Naughty By Nature at MBLVXX!

Playing an over hour at the American DJ Customer Appreciation Party – Naughty By Nature

The Grammy Award winning, Platinum-album selling, New Jersey super-group, Naughty By Nature, has nearly a twenty-year track record of creating the hits and party anthems that have become the soundtrack to our lives. And now, these three kings of the HipHop anthem will be at Mobile Beat Vegas as part of the American DJ event on Tuesday night. Are you down with the O.P.P.?

This is just part if the nighttime party bill at MBLVXX. And the parties are just a fourth of the reason why as a DJ you need to be in Vegas February 1st through 3rd (pre-show events on January 31st) 2011. The others are the seminars, exhibits and networking. Check out more announcements and details at MobileBeat.com and get your pass today!

Did You Know Jeffrey Gitomer – Sales Guru – Used To Be A DJ?

“Light Up Las Vegas” Contest Sponsored by American DJ & American DJ Europe!

Official Rules for the amazing “Light Up Las Vegas” Contest Sponsored by American DJ & American DJ Europe!

1. Sponsors — This contest is sponsored by American DJ and American DJ Europe and is open to all legal residents of Europe (EU nations) over the age of 21. The contest is not open to employees of American DJ, American DJ Europe, their agencies and their immediate families.

2. Contest — To enter the contest entrants must submit an English language video of two (2) minutes or less in length on the one American DJ or American Audio product that they would like to bring with them to Las Vegas to “get the party started.” The video does not have to show the product cited by the entrant, and no purchase of any product or entrance fee is required to participate in this contest.

3. Prohibitions — Videos that include lewd or licentious material, nudity, profanity, drug use or any kind of offensive/abusive behavior will be immediately disqualified from consideration. So will videos that use any copyrighted music or images.

4. Judging Points — Videos will be judged on creativity, originality, information and on how well they convey the “Las Vegas style and spirit.” Videos must be in English to be considered.

5. Warranties — By entering the contest, entrants warrant that the material in the video is original to them and is owned solely by them. Entrants further agree by their submission that all individuals appearing in the videos have done so knowingly and of their own free will. Entrants agree to hold American DJ, American DJ Europe and their agencies harmless against any claims that may result from the videos they submit to this contest.

6. Limitations — Entrants may submit multiple videos to this contest.

7. Permissions — By participating in this contest, entrants grants American DJ, American DJ Europe and their agencies the right to use their material in advertising, marketing and public relations material. Entrants further agree to make no claims against American DJ, American DJ Europe and their agencies for the use of this material.

8. Liabilities — By participating in this contest, entrants agree to pay any and all taxes that may apply to prizes won, and shall hold American DJ, American DJ Europe and their agencies harmless in any tax claims made against them as a result of their winnings. Entrants further acknowledge that they are aware that the contest sponsors will notify any appropriate governmental revenue agencies of the prizes won by the contest winners.

9. Entry Process — To enter the contest, entrants must submit their videos through the Brian Redd/DJ Tutor site on YouTube. Only videos submitted through this channel will be considered.

10. Deadlines: All video entries must be submitted through the designated YouTube site by Friday December 10 at 5 pm GMT. Videos submitted after this time will not be considered.

11. Notification– The winner will be notified by email Monday December 20th. Winners’ names will also be posted on line on the American DJ Europe website.

12. Prizes — The first prize is a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada United States. Depart from the winner’s home city on January 31, 2011, return from Las Vegas February 4, 2011. American DJ and American DJ Europe will pay for airfare, ground transportation between the Las Vegas airport and hotel, hotel accommodations, $100 a day for meals, and passes to the Mobile Beat Show and the American DJ Customer Appreciation Party on top of the Riviera Hotel on Tuesday February 1, 2011. Winner agrees to assume responsibility for any and all taxes associated with prizes and ground transportation or parking fees associated with traveling to and from their home and their local airport. Winner further agrees to hold American DJ, American DJ Europe and their agencies harmless for accidents, injuries, death and property loss that may occur during the prize trip. In addition to the first prize, the contest will award three runner up prizes of VMS4 Digital Work Stations from American Audio.

13. Nontransferable — Prizes associated with this contest are not transferable. If the winner cannot travel during specified periods, the prize is forfeited, but American DJ and American Audio may substitute a cash reward in lieu of the prize at a value determined by the company.

Meet the DJ – Troy Woodman What Are Friends For?

Despite having 21 years of professional DJ experience under his belt, the excitement and fascination for the lifestyle will never fade for Troy Woodman. Troy says, “When you are able to give people a place in time of their lives to not worry about the struggles that they might have at that moment, they can enjoy the journey you send them on. For however many hours, you get a chance to give people LIFE back; it’s worth it.” Troy understands that the connection goes far deeper than the money and fame, since even the low-paying gigs are a thrill. “There’s got to be more to this thing called DJing…and that’s what it is for me.”

Troy quickly realized that his passion and drive to become a professional DJ was strong, but due to a lack of gear to practice on, he knew he needed to find a way. Luckily, a close friend he had grown up with, Mr. Gonzo, had already begun his DJ career. Troy asked if he could help with his set-ups and tear downs during his gigs, and if he could learn the trade by practicing with Gonzo’s gear. Troy would immediately learn that this is what DJs refer to as “paying your dues”. Every day when he had the time after school, he would spend 2-4 hours learning with Gonzo the basics of music counts and mixing techniques. After a couple shows of dedicated loyalty, Troy found his chance to shine when his friend needed a few moments to take a short break. He dropped his first record that day, and to his surprise the crowd didn’t even notice that they had switched DJs. To his even bigger surprise, Troy learned later that was Gonzo’s plan all along, and he was silently observing his apprentice from afar the whole time. After that moment of do-or-die dedication, he was hooked.

DJ Troy Woodman now works all along the West Coast, and his territory stretches all the way from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon. Although he has possessed an active interest in music for years, he officially started his DJ career in 1989. At that time, he went by the name DJ Wheddo, but after having the privilege of performing with some of the best DJs in the world, he was told that the best way to be identified was by using the name you were born with – it’s easier to cash checks that way!

Troy describes himself as a mixer; making clean transitions from one song to the next and taking his crowd along with him. Scratching is used only as an accent, but never to overpower the songs. His superior mixing style allows his crowds to create a constant party atmosphere where each track is hotter than the last. He knows that crowds can change and you need to be able to react and adapt at moment’s notice. Troy states, “If done right you may get people coming to you saying , ‘I would have not have normally danced to that track…but that was hot’, you know you did your job; and you just added some change in that person’s life.”

It is never lost on Troy how important respect and professionalism are in his field. He says “I give it and I get it. More than anything that should be just taught for life. There are too many hotheads and egos, if you are good at anything in life, let society give you praise.” Running his own production company, Troy has been told that a client has held onto his card for 8 years to do their event. It is that kind of dedication from clients that humbles him. Troy considers himself fortunate and feels an overwhelming sense of pride in doing what he does for a living. His career has taken him all over the West Coast, to Las Vegas, and even to Australia. He will never forget the time when he was given the opportunity to be a part of the US Figure Skating Championship in 2005 in Portland, Oregon. A bitter winter storm forced the city’s roads to close, causing the Event Promoter to question if the event was able to even take place. Several of the other event’s entertainment had been cancelled, so Troy knew it was up to him to save the event from turning into a complete disaster. Determined to make it to the occasion, he left 5 hours early and very carefully drove 6 miles per hour to reach the venue. He says simply “I was taught the party must go on.”

In his spare time, DJ Troy Woodman enjoys watching movies, spending time with family and friends, barbecuing and watching football. He also relishes the opportunity to travel and take on new challenges in his career, by finding new locations and networking with fellow DJ’s to keep current. As Troy puts it, “I am breaking barriers and uniting worlds. That is DJ/VJ Troy.”

Interested in appearing in DJ Spotlight?

Send your story to our editor, Jennifer Ramirez (Jennifer@fucinipro.com).

Steve Cie – Interview with Mobile Beat Magazine

Ryan Burger: This is Ryan Burger, the president and publisher of Mobile Beat Magazine. And we are here with Steve Cie of Steve Cie Premier Entertainment. Steve, introduce yourself and tell us how you got into this wonderful DJ business.

Steve Cie: Okay, Ryan. Well, my name is Steve Cie. That’s my stage name. In 1974, having been on both AM and FM pirate radio for several years, two friends suggested I perform at their CB radio organization’s New Year’s Eve party in Keyport, New Jersey. With the assistance of a friend’s 10-inch reel-to-reel tape recorder along with a pair of old turntable and a Realistic four-channel mixer, I played a mix of oldies and current disco music for a crowd of 150 people on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1974 in Keyport, New Jersey.

Ryan Burger: Steve, okay. You’ve admitted that you’ve used Realistic Radio Shack. Okay. Let’s just stop right there for a second.

Steve Cie: Oh, yeah.

Ryan Burger: Everybody uses Radio Shack one time in their life, whether it’s something they graduate from or something they used to cover their butt when something breaks down. But okay. Go ahead and go back to the story. I just wanted to make that point real quick.

Steve Cie: Okay. Well, the Realistic equipment was probably the most prominent available at the time because DJing was something brand new. There wasn’t a lot of equipment available out there at that time.

But in any event, I played in Keyport, New Jersey and it went off very well. I was concerned the party would go well, so I built a 1500-watt color light show using a three-channel color light organ device. And this all came as a result of the disco craze. People were looking for different effects with lights. So I hung lights in the ceiling; red, blue, and yellow flood lights. And they were syncopated to the music by use of this three-channel color organ. And it produced patterns on the floor.

I also had a 45-watt strobe light and a mirror ball; and this was, in my belief, probably the first mobile light show ever presented in New Jersey. The audience really liked it, and I actually extended the party two extra hours. And I booked a couple of parties as a result of that. People just hadn’t seen a disc jockey come into their home or local hall and do a party. I actually did a couple of weddings in 1975 and the thing started turning out real well for me.

Within two years, I was invited to go on FM radio. And in 1978, The Steve Cie show was born on 89.3 FM radio, WVRN, serving the metropolitan New York City area.

Ryan Burger: Wow. Now, has it always just been yourself or do you have other people working for you? What’s the whole mix of Steve Cie Entertainment?

Steve Cie: Well, over the years I’ve had a number of different people try to come along with me and learn from me. I developed one particular individual who went on to become a good radio personality in southern New Jersey and is now a Department of Transportation spokesperson. I’ve had a couple of roadies come along; some college kids learn from me. And I’ve always had someone helping all through the years.

In the past two years I’ve been developing younger talent for my DJ business because I am getting a little older. And if you want to get the Sweet Sixteen market you’ve got to have some young faces up there behind the console. So I’ve got a couple of DJs under my wings that I’m showing the ropes, teaching how to do professional DJ event. And there’s about four of us right now working together on and off.

Ryan Burger: Wow. So are you guys primarily in the wedding area, or what kind of events do you personally enjoy doing the most and does your company do?

Steve Cie: Well, we do all kinds of events as a company, but I primarily focus on the Sweet Sixteen and wedding market. Those are the two events that I personally really like doing. In the wedding market, that’s where I can show my MC talents best. That’s where I really focus my market right now; the last eight or nine years predominantly looking for the wedding business.

Ryan Burger: Okay. Tell me a little bit about your entertainment style as to what makes you different. You’re right in the thick of millions of weddings every year with New Jersey, New York, and all the stuff in there. What makes you different than any other DJ in the area?

Steve Cie: Well, my entertainment style is one which I label as client-specific. I interview my clients. I determine what it is that they would like at their event and what they expect at their event. I can be an energetic and an interactive party-motivating DJ, really high energy; or I can be somewhat laid back, performing a quasi-live radio show, if you will, at your event. I’m blessed to have the gift of a good radio announcer’s voice. It’s my voice and my ability to read a crowd’s taste in music that have been crucial ingredients in my successful career.

Ryan Burger: Wow. So how many events do you personally do a year? The company keeps you, I imagine, rather busy. This is a full-time thing for you, from what I understand.

Steve Cie: This is a full-time event for me right now, full-time business. It’s been full-time now for about nine years. To put a number, I’d say I’m doing about 55 events a year myself.

Ryan Burger: Okay. Okay.

Steve Cie: I don’t book out other DJs doing my events. Every event I turn out to myself. That’s one thing that makes me a little bit different than some of the others. When you book Steve Cie, you get Steve Cie at your event.

Ryan Burger: How’s most business coming your way? You have a nice looking website. I know you’ve been on the Web for a long time with everything. Referrals? How do people come knocking on your door?

Steve Cie: The bulk of my business is referrals. I’ve done extensive marketing and social media marketing and it has increased the amount of calls I get. But the true business comes from word of mouth referrals.

Ryan Burger: Okay. I’ve got something interesting in my office right now. I’m actually going to roll it out at an event next week. And part of the reason why we’ve hooked up and started talking is the “faCIEd” that you’ve started building, I guess started out doing for yourself and a couple of the local guys. Tell us a little bit about what a faCIEd is.

Steve Cie: Okay. Well, in an effort to try and make business more professional and looking better, I used a black frontboard for a couple of years and I liked it. But I saw an illuminated frontboard that caught my eye. And I said, lighting has been the linchpin of The Steve Cie Show since its inception in 1975. I said, I’ve got to doing something like this.

So I went to get what you call an illuminated, or fabric panel light board, for the front of my DJ booth and I couldn’t find one that I liked. I couldn’t find one built to my standards which would service me and be portable and mobile enough where I wouldn’t have to worry about it breaking when I got there. So I built my own.

I did two or three different versions before I came to the version that I currently build. And a few of my friends with the network that I’m a member of, asked if they could get one, too. And I started building them. And to date, we’ve got about 45 of these boards out there in the tri-state area and it’s become another faction of my business. And it’s part of my mantra to try and make disc jockey entertainment a professional industry, and I think this adds and augments that image.

Ryan Burger: Yeah. I’ve seen people use these. As I mentioned, I’m going to be rolling one of these out tomorrow myself at an event. You’ve got to see it to understand it. You can check out his website. Why don’t you give both your Web addresses out to everybody? Give out your Web addresses for the different portions of your business.

Steve Cie: Okay. Well, for Steve Cie Entertainment, my website is www.stevecie.com. And for the frontboard business, which is now a subsidiary of my entertainment business, it’s www.facied.com. We incorporated my stage name in the name of the product, as “faCIEd.”

Ryan Burger: That makes sense. Yeah, it still fits in there well. It makes it a unique product. There are other people that have been making these, and people talk about making them up themselves, just like how you can make your own speakers if you wanted to by yourself. But it’s down to someone that’s found something that has a professional, elegant, classy-looking thing, and why not pay the professional to do it? DJs are constantly commenting that you shouldn’t be iPod DJing your weddings. Same kind of thing on this. If it’s something you want, hire a professional, let them take of this for you.

Where do you see your business going in the future? I mean, do you see yourself 20 years from now still DJing out there? Do you seeing working on the next crop of DJs? What do you see happening for you?

Steve Cie: My attention is to continue personally DJing at least another 10 years. I’m currently developing some younger talent. I’ve got three people under the age of 30 working with me right now and I’m hoping to get them to a point where — I can’t clone myself. I’d like them to produce a show similar to mine, because that’s what people in the area here have come to expect.

My business has increased to cover five states. I’ve got people who call me for repeat business in all five states. They know what they’re going to get with me. I’m a little bit different than the other DJ, and that’s what you need to be in entertainment. You have to have something about you that separates you from the others. One DJ or another is not better or worse than the other. They’re just more unique with something they do.

And it’s my hope that the Steve Cie Entertainment business will continue at least another 20, 25 years; and again, with myself personally DJing, at least another decade.

Ryan Burger: Okay. Someone needs to remember something about you. I’ve met you, we’ve talked before in person, everything like that. But most people out there won’t get the pleasure of meeting Steve Cie in person unless you’re coming to one of the national conferences or stopping out at one of the Jersey tour stops. How would you describe yourself and what else do you want people to know about you?

Steve Cie: Well, my personal goals include helping the next generations of DJs become more professional. I’ve started devoting a lot of time to expos, conferences, and network meetings. I want the industry to achieve professional recognition that it rightly deserved. As I started 35 years ago and the industry was not treated as industry, it was treated as a part-time hobbyist-type thing.

One way to accomplish this is to get DJs to produce shows rather than just show up and play music. Put a presentation on in one form or another, whether it’s lighting, video presentation, multimedia, what have you; and to behave, dress, and present themselves in a professional manner. And that’s what I want people to remember me, as trying to facilitate that and helping the next generation of DJs to come up with this.

My mantra is “complete customer satisfaction with professional, personal, client-specific DJ entertainment.” And that’s what I want to see get out there so people who consider doing.

Ryan Burger: Very cool. Appreciate the interview and hopefully I’ll see you soon in person.

Steve Cie: All right, Ryan. It was really nice talking with you, and thanks for the interview.

Audio of the seminar is available at http://www.mobilebeat.com/media/stevecie.mp3

Mobile Beat Digital Edition – Basic Usage and Intro – SMARTPHONE and TABLET

The New Mobile Beat Digital Edition made it’s debut as version 2 earlier this summer and this is a basic video on how to use it on MOBILE DEVICES. This is the full Mobile Beat print magazine with great new features, embedded videos, links out and more. Back issues going back to #100 (March 2006) are also available. Current issues hit approximately 10 days before they show up in your mailbox.

Check out this video for more information!

Felipe Rose (of Village People) Interview with Mobile Beat Magazine

Ryan Burger: This is Ryan Burger, the publisher of Mobile Beat magazine. We’re here recording another interview in our series of people from the Top 200, songs and bands that have made the Mobile Beat Top 200 for years upon years. And at the top of that list for a long time, the Village People’s “YMCA,” and I believe “Macho Man” appeared on there for a long time.

I’ve got on the phone here Felipe Rose of the original Village People. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Felipe Rose: Well, I’m a Native American Indian. Hi, Ryan. How are you?

Ryan Burger: Doing good.

Felipe Rose: I’m the Native American Indian and co-founder of Village People and I’ve been with them I think going on 30 years. And just when you think things become the same old, same old, something always happens that brings a new situation and new life to the career of the group.

And it’s all dictated, again, by the fans that come to the concerts and all of the promoters that book our show around the world. And every year we try to change the show up and constantly bring in new ideas and new presentations to not only the old songs but — the hits that we’ve had — but also to new covers and things that we do in the show.

So pretty — it’s like a time warp. It takes you back to a simpler time, which is I think one of the reasons why people love that.

Ryan Burger: Well, I’ve seen the fictionalization movie that came out, the Can’t Stop the Music movie, and read a lot about you guys. Can you give me the couple-minute version about how the whole group came together and how it’s grown over the last 30 years?

Felipe Rose: Well, pretty much the movie capsulized [sic] — it was a really — an hour of the movie really was really a 15-minute story. And sadly, the movie had to be — they threw away so many actors and what have you into the movie that they should have really left it upon the group to really carry the movie on its own, like A Hard Day’s Night. I felt it should have been more of a disco documentary kind of fun movie, but instead it wasn’t that.

And even though it’s a different type of experience doing a movie — because you don’t have that instant gratification as you do with an audience; it’s a much slower process, the filming of it. But basically, in a nutshell, I guess I was in the right place at the right time, dancing in New York. And I was a struggling artist doing my singing lessons and my dance lessons and dancing in clubs in New York to bring in income. And when you’re on a scholarship with, say, a dance company, pretty much your dance classes are free — your dance lessons — but you have to use your means to support yourself.

And so I was in the right place at the right time when this producer approached me with the idea of putting the group together. But at the time that he did that, it was late, it was night, it was in a situation that I thought, “Oh, this is another kooky person talking out of his you-know-what.” And I decided to just ignore him. But then he was really — he just kept approaching me about, “I have an idea. I want to do something with you.”

And I approached an old DJ friend of mine, who unfortunately is not with us any longer, the late Richard Rivero [ph], DJ. And I told him, “That guy over there –”

And he said, “No. He’s really a producer.”

And he actually gave me a song to go dance to, which was “Quiet Village” by the Ritchey Family. And it was really then that that — it was really that moment that it crystallized in Jacques Morali’s mind what he really then wanted to do. Because at first what he was trying to do was have me go in and lay down percussion because when I would dance I had sleigh bells on my ankles. So I was a dancer/percussionist, so you could hear the beat of the music every time I would dance, you know.

So with that the concept came together. And through auditions, you know, with the other characters, we kind of formulized and crystallized the group. And then we did the first album, “San Francisco Hollywood,” which was actually on the charts for well over 30-something weeks at number one.

And during that time, because the album was a situation where it paid homage to the gay lifestyles of San Francisco and then Hollywood and Fire Island, that pretty much was the precursor of what the group really is known for. And when you really think about it today, the people that really go out in dancing clubs and the people that go to our concerts, they don’t care about any of that stuff. But sadly, when we do interviews with straight media people, that’s really like kind of the first question that comes out of their mouth. And in a way it’s a little insulting. It’s almost like asking you, “How much money do you make?

Ryan Burger: Yes.

Felipe Rose: I find that that’s kind of like a question — things like that I remember that even growing up there were certain subjects that you were not allowed to discuss or even bring up at the dinner table. So sadly with us, it’s sort of a lack of respect.

And I think that this year I’ve decided that since we’re getting ready to leave for Madrid and getting ready to do all the concerts around the world that I’m going to be more steadfast with the media. And when they come out with stupid questions like that I’m just going to simply say, “I’m not here to discuss that. I’m here to discuss the music and being an entertainer, because my personal life really is none of your business.”

Because it’s really kind of — it’s sad because they try to dispel what the group really is and you can’t dispel that. Because when the group — okay. We haven’t had a hit, say, in over almost 30 years. But the fact that we’re still touring the world at over 30 years tells you that — because, you know, the show’s good

Ryan Burger: Yes. I’ve seen your show.

Felipe Rose: But Donna Summer’s out there too. Gloria Gaynor’s out there. So there are a few of us — KC and the Sunshine Band — there are a few of us that because the music was great and was wonderful and kind of made its mark on the musical American — in the juxtaposition of the musical history in itself in pop music, we have staying power. And we plan a really good show and we give people what they want.

Ryan Burger: Well, I saw you guys a couple years ago when you played in Iowa. The Iowa Cubs, they had an after the ballgame concert with you guys.

Felipe Rose: Where?

Ryan Burger: In Iowa. Des Moines, Iowa.

Felipe Rose: And where did we play?

Ryan Burger: I mean, it was a long time ago. It was a –

Felipe Rose: Des Moines Cubs?

Ryan Burger: They had a concert after a baseball game with you guys.

Felipe Rose: Oh. That’s a really weird situation, though, you know.

Ryan Burger: Yes, it is.

Felipe Rose: Because you’re way out in the field. The stage is all the way out there. And I like concerts when either we’re in a casino or we’re in a festival or a private — we do a lot of private concerts as well. And we have the people right there, you know?

Ryan Burger: Yeah.

Felipe Rose: I mean, it’s still fun. Hey, you know, in this economy you’re lucky to get work anyway.

Ryan Burger: Yeah

Felipe Rose: A lot of artists and a lot of people that were in music are still struggling today that I know.

Ryan Burger: It sounds like you really enjoy what you’re doing and enjoy people and the energy and the excitement and the fun that they’re having at your concerts. And it feeds off you, doesn’t it?

Felipe Rose: I really do. And I really take that and I use that as well to fuel my other passions. And I consider myself a renaissance man. I’m a writer. I’m a painter. I’m producing a TV culinary music show. I’m back in the studio recording yet another record, another CD. And I pretty much have already made a mark in the Native American contemporary music scene and have been inducted into the Native American Music Hall of Fame and have released music in that genre.

And so I use my position that I have to do other things. I do charities. I’m involved with charities with the group and as well as on an individual level as well.

Like, a lot of my headdresses, when they get a little — they become a little long in the tooth, you know — you’ve heard that expression?

Ryan Burger: Mm-hmm.

Felipe Rose: I take them and I sign them and I’ll give them to a charity like breast cancer or something, or an AIDS charity, and I give the headdresses up and they go up for silent auction and they raise a lot of money. And actually, when they write letters back they actually say, “You know, this was the highlight of the silent auction. And the person that bought it put the headdress on and did YMCA.”

So it’s really nice, right, that you can actually raise money for something like that and then at the same time everyone gets to go have fun –

Ryan Burger: Oh, yeah.

Felipe Rose: – and enjoy the music again.

Ryan Burger: Yeah. I mean, something like that at a charity auction is unique. Yeah. You get a football autographed by Joe Theismann or whatever — something like that — but that’s just a — it’s not like he used that. This is actually performance stuff you’ve used and –

Felipe Rose: Yeah. Exactly. Exactly.

Ryan Burger: – yeah, I can see the excitement there.

Felipe Rose: I mean, honestly, you know where you were when you heard Beatles music. Even today when I hear “I Want to Hold Your Hand” or something by the Beatles or the Rolling Stones, I mean, I drop what I’m doing.

Ryan Burger: Yes.

Felipe Rose: Because I have also my favorite music that I love. And I’ll hear “It’s A Beautiful Life [sic]” by Louis Armstrong or just even classical pieces. Just there are moments in time where music is a barometer of our life. It gives us a point — it takes us back to that time.

And “YMCA,” “Macho Man,” “In the Navy,” and a lot of our songs do that. But the thing is that because we’re just a party band — and I kind of like saying that because we love saying that. Because the thing about what’s going on in the world today, there’s a lot going on in the world today. And what we want to do is that when you come to see us, we want you to forget all of that and we want you to come to the show and really have a good time. And we do. We have a good time and then they have a good time.

Ryan Burger: Oh, it spreads. It feeds the enjoyment, the fun that’s in the whole thing. I’ve experienced the same thing as a disc jockey at people’s wedding receptions. You play that song –

Felipe Rose: Oh, my god. Are you serious? I actually had two brides fight over me at a wedding reception that I was attending. And then the part of the evening when all the men go out and have cigars with the groom and the wedding party — all the guys. And I was out there, okay, yeah, you know, I’m hanging with the guys smoking a cigar. And the DJ was at the other wedding and he’s, “Oh, Felipe. Oh, my god. What are you doing here?” He’s like, “Over here. Come on in. We’re getting ready to do ‘YMCA.’”

And when I walked in there — and of course, they were all actually putting on the hats. And he made an announcement and I grabbed the microphone and started singing.

And next thing you know, the bride — which is a cousin of mine — she’s walking in there, holding her dress, grabs the microphone, throws it on the floor, pulls me by the arm. And then the other bride is pulling me. And my cousin yells out, “Get your own Indian.”

Ryan Burger: Oh, my god.

Felipe Rose: And I’m waving good-bye. So only — that’s just kind of like a reality TV moment.

Ryan Burger: Yeah.

Felipe Rose: Today if that were — if I had cameras following me, that would be real good TV.

Ryan Burger: Yeah. If you did one of those reality shots and –

Felipe Rose: Oh, my god. I know. You know, hopefully when the TV show gets picked up, I want to branch out of that and then do “Following Felipe,” because my life often — honestly, it’s really colorful. I have a blast.

I went to a jazz club last week and people were telling me, “Oh, you’ve got to go to Chico’s here in Asbury Park, New Jersey.” And I finally get there and I walk in and there he is. And I’m like, “Oh, my god. You.” And I knew him. He takes me in there. There’s a 15-piece band playing. They were playing disco music too. So they bring me up on stage. I say hello. And when I get ready to get off, they start playing “Macho Man.”

Ryan Burger: Yeah. Of course.

Felipe Rose: And so I’m not going to walk off. I’ll take advantage of the situation. Also, I had a couple glasses of wine, so I was pumped up. Then we went into “YMCA” and people enjoyed it. In fact, I got a couple of e-mails, couple of messages on Facebook of a few people saying, “Oh, my god. Rumor had it that you were at Chico’s.”

So the thing is that I love what I do and I’m getting ready tomorrow to leave with the guys to go to Madrid and then Venice and then Rome. And they’re all festivals. They’re all at midnight every night. So we do a show, we get up in the morning, we travel, you rest during the day, get up in the evening, you kick some butt again — disco butt — and you just make people happy.

So I mean, these festivals are going to have anything from 10,000 to 15,000, 30,000 people at a pop. So we’re playing to quite a large number of people in these three cities and that’s really pretty impressive, I think.

Ryan Burger: Oh, yeah. I mean, you –

Felipe Rose: Again, in this economy, right?

Ryan Burger: Yeah. You work when you can work. There’s no doubt about it.

Felipe Rose: Yeah. And when you fly out first class and the hotels are picked up and the money is great, what have I got to complain about?

Ryan Burger: And you’re getting to see Europe. I mean, I’m sure you’ve traveled over there a couple times.

Felipe Rose: Well, I’ve been to Europe in a bubble because –

Ryan Burger: Oh, yeah.

Felipe Rose: Just because you’re — I always say you’re constantly moving forward fast –

Ryan Burger: Yes.

Felipe Rose: – because you’re either driving or you’re flying. But no, it’s great. I can’t complain, Ryan. And one thing I always make a habit of, that every time I go to a club or a club that I haven’t been to and I visit a club, I always at some point in the evening always walk up to the DJ, say hello, introduce myself. And they’re usually with the earphone on one side of the head. And then when they listen and they’re like going, “Who the hell is this?” But then when they get –

Ryan Burger: It clicks.

Felipe Rose: – the whole introduction they stop what they’re doing. They’re like, “Oh, my god. I love you. I love you guys.” So I always make it a point to say hello to DJs, because without DJs where would the artists be?

And the remixes that they do — I attended the Winter Music Conference for many years. So I just — I have that longstanding relationship for many years with DJs and I’m glad to be doing this interview with you.

Ryan Burger: Well, you definitely are showing your appreciation for our art and what we do with continuing to play your music. You’re still out there working it. You aren’t just sitting back and collecting your royalty check or whatever. But, yeah.

Felipe Rose: You know, the thing is that it is an art. And I’m glad that you said that because the thing is that I actually have been at studios where you actually can give a DJ just nothing but the audio file of just the vocals — the a cappella vocals — and to see what they do and how they reinterpret the song

They listen to the original master recording, but then they take it — like, for instance, you know for a fact that the remix for “YMCA” was a mother. Do you remember it?

Ryan Burger: I’ve heard so many different mixes and stuff like that of it.

Felipe Rose: There’s the original remix which is a monster. It had this spinning — it would hit the dance floor. I mean, we’re talking the Casablanca remixes.

Ryan Burger: Okay. Yes. I have heard those.

Felipe Rose: Not the recent remixes. Go back. Go old school. But that’s stuff from old school — I’m talking “Changes” by Sharon Ridley. I don’t know if I’m going too deep into old school. I don’t know how old you are.

Ryan Burger: We’re okay. Keep going.

Felipe Rose: Well, there’s just great music that DJs have taken and have remixed, even Donna Summer stuff that is just phenomenal. Look at Madonna, you know. Now you’ve got Lady Gaga; they’re doing all their spins on it. DJ Tim Herrara [ph], Hex Hector, Junior Vasquez is still going. Susie Morebito is still spinning; I love her too. Annie Puedo’s [ph] in Florida, I mean, I could go on and on and on, the list is endless.

Ryan Burger: Yes.

Felipe Rose: And I’m in touch with them. I send them e-mails. They always send me what’s happening. Jellybean Benitez [ph] has got a big night in New York. I’m threatening that I’m going to go pop in on him and I probably will do it this summer. It’s just that you can’t be everywhere at one time, you know.

Ryan Burger: Well, anything else? Any other big parting words for DJs at this point? Hopefully we’ll get to see you at one of our conferences or something like that soon. But anything else you want to get out to the DJs that they should remember about yourself and/or the Village People?

Felipe Rose: Well, again, the music. We just want to thank everybody, all the DJs, for keeping our music alive. I believe that as they keep it alive they either introduce or reintroduce it to people that are on the dance floor. And hopefully now in my next album I’m recording — I’m actually going — crossing half and half. It’s half made of contemporary music, dance music.

And people can go at http://www.feliperose.com and listen to the award-wining music that I’ve written and produced. But that now the CD’s going to go half of it, then going to go mainstream into dance.

Ryan Burger: Cool.

Felipe Rose: Yeah. And that’s going to be called “Soul of a Man.” And I’m going to have some really nice, wonderful surprises. And hopefully we’ll contact some DJs and as you, my friend, I will send you a copy and hopefully we can get something on the dance floor, you know?

Ryan Burger: Let’s get it — let’s show some more of that energy that you guys are so well know for.

Felipe Rose: And please let me know when you’re going to have a conference or something. I will be there. Would love to promote it, get the word out on Facebook. People can find me on Facebook –

Ryan Burger: Okay.

Felipe Rose: – on Twitter @felipevpnative, and on Facebook as Felipe Rose. And let me know about the conference and if I’m around and available, I will love to attend. Where is the conference — the next one?

Ryan Burger: Las Vegas, next January 31st through February 3rd. I’ll talk with –

Felipe Rose: I can do it at that time because my birthday’s the 12th –

Ryan Burger: Oh, okay.

Felipe Rose: – of January. And that’s usually the — that’s the slow part of the year.

Ryan Burger: Well, we’ll definitely have to — while you’re on your trip next –

Felipe Rose: Let me know. You’ve got my number. You’ve got everything. Let me know because I’ve got friends and, again, I keep threatening every time I go to Vegas to perform. They come to see the concerts and then I tell them, “I’m going to come and just hang out.” It’ll be nice to just go and do that and then catch up with them too

Ryan Burger: Fantastic. Well, FelipeRose.com and OfficialVillagePeople.com for more on the overall band. Interesting and fun conversation. Appreciate it. And hopefully get to meet you some time in person soon.

Felipe Rose: I hope so too. And so again, thanks for keeping the music alive, Mr. Ryan Burger, and to everybody at Mobile Beat. And this is Felipe Rose, Native American Indian of the Village People. I leave you with my war call.

It has since been announced that Village People will be performing at MBLVXX – More info at http://www.mobilebeat.com/village-people-hit-mblvxx/

Audio available at http://www.mobilebeat.com/media/feliperose.mp3

Village People Hit MBLVXX!

They are 6 men who represent various walks of life

They created a dance craze that has lasted over 30 years

They are known all over the world

They are known as America’s party band

They are Ray – Felipe – Eric – David – Jeff and Alex and they are the

Village People

Pioneer DJ proudly presents Village People performing Live at the Mobile Beat Las Vegas Conference on Wednesday February 2nd at the Top of The Riv.

Come party with the ultimate party and disco group as they perform their biggest hits – San Francisco, In Hollywood, Go West, In the Navy, Macho Man and they promise to teach you the right way to do the ……. YMCA.

This is just part if the nighttime party bill at MBLVXX. And the parties are just a fourth of the reason why as a DJ you need to be in Vegas February 1st through 3rd (pre-show events on January 31st) 2011. The others are the seminars, exhibits and networking. Check out more announcements and details at MobileBeat.com and get your pass there!

http://www.mobilebeat.com

Mobile Beat Webinar – “If you’ve ever felt stuck, flat or apathethetic”

If you’ve ever felt stuck, flat or apathethetic then you’re likely human. Let’s face it, staying motivated is at times a big challenge. This coming Thursday at 9pm EST/6pm PST one of our own, DJ Dan Nichols, a lay psychologist and entrepreneur will share what it is exactly that keeps us from making bigger strides in our careers, our family’s and our life in general. Come find out what exactly it is that keeps us from truly getting what we want.

Unlike the smile and have a good attitude stuff, Dan digs deeper to excavate the core of what stops us. In this upcoming webinar you will learn in detail about the F.O.L.B. Syndrome and the various aspects of Social Constraints. “Nobody is free of these 2 success saboteurs. To one degree or another they affect everyone of us” Nichols says. As a full time dj and the lead business coach on youngentrepreneur.com, he is on a mission to help business owners across the country break their agreements with fear, doubt and procrastination.

Sign up here for free admission to our first Mobile Beat Webinar — http://bit.ly/9vYjJT

Mobile Beat Digital Edition For Desktops Video

The New Mobile Beat Digital Edition made it’s debut as version 2 earlier this summer and this is a basic video on how to use it.  This is the full Mobile Beat print magazine with great new features, embedded videos, links out and more.  Back issues going back to #100 (March 2006) are also available.  Current issues hit approximately 10 days before they show up in your mailbox.  Separate video for smart phones and devices coming soon.

Check out this video for more information!

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