DJ

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.

There’s an old saying about running around in circles or maybe that life is a cycle or something like that. I don’t remember the details. Perhaps I’m making it up. I don’t remember, but there is a point to be made and I’ve completely forgotten what it is.

That being said, I spent part of yesterday working out a deal with a local bar to become their Friday night DJ. So starting Friday I’ll be in the new booth at the old bar I worked at from 1992 until 2001 doing the DJ thing. If Earl and I are unavailable on a given Friday night, I’ll provide the music for the evening through modern technology (custom mixes on an iPod or flash drive).

Ain’t computers cool?

I’m excited about returning to the (virtual) turntables for a couple of reasons. First of all, it allows me get my hands on something that I enjoy doing very much. While I admit that I didn’t really enjoy that experience in a corporate venue (i.e. radio station management), I must say that I do enjoy spinning up music that packs a dance floor, prompting hunky guys to take off their shirt and sweat while they dance. I’m an equal opportunity sweat maker, if the girls want to do that they can as well (they usually don’t though).

Another reason for my return to the turntables is that it’s going to give us some much needed pocket cash. In today’s economic climate and financially driven world, cash is good.

When talking with the owner of the bar, we also discussed putting a bear night together for the first Saturday in March. Now this I find equally exciting. I’ll share more details when they are available.

I’m looking forward to the new little side job and to compliment my school work. I have another sound engineering gig in the works that I’m even more excited about so I’m feeling good about the path that lies ahead. I think it’s important to find your path in life, it makes the journey so much easier.

One of my favorite workout songs and one of the first tracks I played as a baby DJ, here’s “Right Back Where We Started From” by Sinitta, from 1989.