Everyone who is important to you and your significant other will be in attendance. Is there a set formula for the perfect reception?

No two wedding receptions are the same. A wedding planner can be a timekeeper but at times, a wedding planner was not hired for the wedding.  The dj can be the pseudo wedding planner but well more like timekeeper.

A respectable dj company would meet with the couple way in advance of the wedding to make the timeline. Most of the time, the couples do not know what events that a wedding has and what is mandatory. The truth is that this is your wedding and there is no set format. It is all about the couple and about their dream-wedding day.

I suggest a timeline and the bride and groom can adjust it to their liking.

Typically the bride and groom will be taking pictures for about 45 minutes to an hour while the guest eagerly show up to the reception hall.

During that hour, guests get comfortable with nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages during the cocktail hour.

When the wedding party has arrived the dj can announce the wedding party individually or by the group with either specific songs in the background.

Dj will announcement the New Mr. and Mrs. (enter your last name here). They can enter with the wedding march or any other song to their choosing.

All eyes are on the Bride and Groom so they can jump into their first dance.  What would be a good first dance song? Maybe it was the song that was popular with bridge and groom were first dating or could be a song that one of the two who dreamt about being the first song. Say bride and groom love two songs that they cannot agree on. Dj can premix  or edit the songs so both songs can be played and will not be long.

After the first dance, couples usually do the father daughter dance then the mom and son dance.  Keep in mind that couples do not need to do the parent dance but it makes for a smooth transition.

At this time, the crowd is hungry and dinner will be served or the buffet will be open. At this time dj can play background music. Music should not be too loud so the guests can have conversation as they enjoy their well-deserved food. At this time Bride and Groom can go to table to table to thank guests and take photos. Please make sure you eat the food that you carefully picked out. You will need your energy for the dance floor!

The order of what comes next is up to the couple:

We have toasts from bride, groom, best man and maid of honor plus maybe parents want to get in the mix too!

Money Dance: Gives an opportunity for bride and groom to thank guests plus make some honeymoon spending money!

Garter and Bouquet toss

Cake Cutting: Often times that is when the Photographer leaves so the dj has to make sure s/he keeps the photographer in the loop.

Dance for all: the moment everyone has been waiting for!

Every culture has different customs that they can include in their wedding. Keep in mind that each wedding is custom event that could be magical for everyone.