140. Nostalgia 101: Adventures of a DJ w/ Ryan McKenzie

Dan & Manny welcome Ryan McKenzie, DJ & owner of Music Makes You Move to talk all about what it takes to be a killer DJ. “My number one priority is that people are having a good time.” -Ryan McKenzie Ryan McKenzie tells Dan & Manny about the journey from waiting tables at P.F. Chang's to DJing on cruise ships and eventually running a successful DJ business. He talks about what the difference is between having good musical taste and being a good DJ, learning from some of the greatest DJs at Scratch DJ Academy, the transition to being a business owner and the power of great customer service, and how some songs are just timeless. Then the guys put some of the most popular group dance songs to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST! Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts and opinions about this episode and we'll talk about them on a future episode.   APPROXIMATE RUN OF SHOW: 00:00 Introduction to Nostalgia 101 00:30 Dancing Through the Decades 02:33 Ryan McKenzie's DJ Journey Begins 03:23 From Waiter to DJ 05:07 Cruise Ship DJ Adventures 11:33 Starting a DJ Business 14:26 Managing Talent and Business Growth 23:01 Evolving DJ Equipment and Techniques 26:56 Nostalgic Music Trends 31:58 Versatile Songs for Any Event 32:34 The Role of Iconic Songs in Weddings 34:01 DJ's Perspective on Popular Songs 34:27 The Awkwardness of Group Dances 35:17 Retail PTSD and Music Associations 36:06 Balancing Work and Personal Life 38:13 Hiring the Right DJ 42:38 Staying Current with Music Trends 45:26 Country Music's Growing Popularity 47:35 Evaluating Group Dance Songs 01:00:33 Nostalgic Music Memories 01:01:08 Group Dance Songs 01:03:07 Regional Music Preferences 01:05:31 The Return of YMCA 01:09:34 Emo and Alternative Rock Sets 01:13:09 EDM and Nostalgia 01:16:14 The Impact of Movie Soundtracks 01:18:05 The Problem with Remakes and Sequels 01:20:01 DJing and Party Music 01:22:13 Conclusion and Farewell   Spinning vibes, igniting dance floors & elevating events, I’m Ryan from Music Makes You Move.  As the proud owner of MMYM, I've turned my passion for mixing beats into a thriving small business in Los Angeles.  As DJs & KJs, our team is crazy about bringing people together through the magic of music.  Let the rhythm guide your events and take your celebrations to the next level!  Let the Music Make You Move!  @musicmakesyoumove https://musicmakesyoumove.com   Contact/Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast! If you had a great time listening to The Nostalgia Test Podcast and want to book us on your next podcast or have perform at your themed party, or have us host a special event, fill out the form below and LET'S GET NOSTALGIC! We can do so many fun Nostalgic Events! Podcast Guest Appearances Themed Parties Hosting Screenings Corporate Events Reunions Weddings Birthday Parties Trivia The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create a personalized Nostalgic experience for any occasion! Email us at [email protected] or fill out the Google Form below to get the process started. We're open to in-person and virtual events. Pricing may vary depending on the details of your event/party.   LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected