Headed For The Country

[clover-leaf-productions]

Greetings To The Ots World!

Well it had to eventually happen.  For many years we have told our wedding clients up-front that we specialize in 50's-80's popular music, and that they should not even think of asking us about any of that twangy, country music stuff.  Well my colleague has booked us to play one of his best friends wedding, and they want COUNTRY!

I have a small sampling of the stuff in Ots for an emergency, but beyond the Boot Scoot'n Boogie, and Rocky Top, we are doomed!

I have two weeks to buff up our catalog with some of the top Country dance tunes; and I need your help, PLEASE.  I need to know your top favorite Country dance tunes, so I can head out to Amazon, and melt down my credit card.

[Jumpin' Jeff]

For a few years older stuff...About any Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, , Sugarland, John Michael Montgomery, Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson, Neal McCoy  Shakin, Big & Rich, Keith Urban, Trace Adkins Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.

Can't say on the newest stuff.

[Jammin' Adam]

Ask the bride and groom to borrow their CD's???

But seriously, Jeff's suggestions are a pretty good start, I can add, Aaron Tippin; Brad Paisley; Carrie Underwood; Clint Black; Dierks Bently; Faith Hill; Tim McGraw; Toby Keith. You may also want to check the Country charts for more current stuff.

[clover-leaf-productions]

This is truly the part that really scares me.  Sure we can all pick out the names of popular country singers, but what are the actual songs that really get this crowd out to dance?

[milky]

Wow! What a can of worms you've jumped in to. I have been presenting CM on radio for many years, but not for the dance floor, so I can't be much help. It depends on whether they are the Boot Scootin' two-step variety, love the ballads and just hug each other, or into the more raunchy stuff that still manages to fit under the CM banner. I think you need to confer with the B & G. Get them to compile a list (which will no doubt reflect their own collection) and that might give you an inkling of where to head next.

[DJArt (Baby Boomer DJ)]

The first thing to do is ask the B&G for a list of 10 of their favorite songs that they would like to have played during the dancing segments of the wedding reception.  Tell them that you will begin play from their list when dancing begins and add other songs to the mix that you know will help keep the dance floor energy levels up.  Obviously, line dances work ("Copperhead Road" by Steve Earl seems to be a favorite of most dancers, and be sure to have "Cotton-Eyed Joe" by Rednex).

I would then check out www.americasmusiccharts.com for what's current on the National Charts, Country in particular.  When you get to the site you'll see a variety of genre, so click on COUNTRY.  Notice the "ear" icon...click on it to hear a short sampling of the song.  If it were me, I'd print off a copy of that particular Country Chart and then email it to your Client asking them if any of those songs are favorites.  Be sure to get the Client's choices back ASAP as you will need to hit the Amazon trail to purchase the music.

A couple of songs that were requested last weekend that were fairly new are as follows:
God Gave Me You -- Blake Shelton (slow dance)
Stuck Like Glue -- Sugarland
(Kiss You) Goodnight -- Gloriana (slow dance)
She Cranks My Tractor -- Dustin Lynch

Hope this helps you some.

[DJArt (Baby Boomer DJ)]

I just took a look at the Country Chart that I referenced.  I found 6 or 7 of the Top 10 listed on that chart that I would play.  Take a listen...you'll know what sounds good.

[clover-leaf-productions]

I knew my friend the Good Dr. would chime in when i said the word Country.  He is a wealth of knowledge on that subject.  It is a shame that the Ausie Country is different than the US Country.

DJ Art those are the type of song selections that I am looking for; thanks! 

The thing that scares me about looking at the hit charts is the same thing that scares me about asking the bride what her favorite songs are.  This problem is that, just because it sounds good on the radio, does not mean it sounds good to keep the party going.  When I have a bride who wants to program the entire evening I walk away from that deal; she will be too high maintenance.  We, (the professional entertainers) know what songs make a party, and those are not what you necessarily hear on the radio.  I really frown on input from the bride, because her songs are usually the type that will clear the dance floor; I can do that all on my own, without her help.

Hence the reason I wanted input from my professional Ots colleagues as to what you are using at these country parties, and clubs.

[Jumpin' Jeff]

LOL! She wants the rodeo song!

[milky]

Brian, my stations and programs broadcast a lot of Aust Country (partly for licensing agreements), but we also play a lot of US content. I hear what you are saying about the Bridezillas out there, but, without a reference, you could fall wide of the mark either way. I had never done CM on a program until I was called in at the last minute to fill in for a popular but very ill presenter who had done a Saturday night request program for eight years. I, like you, was right out of my depth, so I started with a couple of tracks anyone who wasn't brain dead would have recognised. At last, the phone started to ring, and I was able to line up a couple of tracks. Whilst they were playing, I took some more calls, and had a chance to audition the content. Some would segue with what I had played, some wouldn't. I even mispronounced the name one of the (apparently) great CM legends (Lee Kernaghan - pron Kernag-Han, which I called "Lee Kernahan").

My point is, CM is so incredibly diverse, from the tracks that sing of love of the actual country, to the lost loves, to the "Country Rock", to the "Somebody Done Somebody Wrong". You could play all of one type, just to fill the dance floor, and leave half of the guests un-fulfilled. You really need to get inside the B & G's head, and then go from there.

[Lane]

Quick, find a country DJ, find out what gigs he's doing this weekend, and go. Be all friendly, tell him you're a fellow DJ who doesn't do country, look at his info, ask questions. Pay attention to the dance floor for what gets them moving. Buy the fellow drinks if you have to!

[Dr.J]

So I might have gone a little overboard, but the list is sorted by BPM so should generally be slow to fast. Exceptions would be some 2-step and 6-step songs or stuff I've never worried about changing. If I've got time I can try to highlight them as must-haves, line-dances, etc., but keep in mind different regions will have different influences.

Code Select Expand

Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson - Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys (2:23)
George Strait - I Cross My Heart (3:26)
Faith Hill - Breathe (4:01)
Lonestar - Amazed (3:52)
Cline, Patsy - Crazy (2:39)
Neal McCoy - No Doubt About It (3:34)
Matraca Berg - Back In The Saddle (2:59)
Big & Rich - Lost In The Moment (3:24)
Shania Twain - Any Man Of Mine (4:01)
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Fishin' In The Dark (3:13)
Dixie Chicks - Cowboy Take Me Away (4:43)
Steve Earle - Copperhead Road (4:27)
Carlisle, Bob - Butterfly Kisses (Radio Edit) (4:58)
Mindy McCready - Guys Do It All The Time (3:03)
Toby Keith - Red Solo Cup (3:38)
Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue (3:25)
Zac Brown Band - Chicken Fried [Radio Edit] (3:31)
Dwight Yoakam - Guitars, Cadillacs (3:00)
Montgomery, John Michael - I Swear (4:17)
Tim McGraw - Something Like That (2:56)
Jason Blaine - Rock In My Boot (3:10)
Faith Hill - Let's Go To Vegas (3:06)
Anne Murray - Could I Have This Dance (3:10)
Kenny Rogers - The Gambler (3:30)
Randy Travis - Forever And Ever, Amen (3:28)
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bad Moon Rising (2:17)
Sugarland - It Happens (2:57)
Gretchen Wilson - Redneck Woman (3:25)
Brad Paisley - Mud On The Tires (3:01)
Brad Paisley - Ticks (3:43)
Joe Nichols - Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off (2:58)
Sugarland - All I Want To Do (3:28)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama (4:35)
David Lee Murphy - Dust On The Bottle (3:32)
Big & Rich - Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy) (3:19)
Waylon Jennings - Luckenbach, Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love) (3:11)
Garth Brooks - Callin' Baton Rouge (2:31)
Shane Yellowbird - They're All About You (3:15)
Garth Brooks - Friends In Low Places (4:11)
Dierks Bentley - Sideways (3:00)
Trace Adkins - Swing (3:15)
Tracy Byrd - Drinkin' Bone (2:08)
Alabama - If You're Gonna Play In Texas (3:16)
Keith Urban - Somebody Like You [Single Version] (3:44)
John Mellencamp - Cherry Bomb (4:41)
Trace Adkins - Honky Tonk Badonkadonk (3:50)
Commitments - Mustang Sally (3:58)
Georgia Satellites - Keep Your Hands To Yourself (3:13)
Trace Adkins - Ladies Love Country Boys (3:35)
John Michael Montgomery - Sold (The Grundy County Auction Song) (2:23)
Gord Bamford - Blame It On That Red Dress (3:03)
Rodney Atkins - If You're Going Through Hell (Before The Devil Even Knows) (3:32)
Clay Walker - (I Know What Love Is) What's It To You (2:42)
Gord Bamford - Postcard From Pasadena (2:44)
Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop (3:09)
Toby Keith - Beer For My Horses [Album Version] (3:20)
Hank Snow - I've Been Everywhere (2:43)
George Strait - Amarillo By Morning (2:35)
Dierks Bentley - Free And Easy (Down The Road I Go) (3:15)
Joe Diffie - Bigger Than The Beatles (3:44)
Keith Urban - Who Wouldn't Want To Be Me (3:34)
Shania Twain & Mark McGrath - Party For Two [Pop Radio Edit] (3:22)
Grand Funk - Some Kind Of Wonderful (3:09)
Lady Antebellum - Lookin' For A Good Time (2:59)
Reba McEntire - Turn On The Radio (3:32)
Dan Seals - Bop (3:27)
Stealers Wheel - Stuck In The Middle With You [OtsEdit] (3:15)
Dwight Yoakam - Suspicious Minds (3:38)
Gretchen Wilson - Here For The Party (3:15)
Trooper - We're Here For A Good Time (3:18)
John Mellencamp - Hurts So Good (3:31)
Shania Twain - Man! I Feel Like A Woman! (3:52)
John Cougar Mellencamp - Hurts So Good (3:30)
Brooks & Dunn - My Maria (3:22)
Bellamy Brothers - Redneck Girl (3:20)
Tracy Byrd - Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo (2:39)
Roy Orbison - Oh, Pretty Woman (2:54)
Alabama - I'm In A Hurry (And Don't Know Why) (2:47)
Little Texas - God Blessed Texas (3:26)
Charlie Daniels Band - The Devil Went Down To Georgia (3:34)
Brooks & Dunn - Boot Scootin' Boogie (3:13)
Charley Pride - Kiss An Angel Good Morning (1:59)
Eddie Rabbitt - I Love A Rainy Night (3:05)
Shania Twain - Who's Bed Have Your Boots Been Under (3:47)
Toby Keith - Should've Been A Cowboy (3:21)
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Cadillac Ranch (3:34)
Rednex - Cotton Eye Joe (4:58)
Alan Jackson - Good Time [Radio Edit] (3:30)
Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl (3:09)
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son (2:09)
Tracy Byrd - Watermelon Crawl (2:59)
Kentucky Headhunters - Dumas Walker (2:48)
Eagles - Take It Easy (3:26)
John Cougar Mellencamp - Rave On (3:11)
John Fogerty - Centerfield (3:48)
Waylon Jennings - Good Ol' Boys [Theme from Dukes Of Hazzard] (2:05)
Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl (3:00)
Carlene Carter - Every Little Thing (3:11)
Alan Jackson - Chasin' That Neon Rainbow (3:02)
Rankin Family - You Feel The Same Way Too (3:59)
Hal Ketchum - Small Town Saturday Night (2:51)
Ken Mellons - Jukebox Junkie (2:38)
Tractors - Baby Likes To Rock It [OtsEdit] (3:23)
Sara Evans - Suds In The Bucket (3:43)
Ricky Van Shelton - Backroads (3:31)
Garth Brooks - Ain't Goin' Down (Til The Sun Comes Up) (4:25)
Dire Straits - Walk Of Life [OtsEdit] (3:24)
Vince Gill - One More Last Chance (3:00)
Alan Jackson - Chattahoochee (2:24)
Rodney Crowell - Lovin' All Night (3:42)
Sawyer Brown - The Race Is On (2:50)
Hank Williams Jr. - Born To Boogie (2:39)
George Fox - Time Of My Life (3:18)
Eric Clapton - Lay Down Sally (3:41)

[Dr.J]

Since I had it available, same list sorted by artist...

Code Select Expand

Alabama - I'm In A Hurry (And Don't Know Why) (2:47)
Alabama - If You're Gonna Play In Texas (3:16)
Alan Jackson - Chasin' That Neon Rainbow (3:02)
Alan Jackson - Chattahoochee (2:24)
Alan Jackson - Good Time [Radio Edit] (3:30)
Anne Murray - Could I Have This Dance (3:10)
Bellamy Brothers - Redneck Girl (3:20)
Big & Rich - Lost In The Moment (3:24)
Big & Rich - Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy) (3:19)
Brad Paisley - Mud On The Tires (3:01)
Brad Paisley - Ticks (3:43)
Brooks & Dunn - Boot Scootin' Boogie (3:13)
Brooks & Dunn - My Maria (3:22)
Carlene Carter - Every Little Thing (3:11)
Carlisle, Bob - Butterfly Kisses (Radio Edit) (4:58)
Charley Pride - Kiss An Angel Good Morning (1:59)
Charlie Daniels Band - The Devil Went Down To Georgia (3:34)
Clay Walker - (I Know What Love Is) What's It To You (2:42)
Cline, Patsy - Crazy (2:39)
Commitments - Mustang Sally (3:58)
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bad Moon Rising (2:17)
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son (2:09)
Dan Seals - Bop (3:27)
David Lee Murphy - Dust On The Bottle (3:32)
Dierks Bentley - Free And Easy (Down The Road I Go) (3:15)
Dierks Bentley - Sideways (3:00)
Dire Straits - Walk Of Life [OtsEdit] (3:24)
Dixie Chicks - Cowboy Take Me Away (4:43)
Dwight Yoakam - Guitars, Cadillacs (3:00)
Dwight Yoakam - Suspicious Minds (3:38)
Eagles - Take It Easy (3:26)
Eddie Rabbitt - I Love A Rainy Night (3:05)
Eric Clapton - Lay Down Sally (3:41)
Faith Hill - Breathe (4:01)
Faith Hill - Let's Go To Vegas (3:06)
Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop (3:09)
Garth Brooks - Ain't Goin' Down (Til The Sun Comes Up) (4:25)
Garth Brooks - Callin' Baton Rouge (2:31)
Garth Brooks - Friends In Low Places (4:11)
George Fox - Time Of My Life (3:18)
George Strait - Amarillo By Morning (2:35)
George Strait - I Cross My Heart (3:26)
Georgia Satellites - Keep Your Hands To Yourself (3:13)
Gord Bamford - Blame It On That Red Dress (3:03)
Gord Bamford - Postcard From Pasadena (2:44)
Grand Funk - Some Kind Of Wonderful (3:09)
Gretchen Wilson - Here For The Party (3:15)
Gretchen Wilson - Redneck Woman (3:25)
Hal Ketchum - Small Town Saturday Night (2:51)
Hank Snow - I've Been Everywhere (2:43)
Hank Williams Jr. - Born To Boogie (2:39)
Jason Blaine - Rock In My Boot (3:10)
Joe Diffie - Bigger Than The Beatles (3:44)
Joe Nichols - Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off (2:58)
John Cougar Mellencamp - Hurts So Good (3:30)
John Cougar Mellencamp - Rave On (3:11)
John Fogerty - Centerfield (3:48)
John Mellencamp - Cherry Bomb (4:41)
John Mellencamp - Hurts So Good (3:31)
John Michael Montgomery - Sold (The Grundy County Auction Song) (2:23)
Keith Urban - Somebody Like You [Single Version] (3:44)
Keith Urban - Who Wouldn't Want To Be Me (3:34)
Ken Mellons - Jukebox Junkie (2:38)
Kenny Rogers - The Gambler (3:30)
Kentucky Headhunters - Dumas Walker (2:48)
Lady Antebellum - Lookin' For A Good Time (2:59)
Little Texas - God Blessed Texas (3:26)
Lonestar - Amazed (3:52)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama (4:35)
Matraca Berg - Back In The Saddle (2:59)
Mindy McCready - Guys Do It All The Time (3:03)
Montgomery, John Michael - I Swear (4:17)
Neal McCoy - No Doubt About It (3:34)
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Cadillac Ranch (3:34)
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Fishin' In The Dark (3:13)
Randy Travis - Forever And Ever, Amen (3:28)
Rankin Family - You Feel The Same Way Too (3:59)
Reba McEntire - Turn On The Radio (3:32)
Rednex - Cotton Eye Joe (4:58)
Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl (3:09)
Ricky Van Shelton - Backroads (3:31)
Rodney Atkins - If You're Going Through Hell (Before The Devil Even Knows) (3:32)
Rodney Crowell - Lovin' All Night (3:42)
Roy Orbison - Oh, Pretty Woman (2:54)
Sara Evans - Suds In The Bucket (3:43)
Sawyer Brown - The Race Is On (2:50)
Shane Yellowbird - They're All About You (3:15)
Shania Twain - Any Man Of Mine (4:01)
Shania Twain - Man! I Feel Like A Woman! (3:52)
Shania Twain - Who's Bed Have Your Boots Been Under (3:47)
Shania Twain & Mark McGrath - Party For Two [Pop Radio Edit] (3:22)
Stealers Wheel - Stuck In The Middle With You [OtsEdit] (3:15)
Steve Earle - Copperhead Road (4:27)
Sugarland - All I Want To Do (3:28)
Sugarland - It Happens (2:57)
Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue (3:25)
Tim McGraw - Something Like That (2:56)
Toby Keith - Beer For My Horses [Album Version] (3:20)
Toby Keith - Red Solo Cup (3:38)
Toby Keith - Should've Been A Cowboy (3:21)
Trace Adkins - Honky Tonk Badonkadonk (3:50)
Trace Adkins - Ladies Love Country Boys (3:35)
Trace Adkins - Swing (3:15)
Tractors - Baby Likes To Rock It [OtsEdit] (3:23)
Tracy Byrd - Drinkin' Bone (2:08)
Tracy Byrd - Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo (2:39)
Tracy Byrd - Watermelon Crawl (2:59)
Trooper - We're Here For A Good Time (3:18)
Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl (3:00)
Vince Gill - One More Last Chance (3:00)
Waylon Jennings - Good Ol' Boys [Theme from Dukes Of Hazzard] (2:05)
Waylon Jennings - Luckenbach, Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love) (3:11)
Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson - Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys (2:23)
Zac Brown Band - Chicken Fried [Radio Edit] (3:31)


[clover-leaf-productions]

Greetings All!

I have come to the conclusion I am flying Milky here from OZ, and letting him do the gig.

OK maybe that will not work.  I like Lane's idea, but I can not say i even know any country Hosts.  So I have to throw out that idea.  Actually i take that back, I know Milky, but he is in the wrong geographic location.

Dr. J. I like your list, and recognize many of the tracks.  That might point me in the right direction to grab some material.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions Gang!!

[kickersdj]

I regret not seeing this in time.  I've dj'd country music for 20 years in a night club here in San Diego.  The choice of music would vary depending on the age of the guests.  If they are younger I would play more newer music and only throw in a few of the older hits.
Newer music - Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Jake Owens, and Blake Shelton to name a few.  I would have loved to have given you a list of songs that are danceable. Also needed are songs for current line dances.  If anyone else gets a gig like this always ask the couple what line dances they are familiar with so you can have them on hand.   
My crowd in the bar tends to be a younger crowd.  I hardly play even Garth Brooks anymore.  They just don't want it.