It’s sequins and cummerbund season again as high school students across the region prepare for that most sacred rite of passage: Prom Night. We stepped behind the turntable with three of Amarillo’s hottest DJs to get their inside tips on how to make prom night slap. (These interviews have been edited and condensed.)
James Erik McMurry
Chip Chandler: Why’d you get into DJing?
JEM: Just fell in love with music as a kid, from collecting cassettes to CDs, especially records. (Plus) the thrill of performing and the rush of getting the crowd moving to
your mixes.
CC: What about DJing proms is fun for you?
JEM: It’s a night to remember, and I get to make it unforgettable. I also get to make the party, not just attend it!
CC: How do you keep up with new music?
JEM: Spotify Discover Weekly, YouTube Music, and friends with better taste than me.
CC: What’s your secret to get them on the dance floor?
JEM: Definitely got to read the crowd and make it one long mix throughout the night.
CC: How do you figure out the balance for the night? How many fast versus slow songs? Do kids even slow dance anymore?
JEM: I balance the night with more upbeat tracks to keep it going and slow jams to give them feels and a break. Again, crowd reading is a must. Kids absolutely do slow dance! It’s prom night!
Katie Lynn Eddins, Neon Pink Media
CC: How did you get into DJing?
KLE: I was working in radio as an on-air personality and attending college as a broadcasting major, and had done a couple DJ gigs for friends and other companies. I was also a performer, and someone suggested I start my own company. So I just did. I’ve always enjoyed audio production so it was seemingly a natural progression.
CC: What do you love about DJing proms?
KLE: I have done tiny small town proms and big city proms, and they are all fun and unique in their own way. The themes that kids come up with are amazing, and it’s especially impressive what some of the smaller towns are able to execute on a smaller budget.
CC: What’s your secret to connecting with young people?
KLE: Teenagers, especially modern day, are all glued to their phones and social apps like TikTok. Over the last couple years, it has been challenging to unplug them from the Matrix. Their attention span is also shorter than any other generation, so when it’s time to open up the dance floor, appealing to their love of capturing moments they might see on the ’gram and high-energy songs are key to engaging them.
CC: What’s the song that always hits?
KLE: “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid
CC: How do you put together a playlist?
KLE: The balance is the most important part. You have so many different personalities and you have to somewhat avoid slow songs until the end of the night. You really have to pay attention to what the kids are requesting. You also have to adhere to the rules of minimizing explicit [lyrics] in songs, which can also be a major challenge in modern music.
Eddie Maldonado, Just 7 Media
CC: What keeps DJing proms fun for you?
EM: Proms are fun because we are able to create a safe but fun environment for the kids to let loose and enjoy themselves. Proms are supposed to be unforgettable and the music is a big part of that. We put a lot of thought into our set lists and we love to see the hype moments, all the memories in the making.
CC: How do you keep up with new music?
EM: We update our playlists constantly, and we also visit with the prom committees and students beforehand to allow them to share playlists and song selections. This way we know they are hearing music they want to hear.
CC: How do you keep your audience engaged?
EM: Keeping them on the dance floor is all about sets and watching the crowd. We also interact with the crowd so they know we are not just there to push a button.
CC: What’s the song that always hits?
EM: “Baby” by Jusin Bieber
CC: How do you manage the energy of the night? Have you figured out the right mix between fast and slow songs?
EM: Balancing the night is just about watching the dance floor. We definitely want it hype, but we try to keep a flow and mix in a set of two or three slow songs every now and then, mostly country. They absolutely like the slow dances. After all, prom is a time to take chances!
