Danish author Hans Christian Andersen has frequently been quoted for saying, “Where words fail music speaks.” If there’s one person who knows this to be true it would DJ. Spinn. Born Kenneth Russell, DJ Spinn has been a Charlotte resident for almost four decades and a HOUSEhold name for many who still fondly remember him as the guy on the ones and twos (back in the day) at Club Mixx. During this interview, Qnotes talked with the local DJ who has a firm grip on spinning tunes that evoke emotion and prompt crowds to dance and shout to the music they love.
L’Monique King: Are you a native to Charlotte?
DJ Spinn: Actually, I’m not. I was born and raised in Columbia, S.C. and came to Charlotte in the mid-80s to attend broadcast school. I completed it but I didn’t pursue it. I went back home to Columbia for a couple of years and worked in retail as a warehouse manager for Macy’s. I started out as a temp and they were impressed with my work ethic and hired me full time within 30 days and made me an assistant manager. I was there for six years until they took their first nosedive into bankruptcy and I was laid off. When that happened, I then went to Atlanta to interview at two other Macy’s stores. One made me an offer. At that time, I had friends from broadcast school who were living in Charlotte and suggesting I move to Charlotte. Thinking about the distance between Atlanta and my aging parents, I made the decision to move back to Charlotte to be closer to them. That was 1991. I’ve been here ever since. So Charlotte, for me. is basically home.
LMK: Where part of town do you call home?
DJS: Currently I live in the Derita area – which is between University City and Uptown. I’ve lived all over Charlotte. In the ‘80s I lived on the Eastside, then when I moved back in 1991 I lived uptown with two roommates and then I moved to NODA once I found stable employment. In 1997 I moved to the North end.
LMK: Do you like where you live?
DJS: I’ve been in this house for 19 years. I prayed on it and God delivered. The location is perfect; I’m not far from anything.
LMK: Is music how you make your livelihood?
DJS: No, that’s supplemental income. I work for Duke Energy. Next month will be seven years that I’ve been with them.
LMK: What’s your favorite music genre?
DJS: I don’t have one – I love music. If you force me to say I’d say House (Baltimore Club specifically), underground music that’s not so commercialized. Technically, before I was exposed to House I would say all kinds of music. My musical taste is diverse. I went to a predominantly white high school where in the ‘80s the pop music I was exposed to [through school friends] was also played in the clubs.
LMK: What about other DJs, who have you been inspired by?
DJS: One would be Louie Vega. Second DJ Cedrick. He’s from DC but he plays everywhere, North Carolina, New York, Florida, Baltimore and D.C. regularly every month. I’ve also discovered some very talented DJs recently in Chicago. I’ve been going to their annual House music festival. If you ever get to go – don’t miss it. It’s held annually in July – the weekend after the Fourth and at least 60,000 people attend. The DJs that participate are outstanding! DJs like Ron Carroll (RIP), Terry Hunter, Mike Dunn, Stacy Kidd and Ameer Brooks – he’s only 20 years old and amazing. There’s so much good talent out there that I’ve followed over the years.
LMK: When you’re not working your day job or playing music, how do you spend your time?
DJS: I’m kind of a music geek so when I’m not DJing, I’m still working on music. I’m researching music, I’m listening to new music, I’m supporting other DJs by attending their events. It’s always homework for me even when I’m not working.
LMK: Is there music that makes you emotional – music that moves you to tears?
DJS: Yeah. There’s not a particular song, it’s songs. Back in the day, it was slow songs, breakup songs <laughter>. But whether I’m happy or sad, what gets me every time is a good ol’ gospel tune. I grew up in a Baptist church so it’s in me.
LMK: What would you say has been your most memorable experience as a DJ?
DJS: That’s easy. Before I became a club DJ, a straight buddy of mine that I met through a guy I was dating, told me about a woman who owned a Black gay club. He said she had a DJ but was still looking at her options for hiring DJs. At the time, I was making and selling mix tapes of my music but had never played in a club. I called the owner and she asked me what I was doing [at that very moment]. When I said nothing, she told me to pack up a crate of records and meet her at the club – right then and there. So, I did. When I got there, she showed me where everything was and turned on her system and the dance floor lights. She said, “This is your audition, I want you to make me feel like I’m at the club and it’s packed.” Then she asked me, “What are you gonna’ do to make me dance?” I started to play but I wasn’t watching her. I nervously had my head down, hoping she liked what she was hearing. When I finally looked up, she was dancing like her life depended on it <chuckling>. Eventually she stopped dancing, told me to turn off the music and to be at the club on Saturday. If the crowd liked me (the new guy – better than the regular DJ they were loyal to) she’d give me a shot.
For a full month the other DJ and I played on alternating Saturdays. My style has always been to play what they like, music they know and then something the audience is familiar with. People are looking to be hooked on a new sound, a new experience. In the end, I got the gig and that’s where it all started for me, at the Mixx in 1998. The Baltimore style of House music [Baltimore Club] I was playing wasn’t really being played in Charlotte at the time. The straight clubs weren’t familiar with it and DJ Cedrick who introduced it was the only other local DJ that was bringing it to Charlotte. Today, I’m still known for Baltimore Club and Club Mixx – I became a fixture there and it prompted my exposure for DJing at a lot of LGBTQ events.
LMK: Wow! In all your years in the business, what would you say is the most challenging aspect of what you do?
DJS: Any DJ will tell you the constant requests – more like demands. The thought is: You’re getting paid and you’re supposed to play whatever we [patrons] say. People don’t seem to have any decorum or patience. Most challenging is having played the song someone doggedly requested and have the dance floor cleared, including the requestor and then have to get the crowd back. It’s extremely challenging to get a crowd back once there’s been a lull.
LMK: Tell me something most people don’t know about you.
DJS: I can be very shy. People wouldn’t assume that because I’m a DJ and around multitudes of people on any given day. But, before every gig, I’m nervous as shit. I’ve found out from other DJs, very well-known ones too, that I’m not the only one. I think it’s because no one gig is ever the same. So, the thought is always in the back of your mind, I’ve got to nail this. For me, I’m always trying to outdo myself and I’m very grateful for the people I’ve worked with that have kept me relevant. Thankful for every club owner, patron and folks like Milton Howard, Tracy Taylor, Jermaine Lee, Heidi from the Sapphic Collective, The Holiday Wish Foundation, Charlotte Black Pride, Chasers, The Woodshed and Bar Argon.
LMK: Where can people come to hear you play?
DJS: I’m on the radio now on The Soul 105.3FM every Monday night from 9 to 10 p.m. (http://thesoul1053app.com) To hear me live come to Bar Argon’s day party on any first Sunday. On second Saturdays I play at the Woodshed from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. and at Chasers on fourth Saturdays.
LMK: Sounds like a lot. How are you feeling about your career right now? Are you where you want to be?DJS: Not exactly, not yet but God knows my heart, has given me this gift so I let him lead and I’ll follow. I’m about to turn 62 this year and I’m not taking my hand off a turntable until they put me in a box and close the door.