Advertise on podcast: Wedding Songs Podcast for DJs

Amani Roberts (DJ Amani), Las Vegas-based DJ, fractional artist manager, and bestselling author of The Quiet Storm, joins the Wedding Songs Podcast to talk R&B music strategy, DJ business growth, and building a community of 23,000+ industry professionals. In this episode, we cover: R&B "secret weapon" songs that still move wedding dance floors (Gap Band, SWV, Earth Wind & Fire)How to navigate massive do-not-play lists without killing the energyWhy BPM journeys matter more than song selection aloneWhat fractional artist management means and how DJs can use itHow writing a book changed Amani's positioning and feesThe one human skill DJs must protect as AI advancesYouTube and LinkedIn are the two platforms worth focusing on in 2026Find Amani at https://www.amaniexperience.com and grab The Quiet Storm on Amazon and Audible. New Episodes: Every Thursday at 5:00 AM PST. Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/

What do you do when a guest shoves a phone in your face with a song request? As a wedding DJ, your "flex" isn't your gear—it's your ability to turn a boring moment into a lifelong memory. In this episode, Matthew Campbell sits down with CP Heda, founder of ESSTART, to discuss how DJs can embrace requests to actually improve their performance and business branding. In this episode, we cover: The "DJ Flex": Why reading the crowd and pivoting is more important than your equipment.QR Codes vs. Chaos: How to guide "request traffic" using digital tools like ESSTART.RSVP Curation: Using guest requests during the planning phase to build a better playlist.Branding Every Interaction: Turning a song request into a digital business card that follows guests home.The Power of Obscure Requests: How one "hidden gem" request can break the dance floor wide open.Links Mentioned: Visit ESSTART: https://www.esstart.com🎧 Subscribe for new episodes every Thursday.  📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@MyWedSongs Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/

 Six Degrees of Separation:  What ska songs should a wedding DJ actually play? In this episode, Matt breaks down six essential ska artists - and the specific songs he'd reach for first at a wedding reception. From third-wave ska classics to killer covers, this is your go-to ska playlist guide. Artists covered in this episode: Mighty Mighty Bosstones – "The Impression That I Get"Sublime – "Doin' Time"Rancid – "Time Bomb"Reel Big Fish – "Take On Me" (A-ha cover) & "Beer"Less Than Jake – "All My Best Friends Are Metalheads"Save Ferris – "Come On Eileen" (Dexys Midnight Runners cover)Whether you're a wedding DJ looking to fill a ska request or a couple building the ultimate reception playlist, these tracks are crowd-tested and Spotify-proven. 🎧 Subscribe for new episodes every Thursday.  📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@MyWedSongs Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/

How did Las Vegas become the "Wedding Capital of the World" before Google even existed? In this episode, Matthew Campbell sits down with Las Vegas wedding icons Bri and Shawn Absher. From teaching themselves to code in the 90s to owning a chapel in the legendary Las Vegas Hilton, Bri and Shawn share the incredible evolution of wedding marketing in the desert. In this episode, you’ll hear: The "Expedia" of Weddings: How Shawn launched the first online booking platform for chapels in 1997.Celebrity Vows: The inside story of officiating Mike Tyson’s third marriage and how Mark Curry once surprised a bride at the altar.Old School vs. New School: Marketing weddings via travel agents and bingo magazines before the internet took over.Behind the Scenes at the Hilton: Doing 100+ weddings in a single Saturday and the logistics of high-volume chapel life.The Future of Marketing: Why Bri and Shawn insist that having your own website is still more important than any social media handle.Featured Locations: Valley of Fire & Red Rock CanyonThe Westgate (formerly Las Vegas Hilton)LVWC.com (Las Vegas Weddings)Links & Resources: Check out Bri and Shawn's work at LVWC.comNew Episodes: Every Thursday at 5:00 AM PST. Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/

The first dance is your debut as a married couple, but it shouldn't be the most stressful part of your wedding day! In this episode, Matthew Campbell breaks down the 2026 trends for first dances, emphasizing why "BPM" (Beats Per Minute) matters just as much as the lyrics. From practicing in your kitchen to the rise of "First Dance Mixes," we’re helping you own the dance floor. In this episode, we discuss: The Power of Practice: Why you should practice in your wedding shoes (and even your dress or suit!) before the big day.Tempo & BPM: How the speed of the song determines your dance style—from slow sways to salsa.The 60-Second Trend: Why more couples are choosing "studio edits" to keep the moment sweet and move quickly to the party.2026 Song Spotlights: * The Heavy Hitters: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars’ "Die With a Smile" and Chris Stapleton’s "Joy of My Life."The EDM Movement: Why electronic tracks are becoming the new first dance standard.Classic Staples: Elvis Presley, Etta James, and why Ed Sheeran still holds the crown.Making it Unique: Moving beyond "Dancing on the Clouds" and involving family in your introduction.Want the full list? Don't forget to subscribe to the Wedding Music Letter at WeddingMusicLetter.com to get these tracks delivered straight to your inbox. New Episodes: Every Thursday at 5:00 AM PST. Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/

The Mother-Son dance is a cherished tradition, but in 2026, the "rules" are changing. Whether you want a sentimental tear-jerker or a fun, upbeat moment that gets the crowd ready to party, host Matthew Campbell has you covered. In this episode, we explore how to move beyond the standard DJ introduction and find a song that actually fits your relationship. In this episode, you’ll learn: Personalized Introductions: Why you should consider asking a father of the groom, a grandfather, or even a sister to introduce the dance.The "Studio Edit" Trend: Why 60 seconds is the "magic number" for formal dances and how your DJ can help.Song Selections for Every Vibe: * Modern Favorites: Morgan Wallen, Gabby Barrett, and Jordan Rowe.Classic Rock & Soul: Shinedown’s "Simple Man" and Bill Withers.Unexpected Levity: Queen, The Band Camino, and even The Muppets.Special Situations: Perfect tracks for Step-moms, Mother-in-laws, Grandmothers, and Sisters.Featured Songs Include: Thought You Should Know - Morgan WallenMama Ain’t Jesus - Jordan Rowe & Lainey WilsonSorry Mom - The Band CaminoStep by Step - Brandon DavisGrandma’s Hands - Bill WithersWant the full list? Don't forget to subscribe to the Wedding Music Letter at WeddingMusicLetter.com to get these tracks delivered straight to your inbox. New Episodes: Every Thursday at 5:00 AM PST. Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/

The father-daughter dance is one of the most emotional moments of the wedding day, but it doesn't have to be a "cookie-cutter" tradition. In this episode, host Matthew Campbell dives into the 2026 trends for father figure dances, offering creative ways to make the moment personal and a massive list of song ideas that go far beyond the classics. In this episode, you’ll discover: Unique Introductions: Why you should skip the DJ intro and let a grandmother or mother introduce the dance.The "Short & Sweet" Trend: How to studio-edit your song to the perfect 60-second length.Fresh Hits for 2026: Modern picks from Post Malone, Riley Roth, and Kylie Morgan.Beyond the Traditional Dad: Song suggestions for Stepdads, Grandfathers, Brothers, and Father-in-laws.Adding Levity: Fun, upbeat alternatives like Amos Lee and Queen for dads who are your "best friend."Songs Mentioned Include: Yours - Post MaloneGive Me Away - Riley RothStep by Step - Brandon DavisGrandpa’s Baby Girl - Terry WaggonschutzCome Dancing - The KinksWant the full list? Don't forget to subscribe to the Wedding Music Letter at WeddingMusicLetter.com to get these tracks delivered straight to your inbox. New Episodes: Every Thursday at 5:00 AM PST. Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/

Recorded live from the Pittsburgh DJ Summit, Matthew Campbell brings you the definitive guide to the best wedding music released in 2025. Whether you are walking down the aisle, cutting the cake, or hitting the dance floor for the "Holy Shuffle," this episode is packed with fresh tracks to make your celebration unique. In this episode, we break down the top trending songs across every genre, from country and R&B to EDM and indie, organized by the specific moments of your wedding day. Inside the Episode: The Ceremony: Beautiful new preludes like "Beautiful Day" by Black Violin and the highly anticipated "Giving Her Away" by Luke Combs for the bridal processional.The Reception: Upbeat cake-cutting tracks like "Carrot Cake" by Paul Russell and "Sweet Tooth" by The 502s.Specialty Dances: Touching new options for Father-Daughter and Mother-Son moments, including tracks by Julia Cole and Benson Boone.Cocktail Hour Grooves: Sophisticated covers and mid-tempo hits from Prince Royce, Tucka, and Goose.Party Starters: New 2025 remixes of classics like "The Final Countdown" and the latest line dance crazes to keep the energy high.Featured Songs Include: Luke Combs - Days Like These & Giving Her AwayAlex Warren - Ordinary (Wedding Version)Max & Andy Grammer - The Thing I Love (Wedding Version)Avicii & Elle King - Ride AwaySeth Summers - As Long As I’ve Got You (The AI track everyone is talking about!)Want the full list? Don't forget to subscribe to the Wedding Music Letter at WeddingMusicLetter.com to get these tracks delivered straight to your inbox. New Episodes: Every Thursday at 5:00 AM PST. Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/

Forget the "standard" lists that only focus on the classics. In this fast-paced episode, Matthew Campbell breaks down 100 of the greatest wedding songs trending right now. Recorded on-site at the Pittsburgh DJ Summit, Matthew navigates through the essential tracks for every moment of your big day—from the walk down the aisle to the final high-energy dance. Whether you're looking for the viral hits of 2024 and 2025 like Chappell Roan’s "Pink Pony Club" or timeless staples that never fail, this episode is your ultimate wedding music blueprint. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: The Processional: Why "A Thousand Years" and "Can’t Help Falling in Love" remain undefeated.The Modern Reception: Fresh hits from Alex Warren, Sabrina Carpenter, and Shaboozey.Moment-by-Moment Playlists: Curated picks for the Cake Cutting, Parent Dances, and Cocktail Hour.The Party Starters: The "Must-Play" tracks from Pitbull, Whitney Houston, and Taylor Swift.The Latin Crossover: How Daddy Yankee and Farruko are dominating dance floors.The Grand Finale: How to choose between a classic sing-along or an EDM remix for your last dance.Song Highlights by Category Processional: A Thousand Years (Christina Perri), Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles).Recessional: Carry Me Home (Alex Warren), You Make My Dreams (Hall & Oates).First Dance: All Your'n (Tyler Childers), Joy of My Life (Chris Stapleton).Early Dancing: A Bar Song (Tipsy) (Shaboozey), Dancing Queen (ABBA).Late Night/High Energy: Pink Pony Club (Chappell Roan), Mr. Brightside (The Killers), Yeah! (Usher).The Last Dance: Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey) vs. Country Roads (John Denver).New Episodes: Every Thursday at 5:00 AM PST. Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/

With the Wicked finale taking over the world in 2025, Matt Campbell dives into a new "Six Degrees of Separation" episode! Today, we start with pop powerhouse Ariana Grande and trace her connections through the industry to some of the biggest names in music history. In this episode, you’ll discover: Ariana’s Wedding Hits: Why "Into You" is Matt’s top party pick and how to use "Thank U, Next" for your bouquet toss.The Rap Connection: How Nicki Minaj links back to Ariana and which "Super Freak" remix works best for the dance floor.The Star Power: Why Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars’ "Die With a Smile" is the definitive #1 wedding song of 2025.The Diva Legacy: Exploring Mariah Carey’s record-breaking catalog for parent dances and cocktail hour.The Wicked Finale: A look at Cynthia Erivo’s "sleeper" love songs that will have your guests singing along.Featured Artists: Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, and Cynthia Erivo. New Episodes: Every Thursday at 5:00 AM PST. 🔗 Connect with My Wedding Songs: Website: https://myweddingsongs.com Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/

Ever wonder how your favorite modern country hits are connected to 80s rock anthems? In this special episode, Matthew Campbell takes you on a musical journey using "Six Degrees of Separation" to show how artists are linked, and more importantly, how those links can help you build the perfect wedding playlist. What you’ll hear in this episode: The Luke Combs Connection: Why "Giving Her Away" is the 2026 sleeper hit for processional songs and how "Beautiful Crazy" became a wedding staple.Country Meets Rock: How Eric Church leads us to "The Boss" (Bruce Springsteen) and a surprising fun fact about Courtney Cox.The Genre-Benders: Post Malone’s transition from hip-hop to country and how to use tracks like "Sunflower" for the perfect dinner vibe.The Legends: Why Tracy Chapman’s "Give Me One Reason" is a hidden cocktail hour gem and the Bon Jovi/Pitbull collaboration you need for your dance floor.Featured Artists: Luke Combs, Eric Church, Bruce Springsteen, Post Malone, Tracy Chapman, and Bon Jovi. New Episodes: Every Thursday at 5:00 AM PST. 🔗 Connect with My Wedding Songs: Website: https://myweddingsongs.com Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/

Want to know if a song will actually fill the dance floor? In this episode, Matthew Campbell explains why checking Spotify streaming numbers is the secret weapon for wedding DJs in 2026. Learn how to distinguish one-hit wonders from "must-play" wedding classics using data from Spotify and KWORB.net. In this episode, we cover: -The difference between 80M streams vs. 11k streams for song requests. -Why Nickelback’s "Rockstar" is a better wedding pick than "How You Remind Me." -How to use KWORB to find all-time hits for artists like Ariana Grande. 🔗 Connect with My Wedding Songs: Website: https://myweddingsongs.com Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/

Discover the unexpected connections behind the greatest wedding anthems. In this episode, we trace the musical lineage of Michael Jackson's iconic wedding hits, moving through a chain of collaborations and relationships that links him directly to Jackson 5, Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, SWV, and Heavy D and the Boyz - all in just six degrees of separation! Get ready for a deep dive into the tracks that define wedding dance floors. 🔗 Connect with My Wedding Songs: Website: https://myweddingsongs.com Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/

 Discover the unexpected connections behind the greatest wedding anthems. In this episode, we trace the musical lineage of Whitney Houston's iconic wedding hits, moving through a chain of collaborations and relationships that links her directly to Aretha Franklin, Bobby Brown, New Edition, Johnny Gill, and Bell Biv DeVoe - all in just six degrees of separation! Get ready for a deep dive into the tracks that define wedding dance floors.  🔗 Connect with My Wedding Songs: Website: https://myweddingsongs.com Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/

In Episode 164 of the Wedding Songs Podcast, host Matthew shares exciting podcast statistics and reveals what's coming next for the show. Get an inside look at the podcast's growth, listener insights, and upcoming plans for wedding DJs and entertainment professionals. 🎧 Episode Highlights: -Podcast performance stats and milestones -What's working in wedding industry content -Future plans and upcoming guests -Behind-the-scenes insights from 163+ episodes About My Wedding Songs Podcast: The Wedding Songs Podcast features in-depth interviews with professional wedding DJs, entertainment experts, and industry leaders. Each episode delivers actionable insights on music selection, client management, business growth, and wedding entertainment trends. 🔗 Connect with My Wedding Songs: Website: https://myweddingsongs.com Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/ For Wedding DJs & Entertainment Pros: Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring DJ interviews, song recommendations, industry tips, and wedding entertainment strategies. https://www.myweddingsongs.com/newsletter/ #WeddingSongsPodcast #WeddingDJ #WeddingMusic #DJPodcast #WeddingEntertainment #WeddingIndustry #DJBusiness #WeddingProfessionals #PodcastStats