You can spend the afternoon calling an NFL, NBA, or MLB game and then find yourself behind the DJ booth later that night. Where did that second creative outlet come from?
For my 12th birthday, my orchestra friend gave me a B96 Mixmaster Throwdown CD. I wore it out for a year until my 13th birthday when my brother bought me turntables and a mixer. I learned on vinyl, then moved to CDs when I started working professionally at weddings and parties and the occasional club. I gave it up at 24 when I began broadcasting nationally. A few years ago, I was feeling creatively stagnant and decided to get back into it. I didn’t think that a few years later, I would get to pull off calling a game and DJing a set right after. I love being able to explore both of these avenues.
When you’re calling a game, you’re responding to what’s happening in front of you. When you’re DJing, you’re actually helping create the energy in the room. Compare the adrenaline differences for each.
During a game, I have no control over what happens. I’m there to document and contextualize it and enjoy it with people in the stadium. When I’m DJing and I can see and feel the vibe and energy shifting because of the track I’m playing or a transition or trick I’m executing, it has a completely different rush attached to it. I don’t know which one is better…but I’m thankful to experience both.