Band or DJ? That question is officially outdated.

In this episode of The Wedding Songs Podcast, host Matthew Campbell sits down with Daniel Linares of DLE Event Group in New York City (a company that declined to choose). They don't book DJ-only events. They don't book band-only events. They've built their entire business on the hybrid model: a DJ-led mix with live musicians wrapped around it. Whitney sings Whitney with live horns on top.

Daniel breaks down the operating question behind his approach: "What would Quincy do?" mapping three-song mixes with written musical parts so live players hit home runs on every transition, while still leaving room to read the room.

Inside this episode:

• Why couples who don't want a singer still want a band (and what to sell them instead)
• The three-song mapped mix: structured transitions + open-format freedom
• The "care factor": why 8–10 planning calls are DLE's biggest differentiator
• Room acoustics. The venue setups that fight you, and how to tune around them
• Scaling an artist-based brand into a company-based brand
• Daniel's one song guaranteed to fill a dance floor for every generation

Connect with Daniel: Instagram @danieltlinares | daniellinares.com

The Wedding Songs Podcast is part of Wedding Hit Record - The Wedding Music Label. More at weddinghitrecords.com.

Subscribe to the Wedding MusicLetter at https://weddingmusicletter.com.

In this episode, Matthew Campbell takes you behind the scenes of The Wedding Musicletter. After years of running My Wedding Songs, Matthew explains why he shifted his focus to a curated newsletter and how it’s designed to help wedding pros and couples find those "goosebump" songs.

What’s inside this walkthrough:

• The "Why": The transition from a high-traffic ad site to a community-focused newsletter.
• Free vs. Paid: Exactly what you get as a subscriber, from the 180+ informational articles to the deep-dive trending reports.
• The Toolkit: A look at the Wedding DJ Songs Planner, the "Play This, Not That" series, and the 1960s–2010s song books.
• Curated Playlists: How to access the Spotify and Tidal playlist directories.
• The Referral Program: How you can get the PDF planners and a full year of the newsletter for free.

New Episodes: Every Thursday at 5:00 AM PST.

Podcast Episodes: https://www.myweddingsongs.com/wedding-songs-podcast/

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 energy
• Why BPM journeys matter more than song selection alone
• What fractional artist management means and how DJs can use it
• How writing a book changed Amani's positioning and fees
• The one human skill DJs must protect as AI advances
• YouTube and LinkedIn are the two platforms worth focusing on in 2026

Find 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 Canyon
• The Westgate (formerly Las Vegas Hilton)
• LVWC.com (Las Vegas Weddings)

Links & Resources:

• Check out Bri and Shawn's work at LVWC.com

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 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 Wallen
• Mama Ain’t Jesus - Jordan Rowe & Lainey Wilson
• Sorry Mom - The Band Camino
• Step by Step - Brandon Davis
• Grandma’s Hands - Bill Withers

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/