Today we’d like to introduce you to Calvin Felt.
Calvin, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Being a native New Orleanian, I always had a love for music since I was a kid. Every Friday night, my grandparents would invite their friends over for impromptu get-to-together and I would play the music for them. But I initially got into DJing while I was in the Army stationed in Mannhiem, Germany in the summer of 1987. A buddy of mine was a DJ, and one day I asked him to make me a tape while we were at his apartment.
He said there are the records and the turntables make your own tape. So, I began to play around with the turntables to understand how they worked and how to control the tempo of the songs and when to mix the songs together. From there, I would travel with him to gigs around Germany to several different military nightclubs. When he needed a break, he would ask me to play a few songs, and I began to build my confidence to play in front of a crowd.
A few months later, we were having a party in the barracks and I was asked to DJ. I was trying to find every excuse to get out of Djing the party because I had just purchased my equipment and wasn’t comfortable enough to do a solo gig. Then, one of the sargents said we will pay you and I agreed to do it and that was the beginning of me becoming a DJ. I began to play quite a few of our barracks party from that moment on. A month or so later, a German promoter who had the contracts with various military nightclubs called and asked me to perform a gig by myself. I told him I would and he said I had one hour to get ready because I had to make an hour drive to Frankfurt, Germany. At first, I was nervous because I had never done a club gig solo it was always with my buddy. After setting up and running through few songs before the club opened my thought process was just pretending it’s a party at the barracks. After that night, I was busy just about every weekend while stationed in Germany.
When I left Germany in 1989 and returned stateside to Fort Hood, TX, it was difficult trying to get gigs because I was new to the area. So, I focused my time and energy on returning home when my time had come to an end.
I returned home to New Orleans in 1990 and I decided to take a break from DJing for a minute and attended college getting a degree in business. However, a friend of mine I was in the Army with did security for some rappers and whenever they would come to New Orleans and needed a DJ, I would fill in. Also, I would host and DJ private parties in and around the city. Then, in 2001, I stopped DJing altogether because it was no longer fun.
In 2003, I met and married my wife Marie and we moved to Dallas, TX in 2004 with our daughters. Around 2006, my wife and I would entertain in our home and people would ask me where did I get the music. I told them I made the playlist, and people would ask me to make them a mixtape. It wasn’t for profit it was more about my love of music. In 2016, my best friend since childhood was graduating from college. While attending the graduation and hanging with his family for the weekend. We were at one of his neighbor’s house and he asked didn’t you DJ, I responded yeah! He said I have DJ equipment set up, so get the party started. I played around with the controller for a few minutes then I had everybody up and dancing for three straight hours.
At the moment, I knew I missed DJing. A few months after that night, my wife asked me have I ever thought about getting back into DJing, I told her I thought about it. She said I should get back out there. I decided to get back into the groove but make it a company, because I wanted to build a business to leave to my grandkids when they get older. In 2017, CJF Entertainment was launched. I have managed to build a good clientele based on word of mouth and creating a presence on Social Media to increase my customer base. I have performed at many events in the area, parties, corporate events, and receptions.
Has it been a smooth road?
As with anything in life, the road is never easy and you will encounter obstacles along your journey. Initially, I had to get overcome being afraid of the spotlight on me. I am kind of an introvert by nature and as we all know the DJ can make or break an event. I had to build my confidence up to being in front of people. Then, I had to learn how to become a people person because in this industry you come in contact with a lot of people and you never know when an opportunity will present itself, so you have to put yourself out there.
When I first started DJing, most of the gigs were booked through promoters and club/bar managers or owners, and sometimes you had to audition. It would be tough because you were not the only one trying to get the gig. I learned how to deal with rejection. Now, you fast forward to the present day transitioning from not only being a DJ but owning the company I wear multiple hats: public relations manager, booking agent, web programmer, social media networker, and brand ambassador. At times, it can be discouraging because people are interested in how many followers you have and how likes can you generate. However, knowing that I have a quality product and provide overall good customer service I just keep pushing.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the CJF Entertainment story. Tell us more about your work.
I started CJF Entertainment in February 2017, it is a mobile DJ company providing music for any occasion. I provide music for all types of events: parties, wedding receptions, corporate and church events, school dances, etc. I am known for providing excellent customer service and creating an atmosphere for various events. Besides, it is a bonus watching people have a blast while I am mixing songs together. I am most proud of not giving up on my dream of owning a business. Although it is a lot of hard work, it is satisfying to know I can provide some fun for a few hours to help people to take their minds off of their problems. I am also proud when a customer calls or email me after their event telling me I helped make their event a success.
What sets me apart is I cater to the customer from beginning to end. Giving customers that personal touch ensuring their event is headache-free is what’s most important to me. When customers know they are dealing with the owner, it gives them a sense of relieve. My customers love the fact of having a personal touch from the first contact with me through my follow up with them. In addition, I practice a lot, pay attention to what works and doesn’t work, and listen to my customers. At the end of the day, they are the ones who are paying me to provide a service for them.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The industry is constantly evolving with the use of technology. Whereas vinyl used to be the preferred method now it is digital music. Technology is making it easier to become a DJ. A DJ will no longer be just a DJ they will have to be an entertainer as well and become creative doing a gig. In addition, I see the industry being over-saturated with DJ’s so it would be wise to develop other means of revenue. I plan to use my company to launch other business ventures at this time I am not sure what they are. But they will be used to bless those in need. So many people are struggling just to survive daily, and it is my prayer that God uses me how He sees fit to bless them. I will build a legacy for my daughters and grandkids and create employment opportunities for others. The future of CJF Entertainment is limitless and bright, and I just strive to be better than I was yesterday.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 469-850-1486
- Email: cjfentertainment@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjfentertainment/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cjfentertainment/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CJFEntertainme1
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/cjfentertainment
Image Credit:
Photos: Marie Felt
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