I used to go out dancing 2-3 times a week. Each time I went out in any given week maybe 5 songs repeated from venue to venue and again at the events but at most it was only 5 songs that were so popular they had to be played. The rest of the music was always new and refreshing. DJs back then worked so hard to out do each other musically that their CD books were kept under lock and key when they were not using them to DJ. Also, one of the skills that was talked about and often taught was how music theory could make you look like a rock star even when you were dancing to a song for the first time. New music was the culture and out of this culture a “Swing Boom” was born!
Now a days, the music is 95% the same from venue to venue and event to event. You will hear 20 out of the top 40 songs on the radio at every dance and event every weekend at any given time. The reason that I hear the most, from promoters of weekly dances, is “We are trying to attract a younger audience.” What gets me is the younger audience gets a “College Discount” (half price), they stop coming to class after the 10th lesson or so, and tend to dance to every song regardless what genre it is or what the time signature is (thats right, they try to swing to waltz). Why would a promoter of an event put so much energy into a group of people that simply doesn’t pay their way?
Given all the talk about how much versatility this dance has musically, why has the music (there are very few exceptions hear in the north east) become so stagnant since the “Younger Audience” a) doesn’t care what is played and b) doesn’t know the difference yet? Have DJs stopped looking for new songs that have more going on than raunchy lyrics, 4 on the floor, or are a cappella versions of Top 40 tracks (For this discussion topic my definition of stagnation in this case is that 75% of the dancers know 75% of the words to 75% of the music being played)?
It all breaks down to money. As a DJ it costs money to find new music and test it with a live audience. As a promoter it costs money to have a professional DJ who can afford to test his music with a live audience. Top 40 music is already popular (with a younger audience), its a sure thing (when you play it to a younger audience that doesn’t know any better), and in the end you can hire the DJ who will work for the least amount of money (often free)…The only people losing, in this equation, are those of us who have been attending classes, dances, and events for years. We paid all of this money to develop skills that may never be needed if WCS continues on its current course…Thoughts?
Saturday Night September 12th
Teacher TBA (Hoping for John Festa)
WCS Intermediate Class 8-9pm W/TBA
9-12:30ish WCS Mixer w/DJ TBA
Longfellow’s Club JoEllen
524 Minuteman Dr off of Boston Post RD
(Rt 20) Wayland, MA
Sunday Night
$10
6-6:45 Two-Step lesson w/Mr. J
6:45-7:30pm WCS w/Mr. J
7:30-? California Mixer w/Steel
Longfellow’s Club JoEllen
524 Minuteman Dr off of Boston Post RD
(Rt 20) Wayland, MA
Leadership is the manipulation of energy.
Following is the embodiment of energy.
Connection is the tie that binds the two together.
Mr. Jonathan
www.MrJonathanIsMyDJ.com
603 475 1391
Dance on!