From Touchdowns to 'I Dos': The Music Place's Unmatched Experience in Notre Dame Weddings and Stadium Magic

For the past three seasons, Blake (a.k.a. DJ Sticky Boots)—known for his work with The Music Place—has been the pulse of Notre Dame’s stadium, creating unforgettable game day experiences for fans and players alike. As the in-stadium DJ for all ND football home games, Blake curates the soundtrack that fuels the energy of 77,000 roaring fans, seamlessly blending his musical expertise with the iconic traditions of the Fighting Irish. But Blake’s talents extend far beyond the field! He’s also become a go-to DJ for Notre Dame and St. Mary’s alumni, creating personalized wedding experiences that incorporate the spirit of their alma mater. Whether he’s lighting up a reception at the Morris Inn or adding a custom touch to a historic win, DJ Blake’s ability to blend passion, community and music makes every event feel like a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Read on to hear from Blake himself on his experience in Notre Dame weddings along with creating unmatched stadium ambiance!

 

Notre Dame Experience

Can you describe your role and experience as Notre Dame’s in-stadium DJ for all home games over the past three seasons?

"My role as stadium in-game DJ for ND football involved all aspects of music production and curation from the pre-game soundtrack as players enter the empty stadium for the team prayer, through fans arriving to their seats and player warm-ups, to tag-teaming with the Irish marching band throughout the game itself to provide a fun and unique in-game experience for both players and fans. Although I played at the direction of the in-game A/V producer, music selection was up to my sole discretion for most all these parts of the game."

 

What were some of the highlights and memorable moments from your time DJing at Notre Dame home games?

"Obviously the most memorable moment is the first time I was able to play for the entire ND Stadium full of fans. I’ve played for crowds of 10k+ in the past, but nothing compares to the energy of 77,000 fans all responding to the song choices I’ve selected for a specific moment. Other moments that stick in my head are specific games I DJ’d, like when ND beat Clemson for the second time at home in the final seconds of an epic night game, which also just happened to be the day before my birthday. Walking out of the empty stadium after midnight on my actual birthday after that historic win is something I’ll always remember. The snow game shutout of Boston College on Senior Day for the final home game of the 2022 season was also an amazing unique experience."

Working with Notre Dame/St. Mary’s Couples

How has your connection with Notre Dame and St. Mary’s influenced your work with couples from these communities?

"Although I have to confess to being an Indiana University grad, I’m also a Notre Dame fan, not only of the sports programs but academic programs as well. I have utmost respect for students going through the ND/St. Mary’s experience and for the future leaders many of them become. Being a part of the ND football staff has made this connection even stronger since I help to influence not only the student experience while they are a part of campus, but then their wedding day experience as well when they come back to campus for their big day."

 

Can you share any specific examples or stories of working with Notre Dame/St. Mary’s couples that highlight your unique approach?

"I’ve had the privilege of working with couples from all aspects of ND/St. Mary’s campus life, from undergrad to grad students, law to divinity and finance to philosophy majors, and even professors and administrators. Former Notre Dame football players and marching band members are especially fun since we can incorporate a lot of the music that I’ve used at every home game into their reception to make it unique and memorable. There tends to be a lot of other players or band members at these weddings as guests too, so it’s exciting to really play off of that energy when you access those core memories and the vibe unique to their experiences inside Notre Dame Stadium. Creating those milestone moments has also helped to drive a lot of referrals from these clients. It’s common to hear, 'I had so much fun at so-and-so’s wedding with you, that we have to have you for our own wedding!' That’s the ultimate compliment in my mind!"

 

Venues and Events

What are some of the most popular Notre Dame-related venues where you have DJed?

"Although I’ve played in nearly every venue in Michiana at one point or another, the most popular on-campus venues for me are the Smith Ballroom in the Morris Inn and Downes Ballroom in the Stadium. Off campus there isn’t really a clear winner, but I’d split it between the Palais Royale, The Armory and the Blue Heron depending on the vibe the couple is looking for."

 

How do you tailor your services to fit the specific needs and expectations of these venues and Notre Dame/St. Mary’s clients?

"In this case, it's really no different with an ND/St. Mary’s client than anyone else, because I take every client’s needs as well as the possibilities and constraints of their venue into account when suggesting the best package for them. That being said, I would say that most of the popular venues for my ND/St. Mary’s clients are large spaces with high-ceilings and 200 or more guests. These venues require not only a powerful sound system but also are well suited for our uplighting enhancements."

 

Unique Offerings for Notre Dame/St. Mary’s Weddings

How do you incorporate the spirit and traditions of Notre Dame into your DJ performances for these weddings?

"Of course, we’ll incorporate any family or cultural tradition a couple may have into the music and the flow of the event. With Notre Dame, we tend to play the fight song at most receptions and have even done some of the football traditions later in the open dancing portion of the evening, such as the 1812 overture or the Irish Jig. I’ve done the weddings of several former ND athletes including football players and even former members of the marching band, and it’s not uncommon to include music specific to those activities into the show. We also can’t forget some of those traditional fun songs that are played every week at Finnie’s or the ‘Backer. Those are songs that any student would know!"

Client Testimonials and Success Stories

Do you have any client testimonials or success stories from Notre Dame/St. Mary’s couples that you can share?

"Here’s a review from Notre Dame grads Carson and Ben. This reception took place in the Smith Ballroom at the Morris Inn in July 2024:

'I do not have enough words to profess how incredible Blake was as our DJ. During the planning process he was extremely relatable, fun and respectful of our wishes. He made great recommendations and eased any concerns we had about our big day. He also took the time to respond to us while he was on vacation and sent us an advanced shortened version of our first dance song so that we could practice our first dance.

On the day of, Blake blew EVERYONE away. My husband was very concerned about the size of my dress while dancing so Blake ran us through the song early so we could practice before the reception began. His instincts as a DJ were SPOT-ON! Every song he played in the order he played them contributed to the absolute best party. Our tastes are a little all over the place (country, classic rock, oldies) and Blake was able to mix them all in and give us a night to truly remember. He was fantastic on the aux during introductions and kept our rowdy crowd going for hours and hours. What might've been most impressive is that he managed to get all 200 guests out of the ballroom in less than two minutes so that we could have our "last dance".

We have received nothing but rave reviews from our guests and my husband and I still talk weeks later about how incredible Blake was. An amazing surprise is that he's very active on social media and took a ton of pictures and videos of the dance floor throughout the night that we'll now get to keep forever! Do not hesitate for a SECOND to hire Blake - it'll be one of the best choices you make for your wedding day. We truly could not have imagined the night without him!!!'

 

Here is another from Notre Dame grads Jenna and Matthew. This reception took place in August 2024 at the Armory in South Bend:

'We cannot recommend The Music Place enough! Blake was responsive, professional and friendly from the start. He helped us refine the order of events for our day during the planning process, and executed everything perfectly on our wedding day. We received many compliments from our guests on the music throughout the night, and he was flexible in accommodating some of our specific music choices. The lighting package also took our event to the next level! Hire DJ Sticky Boots!!'"

 

Personal Touch and Community Involvement

How has being part of the Notre Dame community influenced your approach to DJing and event planning?

"Being a part of the community helps open my mind to a diverse palate of ideas and possibilities. Through my involvement with the University and its students and alumni, I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many unique and interesting people with incredible diversity of home towns, professional backgrounds, cultural traditions and history. I’m proud to be able to help bring amazing experiences to incredible people. The ND community’s passion for excellence always drives me to be better and to strive for a golden standard of service and performance."

 

 

If you want to spend your wedding dancing the night away to great music that you and your guests all love, The Music Place is the DJ for you! You can contact them here to secure The Music Place for your wedding day. But you may want to act fast! Popular wedding dates can fill up a year in advance since they are such highly rated DJs. They do allow booking up to 18 months before your big day and even have a spot on their website where you can check if your wedding date is still available!

 

 

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