A few weeks ago, I did a prom in downtown San Jose. The Tech Museum was the venue. When you think of the Tech Museum, one thinks of hands on activities of interesting concepts. Every few months they do change the theme so if one goes a few times a year then they do not see the same exhibits twice.

If you do not know, the Tech Museum can be an event venue that can be rented out. Three floors were used for the prom. One floor had the appetizers and fantastic food and drinks. The middle floor was the dance floor. And the top floor, prom goers could get their hands on the Tech toys, which drew lots of interest.

I was in awe of how helpful the staff was.  They helped me secure VIP parking and were very accommodating with the logistics with the location. I even got a phone call from the events manager to get important details. 

The industry standard is the Shure SM58. Everywhere any live events happen this microphone will be there. They range from 90 to 110 dollars new. They are built be rugged and used for outside or inside use. Some SM58 microphones do have an off on switch and one is always live so the volume can be adjusted with the mixer if the microphone needs to be off. 

Wireless Microphones are handy to have around too if one does not want to have the cable extend onto the floor. Shure does make a good wireless microphone. It is really easy to use. The user has to sync the microphone with the receiver and its good to go. Shure makes hand held microphones and lavalier which can be connected to the body incase the person does not want to hold to a microphone. Be ready to have new batteries handy incase they run out. Typically I have batteries handy and a wired microphone connected to the mixer just in case.

When it comes to cabling, the xlr microphone cables are the way to go. They came in different lengths and for some reason if the cabling is not long enough then they can be connected together so it can reach where it is supposed to go. I invested in short 3-foot cables, 6-foot cables, and 25-foot cables. The beauty of these cables is that they can be used for microphones and speaker cables. Xlr cables can be used to connect multiple speakers.

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

Always have your backups

I always try to be two steps ahead. I always take multiple computers with me to events. 2012 was the last time I had a beach ball on my mac on my external hard drive and it took like a minute but have had not other issue since.   The next day I ordered another mac book pro and no longer use an external hard drive but an internal hard drive. Not only computers, I take I do take multiple set ups too since I always like being prepared. I am grateful for controllers since it is turntables and mixers all in one.

I have a big suv that I fill it up to the brim with equipment. I believe in having back ups to my back ups. Yes, it is more work to carry everything but it is for a piece of mind. I was talking to another dj that only carries one controller and one computer. I asked him what happens if something does not work. His response was oh well. I do not do oh well. If for some reason my computer is not working, I have another one with the same music and I will have the playlist on my phone. Say my controller goes on vacation, and then I have another one who is ready to be on the starting line up.

One never knows what to expect at a gig. One gig may not have electricity at a close proximity or extra speakers maybe needed. I have speakers on the bench waiting to wave them in.

A lot of events that need djs are special days and everything has to be run smoothly. Every little detail counts to make your special day even more special. Be prepared at all times!

HIP HOP LOVE JAMS

LL COOL J  I NEED LOVE

BUSTA RHYMES AND MARIAH CAREY  I KNOW WHAT YOU WANT

THE PHARCYDE  PASSIN ME BY

BIG DADDY KANE  SMOOTH OPERATOR

JA RULE AND VITA  PUT IT ON ME

50 CENT FT NATE DOGG  21 QUESTIONS

METHOD MAN AND MARY J BLIGE  ALL I NEED

POOR RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS  SHAKIYLA

MOBB DEEP  HEY LUV

SNOOP DOGG FT PHARRELL  BEAUTIFUL

LL COOL J  AROUND THE WAY GIRL

CHINGY PULLIN ME BACK

HIP HOP LOVE JAMS

https://www.mixcloud.com/wingmansj/hip-hop-love-jams/

R&B and 90’s Video Playlist

I love me some 90’s R&B music. I was inquired for a video mix opportunity and they wanted one of my favorite types of music.

112 FT NOTIORIOUS BIG  ONLY YOU

702  WHERE MY GIRLS AT

AALIYAH  ARE YOU THAT SOMEBODY

AALIYAH  BACK AND FORTH

AALIYAH  IF YOUR GIRL ONLY KNEW

ADINA HOWARD FREAK LIKE ME

BBD  POISON

BLACKSTREET  NO DIGGITY

BOYZ TO MEN  MOTOWNPHILLY

BRANDY  I WANNA BE DOWN

BRANDY AND MONICA  THE BOY IS MINE

CASE  TOUCH ME TEASE ME

DESTINY’S CHILD  JUMPIN’ JUMPIN’

DESTINY’S CHILD  SAY MY NAME

DONELL JONES  U KNOW WHAT’S UP

DRU HILL HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE

EN VOGUE  FREE YOUR MIND

EN VOGUE  MY LOVIN’

FUGEES  KILLING ME SOFTLY

GHOSTTOWN DJS  MY BOO

GINUWINE  PONY

GROOVE THEORY  TELL ME

JADE  DON’T WALK AWAY

JADE  I WANNA LOVE YOU

JANET JACKSON IF

JANET JACKSON  THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES

JODECI  COME AND TALK TO ME

JOHNNY GILL   RUB YOU THE RIGHT WAY

KCI AND JOJO  ALL MY LIFE

KARYN WHITE  ROMANTIC

MARK MORRISON  RETURN OF THE MACK

MARY J BLIGE  REAL LOVE

MICHAEL JACKSON REMEMBER THE TIME

MONTELL JORDAN  GET IT ON TONITE

NEXT  TOO CLOSE

NEW EDITION  HIT ME OFF

PEBBLES  GIVING YOU THE BENEFIT

SHAI  IF I EVER FALL IN LOVE

SHANICE  I LOVE YOUR SMILE

SILK FREAK ME

SOUL FOR REAL  CANDY RAIN

SWV  I’M SO INTO YOU

SWV  RIGHT HERE

SWV  WEAK

TLC  BABY BABY BABY

TLC CREEP

TLC NO SCRUBS

TLC  UNPRETTY

TLC WATERFALLS

TONY TONI TONE  FEELS GOOD

ZHANE  GROOVE THANG

ZHANE  HEY MR. DJ

Best Advice I have heard about being a DJ?

Always work on your craft. I do believe practice makes perfect.  My parents must truly love me when I first got my turntables and speaker. I would put in the work. Never once they came in and told me to turn it down. I was a man on a mission. Back at that time, there was no sync button so one had to mix by ear.

Keep up with the newest technology

Every January is the NAMM show where the newest latest gear is exhibited. The best time to pick up gear is after that show since new gear is coming out. I do want to pick up these tall speakers for big venues but I do not know what new gear is out yet so I am waiting to see what is really out there.  At the show they will exhibit new software along with new clear sounding equipment.

Customer Service is the most important aspect of a business

There is a lot of competition out there and customer service is a lost art. Customers need to be treated well. People do not hire service companies for the service but rather hire for the experience.  Two ways of communication needs to be had.

Always have your backups

I always try to be two steps ahead. I always take multiple computers with me to events. 2012 was the last time I had a beach ball on my mac  on my external hard drive and it took like a minute for the song to come on. The very next day I got a new mac with a bigger internal drive and have not had any issues since.  Not only computers, I take I do take multiple set ups too since I always like being prepared. I am grateful for controllers since it is turntables and mixers all in one.

Worst Advice I have heard as a DJ

The louder the better! I totally disagree. Every venue or big room has its limits. When people walk by, it just looks bad when everyone is covering their ears since it’s so loud. During weddings, guests want to talk while having dinner so music is just background music.

Promote Promote and Promote

 I do believe in self-promotion but there is a time and place for everything. I heard of a wedding where the dj would play a sound snippet of his dj name through out the night. The wedding clients are already paying the dj a lot of money. Sometimes djs will have their banner up during a wedding. Weddings are all about the couple. If a dj is truly a good dj, people will ask for their card personally or ask the couple for the dj’s contact information. 

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.