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.

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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.