Fighting Hearing Loss- A Note to Fellow DJ's

       I was warned. We were all warned. It’s no secret. Playing music repeatedly at loud volumes creates the potential to damage one’s hearing. We’ve heard this fact since we were kids. Only now, this Top Notch DJ is no longer a kid. I’ve personally lived by the concept “worry about it later”. Strangely enough, due to this profession that “worry” has crept up sooner rather than later. After over a decade of playing music in and out of clubs throughout North Carolina, I can unfortunately state that I recently have become very cognitive of a slight decrease in my hearing. I find myself misunderstanding words and asking people to repeat their statements more frequently. What can I say, it’s not like I didn’t see this coming and I do know that I am not by any means in this boat alone. I’ve had discussions with fellow DJ’s & musicians around the Raleigh area that have addressed these same concerns with me. In fact, it was recently reported that even artists/hitmaker Zedd has lost hearing in his left ear. It’s a risks that all entertainers are wary of. Fortunately. there are however, steps that I intend to take moving forward to avoid further loss if possible. Fellow DJ’s, I hope the below tips may assist you as well.

1.     Be Aware of Your Exposure and DJ Schedule- It is critical for us to be knowledgeable of how often we are exposing ourselves to music at increased volumes. This does not pertain to just our job as a DJ, but also everyday practices and/or habits that may not be assisting your fight against hearing loss. For me personally, this exposure was found via my “ear plugs” when exercising. Do you listen to music loudly when in your car? Along with deejaying, do you have a 9-5 that entails construction with loud machines? In your spare time do you enjoy attending local or large concerts? It is important to simplify identify the lifestyle actions in addition to our deejaying that could increase our level of hearing loss. Only after identifying these exposures can you personally make the decision to cut back or avoid them if you so choose.

2.     Know your Schedule- What does your schedule have to do with hearing loss? If being a DJ is your profession, EVERYTHING! It is essential to know not only where you’re playing, but also your length of scheduled playing time, and even how the size of the crowd you are playing for (if your supplying your own speakers). For resident DJ’s that bounce from club to club, this practice applies to you as well as you should know the sound system, amount of speakers and even the volumes level that the music is played at. Knowing these facts again ties into Tip #1 which is EXPOSURE. Additionally, Top Notch Entertainment and DJ Services very rarely schedules more than 2 events per day, and never more than 4 per week, as the constant exposure to hearing loss leaves very little time for ear follicles to recover from the loud music.

3.     Don’t Use a Monitor Unless You Have To! – I know it sounds crazy especially for resident DJ’s in the bar/club scene, but utilizing a house monitor is undoubtedly the biggest threat to Tinnitus that we most likely face. The quality of these monitors vary drastically from venue to venue. Some lack power, some lack volume,  but rarely have I personally encountered one that is adjusted perfectly to my hearing preference. This Tip is pretty obvious. Along with playing music in your headphones at loud volumes while simultaneously blaring tunes on the house speakers at loud volumes, having an additional speaker at close proximity to your ear drums, is simply not the best case scenario for fighting hearing loss.

4.     Quality! Quality! Quality! – Have you ever heard the saying “If you don’t buy quality, you’ll pay for it later”? The cost could be your hearing! It is imperative to have quality headphones while mixing your set.  Additionally, always strive to find the highest quality of your music when possible. The more clearer the sound and the better you can hear, the less you will be adjusting volumes in your cue for listening.

5.     Get Ear Plugs- Yes, I know 90% of DJ’s are completely against this option. But, ear monitors are available at affordable prices now, and one can even purchase DB frequency reducing ear plugs that fit quite nicely in your near, and to some could even be unnoticeable. Furthermore, many ear plugs can now even be customized and specifically molded for you. For more information regarding customizable ear plugs, Top Notch recommends reading this helpful article here by DJ Tech Tools. (click this link) 

     

     Keep in mind, that Hearing Loss aka Tinnitus is at the current time, without a cure. Once your hearing is gone, it’s GONE! Although I would never suggest that fellow entertainer, musician or DJ halt their passion and practice of playing music to simply avoid this risk, I hope this article does at least assist in identifying a few strategies that can be practiced to at least delay or decelerate the hearing loss progress.

Cool At The Pool!!! 5 Games Top Notch Recommends for Pool Parties this Summer!

      As the Memorial Day Weekend comes to a close one thing is for certain, Summer is officially upon us, which means the opportunity for fun in the sun, and parties at the pool. Through the years, Top Notch DJ Service has practiced a multitude of activities and games at Pool Parties for children and adults. In fact, when it comes to Pool Parties, our service excels more so at the activities we play than the music we provide. With that being said, here are five unique and thrilling poolside games that Top Notch DJ Service recommends to help your pool party bash be a blast!

1. Water Balloon Catch- No, this isn't your normal “Water Balloon Toss”, involving all guests to line up and attempt to toss and catch a water balloon from opposing sides of a line. Instead, this specific activity involves teams of 2, a water balloon and a beach towel. Therefore, the only prep work required for this activity is a water filled balloon. Guests should be in teams of 2. As the game begins, each team should take a towel, which each team member holding an opposite side of the cloth (long ways) and the towel should be completely spread out. A water balloon is then placed in the middle of the towel as the team members hold both ends. When the game host announces “Throw”, each team should attempt to toss their balloon high in the air and catch it with their towel. This action is repeated until only a few teams are left. To make things more difficult the remaining final teams are required to fold their towel one to two times which should decrease the length of the towel (and room to catch the balloon). The team with the final balloon left in their towel is the winner. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Junk in the Trunk- This activity is also known as a “Minute to Win It” game that can be played at various type of parties or events. How it works: All Participants must wear a contraption that composes of a Kleenex box filled with 5-8 Ping Pong Balls. The Kleenex box is attached the individuals waist, with the box resting on each participants backside. Each participant must “shake their junk” until all ping pong balls are shaken out of their Kleenex box. The first person to shake all of their balls out first is the winner. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Shoot the Ball- This activity has been featured in our “Labor Day Fun” clip which can be assessed here. How it works: All members need a pack of tennis or raquet balls and a water gun or water squirter (which can be purchased at any Dollar Store, Wal Mart, Target, etc.). The tennis ball can is turned upside down, with 1-2 tennis balls still remaining in the can (for weighted purpose) while 1 ball is placed on the top of the upside down can. All game participants must attempt to shoot the ball off of the tennis ball can with their water squirter. A point system for each “hit” can be assigned per individual or team to determine the winner.
   SIDE NOTE: Top Notch DJ Service often uses different colored tennis balls, or tennis balls and racquet balls simultaneously for this activity to keep track of each participants progress (ie: Team Yellow Tennis Balls, Team Racquet Ball, etc) 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Sidewalk Darts- This activity is played like the normal game of Darts however no pens nor actual dart board is used. In place of these items, a giant dart board is drawn alongside the pavement using sidewalk chalk. Additionally, in place of the dart pens, all game participants are provided wet, colored sponges. Participants may then attempt to land on the bulls eye by “tossing” the wet sponge onto the side walk chalked dart board. NOTE: This game will most likely not work unless the sponges are wet, as the light weight of a dry sponge is less likely to obtain as much distance. 
   
   
   
   
   
5. Water Balloon Relay- Items required are a water balloon and a tool for carrying the water balloon from team to team. Individuals are broken up into teams and required to carry the water balloon to the finish line and back and then pass the water balloon and carrying device to the next team member in line. The first team to get all team members to carry the water balloon to the finish line and back successfully wins. The trick is to locate a creative, yet difficult tool for carrying the water balloons for each team. Top Notch DJ Service usually uses a large wooden spoon, or even a number of plastic spatulas for this game. All participants cannot hold the balloon during the relay, they must balance the balloon alongside the carrying device (ie” Wooden spoon or spatula). If all teams have dropped and popped the balloon before successfully completing the game, then a “round 2” with new balloons can be assigned. 
   
   
   
   
   

Again, the below are just a few of the numerous fun games that Top Notch DJ Service plays at Pool parties during the Summer. For more ideas, or games feel free to visit past blog articles or simply shoot an email to topnotchdjservice@gmail.com. Thanks for reading and please feel free to let us know if you try any of the above games at your next pool party or event! 

Top 10 Mother Son Wedding Dance Songs

       The Mother-Son Dance Song. It’s a specific event that is somewhat expected at weddings, yet for a groom, this particular song choice can and is most often the most difficult song selection he will choose throughout the wedding reception. It should be noted, that, Top Notch does believe that the official First Dance between the Bride and Groom is an exceptional point of the wedding reception, and “YES”, this song selection is often required from the groom, but, a groom’s fiancée usually either makes this decision, or aids the groom in determining the First Dance Song, whereas when it comes to the Mother-Son Dance Song, a groom can find himself all alone in the decision making process. The song selection must be carefully selected. There are a number of uplifting, and inspirational tunes which may be applied to a mother figure “Hero” by Mariah Carey  for example, “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion is another, yet many of these selections can simply seem too “sappy” and do not accentuate the character nor personality of the groom. Other optional choices, can be quite lengthy (“A Song for Mama” by Boyz 2 Men  or “Simple Man” Lynyrd or Skynyrd or Shinedown), so choosing the most accurate, and authentic song to describe a groom’s relationship with his mother can be challenging. During the majority of our consultations with new wedding customers, Top Notch advises each couple of this challenge and  naturally recommends some of our top “Most Played” Mother-Son Dance Songs. Our Top 10 List of the Most played is below.

Top Mother-Son Dance Songs

1.     “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts

2.     “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong

3.     “Mom” by Garth Brooks

4.     “You’ve got a Friend” by James Taylor

5.     “In My Life” by The Beatles

6.     “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groan

7.     “You’ll be in my Heart” by Phil Collins

8.     “Love Me Like a Rock” by Paul Simon

9.     “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys

1.     “The Perfect Fan” by The Backstreet Boys

For more Mother-Son Song ideas, feel free to contact Top Notch directly at topnotchdjservice@gmail.com