Diana Rochford 5K Walk and Run

On May 22, 2010, Ambient DJ Service provided music for the Diana 5K Walk and Run held at the Community Middle School in Plainsboro, NJ. The event is in memory of Diana Rochford, whose life was tragically cut short in a traffic accident on August 25, 2002. Diana was a star athlete and prominent figure in her West Windsor school. She returned from a life-changing missions trip to Mexico where she helped build houses for the less privileged. This race, in memory of Diana, provides financial support for local teens to travel to other cultures and communities to help those in need.

Having traveled extensively in Southeast Asia and the Third World, I realize, like Diana did, that as Americans we are very fortunate. It is a gift to be able to give back some of our good fortune, not only through financial contributions, but through our time.

The weather was sunny and pleasant. There were several hundred participants, ranging in age from kids to adults in their 60s. The night prior, I had worked a wedding in Bergen County and not returned home until 2 AM. I arrived at the school at 7 AM for setup, armed with a large cup of coffee. The organizers were excited, and we were dancing to Lady Gaga at 7:30 AM, a new experience. The upbeat, party music kept the crowd pumped up.

The event was a success, with some 200 registered participants raising proceeds of over $4,000. That will definitely help to keep Diana's mission alive. For more information about the event, including race statistics, visit www.diana5krun.com

American Cancer Society Relay for Life

On Saturday June 12, 2010, Ambient DJ Service provided music and entertainment services for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event held @ Marina Park (aka Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park) in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Interestingly, the park is tucked into the industrial district down by the dockyards. The forecast had predicted thunder storms, but the weather held and the temperature was pleasant.

The premise of the ACS event is that teams walk a track from 7 PM to 7 AM in support of those battling cancer, or in memory of those who have lost their battle with cancer. Through sponsorships, these participants raise money for the American Cancer Society.

For the Woodbridge event, there were over 500 walkers. At any moment in time, one member of a team would be walking the huge track. The other team members were able to participate in a variety of stimulating activities designed to help them make it through the night. Ambient DJ staffed the event in two shifts. DJ Nadine Waggenhoffer kicked off the event, and played appropriate music for the opening ceremony, including the survivor's lap. About an hour later, the somber Luminaria ceremony was held, honoring those lost their battle. She continued on with the theme of the SS Woodbridge in a beach/tropical/summer musical motif. After midnight, she started rocking the party jams, and when I pulled in at 1:30 AM, she was deep in an electro set, with some team members dancing. I was energized by this scene!

For my twilight session, I started with karaoke projected onto a 90 inch screen on the main stage. Originally, this was planned to be a one hour activity, but the participants were having such a blast, that the karaoke went for 3 hours until 5 AM! Like it or hate it, many flock to karaoke because of its interactive nature. Thereafter, I spun music videos and a variety of musical styles, as the event wound down, and team members were visibly drowsy. Breakfast was served at 6:15 AM and I broke down at 7 AM.

The event was a massive success, with these 500 walkers raising over $100,000 for the ACS. Ambient DJ Service was pleased to participate in this successful event, and looks forward to participating in future ACS events.

To learn more about the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and get involved, see http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/

DJ Jagged - Summer 2010 Playlist

On a quarterly basis, Ambient DJs' mixologists disclose the hottest tracks in their Serato crates. These songs generally include current dance tracks, but also include a category "classics in rotation" for those timeless gems.

A musical chameleon with a bent towards electronica, here is DJ Jagged's 2010 "Pre-Summer" playlist. These are listed in no particular order.

1) OMG - Usher f/Will.i.Am - dance floor gold with its soccer stadium chants and smooth vocal performance from Usher.
2) California Gurls - Katy Perry f/Snoop Dogg (predicted Summer 2010 breakout hit, although this song feels somewhat formulaic as produced by hitmaker Max Martin)
3) Nothin' on You - B.o.b. f/Bruno Mars. Great melody with an uplifting message. My four year old son loves to sing this song!
4) Pon di Floor - Major Lazer. I love this reggae track that features marching band drums and morphs into an electro groove. This song could be the next Calabria.
5) Freak (Disco Fries RMX) - Estelle. Hot dance groove laid down by New Jersey-based remixers the Disco Fries, sassy lyrics by Estelle and a throwback to Soul II Soul equals a huge winner!
6) Dirty Picture - Taio Cruz f/Ke$ha. Hot electro groove featuring bad girl Ke$ha.... "SNAP!"
7) Rude Boy (DJ Scooter Remix) - Rihanna. Rihanna manufactures hits faster than China manufactures toys. The DJ Scooter Remix has a brisker tempo and reggae soundscape.
8) I'm in the House - Steve Aoki. Bangin', peak hour electro mayhem by DJ Steve Aoki.
9) Alejandro - Lady Gaga. I strongly dislike Bad Romance, but enjoy Alejandro which has the sound of one of my favorite 70s bands, ABBA.
10) Bulletproof - La Roux. La Who? It's LaRoux, silly, with an infectious dance track that can get inside of your head.
11) I Remember - DeadMau5 w/Kaskade. DeadMau5's unique techno groove is paired with the seductive voice of Kaskade in an unforgettable result.
12) All I Do is Win - DJ Khaled. Khaled has a very "in your face" persona that I generally dislike, but this song about the thrill of victory with hands in the air.... "and they stay there." I love it!
13) Carryout - Timbaland f/Justin Timberlake.
14) Rad Anthem - Rad Omen. This somewhat repetitious electronic song is great, but the music video produced by Nicholaus Goossen takes things to a new dimension, when Ronald McDonald, the King (BK) and Colonel Sanders go on a vicious party bender!
15) She Came Along - Sharam f/Kid Cudi. Sharam, half of the former duo Deep Dish, has put out an amazing catalog of music as a solo artist. This song combines a dance groove, Wild West motif, and the spit-fire rapping of Kid Cudi.
16) Check My Brain - Alice in Chains. Alice in Chains is back; Layne Staley is missed, but the new lead vocalist is an oustanding grunge singer, and this song rocks hard.
17) Gettin' Over You - David Guetta, Fergie, Chris Willis. Reminscent of "Now That the Love is Gone," but with a new groove overlayed with rap lyrics and the freestyle of Fergie.
18) Our Music - Trackheadz. A progressive house track that I discovered via one of my favorite producers, Tom Middleton.
19) You are the Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne. An awesome arrangement with Ray LaMontagne's soulful voice and a brass section and gospel backup singers straight out of the 1960s. Great selection for a first dance at a wedding, or for the recessional at a wedding ceremony.
20) Waiting for Your Love - Onda. Deep and sexy house music selection, perfect for summer chilling!
21) Toes - Zac Brown Band. This song transforms me to the best beach vacation of my life.
22) All Summer Long - Kid Rock. Hey, it's summer again, and audiences still are demanding this song, as formulaic as it is, with Kid Rock lifting the hooks from Sweet Home Alabama and Werewolves of London! I typically start with Sweet Home Alabama, and blend out into All Summer Long, to great reaction.
23) Jersey Shore versus South Beach Mash-up - Bad Boy Joe. Audiences are talking about the Jersey Shore and fist-pumping, and this song has it all!
24) Hey Soul Sister - Train.
25) Snake Charmer - DJ Rekha. A sax-infused, intoxicating Bhangra beat for progressive audiences.

Classics in Rotation
1) Oh Sheila - Ready for the World
2) How Soon is Now - The Smiths
3) Return of the Mack - Mark Morrison
4) Make the World Go Round - Sandy B.
5) You Rock My World - Michael Jackson
6) In the Air Tonight - Phil Collins
7) Change (in the House of Flies) - the Deftones
8) Lights - Journey
9) No Woman, No Cry - Bob Marley
10) I Get Lifted - George McCrae

To book DJ Jagged or one of Ambient DJ Service's other music mixologists for your next party, contact us at info@ambientdj.com or visit us on the web at www.ambientdj.com. Ambient DJ also carries most of these titles as music videos, and can take your party to the next level as a video dance party on one or two monster screens!

Gregg Hollmann, aka DJ Jagged, at the 2009 International DJ Expo in Atlantic City, NJ

DJ Iron Mike's Top 25 Songs - Spring 2010

On a seasonal basis, Ambient DJs' mixologists post their top dance floor selections. These lists primarily contain new music, but from time to time, may include "classics in rotation" and "predicted breakout tracks." Mike Bacon, aka DJ Iron Mike, is a well-rounded musical performer whose specialties include hip hop, R&B, soul, reggae and funk. With one foot in the club, and the other in the mobile scene, DJ Iron Mike is always a step ahead of the crowd in stocking the hottest record crate.

Here's the list, in countdown fashion.......

25. Little Freak- Usher f/ Nicki Minaj

24. Say Ahh (Rmx)- Trey Songz f/ Fabolous, Juelz Santana

23. Break Your Heart- Taio Cruz f/ Ludacris

22. California Gurls- Katy Perry f/ Snoop Dog (predicted breakout hit!)

21. My Chick Bad- Ludacris f/ Nicki Minaj
20. Rude Boy- Rihanna
19.Your Love is My Drug- Ke$ha
18. Drop It Low (Rmx) - Ester Dean f/ Lil' Wayne & Chris Brown
17 .Rock That Body- Black Eyed Peas
16. Your Love- Nicki Minaj
15. Breakeven- The Script
14. Daddy's Home- (Rmx) - Usher f/ Juelz Santana

13. Shots- LMFAO f/ Lil' Jon

12. Gettin' Over You- David Guetta f/ Fergie, Chris Willis, & LMFAO

11. Tipsy- DJ Webstar f/ Jadakiss & Serani

10.Oye Baby- Nicola Fasano f/ Pitbull

9. Hey Soul Sista- Train

8. Dirty Talk (Laidback Luke Remix)- David Guetta f/ Wynter Gordon

7. Baby- Justin Bieber f/ Ludacris

6. Beamers, Benz, Bentley- Lloyd Banks f/ Juelz Santana

5. Find Your Love- Drake

4. Nothin' On You- B.O.B. f/ Bruno Mars

3. Over- Drake

2. Hold Yuh (Rmx)- Gyptian f/ Nicki Minaj

1. OMG- Usher

Classics in Rotation -

1. Don't Stop Lovin' Me Now - LTD
2. Black Betty - Ram Jam
3. Big Beat - Billy Squier
4. Best of My Love - The Emotions
5. Keep on Walkin' - Cece Peniston

To read Iron Mike's full bio, click here. To book DJ Iron Mike for your upcoming party, please contact Gregg at info@ambientdj.com.