Colin McEnroe Show: Wedding Bands & Wedding DJs
Hear about the ultimate in wedding music debates!
Some of my best friends are DJs, but for me, there's something magical about a band -- at a wedding or just about any place else. Sure, a DJ can bring a few thousand songs, but in a way that adds to the mystique of the band. When they play a song you like, it's even more of a gift.
But bands are losing the battle. I keep hearing that young people today won't consider a band even if they can afford one. They're more accustomed to DJs and, anyway, the ethos of the current marriageable generation is summed up by the iPod. It's a generation that wants a lot of choices and is prepared to make sacrifices in sonic fidelity to get them.
Today, we'll talk about wedding music in all its guises. Steve Metcalf, our senior music analyst, played in wedding bands as a young man. Now, with his youngest daughter's wedding -- his first as father of the bride -- on the horizon, Metcalf is learning how much the business has changed.
Leave your comments below, e-mail colin@wnpr.org or Tweet us @wnprcolin.
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EMAIL FROM CARRINGTON:
My cousin's wedding featured a DJ and a drummer (a fellow named John Ward -- no known blood relation -- out of Long Island).
John is a skilled musician and has staked out his own business as a 'drummer-for hire' -- he plays along with DJs, etc. -- I've known him for a good while, but hadn't seen him perform.
I guess part of his particular competitive advantage is that he was never really a professional musician, so he's willing to play 'second fiddle (?)' to a dj's music choices... or -- as it turned out -- first drummer.
I hadn't see him 'do his thing' until last month: I was absolutely blown away by how much he added to the DJ's sound track -- there's a lot of good dance music out there, but a live musician can make a huge difference.
EMAIL FROM ETHAN:
Very interesting show. I co-directed and played in an 11-piece Afrobeat band in Portland, Oregon from 2002 – 2010. Afrobeat is a funky, almost James Brown-style of music with heavy African-influenced percussion. Horns, guitar, keys, percussion and vocals. I also worked for a sound and lighting company that rented out equipment to bands, DJ’s, churches, etc. In my experience, the two most important ingredients are listening/awareness and talent. We had a master talking-drum player from Nigeria who played with King Sunny Ade for 10 years. He was so captivating and interactive that he would win over the 5 year old kid picking his nose, the old couple who usually call it quits after the meal, and, most importantly, the bride and groom. We provided the sound, stage lighting and performance, and also encouraged the bride and groom to put together a pre-mixed iPod mix for between sets and post-show. They know the people best. The key is talent. I know that the attendants of the wedding would ask WTF about the talent being described as “11-Piece Afrobeat” band. But by the end of the night, we received much praise and received many referrals. At my rental store, however, it was 90-10. 90% DJ’s and 10% bands. It’s cheaper to do a DJ.
You and Wolfie would fit in perfectly in Portland.
Thanks for the good listening in this more conservative environment,
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