Music List for Family Events, Festivals, Charity events, picnics, music list walkathons, tips on hiring your family event DJ

                                Some great tips on hiring a DJ for your next charity event, festival, walkathon, or corporate function. Whether you believe it or not the music 75 percent of the time makes or breaks an event. If you hire a DJ who is part time or does it as a hobby chances are you could be taking a risk if their performing in front of hundreds of people. You don't want heavy rap music or death metal or even the latest Dubstep jam blasting out your guests. A lot of DJs are going to play what they feel works and not what appeals to the crowd. 

                                Tip number one is; have the DJ who is performing for you give you a general idea of what kinds of music and/or artists, songs they will be mixing throughout your event. They can even send you a small list of songs they plan to use. Tip number two is; always check with a reference or 2 to make sure they have a credible background in performing at family style events. Hiring Uncle George or the guy you saw at the karaoke bar may not work out to well. It's a risk and can either be pretty good or not good at all. Tip number three is; how is their general personality? Your attitude and personality can make you or break you as a DJ or performer. Talking with an extremely flexible and motivated DJ can put a lot of people at ease. If you're unsure of somebody providing the service for you because they don't sound to professional on the phone, return your phone calls and emails in a timely manner or even their voicemail message. That can tell you whether they actually have experience. For example; if you call someone who is a true professional and you hear "Yo this is Bobby leave a message." This will tell you how serious they are. If you call a company and hear something similar to, "Hello and thanks for calling Pro entertainment DJs, our website is........, we're unavailable at this time, kindly leave a message and we'll return your call." This is a sign that they put effort into making sure their professional sounding. 

                                   On that note, you will know whether you're talking to someone who is right for your family event, picnic, festival or walkathon by their overall persona. Here is a fantastic music list of modern music you can use at just about any special event for all age groups. 

Coldplay – Viva la vida

Ed Shereen – A Team

Fun – Some nights

Baha Men – Who let the dogs out

Demi Lovato – Give your heart a break

Alexandria Stan – Saxo Beat

Michael Franti – Say hey I love you                               

B.O.B. – Magic

Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow

Calvin Harris – Feel so close

Carly Rae Jepsen – Call me Maybe

One Direction – What makes you beautiful                 

Cascada – Evacuate the dancefloor

Chris Brown – Forever

Jackson 5 – I want you back

Cobra Starship – you make me feel  

Enuria – Calabria

Flo Rida – Good feeling

Justin Bieber – Somebody to love

Carly Rae Jepen & Owl City – Good time

Venga Boys – We like to party

Psy – Gangnam Style

Rihanna & Calvin Harris – We found love

Sugarland – Stuck like glue

Stevie Wonder – Bad mama jama

Reel 2 Reel – I like to move it

Taio Cruz – Dynamite

The Wanted – Glad you came

Train – Hey Soul sister

Willow Smith – Whip my hair

Afroman – Take over control

Jay Sean – Do you remember

Will Smith – Getting Jiggy Wit it

Smash Mouth – Allstar

Aqua – Barbie Girl

Jonas Brothers – Year 3000

Maroon 5 – Makes me wonder

Buster Poindexter – Hot Hot Hot

Pitbull – Feel this moment

The Wanted – Glad you came

Carly Rae Jepsen – The Kiss

Flo Rida – wild ones

Icono Pop – I love i

Black Eyed Peas – Let’s get it starte

Iyaz – Solo

Jay Sean – Down

Justin Bieber – Beauty & a beat

High School Musical – We’re all in this together

Karmin – Brokenhearted

Cheryl Lynn – Got to be real

Katy Perry – Teenage Dream

Lady Gaga – Just dance

Smash Mouth – I’m a believer

LMFAO – Party Rock

Matt & Kim – Let’s go

Krewella – Alive

Metro Station – Seventeen Forever

Kool & the Gang – Celebration

Mike Posner – Please don’t go

Miley Cyrus – Party in the USA

Pitbull & Havana Brown – We run the night

NeYo – let me love you

Sean Kingston – Eenie Meenie

Shakira – Waka Waka

Taio Cruz – Higher

Taylor Swift – You belong to me

Usher – DJ got us falling in love

Will.i.am – Scream & Shou

Black Eyed Peas – Time of your life

Calvin Harris – Let’s go

One Direction – One thing      

Sister Sledge – We are family            

Quad City DJs – C’mon ride the train

Shakira – Hips don’t lie       

Michael Franti – Sound of Sunshine

Metro Station – Shake it              

Earth Wind & Fire – Shining Star

James Brown – I feel good

Rihanna – Please don’t stop the music

The Wanted – Chasing the sun

 
Here is a very large side note to this music list. (Make Sure the DJ or whomever is mixing the music has the clean versions to any of these songs.) These songs are all great having the radio edited versions. So for those of you requiring clean music, please let your music specialist know to have the radio edited versions of this list. You can print this list and use it if you want. It goes perfectly with most events. 

Happy family event hunting!

- Billman

DJ South Florida 
West Palm Beach Photographer 
South Florida Photographer 
DJ Ft Lauderdale 
DJ Miami 
DJ Sweet 16 Florida 
DJ Vero Beach 
Internet Radio Florida 

Top Songs for DJ mix mobile DJs party wedding sweet 16 Bar Mitzvah Bat Mitzvah DJs Music list

                        Here's a great list of music to get you through just about any standard DJ gig. Whether you're doing a party, wedding, corporate event, school dance or an other indoor or outdoor event. Keeping the crowd happy with a mix of music will keep the customer coming back for more. The songs on this list can appeal to many age groups and event types. 

70’s & 80’s Background Tunes

Jimmy Buffett – Margaritaville                           Billy Joel – Just the way you are

Boz Scaggs – Low down                               Chicago – Saturday in the park

Eagles – Hotel California                                Earth Wind & Fire – After the love is gone

Elton John – Your song                                   Eric Clapton – Wonderful tonight

George Benson – Just the 2 of us                   James Taylor – How sweet it is

John Mellencamp – Jack & Diane                  Lionel Ritchie – You are the sun you are the rain

Marvin Gaye – Mercy Me                               Paul McCartney – Band on the run

Steely Dan – reelin in the years                        Stevie Wonder – For once in my life

Todd Rundgren – Hello it’s me                       Van Morrison – Moon Dance

2000’s Background Tunes

Bruno Mars – Just the way you are               Colbie Caillat – Realize

Coldplay – Viva La Vida                               Jack Johnson – Better together

Jason Mraz – I’m yours                                    Katy Perry – Teenage Dream

Leona Lewis – Better in time                        Maroon 5 – Makes me wonder

Michael Buble – Haven’t met you yet            One Republic–Stop & Stare

Plain White T’s – 1,2,3,4                               Bruno Mars – Nothin on you

Beyonce – Halo                                               Sara Bareilles – Love Song

Train – Hey Soul Sister 379-11                                 Pussy Cat Dolls – I hate this part

Daniel Powder – Had a bad day                     Lenny Kravitz – Again

Top Disco Dance Songs

Earth Wind & Fire – September                   Donna Summer – Bad Girls

Kool & the Gang – It’s ladies night                Rick James – Superfreak

Trammps – Disco Inferno                                Lipps Inc – Funky town

Kool & the Gang – Celebration                      Commodores – Brick House

Cheryl Lynn – Got to be real                          Sister Sledge – We are family

Gloria Gaynor – I will survive                         KC & the Sunshine – Get down tonight

Kool & the Gang – Get down on it                 Michael Jackson – Don’t stop till you get enough

Wild Cherry – Play that funky music             Van McCoy – The hustle

Jackson 5 – Blame it on the boogie            Emotions – got the best of my love

Village People – YMCA                                Dazz – Let it whip

Top 80s Dance Songs

Billy Idol – Mony Mony                                         B-52s – Love shack

Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Relax                Gloria Estefan – 1,2,3,4

Lionel Ritchie – Dancing on the ceiling           Madonna – Holiday

Pat Benatar – Hit me with your best shot        Prince – 1999 

Santana – Oye Como Va                                  Shannon – Let the music play

Stevie Wonder – She’s a bad mama jama       Tom Jones – She’s a lady

Buster Poindexter – Hot Hot Hot                      Joan Jett – I love rock n roll

Cars – Shake it up                                              Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just wanna have fun

Duran Duran – Hungry like the wolf            Bruce Springsteen – dancing in the dark

Gloria Estefan – Conga                                    Barry White – Can’t get enough of your love

Top 2000s Dance / House Songs

Taio Cruz – Dynamite                                 Flo Rida – Low (Apple Bottom Jeans)

Black Eyed Peas - I gotta feeling               Usher – Yeah

Shakira – Loca                                             Rhianna – Please don’t stop the music

Pink – Raise your glass                              Lady Gaga – Poker Face

Kesha – Tik Tok                                           Black Eyed Peas – Meet me halfway

Enrique Iglesias – I like it                           Enuria – Calabria

Alexandria Stan – Mr. Saxobeat                   Flo Rida – Good Feeling

Far East Movement – Like a G6                Usher – OMG

Jay Sean – Do you remember                   Jennifer Lopez – On the floor

Pitbull – I know you want me                      Shakira – Hips don’t lie

Justin BieberSomebody to love                  Katy Perry – Last Friday Night

Fergie – Fergalicious                                Usher – DJs got us falling in love

LMFAO – Sexy & I know it                            LMFAO – Party Rock Anthem

Taio Cruz – Break your heart                       Lady Gaga – Just dance

Maroon 5 – Moves like jagger                     Pitbull & Neyo – Give me everything

Nicki Minaj – Super Bass                            Shakira – Waka Waka Africa

Cascada – Evacuate the dance floor            Cupid – Cupid Shuffle

Electric Slide                                                Cee Lo Green – Forget you

Metro Station – Shake it

2000s Hip Hop & Rap Popular

Big Sean – Dance                                         Black Eyed Peas – Imma Bee

Cali Swag District –how to Dougie          GS Boys – Stanky Legg

J Dash – Wop                                           Lil Wayne – 6 foot 7 foot

Rejects – Cat Daddy                                Sean Kingston – Letting go

Three Six Mafia – Lolli Lolli                    Waka Flocka Flame – No hands

Trina – Red Bottoms                                Soulja Boy – Supaman

Wiz Khalifa – Black & yellow                 Willow Smith – Whip my hair

Rock N Roll Dance Tunes

ACDC – She shook me                             Bachman Turner Overdrive – Takin care of business

Bob Seger – Old time rock n roll                  Kenny Loggins – Momma don’t dance

Troggs – Wild thing                                          Steppenwolf – Magic Carpet Ride

Rolling Stones – Start me up                          Queen – Another one bites the dust

Lynard Skynard – Sweet home Alabama       John Mellencamp – Small town

Credence Clearwater – Bad moon arising       Jim Croce – Bad Leroy Brown

Journey – Anyway you want it                         Van Morrison – Wild night

ZZ Top – Sharp dressed man                          Rolling Stones – Satisfaction

Country Tunes

Zac Brown Band – Chicken Fried                          Toby Keith – I love this bar

Trace Adkins – Honky Tonk Badonkadonk           Uncle Kracker – smile

Sugarland – Like Glue                                            Trace Atkins – Just Fishin

Alan Jackson – five o’clock somewhere              Rascal Flatts – I melt

Brooks & Dunn – Play something country         Kenny Chesney – Keeper of the stars(slow)

Carrie Underwood – Before he cheats                Lady Antebellum – Need you now

Brooks & Dunn – My Maria                                   Big & Rich – Save a horse ride a cowboy

Garth Brooks – Friends in low places                Brooks & Dunn  -  Boot scootin Boogie

Gretchen Wilson – Here for the party                   George Strait – I cross my heart

Kenny Chesney – She thinks my tractors sexy          Randy Travis – Forever Amen

Rascal Flatts – Life is a highway                          Hank Williams – All my rowdy friends

  

Top Oldies Tunes Fast

Archies – sugar sugar                                Beatles – you can drive my car

Beatles – Twist & Shout                              Bill Haley – Rock around the clock

Bobby Darin – Mack the knife                  Chuck Berry – let’s twist again

Danny & the Juniors – At the hop                Dean Martin – papa loves mambo

Elvis Presley – don’t be cruel                       Elvis Presley – Jailhouse Rock

Everly Brothers – wake up little suzy         Foundations – Build me up buttercup

Four Tops – I can’t help myself                 Frank Sinatra – New York New York

Frank Sinatra – I get a kick out of you     Glen Miller – in the mood

Mary Wells – my guy                                  O-Jays – love train

Roy Orbison – Pretty woman                       Sam Cooke – twisting the night away

Young Holt Symphony – Soulful Strut      Beach Boys – good vibrations

Aretha Franklin – Respect                         Bill Haley – Shake rattle & roll

Chuck Berry – The Twist                          Frank Sinatra – come fly with me

Rascals – good lovin                                  Wilson Pickett – land of a thousand dances

Louie Armstrong – jeepers creepers         Beatles – I saw her standing there

Oldies Background music slow to medium

Beatles – in my life                                         Bobby Darin – beyond the sea

Classics V – spooky                                      Dean Martin – memories are made of this

Dion & the Belmonts – runaround sue            Drifters – this magic moment

Elvis Presley – Can’t help falling in love          Everly Brothers – Dream

Frank Sinatra – the way you look tonight           Frank Sinatra – you make me feel so young

Frank Sinatra – girl from impanema              Frank Sinatra – fly me to the moon

Frankie Vallie – can’t take my eyes off you    Kenny Rogers – through the years

Louis Armstrong – wonderful world                  Nat King Cole – Mona Lisa

Roy Orbison – anything you want                     Shanana – good night sweet heart

Spinnes – I’ll be around                                     Ben E King – stand by me

Tony Bennett – Isn’t it romantic                       Dean Martin – that’s amore

Bobby Darin – the good life                           Frank Sinatra – Under my skin 

I have basically handed you an overview of what a DJ uses as a guide to your party. Whether you're needing background music for a wedding, 2000s party music for a school dance or just need a kids, teens and adults mix of great songs this will definitely be a helpful tool. Enjoy and happy DJing and partying!

- Billman

South Florida Photographer

DJ Stuart FL

Interactive Games list for Parties Bar Mitzvahs Bat Mitzvahs B'Nai Mitzvahs Kids birthdays DJ entertainment

Here are some great game ideas for mobile DJs, master of ceremonies and entertainers looking for some group participation and interactive activities throughout their events. There are many more games but these have proven to be some of the more popular ones. It's also good to have some prizes available to give out to the winners of contests.    

Thread the needle – Divide people into circles and everyone joins hands. Hula hoops have to go around the circle while hands are connected. First Circle to get hula hoops around twice is the winner.

·        Bubble Wrap Contest – People are divided up into groups. Each group has to pop all the bubbles in their bubble wrap to win

·        Freeze Dance Contest – Have all participants on the dance floor spread out to make room. Play a selection of about 2-3 songs very upbeat or medium paced. Stop music every 25-30 seconds or as you please. Participants must stop where they are and no movement of arms, legs or body must take place. Only breathing and blinking. (You could use a couple of helpers if necessary)

·        Limbo Contest – (Need limbo pole) Ask for 2 volunteers to hold limbo pole. Ask participants to line up and have music playing. The 2 songs preferred for limbo is Buster Poindexter – Hot Hot Hot and Chubby Checker – limbo rock

·        Mummy Wrap Contest – will need 4-6 rolls of toilet paper depending upon group size, and a trash bag. Divide participants up into groups of 4-5 people. Group picks one person to be mummy. Every group GETS 2 rolls of toilet paper. When you start the music, all groups work together to wrap person who is mummy until all toilet paper is off roll. Mummy has to look mostly wrapped then group must rip toilet paper off and place in a trash bag. First group to do this wins.

·        Hula Hoop Contest – Have at least 10 hula hoops available. Good to have a couple rounds of the game. Choose 10 people for first round of hula hoops, 10 people for second round. Have fun upbeat music playing and each participant gets 1-2 minutes to hula hoop. Look for the winners who keep the hula hoop up the longest. Then first round winners can battle against second round for the grand prize.

·        Pepsi-Cola-7Up Game – put all participants in a line and give each person a number. Each person gets either a 1 or a 2. Ask all ones to line up on one end of dance floor and ask 2s to line up on other side. Have players call out their favorite soda drink. Each side will get one of the soda drink names called out. Have music playing low in the background and call out a side (Soda name) This side will run to the other side of the floor and kneels down on dance floor next to the other group. Then vice-versa. You may now add in other names and the players have to do other things. 7-Up means kids run to the center of the floor and high five. Call out sprite and kids have to hop on one foot on their side. Free dance means groups go to middle of floor and dance for 20 seconds. Add diet to any soda name and this means that participants have to walk backwards to the other side.

·        Musical Chairs – Get the same amount of chairs for the contestants playing. Line chairs up back to back.  Participants must walk around chairs and prepare to sit in a chair. Play fun upbeat music and stop the music every 30 seconds to one minute. When music is stopped players must find a seat to sit in. Remove one chair every time the music is stopped.

·        Scavenger hunt – Participants collect an item that you call out over the microphone. These items can be hard to find. Here are a list of items to collect. Once player finds the item they must return to the center of the dance floor. First person to return to dance floor is winner each round. Best if you have chairs because you can remove a chair at a time. Player must return item in order to get a new item. List of items you can call out. A man’s belt, business card, spoon, american express card, picture, shoe from outside the dance floor, empty soda can, balloon, the letter Z, a cell phone that’s not a smart phone, a nickel, glasses

·        Huggy Bear Contest – For adults and kids. Have everyone out on the dance floor and play upbeat music. About every one minute call out a number. Players must split up into groups of that number. Anyone not in that group is out.

·        Pass and Guess - A jar is filled with Jelly Beans or M&Ms and is passed around the tables.

Each person must write on a piece of paper their guess and their name. They then hand it to the DJ or assistant. The person who gets the closest number wins the jar of candy!

·        Guys and Girls Dance contest – Have all guys on one side of dance floor and girls on other side of dance floor facing each other. Pick 2 songs for each side for girls and guys. Each side gets 1 minute dance time and switches off. Best dancers win.

·        Hot Potato – Contestants gather in a circle either standing or sitting (preferably standing) and must pass a ball or hot potato type of object around circle. Music must be played in background. When music stops whoever has hot potato is out. They must sit in circle or outside.

·        Cha Cha Slide

·        Cupid Shuffle

·        Electric Slide

·        Cotton Eyed Joe

·        The Twist Contest – Best Twister in the room (Chubby Checker – the Twist)