APRIL 1976

by Joe Costa

As I am sure everyone is aware, there is a lot of music for a disco DJ to choose from these days. What I am not sure of is that everyone is aware of exactly how much music there is. A lot of people seem to think that it is an easy job to play music for a disco. Well, I would like to say few things about this and related subjects. I don't know about other DJ's in town, but personally I receive records from approximately thirty-five (35) sources right now located in Cleveland, New York, L.A. San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, Indianapolis, etc. Dennis Cox of The American in Akron is kind enough to bring me imports from Toronto, where an incredible number of foreign records. are available that are not in any other city in this country except New York. There are approximately 150 records between 45's, L.P.'s, and special disco versions of records that I have to listen to every week.

From that first listening I must put aside those that make a first impression on me, and then listen to them again and again until I know them well enough to play them in public. Some people seem to think that a DJ picks up the first record that comes into his hands and then plays it. That is not the case at all. The tension that is felt by anyone who has several

hundred people to entertain is realized only by another who has tried to do entertainment. There is a sense of rhythm that a DJ must have in order to go from one record to another so that that transition is done as smoothly as possible. Surely, we make mistakes; God knows I have made some biggies, as anyone who has heard me play will know. But can you imagine how many songs come to your mind when you are playing to an overcrowded dance floor? When these people are there having a good time, screaming, popping poppers, BABY, MAKE IT LAST!!!!!! That's what they came there for.

A Disco DJ's job does not end when the 2:30 lights go on. He must go home to listen to what he has played that night and then listen to what new products may have come in, wade. through a pile of records, listen and then maybe add one or two to his present playlist. This job cannot be done in one sitting; it is a never ending job. If you don't believe me, pick up a copy of Billboard for two or three weeks in a row, and see, on the disco section, how many new songs are listed every week.

Some DJ's go by what is listed on Billboard and play just those songs that are listed there. I personally find that revolting. Just because a song is listed

HIGH GEAR

there, it does not mean that it is fabulous, although there is a pretty good chance that it will reach an awful lot of people. A D.J. first of all, has his own sense of what is good and what is not. If he must resort to the magazines to tell him what to play he has no business being what he is.

There is one thing I would like to tell the readers of this newspaper, because. perhaps they will learn to understand better what I am trying to do. I was not born in the Midwest. I still feel a little funny in this area, since it feels a little too constricted and conservative for me. The way of life in this city is not what I am used to. When I first started playing music here, I felt I was not reaching my crowd. I had to go out and listen to what other DJ's were playing and go on from there. Then, little by little, I introduced what I felt was good, and I am still doing that to this day, and will continue to do so as long as I am in the position I am in. I have certain standards that I will not lower for anyone. I honestly believe that what I play is good music, and lately, there is a mutual adjustment between myself and the people I play for; they are getting used to me, and. I am getting used to them. Well, that is the job of any DJ: he must get the audience used to

what he plays, and he must get used to what they prefer.. HE must sense what type of music turns them on, and he also has the job of teaching that audience something that he knows to be good and right. If an apology is necessary, you have it. But remember that it is done with a knowledge of what the situation is, and with an intention to better something that I found truly lacking in excitement.

That is what all DJ's do, and those who don't, should. A number of songs reaches them. every so often. From these songs they must choose which are worthwhile from a dancing point of view, and accomodate them into their repertoire. Then they must introduce these songs in a way that their dancing crowds, who may not have heard the song before, will feel confortable dancing to.

And DJ's playing for a gay crowd are even more demanded on. Straight crowds generally don't know what level of energy a gay disco has; they don't even know how to dance in the majority of cases, but that is their problem and they'll have to cope with it. And gay audiences in this city should, may I suggest, learn to relax a little , and perhaps get 1,000 times more stoned that they do (in the privacy of your homes, please,

Wednesday May 5

Cleveland Gay Community Center

Benefit

Page 25

DISCO

not at the bars) It will help you to have a better time, and DJ's to feel more confortable (including myself.) Thank you.