Big Joe Henry celebrates 24 years at New Jersey 101.5
National DJ Day was this week. I’ve never been a fan of the term DJ but I have always been a big fan of the job. I’ve had my turn at other jobs and each of them were truly outstanding. I loved what I did.
Most included travel throughout the US and eventually throughout the world. I was fortunate enough to go to the nicest restaurants in the world, travel first class and by limo, go to all the major sporting events all on the company’s dime.
I got to meet celebrities and professional athletes and some of the greatest people but nothing compares to the job of being on the radio. I gave up all that pomp and circumstance of my past career, and took a major pay cut to get back into radio, it’s what I love to do.
Remembering My First Fun 107 DJ Gig on National DJ Day
It s National Disc Jockey Day and all I can think about is the very first time I laid hands upon the 1s and 2s.
Although it may not come as a shocker, Fun 107 provided me with my first shot in the DJ biz, but truth be told – and I can now admit this – I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. All I know is that opportunity knocked and I sure as hell was answering that door.
As if it was yesterday, I can recall the entire night as clear as a bright sunny day. Fun 107 had a Coors Light Night/Summertime party aboard a Seastreak Fast Ferry and my promotions manager at the time, Kristen Pacheco, asked me if I wanted to DJ it.
Michael Rock Honors His Favorite DJ on National DJ Day
To be honest, I ve never heard of National Disc Jockey Day until a year or two ago. I m not really convinced that it s an occupation that s worthy of a national day, but after seeing a number of my colleagues participate, I felt like I might as well jump in.
However, I d like to recognize a DJ that deserves to be honored.
My radio career began with a high school internship at a radio station in Boston. The way a priest is called to the priesthood, I heard my calling from an early age. I d say I was roughly 10 years old when I would listen to radio DJs, record their shows, and play them back, studying their delivery and the way they presented stories and entertainment. I was absolutely obsessed with the fact that someone could speak into a microphone in a studio in Boston and have their voice be heard by me in my second-floor bedroom in Tewksbury.