Dining room music,, Whatcha doin?

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Sep 24 2013 Post subject: Dining room music,, Whatcha doin?

I used to run "Slacker Radio" through a head unit, but the commercials got annoying, and I was experiencing too many lock-ups through them.

With the newest version of iTunes, and IOS 7, iTunes radio is great for our dining room now.
I chose one of my favorite blues tunes by Charlie Musselwhite, and built a custom blues station off that through iTunes.
Then when we close, I have a mix of metal and old-school punk station that I switch to through my phone as the remote.

Give it a shot, it's working good for us
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corndog · Posted: Sep 24 2013 Post subject:

Sounds good Harry, i'm learning more about the new Itunes radio...I don't have a resturant, but while we're prepping for catering, I've had good luck w/ Pandora..yea, I pay for not having commercials...its a small price to pay...
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bjbbq · Newbie Joined: 06 Sep 2013 Posts: 80

I am considering XM/Sirius radio for my place. I have had it in my vehicles for some time and like the variety it offers as well as the consistent signal. Pandora seems to have issues maintaining the stream, at least for me it does.

rubbbq · Posted: Sep 26 2013 Post subject:

we go the opposite route - we play all vinyl - and I have the record player on our front counter so it's the first thing you see when you walk in...we cook the ol' fashioned way, why not play music the ol' fashioned way?

Kids get a kick out of seeing the record player - and their parents take a trip down nostalgia lane...it's a great conversation starter.

keepin' it old school in Chicago

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Harry Nutczak · Posted: Sep 26 2013 Post subject:

I like the vinyl idea, but most of our employees could break an anvil with a rubber mallet!

and all my vinyl is mostly Bowie, Zep, VH, and such.

XM/Sirius is a whole other cost for commercial, so watch out for thaT
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Louie · Posted: Sep 27 2013 Post subject:

We play Country, "Old Country"..Willie, Waylan and the Boy's.. kinda stuff..
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RodinBangkok · Posted: Sep 27 2013 Post subject:

Streaming radio on this side of the world is what we do, been streaming WDRV Deep tracks out of Chicago, no commercials and very very little talk. Can use any web browser or iTunes.
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ExperiencedRookie · Posted: Sep 27 2013 Post subject:

I always loved the music at Stanley's in Tyler, TX. A group of my friends would eat there every Friday in college and they always had blues, delta blues, SRV, and some Texas country on the speakers. Along with the wood paneling and tight quarters the music made it feel like a real authentic BBQ joint.

Briney Dave · Newbie Joined: 10 Dec 2009 Posts: 54

I am not an owner but have been to many a great and not so great joint in my day

my favorite place is still dinosaur's in up-state New York. They have loops that they put together (now digital I am sure) of Willie, honky tonk stuff, a bit of blues etc great mixes, they control what they play rather than like picking a few artists or a style a-la pandora

the music is fun and really puts you in the mood for some good ribs and a couple of beers

I have been in a few places that stunk too and one of the things that stick out is the total lack of control of any of the details that make going to a q special like the music. A boom box in the corner set on a radio station is not attention to detail (unless its an ad for a better place to eat)

In this day and age: there is no excuse for not having a good vibe with the music, which addes to the comfortable and inviting place you are trying to establish.

bootlegguy · Posted: Sep 28 2013 Post subject:

I don't want to sound like a restaurant expert, but seeing as I am an electronics guy by profession I want to chip in my 2 cents.
Sirius is great for business, constant signal. Hardware and suscription are cheap. It will always work, no worries about internet dropouts. Commercial free.
Downside, you'll still hear the station identification. Sound quality isn't awesome. Most commercial audio systems you won't be able to hear the difference, but if you have invested in some nice gear you will notice it.

I love Pandora's paid service, but the only downsides to using it for a business is I believe it will drop after 4 hours of not being touched. If it does drop, and your place is busy how long will it sit with awkward silence before someone can tend to it.
Pros, Great sound quality. Great custom tailored music, no station Identication or commercial.

squeasel · Joined: 06 Aug 2013 Posts: 11 Location: SF Bay Area

For personal use I have been having a blast with Spotify. I use the free service but they have a pay version which supposedly has better sound quality and, I think, is commercial free.
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Harry Nutczak · Posted: Sep 28 2013 Post subject:

bootlegguy · Posted: Sep 29 2013 Post subject:

ceedubya · Posted: Oct 01 2013 Post subject:

Have you boys paid the piper to play the music??

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/12/restaurant-music_n_958419.html

any free service like Pandora is meant for personal use, not commercial. That is, unless you pay for their commercial service.

http://help.pandora.com/customer/portal/topics/96127-pandora-for-your-business

As DJ, I am all too familiar with the legalities of playing music in a public place. Just make sure you are covered before turning on any music. ASCAP and BMI have sued college kids for hundreds of thousands of dollars for sharing music, they won't hesitate to shut you down if they aren't getting theirs.
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BUGSnBBQ · Posted: Oct 08 2013 Post subject:

Don't have an opinion on what music service to use, only an opinion on what music to play - In a BBQ joint it's gotta be blues/old country type stuff for customers and metal/punk for opening/closing (for staff).

Harry - Are you open around Christmas time? I'm probably coming to WI (Neenah) to visit relatives mid December and would love to stop by for some grub.
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SoEzzy · Posted: Oct 08 2013 Post subject:

Not at a restaurant, but a couple of weekends ago I cooked at an invitational, and a team near me was playing Bluegrass all day, it made for a pleasant change from the ever present Rock and Thrash stations, often played by my neighbors! Wink

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ceedubya · Posted: Oct 11 2013 Post subject:

You better be playin some Scott h. Biram! I know he will be playing in my joint! Scott hails from Austin and actually bbq's himself! He even has an interlude on one of his albums called "bbq commercial". I asked him if I could us it in my first..... well bbq commercial!

Plus 2 of his songs were on Sons of Anarchy! I'm a fan, OK!? Cool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO-T5yU_PC4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADgCYjAtRUY&list=PLA7FCA6969C862A03

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb_rGnBepRA
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Rayzer · Posted: Oct 11 2013 Post subject:

Why not use an iPod? Load it up with your favorites, put it on shuffle and let it run. Several days of music before it repeats a song. It seems cheaper than paying for a service.

What am I missing here?
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Harry Nutczak · Posted: Oct 11 2013 Post subject:

bjbbq · Newbie Joined: 06 Sep 2013 Posts: 80

Does iTunes have a business service in order to avoid the legal hassles? I looked into Sirius radio and it costs $35 a month.