This week we’re down in Salem, Virginia for the NCAA Division-III softball national championship and we’re going to share with you some of the tracks we’re playing.  We’ll take a listen to some of the songs coming out that are going to be summer hits.  Along with a few to look back on that you may already have, but have forgotten about.

HandClap – Fitz and the Tantrums get out the clapping hands for your scoreboard when you play this one from the group that brought us “The Walker”.  Great beat, fun song, and clapable.  Start at :31 seconds.  Careful because some of the lyrics may be too adult.

Make Me Like You – Gwen Stefani is a good song with a catchy hook.  Walk-in capable, could also use it for pitching changes.  It’s already in our playlist for the softball tournament this week.

Ghost Town DJs – My Boo is the song from the viral “running man” video.  This song may have played itself out as it even flaked while it was played at the school that originated the video.  This is one of those songs that might do nothing, or you could have an awesome effect.

Snapback – Old Dominion is a fine country song by a group formed in Nashville whose lead singer is from Buchana, Virginia which is about a half hour from Salem.  A catchy hook you could probably add to your upbeat songs.

Noise – Kenny Chesney can find its way into some playtlists this summer.  It’s a little too celebratory for a big game moment, but could be played toward the end of a game that’s pretty much decided.  You could also use this as a nice post-game song.  The chorus, you could try to use it along with a “Noise” graphic on the video board, but not confident it would get the desired effect.

Gone – JR JR has a good beat, not a good home run song like the Montgomery Gentry entry, but it has a good beat that will get toes tapping.

Can’t Stop The Feelin! – Justin Timberlake is a fun upbeat song you could use during games.  Maybe good for dance cam, it has a funk sound to it with J-Tim’s typical vocal sound that pulls you in to go along with catchy lyrics.

Me Too – Meghan Trainor is another catchy song from this singer who has taken the world by storm.  A little different sound that could find it’s way into in-game elements, great on college nights this is going to be one of the hits of summer.

Brand New – Ben Rector is a guilty favorite.  It’s in the walk-in music, but could find itself in the in-game with the catchy hook and beat.  A call-and-response element around 90 seconds in could even make its way in to the pump songs.

A couple you may have forgotten

DVBBS & Borgeou – Tsunami (Radio Edit) is a rally/pump song.  Cue it up, listen, play it when you want to support the crowd during a hot timeout.

Don’t Shed a Tear – Paul Carrack is another “oh yeah” song.  It’s not a requirement to have, but if you do, you can use it for pitching changes.  And with that generation being prevalent at sporting events, you can use it for walk-in as well.

Shut Up And Drive – Rihanna will start out like a rock song and then you’ll remember hearing this song.  Good for promotions with cars involved.

HOLY COW WHAT A SONG

The Sound of Silence – Disturbed is a remake of the Simon & Garfunkle hit, but oh man does Disturbed, yes the same people who gave us “Down With The Sickness” and “Ten Thousand Fists” deliver this amazing song.  This isn’t something you would play to energize a crowd, but if you want to play something for sound check.  This is a great song for just that.