National DJ Day

National DJ Day

National DJ Day might celebrate the work of our favorite disc jockeys, but it stems from the work of ONE famous jock: Alan Freed, whom you might know as ‘Moondog.’ This 1950s DJ, who coined the term ‘rock and roll,’ is the reason we honor DJs on January 20. On this day, we celebrate the talents of all the disc jockeys, from those playing the ‘Chicken Dance’ for the millionth time at a wedding to the radio personalities who help you get through the morning commute.

D.J.s play recorded music for an audience. The songs often suit the theme of the event and the process usually entails aligning the beats of the set of songs in a way the tempos and rhythms sync when played together. This allows for a smooth transition from one music to the other.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL DJ DAY
National DJ Day takes place on January 20 every year. On this day, we celebrate amateur and professional DJs who spin the records and play the grooviest music at the right time. The music is usually played in front of a live audience, but televised or recorded music sessions are also available. The most common types of DJs are club DJs, radio DJs, party DJs, and turntablists — who scratch and manipulate sounds by playing records on turntables.

Music has been around for as long as we know it and has evolved through the years with the help of composers, songwriters, and our favorite event guests, the D.J.s. Back in the day, D.J.s used to spin vinyl records, most of them in this field had an extensive collection of vinyl records, and a fully equipped set-up in a specific venue. But over the years, due to the new and constantly updating software, the term ‘D.J.ing’ began to mean different things to different people.

However, the very first disc jockey session was a live radio experiment on airwaves made by a 16 years old named Ray Newby in 1909. He was an Engineering and Wireless student who studied under the supervision of Charles Herrold at Herrold College. These experiments that started in the Garden City Bank Building sparked a musical movement that spread from California to the entire world. But it wasn’t until 25 years later that American radio commentator Walter Winchel coined the name ‘disk jockey’ to describe radio announcer Martin Block, who was the first person to gain fame for playing the most trendy music at the time on-air.

A few years later, DJ Jimmy Savile, claimed he was the first to use twin turntables, he organized the first DJ dance party by playing a series of jazz records at Otley, England in 1943. Then in 1947, the world considered Whiskey a Go Go Nightclub to be the first Discotheque with its very own DJ. Subsequently, more people started learning the craft of turning tables and mixing, and at the turn of the century, new technological advances made new sounds and styles possible.

The founder and origin of National Disk Hockey Day remain unknown. But every year we pay tribute to these performers and encourage everyone to celebrate.

On January 20, DJing and influential DJs are celebrated, but the day also marks the death anniversary of one of the world’s most iconic disc jockeys — Alan Freed, aka ‘Moondog.’ He was famous for pushing rock ‘n’ roll music and popularizing DJing.

NATIONAL DJ DAY ACTIVITIES
1.Call in a request
Phone in your favorite radio show and request your favorite song. While you’re on the phone, make sure the DJ knows that YOU know it’s National DJ Day — and say “thanks.”

2.Have a dance party
Grab your spouse, kids, or best friends and blare your favorite music. Have an impromptu dance party in your living room.

3.Host a D.J. battle
A fun way to celebrate is to have a D.J. battle with some of your local, professional, and amateur D.J.s. Give prizes to the champions.

WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL DJ DAY
A. They wake us up in the morning
The morning commute can be a drag, especially in the dead of winter. Morning-show DJs can keep us alert and awake — all while spinning our favorite tunes.

B. They get us dancing
No wedding, bar or bat mitzvah, or celebration is complete without a DJ making sure our guests are having a good time. Once the lights dim and the music is pumping, the evening can turn magical.

C. Music is important in every culture
From the clapsticks of indigenous Australian tribes to the ‘sorna’ and ‘dohol’ used in ancient Persian folk tunes, music has been a part of our DNA since the beginning. It’s been proven to reduce stress while improving both our mood and memories.

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References:

“National DJ Day” │ https://nationaltoday.com/national-dj-day/