Being a DJ is
not just someone who is pushing buttons and playing whatever they
want. As a DJ I have learned that your job is to create the party.
If there are 2 people or 2000 people in the room, your job is to make
sure they have a good time. Whether they are sitting on a bar stool,
playing pool in the corner or out on the dance floor, they need to
be having a good time. Music is what controls the atmosphere of the
room. You do not just walk into a room and throw up music, it is a
good idea to plan ahead with an idea, but allow room for change if
it is needed.
I began working in clubs out in Tucson, Arizona when I was 19 years
old. I knew the current DJ wanted to go back to beer tubing and she
recommended that I talk to the general manager. I spoke on the microphone
after work and the rest is history. I took over as the DJ for a country
nightclub called “Wild Wild West”. A club that held over
2300 people and in a college town like Tucson, it was always packed.
I ran the music and worked with the incoming headliners who were going
to perform there. For 2 years I was able to learn more about the music,
dances, lighting and sound systems. During my time in Tucson, I was
voted DJ Of The Year for the West Coast - Pacific Region by CCE.
I returned to my home of Dallas, Texas and went to work for the world
famous Cowboys. I went to Cowboys Arlington and worked on music. From
there I helped to open “Red River Dance Hall & Saloon”
in Dallas, a club that held over 2500. I worked there for over a year
and half with the management staff on the music, marketing, promotions,
and lighting. Once the club was sold, I was invited to return to my
original club as a manager and music director in Tucson. I was the
head programmer, lighting director, and assistant manager. The club
called “Stampede” was an interesting experience. I was
a part of a whole group of clubs that took me around the country to
deal with production. I was in St. Louis, Wichita, Tulsa, Oklahoma
City, Indianapolis and of course Tucson. It was a great experience
but family health issues brought me back home to Dallas.
While in Dallas, I was asked to come back to Cowboys who now owned
Red River. I took over all the music aspects for Red River but also
floated back to Arlington as well. From there, I was with the Cowboys
family for 3 years. I took only a small pause for 9 months but back
in control again at Cowboys, but this time, running all their production
and lighting as well. Many times I was running sound for the bands,
or running lighting. I was a key part of the clubs for Cowboys. I
was over all production for both clubs, (Cowboys Red River & Cowboys
Arlington). I had the pleasure of working for them for 8 years and
got to work with many many great artists, and many who you know today.
I decided to take my leave from Cowboys after New Year’s Eve
one year to peruse other ventures, but the clubs were calling me home.
I began working with the Dallas Stars of the NHL. I ran their music
the 2nd year after the NHL lockout and learned a lot there. I also
called some pre-skate games, and ran off ice promos and contests in
front of 19,000+ screaming Stars fans. I worked a few Dallas Stars
playoff games and it was exciting to work the NHL All Star game in
Dallas. This was something completely different from the club experience
but also I learned even more how to keep the crowd “pumped up”
during time-outs and plays during the season. I worked for the Stars
for several years.
Also during
that time I joined up with a new club with new owners called “Ranch
House” in Sachse. I was able to run the music, lighting and
work hand in hand on the bands with the owners. It was only when I
had to have major back surgery did I slow down. After I recovered
I left the clubs but did make some special appearances working for
a club off Lake Texoma called “Last Call” and working
with the MMA in Dallas for “Art of War”.
No matter what
has happened in my life, music has been a HUGE part of it. I always
was at ease and comfortable behind the microphone or on the sound
board. I have worked rooms as big as 4000 people in capacity, down
to 300 people in capacity. No room was ever too big or too small for
me. In my time with many of these clubs, I ran multiple contests,
from “Tight Fittin’ Jeans”, numerous “Bikini
Contests”, “Sexy Silhouette”, “Teen Talent
Contest”, and others. I have introduces dozens of bands on stage
and the biggest was in front of 110,000 people at Sun Devil Stadium
in Tempe, Arizona. On my links photos page you will see some of the
autographs of just a few artists. I have rang in New Year’s
Eve in front of a packed house of 3000+ for many years with huge acts,
Blake Shelton and I did that for 3 out of 4 years at Cowboys.
Hopefully what you have read will give you a little background to
what I have been doing before you have me bring your wedding or party
together with you.
Chris
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