Play Something We Can Dance To!

    After we hang the lights on the Christmas tree each year, we then hang the ornaments.  Almost all the ornaments belong to a particular family member and since it has significance only to that person, he gets the honor of placing it on the branch of his choice.  Once the protective bubble-wrap is carefully unfolded from the Pokey Little Puppy ornament, it is my turn to find a special area where it can properly be viewed.   This holiday adornment is a representation of a precious childhood memory of my favorite book.  Of all my books growing up, this story was my favorite.  

My wife and I will treasure the many nights of reading to our daughter, Rebecca, Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush just before prayer time.  Rebecca is a freshman in college, so it has been many years since she begged us to read to her one more time about the mulberry bush.  Recently, she was asked to write her single favorite childhood memory, and she stated that it was anytime when her daddy read to her.  Likewise, our son Robert had a favorite book.  Actually, he had a hero named Thomas the Tank Engine who was the star of many books.  If I book had a blue train engine, it was one of Robert’s favorites.  To this day, when I hear a train-whistle in the distance, it reminds me about all the great times Robert spent reading about Thomas and playing with all his toys that were portrayed in the pages of his books.

Life is a series of stories that we gather and store in our memory.  As the years pass, we rejoice in sharing these stories.  Every Christmas we talk about the ornaments as we ceremoniously hang them – remembering when we first received it or why that ornament has a place in our heart because of the story it tells.   As our children get older, we remember a sweet glimpse of their youth in the memory of a book or the sound of a distant train whistle.  

For nearly forty years, I have been a disc jockey and understand the importance of music in telling “the story” in someone’s life.  For many people, certain songs are as important to them as The Pokey Little Puppy story is for me, or a Thomas the Tank toy is for my son.  Each time I hear The Steve Miller Band’s, Fly Like an Eagle, it reminds me of the day I joined the U.S. Navy because it was the first song I heard after raising my hand to solemnly swear to defend my country against all enemies.  That was in 1976, but that song is part of my life’s story.  

Many of the songs on this issue’s list are a part of my wife’s life story.  In the 1980s, Donna loved to roller skate and many of these songs were regularly played every Sunday night at the rink.  Skating was never my passion, but even when we were dating, I knew not to plan anything for us to do on Sunday night, because she would be going around in circles on those nights.   Today, when our car speakers vibrate some of this issue’s tunes, it takes her back to those pages of her life at the roller rink.

When I first meet a bride and groom, I ask them to tell me their story.  My inquiry may be how they first met, or how he proposed to her.  Their eyes light up when they realize that I actually want to know about them.  They understand that I’m more than just someone trying to secure their date and deposit for my benefit.  I genuinely want to know their story.  Another time when the couple gets to relay their story is during the consultation when I ask them about their choice for a first dance.  Invariably, the song choice is either the first slow dance they ever dance to on a date, or the song tells about the deep love they feel for each other.  

One of the most rewarding aspects of the job of a mobile disc jockey is the ability to create an unparalleled experience for clients at their event.  The energy that a DJ brings to the event, both with the music played and with his positive attitude, will become the story they will tell for many years to come.  The music chosen to be played at the event may be a recap of some of the best times in the couple’s life thus far.  Often we find that when a client creates a playlist for us, the songs consist of tunes that were their favorites in an earlier part of their life.  If a couple is younger, their choices will probably be contemporary music.  But, if they are an older couple or the parents are picking some of the music, their favorites may be some of the top songs from the 1980s as depicted in this issue’s list.  One thing is for sure, if you want to pack the dance floor, playing from this issue’s list should satisfy anyone’s request after they shout to you, “Play Something We Can Dance To!”