đ” The Back Catalog
The issues, tools, and downloads worth returning to including free and paid, all in one place.
With many new subscribers over the past couple of months (Iâve been running some ads), and many that have been here since the beginning, I thought it would be a good time to share the important stuff.
Some issues Iâm extremely proud to have shared. The ones that actually make you better on a Saturday night or challenge your thinking as a business owner.
There is the Free option and a Paid membership.
Letâs begin with what is free.
First, I created a Wedding Playlist Grader. Feel free to check your favorite sets.
Free to Read
Here are a few of my favorites that received the most positive feedback.
The 90/10 Rule: Why the Best Wedding DJs Win Before the First Song
90% of a great wedding happens in the months before you play the first song. This is the full pre-event system. Think phonetic name scripts, the âsafety crate,â the photographer green-light, and the dead-air rule. If you read one issue first, read this.
What a Wedding DJ Actually Costs
The national average is $1,689. I mapped it across all 50 states, with high, low, and average for each, plus regional breakdowns. Use it to benchmark your pricing and stop leaving money on the table. Itâs free. Go take it.
How to Read a Room to Play Music That Resonates
The superpower that separates a good DJ from a great one: reading the crowd in real time and adjusting on the fly. The tells, the three generations youâre feeding, and how to spot the unexpected song that makes everyone lose it.
The Science of Creating a Playlist
Why does sequencing beats song-picking? The slow-to-fast flow, the âslow reset,â and the philosophy behind the order. Itâs not just a list of hits, but a reason each one lands where it does.
Music Knowledge Is a Wedding DJâs #1 Asset
The piece that opens with a claim most DJs donât expect: being great doesnât start with your library. It starts with being good-hearted. Hereâs what that actually means at a reception.
Creating a Unique Parent Dance
Eight ways to turn the standard mother-son / father-daughter moment into a signature you can charge for. Premium moments command premium prices. This is how you build them.
How to Organize Your Wedding DJ Crates
The crate-and-folder system that kills decision paralysis mid-reception, so the right song is always one tap away.
When the Playlist Is a Novel: Managing the 300-Song Request
Itâs two weeks out, and the couple just sent a 300-song Spotify playlist. Hereâs how you DJ that without losing the dance floor, or your mind.
See all complimentary articles shared.
For Paid Subscribers
Hereâs some of whatâs already inside:
On the last day of each month, I share the new wedding songs released that month (about 25 songs). Plus, I share trending songs by tempo (about 100 songs).
This is the core of music inspiration. Get music inspiration by decades, genres, and more. You can see every playlist built in my Spotify Directory and Tidal Directory.
Guides -and- Business Insights
Suppose youâre looking to take my knowledge about running a successful business. Itâs all yours.
Download copies of my âBest ofâ wedding song books from the 1960s through the 2010s. Plus, download my Toolkit that helps couples plan their wedding songs.
Whatâs Next?
My new book, titled The Wedding Music Canon: The Best Wedding Songs from the 1950s Through the 2010s, Organized by Decade and Genre, is set for release on September 15. You will be able to pre-order in early August.
Another book is in the works. A title has not been confirmed yet. It will be a Wedding DJ Beginnerâs Guide.
Lastly, music is what brings us together. The music lists will continue to help inspire.
If you have any feedback on what you want to read in the Wedding MusicLetter, just let me know. You can always schedule a call to chat.
Not a Paid Member? Unlock the full archive
Every deep-dive, the monthly trending hits, and the full archive. $7/month or $70/year.
Have a great day!
Matthew Campbell
Wedding MusicLetter