February 6, 2008

Recommendations for Roots Music at a Wedding Reception?

Posted by Larry Karnowski at February 6, 2008 1:00 PM

We're planning our wedding, and I'm considering what music to play. We've decided that although we're both big Roots and Americana music fans, we really can't have a wedding reception that's all twangy. (More's the pity!) However, we definitely want to include quite a bit of twang in ye olde wedding iPod playlist, so it begs the question -- what are the Alt Country, Country, Bluegrass, Singer/Songwriter, Roots Rock, etc., etc. must-have songs for our wedding reception?

Note that I want to keep the cheatin' songs, heartbreak songs, and killin' songs to a minimum, but other than that -- let me have it! What would you recommend?

Comments

I've always thought Bruce's If I Should Fall Behind about the perfect song for such an occasion.

Real Fine Love -- John Hiatt
Without Love -- Ray Wylie Hubbard
Swing of Things -- Sarah Guthrie/Johnny Irion

Posted by: Amanda at February 6, 2008 3:58 PM

So basically, that leaves you with songs about running moonshine. Right? ;-)

Posted by: Matt P at February 6, 2008 4:12 PM

Two off the top of my head:

REK - I'm Coming Home
REK - Feeling Good Again

Good luck on that marriage thing.

Posted by: nemski at February 6, 2008 5:27 PM

I'd probably get in trouble if I even mentioned Nick Lowe's "I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock and Roll)".

Posted by: Hal at February 6, 2008 7:54 PM

Old 97's "Question" (not the Rhett Miller solo redo, which, ew) is a sweet little ditty, highly topical.

Other favorite selections from my own wedding CD (which we played at the reception and also gave copies of as wedding favors) include:

* Lyle Lovett -- She's No Lady (better clear it with the missus first, but it's the song I designated as the bride-and-groom first dance song!)
* Cake -- Stick Shifts and Safety Belts
* Lucinda Williams -- I Envy the Rain
* David Gray -- Please Forgive Me

Posted by: stacy at February 7, 2008 1:39 AM

Something Wonderful/Jon Dee Graham
Power of Love/T-Bone Burnett
Without Love/Johnny Cash

(and I'd try and book a ventriloquist with some funny dogs to make the evening complete)

Posted by: Hal at February 7, 2008 8:31 AM

@Hal: I gotta hear that Nick Lowe song!

@Stacy: Good call on the Lyle! I'll have to get committee approval on that one, though, yes.

@Matt P: Yes, that's basically what I'm saying -- moonshine songs at the wedding. Thanks for clarifying.

@Amanda: Dang, I'll have to hear that Boss song too! I don't know that one.

@nemski: You've probably got the best chance to get your song recommendations in the wedding playlist as the Missus-To-Be is an REK superfan!

Posted by: larry at February 7, 2008 9:28 AM

I'm gonna vote for "Natural High" by the Hag and "The Day We Met" by Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles. Good luck and God bless!

Posted by: Zack at February 7, 2008 12:41 PM

Who's not a REK fan? LOL.

Anyway, you have two (maybe three) times to have music played at your reception:

- Cocktail Hour
- Dinner (can be combined with Cocktail Hour)
- Dancing

IMHO, you can twang it up during Cocktail Hour and Dinner and leave Celebration and the Chicken Dance for the Dancing time. As much as I hate that crappy 70s Wedding Music, people really seem to have a good time dancing to it.

Posted by: nemski at February 7, 2008 12:56 PM

The only way the chicken dance happens is if I get a written statement from Hal saying he'll dance to it!!

Posted by: Missus-to-be at February 7, 2008 1:44 PM

My dancing pledge:
"The Funky Penguin"? Yes.
"The Funky Chicken"? Maybe.
"The Chicken Dance"? I'm saving that for my first dance with Larry!!!!!

Posted by: Hal at February 7, 2008 1:47 PM

"Angel Eyes" by Willis Alan Ramsey

Posted by: pchcowboy at February 8, 2008 1:54 PM

your favorite songs by Hem.

Posted by: trey at February 8, 2008 6:33 PM

http://www.mcphee.com/items/M6214.html

Posted by: Hal at February 9, 2008 9:22 PM