Copy the text below, fill in your questions and answers, and paste it to an email to pfyoung@mackenmusic.com.   

Production activities to do before the big day:  1. Gathering sound bites that would be fun to mix in (this could include
snippets of the best man's toast, interviews with the bride and groom, short theme songs from school, workplace, etc.,
audio from old home movies- anything goes.  2. Growing Up Slide Show production- perhaps part of it could use a short
original song with lyrics referencing what is shown in the photos or video clips.  3. Planning the layout of the room for
mood lighting, video projector use, speaker locations (foyer/patio may need background music for social hour)  4. If a
ceremony is involved, practicing the cues for the music; 5. Obtaining all advance music requests received up to the day
before the event (Note: If wifi is available, just about any song could be purchased on site during the dance, instantly) 6.
Practicing pronunciation of names for the introductions of the head table and the guests who will be using the
microphone.  

Early in the day: 1. Sound check and practice ceremony performances with singers and musicians at least 1 hour before
the ceremony.   2. Set up sound systems in two locations, for background music playing wherever the guests may be
gathered.   3. Prepare locations for camcorder and camera if free videos or photos taken from the DJ perspective are
desired.   4. Set up mood lights around the main ballroom  5.  Prepare location for video projector  6. Briefly meet with
those using the microphone later on for "microphone use tips."

Transition from social hour to Dinner:  1. Help gather guests into the dining room to be seated.  2. Grand March

Dinner:  1. Keep the volume level perfect throughout the room for dinner music- solo piano is most popular, but anything
can be played (see the "dinner music" tab for audio samples)  2. While circulating through the room checking volume
levels, allow seated guests to bring up requests and dedications for later on.  3.  Bring down the background music,
introduce the guests using the microphone, and adjust speakers and tone controls so voices are heard clearly
throughout the room. 4. Are there any special announcements you'd like me to make before the dance regarding
cameras at tables, etc.?  5. Clinking Glasses: Should we do something special in order for the bride and groom to kiss
during dinner, such as a trivia question, a kissing demonstration, a short speech, a bit of a song with the word "love" in
it, or drawing a name of a couple from a jar who will stand up and kiss along with you?


Cake Cutting:  I usually announce the cake cutting and play a song such as "Sugar Sugar" - should I plan for doing
this?  Would you prefer a bit of "Pour Some Sugar on Me" or "The Sweetest Thing?" Another great song for the cake
cutting: "How Sweet it is to be Loved by You" (James Taylor)

Beginning the Dance:  I will check with you every 5 minutes or so to see when you are ready to do the first dance, and
begin more upbeat background music as cake is served.  The dance should begin with the "first dance as husband and
wife" followed by one or more other "spotlight" dances, that could be choreographed in ANY way you'd like.

Please confirm the versions of your names that I should use when there are a few choices like Bob vs. Robert.

_____________________________________________________

SPOTLIGHT" DANCES (Spotlight not required, but would you like an actual spotlight aimed at the dance floor for the
special dances?)  Don't forget to consider false starts and mixes into silly songs as seen on Youtube.
Let me know the song title, artist name and particular mix or version of each song to be used in the "spotlight dances"
This is your opportunity to be original- You will need to tell me what to say and what to play and exactly when to say and
play it.  You are welcome to choreograph something special and I'll be sure to play the songs precisely as you planned it.

HOW TO WORD THE FIRST DANCE ANNOUNCEMENT:  For example:
"Let's welcome_________________________to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife"

FIRST DANCE song title and artist:_____________________________________________________

SECOND DANCE:
Song title, artist, whom to announce:
THIRD DANCE:
Song title, artist, whom to announce:

“FIRST DANCE BEFORE DINNER” OPTION:
Should I play your first dance as you enter the room for dinner, then continue the spotlight dances at the usual time for
dancing to begin?  

____Salute to the couple that has been married the longest: There is a routine where I ask all married couples to dance
-and gradually eliminate them until the couple that has been married the longest remains on the floor… Would you like
me to do this early, within the first 10 songs?

First 30 minutes of the Dance: A variety -fast and slow, old and new, is usually in order.  

Will anyone appreciate music that references anything international, such as "That's Amore" for Italians, Polkas for
Germans and Eastern-Europeans, Old time Scandinavian music, Mexican Music, music from ANY country, music
referencing a city or state such as Chicago, Texas, etc.....

Must play and "do not play" lists - most clients have up to 10 "must play" songs and a few "do not play" songs-
At the bottom of this page is a list of over 200 of the most-requested songs for wedding receptions with at least two
generations of guests equally represented.   You can easily locate audio samples of any of the songs online by simply
copying and pasting the artist name and song title into the search box on Youtube.  

Special events during the dance:   I usually wait about 10 songs into the dance before doing these:
____Bouquet Toss        ____Garter Toss         ____Dollar Dance

Garter toss routine:  You might want to try something more than the usual chair/removal/toss... you could have all the
single men form a circle in the middle of the dance floor on their hands and knees, while the bride dances around them
a few times and sits on the one she is nearest to when I cut the music.

Should we have the catchers of the garter and bouquet do something special, such as leading a conga line around the
room,  or dancing together in the middle of a circle...?

Instead of doing father/daughter, mother/son dances at the beginning of the dance, you could save them for apx 40
minutes into the dance,  to give guests a "tender moment" to break up the fast dances.

Father/Daughter dance song ideas:  Daddy's Little Girl, Unforgettable,  I Loved Her First, My Little Girl, The  Way You
Look Tonight, Daughter, etc. Your Father/Daughter dance instructions:___________________________________

Mother/Son song ideas: What A Wonderful World, I Hope You Dance....
Mother/Son dance instructions: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Should I be ready for any "Karaoke" performers to grab the microphone and sing for you during the dance?
This works best if only one singer sings only one song and no more.  You are welcome to  plan any sort of talent show
style events you can think of, and I'll act as M.C. and run the sound and lights for the performers.

NOVELTY DANCES:
If you absolutely do NOT want any of these, even if a guest requests them, let me know!
(Y= Play It!     M= Maybe, if time is right     N = Not Even if Requested   ?= Explanation needed)

___BIRDIE DANCE ___MACARENA   ___ELECTRIC SLIDE ___ CHA CHA SLIDE   ___CONGA LINE  ____STROLL   
___HAND JIVE    ___LIMBO ...  ____YMCA    ____THRILLER    ____SNOWBALL
___JUMP ON IT    ____CUPID SHUFFLE   _____SOULJA BOY  ____   
___Hokey Pokey   ____Twist Contest  ____Swing Dance    ____Polka   ___Salsa    ___Merengue

Do you think your friends will be asking for a lot of new hip hop/ night club style music?  
Should I tell them to wait until a certain time before playing selections with suggestive lyrics, out of respect for older
guests?

Sometimes there are sensitive topics that I should know about, such as family matters I need to be careful not to mention
-Let me know...
-on the other hand there may be "SUB-celebrations" I should be prepared for- if there's a birthday or anniversary you'd
like me to mention at some time in the night, I'll need to know.  Should I dedicate a Birthday or Anniversary song to
anyone?  

___“SEND-OFF”  Is there a special song you’d like to end the dance with?
Suggestions: Piano Man...  New York New York  Happy Trails, Closing Time, Goodnight Sweetheart...etc.  


Finally, during the dance I put a LOT of thought into what song to play next- I try to understand what the people in the
room are all thinking, in order to surprise them into dancing by playing what they were hoping I'd play without having to
ask. After performing at over 1,000 dances, I've become skilled at reading older guests, but I need help with the 20-25
year olds who usually prefer anti-establishment, extremely unpredictable music.  
Let me know what your 20-25-yr old guests would like, in terms of styles (new country?) artists (Love or hate Lady Ga
Ga?) and song titles (any recent hits they're excited about?)
I'll be ready for nearly any request with over 20,000 selections (and UNLIMITED songs if Wi Fi is available) -
REQUEST GUIDELINES:
Let me know any guidelines for request-taking, such as rejecting any request for songs with explicit lyrics (or having
them set aside until midnight- whatever you'd like).  I'll let request-makers know what's on the "Do Not Play List" and try
to keep them focused on picking songs related to the selections from your "Must Play" list.  (It works best to have no
more than 10 "must play" selections to leave room for requests, but you are welcome to pre-program the entire night if
you'd like)

TOP 200+ SONGS - FEBRUARY 2010
To hear audio samples of any of these, simply copy the artist/song title and paste into the search box on Youtube
Call 952.832.5555as well, where I can play the audio samples by phone for you and discuss the songs at the same time.
(Please indicate how much you like each of these- Y=Yes, N=No   YYY! = must play  NNN! = do not play even if requested
1   Etta James:  At Last
2   Frank Sinatra:  The Way You Look Tonight  (Or do you prefer the version by Rod Stewart, or from the Father of the Bride Soundtrack?)
3   Journey: Don't Stop Believing
4   Cupid: The Cupid Shuffle
5   Natalie Cole: (This Will Be An) Everlasting Love
6   Kenny Loggins  Footloose
7   Ke$ha   Tik Tok
8   Sister Sledge   We Are Family   
9   Michael Jackson  ___Billy Jean  ___Thriller  ___Don't Stop till You Get Enough ___The Way You Make Me Feel  __Black or White ___PYT
10   Black-Eyed Peas:  ___Boom Boom Pow   ___I Got a Feeling  ___Meet Me Half Way  __Imma Be
11   Def Leppard Pour Some Sugar on Me
12   Big N Rich: Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy
13   Bee Gees   Stayin' Alive   
14   Village People: YMCA
15   Casper  Cha  Cha Slide   
16   Michael Franti and Spearhead "Say Hey" (I Love You)
17   AC/DC: You Shook Me All Night Long   
18   Michael Buble: Everything
19   Allison Krauss  When You Say Nothing at All
20   Righteous Brothers   Unchained Melody   
21   Nick Lowe: I Knew the Bride when she used to Rock and Roll
22   Bon Jovi: Living on a Prayer   
23   Ting Tings: That's Not My Name
24   Louis Armstrong:    What A Wonderful World   
25   Wild Cherry   Play That Funky Music   
26   Cyndi Lauper: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
27   Miley Cyrus: Party in the U.S.A.   
28   Buster Poindexter: Hot Hot Hot
29   Dexy's Midnight Runners   Come On Eileen   
30   Neil Diamond:   Sweet Caroline   
31   Foundations   Build Me Up Buttercup   
32   Elvis Presley:   Can't Help Falling In Love   
33   Sean Kingston: Fire Burning
34   Bob Seger:  Old Time Rock & Roll   
35   Rolling Stones  Start Me Up   
36   Kool and the Gang   Celebration
37   Van Morrison   Brown-Eyed Girl      
38   LMFAO:  I'm in Miami Trick
39   Jason Mraz and Colby C: Lucky
40   Britney Spears:   Womanizer  
41   Hollies: Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress
42   Gloria Gaynor   I Will Survive   
43   Marvin Gaye    Let's Get It On   
44   Commodores  Brick House
45   Flo Rida:  Low
46   Aretha Franklin  Respect   
47   Rednex   Cotton-Eyed Joe   
48   Beastie Boys  Brass Monkey
49   Prince   Kiss   
50   Montell Jordan: This Is How We Do It
51   3 oh!3 and Katy Perry: Starstrukk
52   Al Green:  Let's Stay Together
53   James Brown: Get Up Off a' That Thing
54   B-52’s  Love Shack
55   Justin Timberlake  Sexy Back   
56   Lady GaGa: ____ Bad Romance ____Telephone
57   House Of Pain   Jump Around   
58   Rascal Flatts   Bless The Broken Road   
59   Jason Mraz  I'm Yours
60   LeeAnn Womack  I Hope You Dance    
61   Chubby Checker   Let's Twist Again    
62   Cascada: Evacuate the Dance Floor
63   Britney Spears: 3  
64   Zac Brown  Band: Chicken Fried
65   Natalie With Nat King Cole   Unforgettable   
66   Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: Fishin' in the Dark
67   Abba  Dancing Queen  
68   Bee Gees: Nights on Broadway
69   Jay Sean / Lil Wayne: Down    
70   Simon & Garfunkel   Cecilia   
71   Brad Paisley   Then
72   Rascal Flatts   My Wish   
73   Justin Timberlake   Rock Your Body   
74   Animal House  (Otis Day): Shout
75   Sean Paul: Temperature
76   Nat "King" Cole L.O.V.E.
77   Glenn Miller   In the Mood  
78   Stevie Wonder:  I Wish   
79   Dean Martin:  That's Amore   
80   Roll out the Barrel (Beer Barrel Polka)
81   69 Boys  Tootsie Roll
82   Outkast: Hey Ya
83   Tone Loc:  Funky Cold Medina
84   Soulja Boy Tell'em - Crank That
85   Christina Aguilera:  Lady Marmalade   
86   Deee-Lite   Groove Is In The Heart   
87   Weather Girls   It's Raining Men   
88   Sugar Hill Gang   Jump On It
89   Cobra Starship: Good Girls Go Bad
90   Young M.C.   Bust A Move   
91   Lee Ann Womack   I Hope You Dance   
92   Proclaimers  I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
93   Lil Jon; Get Low (clean version or original?)
94   Van Morrison: Have I Told You Lately  that I Love You
95   Jagged Edge: Let's Get Married
96   Earth Wind & Fire  Let's Groove ( tonight)
97   KC & the Sunshine Band   Boogie Shoes  
98   Aretha Franklin  Think!  
99   Commitments: Mustang Sally
100   Elton John    Crocodile Rock   
101   Dean Martin:  Ain't that a Kick in the Head
102    AC/DC T-N-T,
103   Steelers Wheel: Stuck in the Middle with You   
104   Ike and Tina Turner   Proud Mary
105   Rick Springfield   Jessie's Girl   
106   Israel "IZI"  Kamak...Somewhere Over The Rainbow
107   Right Said Fred   I'm Too Sexy   
108   T.I. Whatever You Like
109   Miley Cyrus: Hoedown Throwdown
110   Daddy Yankee  ___ Gasolina ___ Rompe
111   Evolution of Dance Soundtrack (See Youtube)
112   Aerosmith   Walk This Way   
113   Grease Mega Mix  (Greased Lighting)
114   Lou Bega:   Mambo No. 5    
115   Michael Franti  Say Hey (I Love You)
116   Cherry Poppin' Daddies   Zoot Suit Riot   
117   Pitbull: ___Room Service  ___I Know You Want Me   ___The Theme
118   Stevie Wonder  Superstition   
119   Bryan Adams: Summer of 69
120   Beatles Twist and Shout    
121   Fight Songs: ___Minnesota Rouser,  ____On Wisconsin
122   Sweet:  Ballroom Blitz
123   Beach Boys   Barbara Ann
124   Abba   Take A Chance On Me   
125   Lady GaGa    Poker Face
126   Donna Summer:   Last Dance   
127   Darude: Sandstorm
128   Ramones: I Wanna Be Sedated  
129   Four Seasons   December 1963 (Oh, What A Night)   
130   Katy Perry: Hot and Cold    
131   Spice Girls:  Wanna Be   
132   Joan Jett:   I Love Rock and Roll
133   Smash Mouth:   I'm A Believer    (with Donkey from Shrek shouting "I Be-Lieve!)
134   Sir Mix Alot: Baby Got Back
135   Salt N Pepa   ___ Shoop  ____ Push It
136   Garth Brooks   The Dance   
137   Digital Underground   The Humpty Dance   
138   Tone Loc   Funky Cold Medina   
139   Brian Setzer Orchestra   Jump Jive N' Wail   
140   James Brown   Sex Machine    
141   Billy Idol:  Dancing With Myself
142   Roy Orbison:   Oh, Pretty Woman   
143   Hairspray Movie: You Just Can't Stop the Beat    
144   Billy Joel   Piano Man   
145   Dirty Dancing: I've Had the Time of My Life   
146   Michael Buble   Sway
147   KC & The Sunshine Band: Get Down Tonight    
148   Garth Brooks  Friends in Low Places   
149   Kool and the Gang:  Get Down On It
150   Usher: Yeah
151   Surfaris: Wipe Out
152   Notorious B.I.G. ___Hypnotize __Mo Money Mo Problems
153   50 Cent In Da Club / Stayin' Alive Mash Up   
154   Van Morrison   Tupelo Honey
155   Rick James   Super Freak  
156   Kelly Clarkson:   A Moment Like This   
157   Alan Jackson:   Remember When   
158   DJ Kool: Let Me Clear My Throat
159   Meat Loaf   Paradise By The Dashboard Light   
160   Polka/ Sing Along:  In Heaven There Is No Beer   
161   Beatles   In My Life   
162   Elvis Presley  All Shook Up   
163   Bangles   Walk Like An Egyptian   
164   Timbaland  The Way I Are
165   John Denver  Thank God I'm a Country Boy
166   Journey   __Open Arms     __Faithfully
167   Elton John   Tiny Dancer    
168   Temptations (or Stones version)  Ain't Too Proud To Beg   
169   Santana Feat. Rob Thomas   Smooth   
170   Alabama   Mountain Music   
171   Michael Buble: Summer Wind  
172   Jay Sean: Down
173   Dave Matthews Band:  Ants Marching
174   Ann Murray:  Could I Have This Dance
175   Beyonce: Put a Ring On It
176   Grand Funk Railroad  Some Kinda Wonderful
177   Shania Twain  Man!  I Feel Like a Woman  
178   Eminem: Lose Yourself
179   Michael Buble: Home  
180   Don McLean   American Pie   
181   Jerry Lee Lewis  Great Balls of Fire  
182   Elvis  Presley    Blue Suede Shoes   
183   Shania and Brian White: From This Moment On (duet)
184   Stray Cats   Rock This Town   
185   Modern English   I Melt With You   
186   Chuck Berry: You Never Can Tell (C'est La Vie)
187   Nate Dogg and Warren G:  Regulate
188   Trammps: Disco Inferno    
189   Three Dog Night: Joy to the World
190   Madonna   Like A Prayer
191   Bill Haley and the Comets  Rock Around The Clock    
192   Black Eyed Peas: Let's Get it Started
193   Flo Rida Throw Your Hands in the Ay-er
194   Romantics: What I Like About You
195   Kenny Chesney:  Summertime
196   C + C Music Factory: Everybody Dance Now    
197   Kid Rock:  All Summer Long
199   Earth Wind and Fire   September   
200   Michael Buble  Save The Last Dance For Me
201   Temptations  My Girl
202   Jason Bieber  One Less Lonely Girl
203   David Allen Coe  Never Even Call Me By My Name  
204   AC/DC  Back in Black
205   Michael Buble  I've Got the World on a String
206   Carrie Underwood   Cowboy Casanova
207   Bobby Darin  Splish Splash
208   Fleetwood Mac   Don't Stop
209   Bob Marley   Jamming
210   Frank Sinatra  Cheek to Cheek
210   Lady GaGa  Just Dance
211   Flo Rida   Right Round
212   Tim McGraw  My Best Friend
213    Happy Birthday (Versions by Frank Sinatra, Elvis and Beatles available)
214   Whoopie John: The Happy Wanderer Polka
215   Celia Cruz:  La Vida Es Un Carnival  (Salsa)
216   Harry Belafonte:  Jump in the Line (Shake Shake Senora)
217   Pink  So What
218   Salsa Megamixes (various, 6-10 minutes each)
219   Europe  The Final Countdown
220   Spaniels   Goodnight Sweetheart
221   Original Song:  Paul can write and perform a song just for you.
222   Colby Caillat:  Bubbly
223   Ingrid Michaelson:  The Way I Am
224   Taylor Swift:  Our Song
225   Norah Jones  Come Away With Me
226   David Grey   Be Mine
227   Marc Cohn  True Companion
228   Chicago   Colour My World
229   Jeff Healy Band    Angel Eyes
230   Eric Clapton   Wonderful Tonight
231   Rolling Stones  Wild Horses
232   Roberta Flack/Peabo Bryson: Tonight I Celebrate my Love
233   Snoop Dogg  How Low Can You Go
234   Johnny Cash   Get Rhythm
235   Blame it on the Pop  2009 mash up
236   Glee Cast: Don't Stop Believing, etc.
237   Trey Songz: Say Ahh   Trey Songz
238   Wiz Khalifa: Say Yeah
239   MGMT: Kids
240   Ke$ha  Blah Blah Blah  __Take it Off ___Your Love is My Drug
241   Kanye West:  Amazing
242   Jakob Dylan : Something Good This Way Comes  
243   Josh Stone:  Super Duper Love   
244   Drake: Forever
245   Dorrough:  Ice Cream Paint Job
246   Duncan Sheik:  For You
247   King Harvest: Dancing in the Moonlight
248   Kings of Leon:  Use Somebody
249   Sugar Hill Gang: Rapper's Delight
250   UMLIMITED SONGS are available anywhere-
here are some favorites from a client for an upcoming event to add to the above list:
Kanye West- Gold Digger
Kanye West- Stronger
Shakira: Give it Up to Me
Incredibad: I'm on a Boat
Michael Jackson: Beat It
Black Crowes: Hard to Handle
G. Love: Beautiful
Eric Clapton: I'm Tore Down
Zac Brown Band: Toes
John Mellencamp: Hurt So Good
John Mellencamp: Small Town
John Mellencamp: Ain't Even Done With the Night
Eric Clapton and BB King: Come Rain or Come Shine
Loudon Wainwright III from movie "Knocked Up" : Daughter (on the water)



MORE play list ideas are found at websites such as playlist.com, myspace music, rhapsody, lala.com, youtube, etc.
Please feel free to submit an advance "must play" list with anything you find on line.