Eric Catalano, AKA DJ Eric C, was the biggest vote-getter in the new Best DJ category. Born in Austin, Texas, he moved to the Capital Region when he was 3.
The unlikely route of military service and a plot to earn some public singing time led him to the career he never thought he’d have, and one he now can’t imagine ever giving up.
Catalano owns Pure Sound Entertainment, with locations here and in Florida, where he employs a roster of fellow DJs.
Q: When did you start DJing? How did it come about?
A: I started DJing about 17 years ago and it was totally a fluke. I never had any intentions of being a DJ. One night I was at the bar and the owner was running the karaoke, the bar and cooking food for a private party. I like singing karaoke, so I said, “Let me run it for you,” and my thought was I can do as many songs as I want, which I did. The next day, he offered me $50, plus all I can drink, to be his new Thursday guy. I would play songs in between people singing and when you get everybody dancing and you got the hairs on your arm standing up, it was a whole other feeling, like chasing a high that I never felt before. So, I went to DJ school in New York City and now it is my full-time career.
Q: What would you say your performance style is?
A: My performance style is quick mixing. I like to get as many songs in as I can so all generally play the intro first verse then the hook and then mix into the next song. And I love my ’90s throwbacks.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the job?
A: The fact that I literally get to play music and people pay me money for it. People usually have to spend money to get the enjoyment that I get. It’s the best feeling in the world to know your job is something you love to do so, therefore, I never feel like I am working.
Q: What’s something you don’t love or would change?
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