I think I've always wanted to be a dj.
As a kid I used to do pretend radio shows using my collection of kiddie records to do my own unrecorded countdown shows. Each "show" I would install a new #1 song out of my collection for my pretend radio station.
As technology and my age increased,I would play recorded music and do some "patter" in between songs. Some of these may exist on an old casette tape somewhere.
I enjoy listening to my spotify playlists today but I still enjoy it more when someone listens with me.
I've been drawn to radio personalities all my life. I recall dj's many today have never heard about. I fondly recall the humorous radio "feud" between Clark Weber and Ron Riley of WLS. I admired and very nearly worked with Larry Lujack. I corresponded with "top rock girly jock" Connie Szerszen, the late Doug Dahlgren, been on the air with Steve and Garry, wrote for morning dj Tomm Rivers and the great late Ron Britain.
So you can see that clearly,great radio voices and the work that they have done have figured prominently in my audio existence.
During the month of December I get to play music for the enjoyment of others in the most tangential manner. I play Christmas music through speakers outside my home nightly from 5-10 pm. I may be playing to an audience of less than 7 nightly but if you pass the house,take the dog out for a walk, go get something out of the car, you will hear my Christmas songs in partnership with a brightly lit porch,hoping to spread some holiday cheer.
When I was a teenager I used to have a phonograph (now more commonly known as a turntable) on the porch and would play vinyl Christmas albums on high volume through a window. I would have to go out on the cold porch and turn the record over to keep the music playing until I got too tired or too cold that evening. And next was a cassette player in the window with a tape that played 100 minutes of Christmas music I recorded from phonograph to cassette player. I eventually discovered extension speakers and I ran a speaker wire from those to a casette player in my room which was so convenient. I didnt have to go on the cold porch anymore to change tapes.
FF to today and its much improved technology.
The Carols still play nightly from speakers outside and plugged directly into my bedside alexa with 8 hours of a Christmas playlist that requires almost no effort.
In the process,speakers have failed and last year I bought 3 sets of speakers because 2 of those 3 sets did not work. I kept ordering speakers from Amazon until I found ones that worked on or about Dec 11,two weeks later than I usually begin. The lights were on but the music was missing and to my mind, that was a big deal. It just wasnt the same. Not the kind of silent night I wanted.
The third set of speakers I bought are working fine and blaring out the music this season (though I had to purchase a new speaker extension cord.)
Why this annual obsession? Because in my mind I'm giving the pleasure of sharing music with others in the hope that it adds to their enjoyment of the season.
Two years ago a passerby told my housemate " Every year I look forward to hearing the Christmas music coming from this house."
That one person reignited the flame that made me buy those 3 sets of speakers last year before one set worked. It stoked my belief that the music I play for the neighborhood is appreciated. It's the closest I will get to playing music for other people and satisfy the desire within me to be a dj. And this wide selection of Christmas songs is an integral part of my Christmas. From Bing to Bruce, my Christmas offering to the neighborhood ( and no one has complained yet!).
Alexa and I will be serenading for the season through January 1 when the speakers come inside and nights get quieter here on the block.
But inside I still dream the dj dream but the music playing is for my ears only.
