Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

Don't want to go the route of a DJ (I do, but DH doesn't)
so trying to figure out other options:

DH suggests Pandora - I'm not in favor of this idea b/c I want a variety - how do I get a variety without changing stations??

Any other suggestions??

We have a docking station for our phones, but not that large of a selection of music on them - I do have a HUGE collection on my computer, but again - how do I sort it and play a variety - BESIDES the shuffle feature??

Am I being a nut?? For examples is it wrong to play a country song (or two) then a Hip Hop song, then a Pop song???

Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

No its not wrong.

A playlist

If you want to not have specific songs play i dont see any way to get a mix like that without making a playlist.

Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

You can do a variety with pandora - it will shuffle between stations if you select that option.

Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

I would probably make a playlist. Or have pandora shuffle between stations.

We have the large jawbone jam box and love, love it.

Re: Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

We have Spotify. You create your own playlist. I have a Rock station (mix of all the music I pick), station for my kids, Broadway, workout, etc.

They also have suggestions, what's popular, etc. I never thought I'd pick a lot, but I have about 300 songs in my rock alone and I pretty much use that for BBQ's or whenever we are outside. It's not all rock, but a mix of some popular music today. I really need to change my playlist names. LOL

Anyway, I do believe you can do a free trial for about 3 months and then it's $10 a month I want to say. It's worth it for the car, outside, etc. We have speakers outside and play it all the time. My fav is when I'm cooking dinner I have a wireless speaker in the kitchen.

Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

I would sign up for the free trail the day before and you won't get commercials on Pandora and set variety on the playlist so it will bounce between channels.

Re: Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

My sister just had a party this weekend & they used their surround sound with Cablevision music channels & then their iPod.

Re: Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

Make a playlist on spotify and play with ipad docking station. We have a kindle and hook up speakers.

Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

i have a Sonos speaker and link it to my Slacker. you can also link it to itunes or pandora, etc. its not an outdoor speaker, but i bring it outside when i have a party and just plug it in. it connects wirelessly through an app on your iphone where you can control the music. love it!

Re: Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

Re: Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

I use the app slacker radio.

you can customize stations based on the music you want to play.

For example I have one set up for the husband that plays depeche mode, new order, ac/dc, van halen, then slacker will throw in other artists that might match up those artists, so a wide variety is only playing.

You can also have it where just plays mostly hits or you can set it up where you can have more obscure stuff.

Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

We hook spotify up to a speaker that streams the music, it is perfect. Our speaker is JBL brand and pics up the iPhone via blue tooth but I think a lot of brands make this kind of speaker, like having a sound system in our backyard.

Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

I have used pandora and it was good

Re: Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

Re: Having a backyard BBQ - how to play music??

I always use Pandora and have a Bose speaker with bluetooth that keeps its charge for 8 hours. Love it, can put it anywhere and control from my phone.