I want to tell you about my story growing up with music. How it shaped my life, comforted me through the hard times and inspired me to live my dream of becoming a full-time wedding DJ and Master of Ceremonies. I was born in Stoke Newington, Hackney in November 1966 and, at the age of three, I remember a blazing row between my mum and dad. Life at the time was tough for them as Windrush immigrants from Jamaica and growing up in a troubled environment as a child was scary.
Often I would try to escape the negativity by hiding in my bedroom, or wandering out into the garden, over the fence and into the local Lordship Lane rec. It was my way of coping with the neglect I had to face. Through all the pressure, my mother had a nervous breakdown and years later was diagnosed schizophrenic. Her ability to handle her mental state and her emotions whilst taking care of me and my two sisters was greatly impaired.
The early ‘70s was a particularly traumatic time as my mother's condition worsened. It was during this period, after my parents split up, that I was staying at my dad's rental flat and one lonely afternoon decided to dig through his fledgling collection of 7" records. I had always observed them before, sitting on top of the cabinet player in a wire holding rack, but they never really attracted my attention until now. I was more into toys and playing out!
However, on this day, I was feeling particularly bored so I decided to explore. I was fascinated by the mechanics of the drop down spindle in the middle of the turntable and how you could stack up to six singles on top of each other. But most of all I was fascinated by the music. The significance of this afternoon has never left me, because playing my father's records became my DJ CHRIS ANTHONY 19PROFILE: CHRIS ANTHONY go-to place whenever I was feeling down or lonely.
The music was my drug. I had found love in music, and the music found love in me. DISCOVERY So what was this music that so captivated me? It was the roots rocking sounds of rocksteady, reggae, soul and Motown.
These were the sounds my dad loved and I began to love them too. The Uniques, Alton Ellis and The Heptones, to name a few. These genres became the bedrock of my passion for music; they shaped me and stayed with me throughout my life. Songs of Significance: Pat Kelly – ‘How Long’; The Harry J All Stars – ‘The Liquidator’; Eric Donaldson – ‘Cherry Oh Baby’; Laurel Aitken – ‘Bag-A-Boo’ .
There's no doubt about it, my childhood was a bit crazy. With my parents’ impending divorce and the deterioration of my mother’s mental health, family life was very unstable. There was never a home we stayed in for more than a year because mum would often break down and need help from social services. Frequent drop offs to relatives were needed to keep us safe and in school.
Mum just could not do it consistently enough. By this time, we were seeing dad less and less, which meant that all I had to keep him close was the collection of 7" singles he left behind when mum threw him out of the house. Whenever things got hard, this collection was the one place I could go to make me feel ok. This collection was my close friend, my confidant who had my back.
JAMAICA BOUND! In was taken by my mother for eight weeks to visit Jamaica. The richness and clarity of this experience will never leave me as I was taken on an exciting tour of the island. My family were farmers and have a large plot of farmland and I got up to so much mischief, that to this day, relatives still talk about "that Christopher"!
My mother was from Montego Bay and I recall my first experience of the people and their music from the many rum and domino parties we went to. Although I was only six at the time, the pictures in my mind of the massive speaker boxes and the heavy-hair Rastafarians controlling the music have always stuck with me. I was intrigued, and a little intimidated, by the men playing the records and how in to it they were. I remember seeing a Rastafarian for the first time and screaming “there’s a stringy head man” and running away!
I also vividly remember the stacks of 7" vinyl records lined up on the side of the table and the record man looking intently at each selection. I cannot recall in detail the DJ setup, but I can be sure he did not have a booth and lights! These parties, as is so often the case in poor communities, simply involved gatherings of people that enjoyed good company. The music provided the perfect sound track to complement the rum, Red Stripe and delicious food.
I truly believe music born out of struggle and hardship contains a deep spirit and soul, and that is certainly true of the sounds that originated from the Caribbean. My first trip to Jamaica has not been repeated on too many occasions but the lasting memory of my time there is now family folklore! I have never been one for sticking rigidly to a particular genre, and while I still loved the music I had discovered through my dad’s vinyl collection, with the release of Saturday Night Fever in was turned on to the funky sound of disco music.
I discovered The Bee Gees, The Jackson 5, KC & The Sunshine Band, and so many more. For me, disco was the precursor to the ‘80s soul era, which as we all know continues to be a strong part of the musical line-up at many weddings today. Although I became heavily involved in the ‘80s soul movement, I was not yet comfortable with my abilities as a DJ. I went to many house parties in London and I loved how the DJs mixed their music.
I always wanted to do what they did, but I was such a shy guy growing “DEEP INSIDE THERE WAS A YEARNING TO PLAY MUSIC AND GET PEOPLE DANCING AND ENJOYING THEMSELVES. ” Image courtesy of Mighty Fine Entertainment : CHRIS ANTHONY up that I never had the courage to play to the crowds. I had so many internal conflicts, which came from the troubled times in my early childhood, that I had absolutely no confidence. But deep inside there was a yearning to play music and get people dancing and enjoying themselves.
I really wanted to be the life and soul of the party, but I would have to wait a long time for that to become a reality. I simply played to an audience of one, which was me! However, my dream to become a full-time DJ was still in the back of my mind. To play to an appreciative audience was all I ever wanted, and the feeling it gave me to picture a full dancefloor dancing to the sounds I was playing still excites me, as I know is the case for many DJs.
I often wonder what is the motivation for a DJ to play music to an audience. Is it to give to an appreciative audience, or is it more about the DJ's ego and their need for adulation and attention to feed a deeper insecurity? Songs of Significance: The System – ‘You Are In My System’; Quincy Jones – ‘Ai No Corrida’; Patti Austin – ‘Hot! In the Flames of Love’; BB & Q Band – ‘On The Beat’; Roy Ayers - Poo Poo La La’ .
There are so many but I loved these and still do! TEENAGE DREAMS I left school with an arsenal of music and a real love for playing it. I was still a bedroom DJ, although I harboured a strong desire to play to an audience. Without the courage to start a DJ life, I instead became a carpenter and joiner, working for the Greater London Council.
It was a great career for me because I loved making things out of wood and it appealed to my creative side. It also meant I could keep on listening to my music whilst I worked! Those late teenage years were filled with regular nights out at the best clubs in London as well as the Notting Hill Carnival, which was a great place to enjoy soul and reggae music. These were truly great times, but inside I still felt the emptiness that growing up with mental illness presents.
Those feelings of neglect and hurt would always surface as I struggled with my emotions. It’s funny how inner emotions can keep you afraid and confined. You become a master at masking your feelings and people think everything is normal. Inside you are being eaten up, but outside you portray a confident and happy person.
Mental illness is a terrible affliction and can really make life difficult. In many ways, a piece of my mother resides in me even now, although I no longer get as depressed as I did back then. Fortunately, music has always been my companion, and helped me get through difficult times. FAMILY LIFE When I met my wife Sonia, we both shared this passion and loved much of the same music, although my tastes were a bit more eclectic than hers!
The early ‘90s saw the birth of our two children Jermaine and Myles, and for a time life was really good! We were happy and settled. I had a growing family to care for and my focus was on them. By this time I had begun to grow my CD collection and had continued with the soul and new jack swing theme.
Chart music wasn't particularly on my radar, but there were some tunes I liked in the top 40. I was still a soul head banging out ‘80s classics! By the mid ‘90s Sonia and I decided to marry and we tied the knot in ‘96. Out first dance was Brian McNight’s ‘Crazy Love’ and I actually sang ‘Always & Forever’ by Heatwave.
The recording of that song will not be appearing on YouTube! But hey, my wife loved it. These were two great songs that really captured our love for each other and of good soul music. We also had a great DJ (Sharky DJ) whom I still DJ with occasionally, and he was really impressive on the night.
I recall standing behind the booth and getting my first real feel of DJing a wedding. It was so exciting and really inspired me to do my first gig. That chance came when, after a personal development seminar, I was asked to DJ alongside another participant of the course for an after-party. Fortunately, the equipment was provided so all I had to bring was my CD collection.
It was a nerve-racking experience for sure, but I felt so cool making others dance. It was the best feeling! From a personal musical perspective, the ‘90s represented a move toward silky smooth soul. Jazz funk, RnB, New Jack Swing and Hip Hop were all taking my attention.
As much as I loved the soul classics I always ventured to music that was not the mainstream. I loved trying to pick out songs that were on the flip side of singles and album tracks that many would never have really discovered. Music was a religion for me and seeking out obscure greats was an obsession. Songs of Significance: Sounds of Blackness – ‘Optimistic’; Solo – ‘Where Do U Want Me To Put It’; Blackstreet – ‘U Blow My Mind’; Lo-Key – ‘Come On In’; Dwele – ‘Keep On’ .
In 2000, Cameron, our third child, came along to complete our brood and I now had my hands really full! By this time I had begun to DJ at friends’ parties. I purchased two passive 10” speakers and a Wharfdale amplifier which I got on the cheap from a friend. It was a great amp but so heavy.
By this time I had lost the CDs and was playing music from a computer. I literally started out playing with no controller; I was proper green as I couldn’t afford all the equipment! As I started doing more gigs I reinvested what I earnt back into my equipment. After every gig I would rush back to my local DJ store in Walthamstow, East London, to buy some more gear.
I became a proper gear junkie. I would spend hours looking at equipment and planning the best stuff to buy. However, when I was starting out, I remember being very confused by wiring. For 21PROFILE: CHRIS ANTHONY some reason, all the connections and different types of plugs and sockets really confused me, so it was a great stress when I had to set up.
It seems so trivial now, but at the time it was a real panic trying to remember the instructions Mark gave me in the DJ store! My initial gigs as a DJ were a bit haphazard, but I enjoyed them. As the ‘00s progressed, I grew in confidence and started to do more parties via word of mouth. I was still very much an amateur DJ though, and still worked full-time as a construction professional.
I was never DJing at a level I would call prolific and my fees were rock bottom. This meant that I couldn’t imagine ever becoming a fulltime DJ, so I settled with being a hobbyist. At least I got to play music to partygoers sometimes! By the mid-‘00s I had built up my gear and was doing a bit of gigging, but not as much as I would have liked.
I recall my first wedding at which I was required to use the mic, boy was that a scary thing! I remember mumbling a few words now and then and that I couldn’t wait to get back to the music! Everyone had a great time though, including me, and I knew instantly that weddings was the route I would like to take. Songs of Significance: Erick Sermon ft.
Marvin Gaye – ‘Music’; Jaheim – ‘Just In Case’; Chante Moore – ‘Bitter’; Jill Scott – ‘Gettin' In The Way’; Lauryn Hill – ‘Nothing Even Matters’; Madonna – ‘Little Star’; Maxwell – ‘Pretty Wings’ . WHAT AM I WORTH? As I became more confident behind the booth, I naturally wanted to increase my prices. However, I was stuck in the very low end of the market charging no more than £150 to DJ.
Deep down I knew I was not fully appreciating my talents and eventually I realised that I needed to do something different. This thought process led me to seek out somewhere I could learn new skills and meet other DJs who were in the same boat as well as those who were earning good money so I could learn from them. My search lead me to the door of the NADJ. I recall the first ever meeting I attended.
Tony Winyard told me about a DJ meet-up happening in Sheffield and that we were to meet with some other London-based DJs to travel up by mini-van. This was the first time I had ever been around a group of other mobile DJs. I know this sounds crazy, but my earlier days of DJing were really isolated. I had a massive inferiority complex and thought my skills were nowhere near as good as other DJs.
In so many respects, I needed to get out of my comfort zone, and the NADJ really helped me do this. Tony Winyard had a massive effect on me that day and I knew I was in the right place. He continues to be a friend and mentor, and I have a lot to thank him for. In my formative years my relationship with music was one of comfort and solace.
Music has always been my closest friend in times of need and the next defining chapter of my life was no different. In February of was awoken one night by a strong banging on the front door. I was fast asleep so was not best pleased as my son Myles often forgot his keys. After staggering down the stairs, I went to the front door and pulled it slightly ajar just to make sure it was my son.
However, when I glanced through the small gap, I saw two police officers peering at me in the dark. My immediate thought was that Myles had got into mischief and had been arrested. The officers asked if I was related to Myles and when I said yes asked if they could come in and if there was anyone else at home. I replied nervously that his mother was upstairs.
I sat them down in the front room and called Sonia from upstairs. By this time I was really anxious because they had not told me why they were here. Once we sat down, one of the officers told us that Myles had been killed in a car accident. He was a passenger in a car carrying four young people which had overturned and hit a tree.
He was killed instantly. It was a terrible loss felt by many. My half-brother David who lived in the US came over and was one of the pallbearers at the funeral. However, just 93 days later, Dave passed in a similar way back home in America.
It was a tragic year for our family and really tested my faith. Music at this time was generally not at the forefront of my mind, but for Myles’ funeral it was. We chose songs that expressed our sadness, but also the hope that his death was not in vain. We wanted to capture the spirit in which his legacy was to live on.
Most notably, we chose a performance of classical music, ‘Clair De Lune’ by Debussy. It is a very well-known piece, which we asked our close actor friend Peter Moreton to play for us, and it was the perfect accompaniment for Myles as his casket was being carried into the parish church. It was a very emotional moment as you can appreciate, but comforting at the same time. I love how music has a way of lifting you, even at the most testing of times.
After a year of grieving and reflecting, the 2012 Olympics came to town and was an absolute showstopper as you can imagine. As I worked in Newham at the time, I was involved in some of the preparations the council were making. It was an exciting time and everyone involved enjoyed the spectacle of a great games. For me, the biggest highlight was having the honour of being the official DJ for the staff and volunteer after-parties of both the Olympic and Paralympic games.
This was a real highlight of my DJ career and they were two great nights I will never forget. From a window in the venue, Stratford Town Hall, I was able to watch the closing ceremony fireworks after I had set up my : CHRIS ANTHONY that I wanted to do more DJ work at a higher price. He recommended a coach called Terry Lewis, who I sought out and decided to work with. After six months on his mentoring programme (which has since developed into the brilliant Phoenix course) I felt ready to increase my fee and confirmed my next five bookings at an average price of £1475!
I was truly gobsmacked! I literally could not believe it was happening. (I have since gone on to take bookings of £2000 for my DJ and Master of Ceremonies services!). This was the most significant turning point in my DJ career so far. I am now DJing full-time and, whilst it is not easy keeping the enquiries coming, I have the tools I need in order to be ready to book a high-paying bride.
I used to meet couples in person by visiting their homes, but I now only meet couples online. I provide a quality service, as many DJs do, but I also know how to sell it in the right way that reassures clients I will give them a great service. The cost of working with Terry has paid itself over and over again and I would highly recommend his training. One of the things that I have found useful for attracting enquiries is the use of Facebook as a marketing tool.
I will never forget the advice given to me by Lee Russell of LR Disco Entertainment when I was starting out using this medium as a means of reaching more clients. He told me that when I play out I should always put a post on Facebook when I arrive at a venue. At first it was just a text post with a picture, but I soon saw the benefit of posting videos and, since that time, I have posted dozens of live and edited videos. People love seeing the ‘behind the scenes’ of what is going on and I try to bring a different aspect to each video that will make it interesting.
I am now taking this concept even further by trying to see if I can make my videos more educational for both fellow DJs and wedding couples, rather than just showing people where I am on the day. Video marketing should be standard now for all DJs and I would DJ rig. I then waited patiently as all the staff and volunteers made their way over from the Olympic stadium. As you can imagine, it was an international crowd so I played music to suit.
Drake was highly requested but I mixed it up with a lot of Latin, RnB, rock and pop vibes. Since then, my DJ work has gone from strength to strength. I am now a full-time DJ and working hard to build a sustainable income from something I absolutely love. Being a DJ, and in particular a wedding DJ, is the pinnacle of my working career.
Nothing feels better than working from home, being my own boss and doing something I truly love. I really can see me still hauling speakers to weddings in my ‘70s! FROM ££2000! Like many DJs, I found the battle to get paid a decent fee for my work to be a struggle.
Up until the late ‘00s I couldn’t get above the £200 price point. I always felt I was worth more but didn’t have the confidence to push up my fee. However, during a conversation with another London-based DJ – Barney Grossman – at one of the BPM events, I happened to mention encourage you to give it a try if you don’t already use it. At first it can feel awkward and uncomfortable, but it’s worth persevering with.
Video is a fun and engaging, it will transform your visibility and allow potential clients to get a feel for your personality and start to build a personal connection that can then lead to a confirmed booking. My advice to anyone who wants to make a career in the DJ business is to first prepare financially for the ‘jump off’ period and then give yourself 12 months to get established in the market as a full-time DJ. Other than that, continue to make connections, build trust and regularly pick up the phone to talk to anyone that wants to hear your story.
Good luck! GIVING BACK I now work voluntarily for the NADJ and I am Chairman of the London branch. It’s a great role but it can be tough getting DJs together to share ideas, network and learn new skills. I have a great team in Avtar Thethy and Keith Elwood, and together we are working toward increasing the visibility of the organisation and reaching more DJs to help them grow.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those DJs who have made a huge difference in my DJ career and who have all added something special and unique to my knowledge and understanding of this tough but hugely rewarding industry: Tony Winyard, Terry Lewis, Mark van den Berg, Barney Grossman, Steve Honeyball, Keith Elwood, Avtar Thethy, Pete Hawkins, Brian Mole, Alan Marshall, Mark Ferrell, Bill Hermann and Randy Bartlett. My love of music and the need to share this with the world, will always be with me.
There is no time I am not close to music. I listen to it every day. It comforts me, talks to me in my hour of need. I know I sound melodramatic, but it really is that important to me.
In the words of Bob Marley’s ‘Trenchtown Rock’ , when music hits me I feel no pain… “BEING A WEDDING DJ IS THE PINNACLE OF MY CAREER” Image courtesy of Mighty Fine Entertainment : CHRIS ANTHONY FOCUSED LEARNING, NETWORKING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR MOBILE DJS Sunda y 24th & Monda y 25th march , SOLIHULL #PROMOBILECONFERENCE DO YOU WANT TO IMPROVE AS A DJ? DO YOU WANT TO TAKE MORE BOOKINGS? DO YOU WANT TO CHARGE MORE? THEN THE PRO MOBILE CONFERENCE IS FOR YOU!
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