| From
the school dance to your favorite radio station, Disc Jockeys
entertain us everyday. Disc Jockeys (DJs) provide us with
music and information on the radio, TV, Internet and at special
events. Some work alone in a studio, broadcasting to an unseen
audience of thousands. Others are center stage playing music
and teaching dance moves in front of a crowd.
If you
love music and are comfortable talking to a crowd, then Disc
Jockey may be the career for you. Who knows, you might be
the next 'Stryker' spinning on the Ellen DeGeneres Show!
Disc
Jockeys work in different areas:
On-the-Air
(AM & FM) and Internet Radio—
Most stations broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
so DJs can find themselves working odd hours. In addition
to playing music, they interview guests and broadcast the
news and weather. As a DJ you might find yourself reading
from a script to report the news or ad-libbing when interviewing
a guest.
Typically the size of the station determines which jobs a
Disc Jockey will do. At smaller stations DJs can be alone
in the studio for hours, writing, planning and performing
their show. Some stations provide guidelines including which
music to play, while others allow the DJ to create the play
list. Popular DJs often become local personalities and are
invited to make public appearances at special events.
On-the-air
Disc Jockeys have to be able to react quickly to the unexpected
such as sound equipment that doesn't work or a guest who is
too nervous to go on the air, or worse, forgets to show up
for an interview!
Party
DJs—Party DJs spend most of their time in front
of an audience talking to the crowd, playing requests and
sometimes leading the dances. As a Party DJ you help to create
the atmosphere at weddings, parties and corporate events.
Self-employed Party DJs are hired directly by clients and
have to provide their own equipment. Those hired by companies
that coordinate DJs for parties use the company's equipment
and usually receive on-the-job training. In both cases, Party
DJs need to be comfortable setting up equipment, fixing technical
difficulties and working nights and weekends.
 Interview
with Disc Jockey, Brett 'Outch' Outchunis:
Since
childhood Brett 'Outch' Outchunis has believed in finding
what you love to do and doing it. Music and dancing are at
the top of Brett's list of favorites. He began dancing at
age 9 and kept taking dance classes even when it wasn't the
"cool" thing to do.
In high school Brett was inspired by a DJ at a school dance.
"No one wanted to be the first one on the dance floor.
DJ Don-Don Gomes noticed immediately and broke the ice by
coming out to the middle of the dance floor. [H]e pulled off
some ridiculous dance moves, made us all laugh and as we figured
we couldn't possibly do any worse than Don-Don, why not dance?"
After high school Brett went on to earn a Bachelor's degree
in Communications and explored other interests such as acting
and working as a yo-yo demonstrator. Through these experiences
Brett met his mentor, entertainment specialist Steven Siagel.
Mr. Siagel hired Brett as a motivational dancer and MC for
parties, experiences that taught Brett the "tricks of
the trade" for DJing a great party.
Brett's interest in technology also helped him to decide to
become a Disc Jockey. "[W]hat I love about DJing today
is that now it's practically all digital. I have one of the
most cutting-edge systems now by integrating my iPods, Macbook
and turntable-style CD player." But all that technology
can be expensive so Brett's advice for future DJs, "Start
small and see if you like it enough to really dive into it."
For the
past few years Brett has been DJing for his own company, Ninepoints
Entertainment. "I try to be the nicest, most encouraging
person I can anytime I'm working with the public." As
a motivational DJ Brett interweaves his others interests into
his work including dancing, yo-yoin' and speaking to kids
about doing what they love to do and succeeding.
What
You Can Do to Get Ready:
Disc Jockeying
is a very competitive field. Although it is not required,
like Brett, you may want to go to college for a Communications
degree or attend broadcasting school. For now take Music,
Speech or Drama classes and be sure to pay close attention
in your English class. Good writing skills, correct grammar
and a clear speaking voice are the keys to succeeding in this
field. For practice, jump on any opportunity to speak in front
of a crowd. Join your school radio station or ask for a tour
at your local radio station.
What
it Pays:
Depending
on where you work, the pay scale varies. DJs earn from $12,940
for internships at small radio stations up to $1,000,000 for
the most famous 'shock jocks'. The salary average is around
$22,820.
Other
Resources:
To find
out more about Disc Jockeys visit kids.gov
Career section
Check
out Brett's Website: Ninepoints
Entertainment
Food
For Thought:
- There
are 44,000 radio stations worldwide.
- Talk
radio is the most popular format.
- Over
94 % of people 12 and older listen to the radio every week.
- The
average person, age 12 and older, listens to the radio 20
hours per week.
From
the National Association of Broadcasters |
