I am currently reading a book, Write it Down, Make it Happen by Henriette Klauser. It has a basic concept but it can lead to monumental goals. One story mentions a football coach, Lou Holtz who was fired early in life. He then wrote over 100 goals on paper. Since he wrote them throughout his life, he has accomplished over 80 of his goals. It did not matter if his goals seemed to be impossible.

  He wanted to be the head coach for Norte Dame (one of the most powerful football programs in the country), and he made it happen. Also he wanted to have dinner in the White House, and it was done. Putting goals in writing puts it out in the universe.  It makes the goal setter more aware of the goal and causes the goal setter to see different avenues to reach the goal that they may have missed and not even know it.

   This year I had my ninth marathon on my to do on my March list. A marathon is 26.2 miles of goal right in front of the runner’s face. Unfortunately I had to take January off and only had a month of training. I had to start fresh in January with only running a half mile and build my way up. Each time I ran I would increase the distance. By the time I got to the last week of training, I maxed out with 7 miles.

 I was able to finish my marathon. Quitting was not an option. I was not going for time but just to finish. I was able to go 17 miles before my first break.  My marathon goal in my goal notebook now has been checked off. 

30 FIRST DANCE WEDDING SONGS

A wedding is the customized playlist for the newly married couple. There is no cookie cut playlist to play at every wedding. But there are songs that are commonly picked for the first dance. Often times the couple will want to pick  a song everyone knows. Sometimes the bride and groom cannot agree on what song to pick. Either they can flip a coin or can get a song sliced and diced so both of the songs can fit during the first dance spot. A good dj can blend two songs via software to make sure it fits the 3 to 4 minute dance routine.  I prefer to use Logic software  to do my first dance masterpieces.  Below are some first dance choices, but then again they are suggestions, it’s the couple who have the final say on what should be played:

HEARTLAND  LOVED HER FIRST

FRANK SINATRA  THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT

SNOW PATROL  CHASING CARS

LIFEHOUSE  YOU AND ME

AEROSMITH  I DON’T WANT TO MISS A THING

BRYAN ADAMS  EVERYTHING I DO I DO IT FOR YOU

SAVAGE GARDEN  TRULY MADLY DEEPLY

NAT KING COLE  L-O-V-E

TEMPTATIONS MY GIRL

GOO GOO DOLLS  IRIS

JOE COCKER  YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL

RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS  UNCHAINED MELODY

BEN E KING  STAND BY ME

BRUNO MARS  MARRY YOU

ELIE GOULDING  HOW LONG WILL I LOVE YOU

ELTON JOHN  YOUR SONG

JASON MRAZ  I’M YOURS

VAN MORRISON  CRAZY LOVE

LOUIS ARMSTRONG  WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

ERIC CLAPTON  WONDERFUL TONIGHT

ELVIS PRESLEY  CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE

JASON MRAZ AND COLBIE CAILLAT

AL GREEN  LETS STAY TOGETHER

JACK JOHNSON  BETTER TOGETHER

CHRISTINA PERRI A THOUSAND YEARS 

JOHN LEGEND  ALL OF ME

ETTA JAMES  AT LAST

SADE  BY YOUR SIDE

LAURYN HILL CANT TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU

K-CI AND JOJO  CRAZY

FEBUARY DEMO 2018 PLAYLIST

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE  SAY SOMETHING

ZEDD  THE MIDDLE

DRAKE  GOD’S PLAN

BRUNO MARRS  CARDI B  FINESSE

NF  LET YOU DOWN

MIGOS  WALK IT TALK IT

CAMILA  CABELLO  NEVER BE THE SAME

SIA DAVID GUETTA  HELIUM

MAROON 5 WAIT

EMINEM  RIVER

HAILEE STEINFELD AND ALESSO  LET ME GO

CHARLIE PUTH  HOW LONG

HALSEY  BAD AT LOVE

G-EAZY ASAP CARDI B  NO LIMIT

MIGOS  MOTORSPORT

ASAP  PLAIN JANE

Top Songs of 2017

This year was a fantastic year and it was a blur. Something I noticed with each year time goes by faster. I do appreciate every minute. Also with time I appreciated the new music that came out this year.  I did notice that hip-hop songs became slower. Back in the 90s, the beats per minute were about 90 to 100 bpm but this year a lot of the hits were 65 to 75 bpms.

Feel it Still by Portugal the Man

It does have an old school feel and at times it is hard to tell if a man or woman is singing it. It is very catchy. Band is based from Alaska.

Despacito by  Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee

This song was always on. It crossed borders and made many folks dance to the Latin rhythm.

Humble By Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar can write bars and is a genius when it comes to writing meaningful lyrics. Throw in a dope hip-hop beat and you got a hit.

Bodak Yellow By Cardi B

Its great to see Female on the hip hop charts. She flows like a river on this song and its her break through hit that put her on the map.

Wild Thoughts by  DJ Khaled ft Rihanna and Bryson Tiller

Santana’s  Maria Maria was reincarnated into this 2017 hit. Brought to life by Rihannas catchy hook, made this a club favorite.

Mi Gente By J Balvin and Willy William

This song was made with  Willy William beat from another William song  Voodoo Song. There is a remix with Beyonce on the vocals that also was popular

Lemon By N.E.R.D ft Rihanna

NERD is reunited to produce this fresh dance hit.  In the video, Rihanna shaves dancers hair off. Song is such a it I would do the same too. 

1. Is my wedding date available?

   This is the most important question.  This should be the first question asked. If they are booked than ask if there is anyone else they recommend. A lot of djs have other djs that they trust and know that they do good work.

2. How long have you been doing this professionally?

We have been in the dj business since 2004.  We have done over 50 weddings.

3. What sets you apart from your competition?

 I believe in making the couple comfortable. Communication is key. I try to make the wedding as custom as possible. I am able to reedit songs to fit first dances. I believe in having a google doc to create a living document that can change at any time at the discretion of the couple.

 

4. Are there any other services that you provide, such as lighting or a photo booth?

We do provide lights for our dj events. Unfortunately we do not have photo booths but I do highly recommend a photo booth operator that does awesome work.

5. Do you have a CD of your music or a site where I can hear your music?

 Back in the door, I would make cds galore. Now I put all my mixes on mixcloud.

I have a wide arrange of music ranging from old school to current hits.

Mixcloud.com/wingmansj

 

6.  Can you help me choose the music for my processional, recessional, father-daughter dance, etc.?

I do not believe in a cookie cutter wedding. Every detail should be custom based on the couple. If they have no ideas then I can suggest prior songs that are typically used. But I encourage them to use songs that mean something to them. If they cannot pick between two songs, I can edit it to fit the time period that they want to play it.

7. How do you keep your music collection up-to-date?

 I do belong to a digital pool, which provides me with about 500 new songs a month.  I do keep up to date but I am most proud of my original collection. I do love the older stuff but every day I get the new music so I am up to date.

8. Do you take requests from our guests?

I always welcome requests from the guests. A lot has to deal with what is going on with the time. For example if someone wanted a classical song during the dance portion of the wedding I would give him or her a few choices that would fit the vibe.  But if someone wanted the classical song during the dinner hour then that would be an easy fit.

9. Can we submit a "Do Not Play" list?

The wedding is the night for the couple. If they do not want the Chicken Dance or anything by Britney Spears then so be it. This is your night and lets make it memorable.

10. Do you set up a sign or banner with your equipment?

No, Black and White affair does not post signs or banners with equipment. This day is for the bride and groom and not about Black and White affair. We keep it professional and classy.

How have I changed over the years of Djing.

When I first started I was part of a duo. With my Dj partner we would load up his truck and set all the dj equipment up. I would be in total ease while we were setting up since my dj partner was an engineer so he could fix any issue. He would be sort of stressed while we set up. But we always had everything up and ready. I would be the music man on the turntables and he would Emcee. I could easily stand behind the decks and play music nonstop. I would not want to speak on the microphone. I would be focused on the music and the smooth transitions.  Occasionally I would speak on the mic but I felt like it was not my bag of tea.  I would worry about feedback and how my voice would sound amplified.  Microphones have to be held a certain way to sound better. Also when you stand too close to the speakers it can cause feedback.

 Later my Dj partner moved away and I had to bring all the equipment myself in my own vehicle.  I had to load everything myself and unload and set up. I make sure I show up an hour or more before an event to set everything up. I still do not stress since I bring back ups to my back ups and never have to worry about something not working. I at first was reluctant to speak on the mic. But with practice, everything becomes easier. I never had issues in front of a crowd but there is something different with speaking on a microphone.  A few times I month I do monthly presentations for 45 minutes so speaking aloud is not an issue. I actually enjoy doing announcements for events.

Of course, there has been technology advances. Back in the day, I would make mix cds and hand them out. Now I can post mixes online and folks around the world can preview it.  Now, I can send a link in case someone wants to hear a mixing sample. 

The Importance of a Mentor (in Business or in Life)

It is the end of the year so folks start making their New Years Resolutions. Unfortunately most resolutions are not completed.  People are so gung ho with joining a gym and losing weight. Or the resolution maybe saving a percentage of the income to go on a trip somewhere. If one can only have one resolution s/he want to accomplish getting a mentor should be the only one that s/he needs. A mentor is someone who has been where you want to go. They have failed and succeeded.  Why make the same mistakes they have?

When I started to learn to dj, at the time I bought top of the line gear. I felt that I had to go all in.  I started off with some Technic 1200s with a mixer and an amp with one speaker. While spending hours learning how to match beats, I did not know how to throw the next song on the first beat. I did not know how to manipulate the record accurately. One day my business partner brought over his brother who was playing at nightclubs and really good at his craft. With a quick tutorial I was able to mix at the right time.  He showed me how to hold on to the first beat and throw it in at the beginning of the chorus. Back then there was no YouTube, so dj skills had to be taught or learned solo. Once I was able to do that, then I could play publicly. No more bedroom dj status.

Often at  times we are afraid to ask for help. Pride gets in the way and progress will not be made.

Find a skill that one wants to improve on and then find someone who has experience in it.  Mentors are out there but they have to be found and asked. No need for pride but the rewards outweighs any embarrassment of asking. Often times, mentors are honored that that are asked to help out. It shows that they are appreciated. Find someone that one looks up to in your field and ask for their assistance. If they say no, then ask another person who has experience. At the end, one becomes better with a mentor.

DJ Myth Busters

1. It is just music and anyone can be a dj.

Music does have the a small part for Djs. A pro dj goes beyond the fact that they are playing music but works as the MC and planner for the event. Music is just one tool in their arsenal to make your event that much better.

2. DJ will play cheesy music.

A good dj is prepared and plans the playlist for each event. The client has sent a list for the DJ to follow. If the client wants cheesy music then cheesy music will be played. The client can also request that certain songs not be played.

3. I have a band at the event so a dj is not needed.

Having a band at a function can be exciting. There are more members of a band thus can be more expensive than a dj. Dj can play in between  the bands breaks and also can be the emcee of the event.

4. Set up takes only 15 to 20 minutes.

Just to take the equipment out of the vehicle may take 10 to 15 minutes. Then everything needs to be uncased and cables need to be unwound.  For myself the longest part of the set up is lifting the heavy speakers on the stand and put in the power cord and speaker cable.  What also takes a long time is setting up the lights which are individual lights attached to the light tripods. There has to be microphone checks and sound checks to see how loud one can go.

5. All djs are the same.

No two djs are the same. Everyone has their own style and own music collection. No two collections are the same with some many different remixes.

6. Everyone needs to be dancing the whole time.

Sometimes the music masestro needs to play background music while people eat. Loud dance music makes it hard to talk to neighbors at the table. 

7. The Dj will not take requests.

Best way to ask for them.  A dj is not a juke box. They have a mind of their own.  Some people demand songs and it makes it awkward for the dj. It is good to have two or three songs you can suggest to ensure the dj has it.  Best way to ask for it: Hi DJ, you are doing great. If you get a chance can you play this song?