1961- Me, 3 years old dancing my butt off at a Block Party in Spanish Harlem
1964- Using brothers 78’s as flying saucers, not good
1969- Christmas present, my 1st PA System Lafayette PA622 with turntable and microphone
1973- Wanted to be the person playing the music at the Block Parties
1974- With a crew of older kids we DJ our first Community Center Party
1976- Played 1st Bar, Joined 1st Record Pool, First Remix/Edit “Side Effect – Always There” done on reel to reel, started spending way too much time at the record store
1977- Brought my first real DJ equipment a Clubman One-One Mixer and Two Technics SL 1700 Turntables, watched so many DJ’s work their craft, spent too much at the clubs, learned so much about DJing
1978- Hung out at the record store so much they gave me a job
1980- Move to Connecticut, aired my 1st College radio show at WRTC-FM
1982- Became Music Director for Thought Power Crew, made lots of industry contacts, more parties, more shows, lots more free stuff
1985- WRTC-FM Chief Engineer takes position in Boston, his replacement leaves, I get a call “Hey I think you can do the chief operator job if you need any assistance call me” Started as Chief Operator WRTC-FM
1990- First of many mix shows on commercial radio
1992- Asst. Director CT Music Pool, even more music, parties, etc.
1993-2005 more of the same, more details may follow
2006- Started Jazz Show WESU-FM
2010- Retired from playing in clubs
2011- Back at a club for a monthly party
2012- Retired from playing in clubs until next time
2013- Back on the Radio at WYBC-FM New Haven "Soulful House Music Show"
2016- End of Soulful House Music Show. A few great one off parties.
2012- Retired from playing in clubs until next time
2013- Back on the Radio at WYBC-FM New Haven "Soulful House Music Show"
2016- End of Soulful House Music Show. A few great one off parties.
So many blanks to fill in, but these are a few of my favorite music associated moments so far. Stay tune.
More Moments:
When I moved to Connecticut in 1980 it didn’t take long for
me to get involved with college radio broadcasting. I started with jazz show and
then ‘The Music Gallery” a place for me to play great music slow, fast, old,
new, but also a place for me to play my dance mixes and edits. The show aired on
WRTC-FM (Hartford) until 1995, during that time I also managed to pick up many
one night gigs at area clubs and bars. At that time Hartford was big into the
after-hours parties, many of them in the Colt Building. The 90’s were great! I
would play Anthem, Big Room Sounds at The Brook Café (Westport), Sanctuary
(Hartford), Chez Est (Hartford) turn around and play Deep, Soulful House until
the sunrise at the after-hours parties. During the late 90’s my weekly mix-show
moved to WESU-FM (Middletown). During the 90’s I could also be heard on
mix-shows on radio stations WKND (Windsor), WNOU (Willimantic). The New Millennium
brought my continued weekly residence at the Chez-Est, Big Room sounds on the weekend
and Disco, Classic House and Soulful sounds during the week. In 2004 I started
producing shows for WYBC-New Haven, a Soulful House mix at noontime then a few
years later a late night mix-show and then in evening mix-show until early 2016.
Many years ago I thought I could leave the music scene behind. Listening to the
current crop of great DJ’s I realize that I was so wrong. As I sit at home
surrounded by records and tapes from my years of playing. I know I could never
leave this thing we call house.
Charles Henry
