It did not occur to me all those years as a teen counselor, social worker and educator that I would get back into the professional DJ business and have the opportunity to use the skills I learned in another environment. True, I did DJ all the middle school dances at the middle school I worked at earlier this decade. You would think I would have made the connection, since I had been a full-time professional Teen Party DJ all the years previous to being a youth worker. I imagine if it was anybody but me I too would have seen the writing on the wall but I didn’t. The good news is that I still gain the benefits without the obvious path recognized in advance.
I did the work I did because I like to be around teenagers. I know the rest of the world finds them challenging but to me they are one of the easiest groups to communicate with because they say what is on their mind if you create a space they feel comfortable in. When they are angry with you they tell you, when they are happy with you they tell you. When they want you to leave them alone they tell you. When they want you to shut-up they tell you. I wish all of us would be that clear in our communication skills. Of course, they do not always choose the most mature means for doing so, but who does?
This is why I enjoy being a professional DJ and MC for youth events. When I am playing the right music, they let me know. When I am missing the mark, they will let me know even quicker. When it is an amazing night, they cannot stop sharing with you how much it has mean to them. I know most professional DJs would prefer not to ever have to deal with teenagers again; this is not the case with me. I love them!
One other aspect about providing music for teens today that I appreciate is the fact they can mix genres. When I was growing up, the rockers could not listen to dance music and the Top 40 kids were not welcome with any other group and you would never see kid listening country hanging with anybody who listened to anything else. The one exception is Soul, Funk and R&B. if it was good and it had he right groove, it crossed barriers with ease whether it be Sly and The Family Stone, The Jackson or anybody on the Motown label, we all enjoyed a food beat with fine melodies.
So I say, bring on the teen parties and let’s get this party started!
One more thing. Teens are the only people in the world who ever think I am still cool just because I do not care if I am cool or not. That alone makes them fun to hang out with!
