by Clark Brooks, PhotoNews Media
Back in the early 1980s, Conrad Hayes owned a lot of records. A self-described collector of the grooved plastic discs etched with music, he enjoyed dancing and liked the idea of getting other people out on the dance floor to have a good time. It was during that time he decided he would use music to bring joy into the lives of others as a deejay.
"I know people want to have a good time. It's a special moment in peoples lives and I like being a part of that special moment, "Hayes said, who started spinning records more than 28 years ago. "I feel blessed that they would choose me to be a part of a special time in their lives."
His mobile entertainment business, Rad-Rock Ltd. Promotions, provides high-energy, affordable priced music entertainment for wedding receptions and other special events.
Up until the late 70s most deejays would segue from one song to the next with a vocal introduction of the song or dedication of some sort from one guest to another, however Hayes quickly adopted the popular party style of New York and Chicago deejays and began mixing. Back in the day, mixing was the art of seamlessly transitioning from one song to another or creating extended versions of a popular dance song. The kings and queens of the art form were known as mixmasters, gifted spinners who used two turntables to perform techniques like beat matching, scratching, echoes, layering and repeats - now just a push of a button in a computer program today - to keep bodies on the dance floor jumping, bumping and grinding on the dance floor all night long, as Lionel Ritchie used to sing.
Back then deejays had needed a performance name. With the help of his girlfriend at the time, dictionary and some brainstorming, the first idea that was up for review was "Rambunctious Rad".
"I thought it was terrible," Hayes chuckled at his girlfriend's suggestion. After careful consideration and a few other derivations, he settled on the name Rad-Rock. "I tried it out at a Valentine's Day party. I billed myself as DJ Rad-Rock and it stuck."
Hayes was one the early pioneers (as well as the author of this article who was known as Cocoa B) back in the early to mid-eighties whose master and mega mixes were weekly features on in the Champaign-Urbana community radio stations. WLRW, WEFT and other stations whose target market segment were 18-30 year-olds, played cassette tapes supplied by him and other local mixmasters on Saturday or Sunday evening shows. In addition to spinning at University of Illinois black Greek parties, he spun records at Tritos Uptown, Bradley's and other clubs that have come and gone in the last quarter of a century.
"Talk to someone who has your best interest at heart. I can honestly say that there are some people in our market who think about what works for them opposed to what works for the client."
Today, in addition to providing music entertainment for wedding receptions, Hayes also offers entertainment packages for school dances, reunions, corporate functions, fraternity and sorority parties and athletic events such as 5K races. One of the things that he takes pride in is his immense music collection assembled over the last three decades. If there is electrical power available, Hayes can provide anything from the bumping beats of dance, hip hop or rap to the soothing light rock or jazz dinner music.
"That's one of the things I really take a lot of pride in. I have music from the 1930s, all the way up to today," said Hayes about his music collection. Obscure country music, chart toppers from the international pop music scene, or the latest club hit, Hayes has it to spin. "Any music genre that people would like to have for their particular event, I have access to and able to provide it."
On top of having a diverse music library and well over a quarter of a century of experience, Hayes points back to his days of spinning in nightclubs that separates his entertainment services from the rest of the competition in the area.
"I think that keeping the energy going for a long period of time is something special that I bring to my events."
When it comes to booking a wedding deejay to entertain guest at your reception, Hayes offers a few tips to brides shopping for a deejay.
"Talk to someone who has your best interest at heart. I can honestly say that there are some people in our market who think about what works for them opposed to what works for the client," he advises. While most entertainment companies have a set price list, Hayes prefers a personalized touch to help clients stay within their budget. "I am all about what the client wants. Whatever the client wants, if I can provide it, I will at that cost."
Next, look for someone who is personable. Get to know the personality who will be basically in charge of your reception. You really want someone who gets along well with the people, able to fulfill your needs and provide the music they desire he explained.
Another good reason to put your wedding reception or corporate entertainment in the hands of DJ Rad-Rock is he believes in redundancy. Like the old military saying, "two is one, one is none, three gets the job done", Hayes carries a backup piece of equipment and wire for every backup piece of gear he hauls to every gig. He regaled tales of changing out speakers, turntables, fuses and wires without missing a beat.
Unlike some of his competitors, he doesn't believe in 'nickel and dimming' clients for services and recommends brides avoid those who provide entertainment services that do.
"I have a complete package that I bring to all of my shows," Hayes explained. He does not charge by the light, by the number of speakers or turntables if you are old enough to remember what those were or seen them on Wikipedia. Rather than use a base price with add-ons, he strives to work with each and every client to bring them the best entertainment in a complete package - sound system, lights and music - within the budget the client has for their event. "It is all-inclusive for a rate that works for them."
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