Carl
Jr. is the original "tasteful Disc Jockey" and the only choice for
people who feel they deserve the best there is to offer!
Nobody ever intentionally plans an average, mediocre
event. You are spending a great amount of time and money to create
an incredible atmosphere that represents your personal style, one that will
leave your guests talking and feeling they have attended the best event in their
memory. With that goal in mind you must consider the great impact that music
will have on the event.
Music has the amazing power to create an atmosphere. The
choice in music can vastly differentiate an average event from an exceptional
event. The styles of music, order of the songs played and at what volume they
are played is crucial to the success of a phenomenal party. A DJ's behavior
also plays a major role in the final outcome of the event. A DJ can detract
from the desired atmosphere with things like poorly executed announcements or
excessive chatter. Most DJ's don't quite understand that everyone doesn't want
all of the same 75, arguably overplayed songs at every event. Many DJ's don't
possess the experience or restraint to know when to play the appropriate songs
and when to shut up and let the guests enjoy the party. All the money
in the world can't undo the damage that a bad DJ will do to your event.
What makes him better... Classic Disc Jockeys
was founded in the mid 80's when owner Carl Jr. began turning his passion for
music into an creative artform. He first began providing music for his own High
School parties, dances, reunions and eventually played at weddings and corporate
functions as he gained more experience. He is routinely sought out by Baltimore
Socialites who are looking for a special music format to create an phenomonal
impression and make their event buzz. Carl has played music for celebrities
Dorothy Hamill, Barry Levinson, Bruce Willis, Charlie Sheen, Anna Faris, Tim
Allen, John Waters, 60's icons John Sebastian, Donovan & Barbara Ellis, Cartoonist
Matt Groening, The Orioles and Ravens, Dr. Ben Carson, Governors Erlich
and O'Malley, famed Rock-N-Roll photographer Amalie Rothschild and US
Forces Commanding General, Ray Odierno. He was also considered as the house
DJ for the "Ellen show" in Hollywood and has traveled to Europe
several times to hone his skills while playing to patently discerning crowds.
In addition, he works with many other music lovers every year to plan the perfect
music format for their wonderful events. Having performed for seasoned audiophiles
as well as celebrity events for high profile clients such as blockbuster film
actors, Hollywood producers, sports stars and both Maryland Governors the theme
is constant. There is a reason that people who could frankly afford to hire
anyone have chosen Carl Jr over the hundreds of other disc jockeys in the industry.
Many years and thousands of
songs later he has played an incredibly versatile mix of music at weddings,
corporate events, commitment celebrations, film festivals, clubs, pubs, fashion
shows, schools and colleges, The Hard Rock Cafe®
as well as Disney's® Pleasure Island. His work
in the states has taken him as far north as scenic Vermont all the way down
to sunny Florida to accommodate his clients with a passion for many genres of
music delivered in an expert and unique format.
Carl's style has
been classic, tasteful and painstakingly professional throughout
his career with Classic Disc Jockeys. Early on, it was a very new approach for
a disc jockey who didn't command attention with ego-inflating antics. Lately,
it has become very popular for many "bandwagon" DJ's to try to shed
their stereotypical, over the top DJ reputations and claim to provide a "classy,
tasteful show", as one put it. This attempt to broaden their appeal to
more clients as well as boosting their fees would be great however the unfortunate
reality is that little has changed with their flawed approach except the wording
in their marketing materials and their rates. Carl is well aware of the unfavorable
DJ stereotype that many other DJs easily validate. He has been working, very
successfully to eliminate the negative perceptions associated to the campy,
typical DJ since he began playing music.
The
devil is in the details! Carl's professionalism,
attention to detail and work ethic along with an unmatched
knowledge of many styles of music is something that is highly uncommon in this
industry. He has a relatively simple yet dynamic mission to provide superb music
perfectly timed for each client at each event, without all of the fluff to which
most DJ's resort. His approach is what enables him to deliver exceptional results
regularly and routinely. His expert opinion regarding trends in wedding music
and servicing high end clients has been featured in articles found in Modern
Bride, Baltimore Bride, Style and I Do magazines, as well as industry sites
on the world wide web.
My clients...
Clients
of Classic Disc Jockeys are informed decision-makers who choose to hire the
best professional in the industry who will work with them to construct a music
format that reflects their own good taste. Clients realize the importance of
having someone with an extensive background in all types of music creating a
festive atmosphere for them without having to resort to some of the undesirable
antics often associated with campy, inexperienced and low budget disc jockeys.
You will notice from the web site design that Carl subscribes to the "less
is more" approach when it comes to a tasteful presentation. Although Carl
works with many excellent photographers regularly, you won't see pictures of
happy couples that adorn almost every other wedding web-site on his own. Showing
you pictures of other people having fun at someone else's wedding is not relevant
to how Carl can help to make your event exceptional.
His demeanor and style is why Carl is the most sought after in his industry and appears prominently on the referral lists of the area's top event professionals.
Although Carl performs personally
at most events and has never missed an event in 25 years, he has two select,
talented Disc Jockeys on call as his back-up, who share his concept of helping
to provide a fun but tasteful atmosphere.
Carl books around 30 events a year. His schedule is suited to serve the best
interest of his clients while still allowing him to spend time with his wife
Kellie, their energetic boys Carl and Rex, as well as their dogs Grizz, Poppy
and a formerly stray cat named Spirit. Carl and his family are major advocates
of animal shelter adoption. They manage a "Mutt promotion" business
and love to strut their Mutts!
Please browse the rest of the site and find out why Carl Brashears, Jr. and Classic Disc Jockeys is the only choice for people with discerning taste who feel they deserve the best there is to offer.
You Want More???
The DJ Doppleganger: Carl
Jr. grew up in the small town of Manchester where the local pop radio station
struggled to feed his insatiable appetite for music. His early musical tastes
reflected diverse influences that he found in his siblings and parents' music
collections. His interest in becoming a DJ began as a young teen when he purchased
his first 12-inch single of Duran Duran's "Girls On Film" and he immersed himself
in early Metal, New Wave, Rock, Pop, Progressive and Ska music.
As his music preferences grew his record library reflected his love of melody,
harmony and powerful guitars and interesting percussion in artists like The
Cars, the Hollies and Prince to Depeche Mode, Pink Floyd and Van Halen. After
crashing a dance at the local college he decided to get a small loan from the
bank to buy his first set of turntables. He began playing music for schools,
colleges and at local parties. It wasn't until later that Carl discovered the
art of beat mixing and began making tapes for friends and anyone who cared to
listen. In 1990 he landed his first club gig in Westminster delivering an eclectic
format that included everything from AC/DC to Xymox.
In 1993 he traveled to London to meet with DJ/Promoter Joey B to plan a summer
tour of raves and clubs in the UK. Upon returning home he landed a residency
at a local after hours spot Club 101 where he held his monthly Knowledge parties.
Since then he has played for thousands in his travels and held residencies at
several clubs playing regularly at Sanctuary, The Spot, The China Room, Fusion
and Club 1722. During his tenure at these clubs Carl honed his eclectic mix
of tunes -- a style borne out of a variance of musical influences. Carl has
penetrated the electronic music scene playing beside many influential DJs including
Josh Wink, Nigel Richards, Scott Henry, Ty T, DJ Feelgood, Adam Freemer, Glenn
B, Carl Cox, Ani (from Deee-lite), Shawn Q, Leni K, Tim Michaels, Michael Meacham,
DJ Saeed, Lenny Dee, Joey B, Kevin Yost, Rob Clay, DJ Impulse and Micro.
His relentless work ethic and love of music paid off in April of 2001 when his
latest mix CD, Stratos was selected out of hundreds from around the globe; he
secured his spot as one of only five finalists in a new talent contest at New
York's legendary club Twilo. The finalist status was especially rewarding because
it proved that beyond the industry politics his exemplary ability was powerful
enough to move some of the most knowledgeable and well-respected people in the
industry that knew how to recognize good music and impressive talent.
Following the contest Carl was contacted by one of Twilo's owners', Phil Smith,
who was intrigued by his hybrid blend of music. Carl was given the news that
he had not won the contest however, they were very interested in working with
him. Together with the Twilo contest winner, DJ Glenn B he was scheduled to
kick off a new summer weeknight "Twiloite" party at the club that was home to
the best DJ talent on the planet. His sophomore engagement at Twilo would never
come to fruition as the club met its unfortunate fate several weeks later, closing
indefinitely.
Carl holds a degree in Electronic Media, Film and Video Production. In 1994
(before the internet was commonplace) he produced a video from a script
he wrote on "Getting Started as a DJ" and sold over 1000 copies around the world.
He is a freelance writer and still owns and operates the DJ entertainment company
that got him started.