DJ mixes music and spirituality

with contributions from Dave Casanave

Herald: How did you begin your career as a disc jockey?

Dave: I first became interested in music when I was 6 or 7. My parents gave me a transistor radio for my birthday, probably the size of a deck of cards. I was hooked immediately. I would sit for hours and listen to everything, not just music, but anything that came across the radio. I remember sitting in bed at night after the lights were out. I was supposed to be asleep, but instead I had my radio under the covers so I could listen to the hottest songs.

It wasn't until I got to high school that I decided to become a disc jockey — to take my love of music and turn it into a little spending money. This began when I was a freshman, about 15. I started DJing dances for my high school, and then branched out from there. Being a DJ in high school was a little intimidating, but all my friends thought it was really cool that I was doing this. That was my first real work experience. It was a good one because it set the tone for the rest of my work life. I saw that it didn't make any sense for me to be doing a job that I didn't absolutely love. I've been able to continue that approach to my work life and take it into other areas as well. It makes sense to love what you're doing and to enjoy it every day.

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