Mike D's future
as a DJ began one night long ago when he brought in his home stereo
to DJ one of his Jr. High sock hops. The party was great and Mike
fell in love with the idea of making people dance! Some students from
area schools were there and asked him to DJ their dances as well.
Mike jumped on the opportunity and started his own successful DJ business
- Off Center Productions.
As Mike got older he expanded his repertoire to more musical styles
and began doing parties and wedding receptions for Joe Beck Entertainment
Plus - one of the best wedding DJ's ever! Working for Entertainment
Plus taught Mike a lot of valuable DJ skills including how to get
crowds moving and how to read a dance floor. There he met one of his
best friends Lane Schaedel. Lane and another good friend Mark Stivers
took Mike under their wing and began to teach Mike how to mix. He
loved it and got his first pair of 1200's before he was even out of
high school.
After high school Mike went to college at Illinois State University.
At ISU, Lane, Mark, and Joe got him spinning at his first club Bogie's
Firehouse. The thrill of playing at a club was incredible and Mike
was hooked for life. The fringe benefits weren't bad either…….
While at ISU Mike joined the team of DJ Express where he met another
one of his great friends and mentors Brian "B Man" Connor.
Along with B Man, T Slice, Smooth Ed, DJ Maz, and Jay Incledon, DJ
Express dominated the party scene at ISU for years. For those that
can remember this was an incredible time to be a DJ. Julian "Jumpin"
Perez and Bad Boy Bill were cutting it up on BMX and then B96. Chicago
was the House music capital of the world and Techno was blowing up
all over.
Parties were great but the lure of a packed dance floor at a club
was too strong. Mike returned to the club scene where he and B Man
became the head DJs at the legendary Spanky's (anyone who went to
ISU knows what I am talking about!). This is where Mike met good friends
DJ Matrix, Mike Z, and DJ Smurf (aka Dan Morrell). Mike knew that
with Dan's drive and talent he would go far (it looks like he was
right). Mike Z was already splitting his time between clubs at ISU
and famous Chicago clubs including Excalibur and Alumni Club.
After graduating from ISU Mike moved to Denver, Colorado for several
years. Missing his friends and family back in Illinois he returned
to complete his Master's degree at ISU. When he returned Mike served
as head DJ for several different clubs at ISU including
The Varsity Club (RIP). In his last year at ISU Mike returned to his
first club Bogie's Firehouse to rock their famous Thursday night ladies
nights. Mike also performed at the first Mixmaster Throwdowns at the
Varsity Club with many of the B96 Mixmasters including DJ Speed, Bobby
D, and his good friend DJ Smurf.
After graduating (again) Mike headed north to Chicago and was considering
giving up DJ'ing completely in favor of a quieter lifestyle. This
didn't last long when Mike Z called him up and offered him a position
with Ala Carte Entertainment DJ'ing at some of Chicago's hottest clubs
including Déjà vu, The Leg Room, and Whitestar.
While in Chicago Mike has met some great new friends - Erik White,
Blue Mike, DJ Corso, Mark Phillips……basically the whole
damn Mixmastrer Throwdown Crew!
Mike D continues to move the crowd and is still in love with DJ'ing.
Check out the clubs section to find out where you can catch him.
Now, a few words from the man himself:
"The
people listed above are very special to me and I owe them a great
deal both professionally and as true friends - thank you all! Most
of all I would like to thank my best friends (Tommy, Scotty, Frank,
Joey, Riss, Lane, Scooter, Dan, Tom) and family for all of their love
and support even though most of them don't get the whole DJ thing.
There are so many people to thank there is no way I could mention
them all so if I forgot to include your name please forgive me"!
- Mike D
