DJ

Here’s a fan made video to one of my favorite tracks from 1990 (though it was never released as a single). I played this during one of my first DJ gigs in Erie, Pa. It was one of the first songs I felt I was taking a risk by playing because there were no remixes and it was an unreleased track. I was delighted when the crowd continued the pace on the dance floor.

Enjoy Mariah Carey and “Prisoner”.

I found a fun, rather obscure video from the 1980s. When I hung out at the record store in my hometown after school we used to have debates as to the sexuality of Sam Harris. He was (and still very much is) a hottie and if I had completely accepted my gay card back in 1984 I would have been tipped off by the ruby shoes pictured in the video.

Here’s Sam Harris with “Sugar Don’t Bite”.

For those that say, “doesn’t that sound like…”, this came first, there was litigation, and the writers of “Sugar Don’t Bite” won.

It was bound to happen. My DJ SuperCub alter-ego has the beginnings of his own website now. All DJ stuff will now appear at djsupercub.com.

Now, back to the blog.

Back in 1993 I had my “big break” in radio when I was asked to host a remix show on our local Top 40 radio station. I had been hanging around the studios for a couple of months, had secured my FCC license (which you needed to be on the radio in those days) and was ready to show the world what radio personality J.P. Marks was all about. The regular remix DJ, a very nice guy by the name of Ron The Sugarbear, was taking the weekend off and I was asked to fill in. The Program Director was nervous as all get out and laid out a game plan for me to follow for three of the five hours I was to be on the air, the other two hours I was allowed to do my own thing. One thing I distinctly remember is that after a few mixes I did my first talk break in which my mother called immediately afterwards in tears because she was so excited to hear me on the air.

Saturday Night Dance Tracks was skewed towards the mainstream dance music of the time (remember it was the early 1990s) and the emerging hip hop scene. One of the highest rated time slots on the station (which was consistently in the top three in the market), I was determined to fill some pretty big shoes for my debut while keeping my own spin to make my trademark.

I decided to play a record I had picked up a couple of months prior. It wasn’t on any of the industry dance charts at the time and was only being heard in gay clubs in major cities, it was however very successful when I played it during my gigs. I was absolutely certain that this record would be a HUGE hit if the general public had the chance to hear it, even though it was a remake of a HUGE hit from the 1980s. The song was released by an unknown artist on a small indy label from the UK.

When I spun into this record and the first verse started, the phone board started lighting up. As we progressed into the chorus of the very familiar tune, the board reached capacity. “Who is this?” “Where did you get this?” “Oh my God, I love this!” All the callers were loving the record. The hotline (a special line into the studio that station personnel have access to) called, it was the music director. “Great track, who is it?”

Grinning from ear to ear, I replied with, “It’s ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart'”. The music director thanked me for the obvious. I filled in the blanks with “she’s Nicki French and it’s on a small indy label called ‘Energise Records’ or something like that”. He replied with “can I borrow it?” “Absolutely.” Success. J.P. Marks had made his mark.

Nicki French’s version of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” hit U.S. mainstream radio about a year later. I had the opportunity to meet Nicki a couple of times: the first time was backstage at a Kix 106 concert in Providence, Rhode Island and the second time at John Garabedian’s house during his syndicated “Open House Party” show. Ms. French is clearly the NICEST artist and one of the NICEST people I have ever met.

For your enjoyment, here’s her video for the U.S. radio mix of “Total Eclipse of the Heart”.

I was reading Jimbo‘s blog this morning where I stumbled on a remix of Kylie Minogue’s latest(?) single “Wow”. I really liked the track and did some further poking around the internet, where I found the video to the single version of the song.

I REALLY like this song. A lot. Back in my radio days I force fed an unreleased Kylie track¹ to the listening public and it actually spurred sales of the import CD in the area.

Tonight and for the next several gigs, I’ll be spinning “Wow” by Kylie Minogue.

¹The track I played on the radio outside of release was “Spinning Around”, released in 1999 or 2000. It was intended to revive Paula Abdul’s career (she has writing credits on it), but she decided not to run with it and Kylie did instead.

Working my way through various remixes for upcoming ‘gigs’, I stumbled across this remix of a beautiful pop song from the late 1960s. I haven’t heard this song in about 35+ years and this version is a beautiful tribute to the original. The remix compliments the original well without overshadowing it.

This song can easily be described as my “theme song”. I’ll admit it, I teared up when I first heard the remix. It’s a shame that the majority of today’s pop music doesn’t have the positive message of this track.

I hope you enjoy Mama Cass and “Make Your Own Kind Of Music”.

On Saturday night I drove to Ithaca to go to Leather and Bear Night at the Common Ground. It was a solo night for me; Earl had to work early Sunday morning and since it’s a bit of a drive to Ithaca he wouldn’t have had nearly enough sleep to be functional, so with his blessing I made the trek alone.

It was a great time and I was able to make new friends and chat with guys about the upcoming Bear night in Utica (this coming Saturday). I was also entered into the “Best Buns” contest by an apparent fan and I came in second out of 10 or so. I don’t know what happened to me that I would be showing off my ass in public like that, since I’m so shy in that type of setting (grin), but there you are.

But I digress.

While I was at the Common Ground I chatted with the owner of the bar, a very nice guy by the name of Doug who invited me to be a guest DJ. We’ve exchanged a few e-mails and now it’s official, I will be the guest DJ on Saturday 26 April 2008 for the Leather/Levi night. It’ll be my first time spinning in Ithaca and the Common Ground has a GREAT dance floor and sound system. I am really looking forward to the experience.

One of the things that I like about the Common Ground is that it’s relatively secluded outside of the city limits. It’s a little bit country, even though you’re a little bit rock and roll. And one of the things that I’ve always loved about Ithaca is the nighttime view as you enter the city, even at 4:30 in the morning. I just love the terrain there.

To get you in the mood for a holiday weekend (in the States), here’s a little video to get you moving.

Deee-lite, “Groove Is In The Heart”

There’s also a new DJ SuperCub mix available, presenting House of Cub.

I love this song. Presenting Brian Kent and “I’m Not Crazy” from 2006.