As a young teenager I wound up being the one who brought the records to the “Sons of the American Legion” socials every month. The hall had a horrible sound system (by today’s standards) and a little record player in the kitchen. Start the record, run into the hall if I wanted to dance, run back to the kitchen for the next record. And not a clue that the experience was the precursor of what I would eventually be doing for a living.

In 1973 some friends of mine put together a competition color guard. As a fund raiser they wanted to do a 50’s type sock hop. They knew that I had a decent record collection and drafted me for the job of DJ. I literally borrowed every piece of equipment that I used that night (special thanks to Dennis Moore, Bill Leonard & Joe Russo.) Somehow I managed to impress my next customer. After a couple of more shows I was starting to get an idea of what I was doing. The saving grace was that the mobile DJ industry was just developing and there weren’t a lot of high expectations from us. My how the times have changed.

Since I was doing shows I figured I should advertise. I looked in the classifieds of the entertainment section the “News American” had in their Sunday paper to get an idea of what to say. Low and behold there was an ad for “Career Opportunities In Broadcasting.” The Broadcasting Institute Of Maryland was offering a special sampler type class over a 5 week period for just $25. I had to try it.

I found out they were offering a scholarship so I applied. Long story short, I went to BIM for free. Graduated in the top ten, named to the who’s who and got a job in radio!! It took less than 2 years to realize it was more fun being in front of a live audience.

By 1982 I had several DJ’s working for me, I had gotten married to a beauty I met while working at Hooligan’s in Towson. I also gigged at Shenanigan’s, P.J. Crickett’s, Cox’s Pub, Brannan’s Pub, Poor Richard’s and some that I don’t care to remember!

While attending the first International Disc Jockey Exposition in Atlantic City in 1989 I found that the Karaoke buzz around Baltimore was really taking off across the USA. So I started learning the ropes, going to shows to see what I liked about Karaoke and what I didn’t like about the way some hosts ran their show. Most of those people are no longer in the business but they helped me get started right.

My first Karaoke account was Lou’s Bar in Greektown, where I met my current wife and soulmate. The patrons embraced Karaoke and I was on my way. My second account was Uncle George’s in Bel Air which went for 12 years strong. Along the way there have been a number of establishment’s that were nice enough to share their customers with me and who also made my little group of “followers” feel at home. My current schedule is pretty solid. It’s nice when the chemistry is there; location, management, staff, customers and entertainers all clicking. I’ve been very fortunate and I thank everyone who has ever been to my show for helping.