Teen-age DJ spins out dance sounds
Mike Stephens' first DJ gig came at a friend's party. He liked playing music so much that he went out and got a single disc changer and rotated tracks he bought from Wal-Mart.
Back
Now, three years later, he downloads and mixes his music on his computer and loads his five-CD changer while running a light show.
Mike Stephens, a freshman at Evans High School, donated his DJ services Friday at an Evans Middle School dance.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
''When you play music and people dance, you know that you are getting everyone going,'' Mike said.
Mike, a 14-year-old freshman at Evans High School, put his skills to use Friday at Evans Middle School when he donated his services to the school's dance. He chose to give his $250 fee to the American Red Cross for the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
''I've been looking for some way to help,'' he said. ''This was the best thing for me to do.''
Proceeds from the dance were also donated to the Augusta chapter of the Red Cross.
The return to Evans Middle was a homecoming for Mike, who graduated from the school in June 2001. It wasn't the first time he had played a gig there, though. After some persuasion, he was allowed to play the last dance of his middle school career.
''Ever since the seventh grade I was asking the principal if I could DJ the dance because people were complaining about the music,'' Mike said. ''It was a rush because I had been wanting to do that for two years.''
In anticipation of his return as a high school student, Mike, who calls himself DJ Spinner, dipped into his bank account for a new light and headphones. One thing that he is spending less money on these days is music.
Mike Stephens, a member of the Evans High School football team, donated his time to dj a dance at Evans Middle School. All proceeds from the dance go to the American Red Cross.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
''If I can't find it (on the Internet), I go to Wal-Mart to buy it,'' he said. ''$12.88.''
To keep his skills up to date, Mike said, he attends DJ contests in Atlanta. He hopes to one day participate in those contests.
Mike plays defensive end for the EvansHigh School junior varsity football team and is involved with several community organizations, including Boy Scouts.
After he finishes school, Mike said, he plans to continue as a DJ and hopes to become what he already knows a good DJ is.
''A good DJ is somebody who is always bringing out something new,'' he said. ''If anyone is sitting down, they have to get up.''