ESPN offers a top-twelve list of sports DJ do’s and don’t’s from Vancouver Canucks DJ David Levinson:
3. Never hit “play” on anything until you’ve checked that all faders are down. (I once interrupted the anthem singer with 45 seconds of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Didn’t go over so well.)
Unfortunately, there’s no discussion of the judicious use of “The Hockey Song” and “Cotton-Eyed Joe”.
If I have to hear “Cotton Eye Joe” one more time, I’m going homicidal. It sucked when it came out ten years ago, it still sucks today.
You’re very right about “Cotton-Eyed Joe”, and I always thought it was a miserable song. Then I heard the Chieftains do it with Ricky Skaggs, in a traditional gaelic arrangement. It’s still pretty mediocre, but it’s miles better than that based-up version they (still) play at hockey games.
I used to be a hockey DJ – as a female, there are certain perks, and certain trials. The worst was a nickname I acquired, without my consent… Pre-Game Warmup.
The best was part of the fact that I am a great DJ and if you know your lyrics well enough you can get the crowd really going and that makes the hockey better.