He Can’t Drive Yet, But He Helps Run the Family DJ Business

Cameron Allen may seem like your average 14-year-old high school freshman, but his job sets him apart from other kids his age. During the week he is occupied by school and homework, but on the weekends, he switches gears and DJs and sets up lighting rigs for his family’s business, Musical Twist DJ Service. Are you ready for this? Their lighting rig is comprised of a Mega Moon™ and two LX5™ moonflower effect lights, two LED Mushroom™ derby-style effect lights, three COLORstrip™ Mini wash lights, a DMX Mega Strobe™ II strobe light, an Obey™ 70 controller, portable CH-31 truss and the CHAUVET® Timer System Package.

The Allen family started Musical Twist DJ Service because they thought it would be a cool idea and a great addition to the Calgary community in Canada. Glen Allan (Cameron’s dad) is the light jockey and transportation manager for the company, while Pam Allen (Cameron’s mom) handles the advertising and sponsorship. Cameron decided to get involved because he was teaching himself how to DJ at the time and has a real passion for music. When it comes to gigs, Cameron is in charge of the set up and breakdown of the lighting rig, computer and controller. Although Cameron is the main DJ for Musical Twist DJ Service, Glen tends to DJ the “older” gigs.

“We DJ school dances, private events, birthday parties, graduation parties, stampede events, pool parties, church events, retirement parties, charity events, the list is endless,” Cameron said. “I balance school and the business by being organized, getting good grades and having a plan. My favorite part of working for Musical Twist DJ Service is that I am able to spend time with my family and gain knowledge for the future.”

Cameron Allen
Musical Twist DJ Service

DJ Profile: DJ Rockin’ Rob

Five questions with DJ Rockin’ Rob, aka Robert Spera

DJ Rockin’ Rob is a special events DJ in Lubbock, Texas who has over a decade of experience entertaining guests at weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, school dances and pool parties.  He started out with one CHAUVET® strobe light and now his entire setup is comprised of 60 CHAUVET® fixtures.

We asked him these five questions for our DJ profile.

1. How did you get started as a DJ?
In 1998, I joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed on a base in Connecticut that had an onsite bowling alley which hosted “Rock-N-Glow” parties on Thursday nights. I quickly made friends with the DJ who was playing music and interacting with the crowd, and if that DJ couldn’t make it, they would call me to fill in. That DJ taught me the true fundamentals of being a mobile DJ and his lessons stay with me every single gig I play. In 2009, I registered my company, 100% Entertainment.

2. Is this a full-time job or something you do on the side?
Being a mobile DJ and running 100% Entertainment is currently a part-time venture, but hopefully not for long. I’m also a host on That DJ Podcast which is a prerecorded show by DJs for DJs. During the day I am an exhibit technician at the Science Spectrum Museum. We make a lot of things, break a lot of things and fix a lot of things. It’s amazing how much science it takes to demonstrate science.

3. What fixtures are included in your setup? What are you looking to add?
I am the proud owner of six LED Techno Strobe™ RGB strobe lights, two LED Shadow™ blacklights, two Intimidator™ 1.2 scanners, 30 LED Pinspot™ , 10 LEDrain™ 38T, five LEDrain™ 38C, three LEDrain™ 38 and two Vue™ 1.1.

I would really like to add a full band of COLORtube™ 3.0 EQ. On a more realistic note, I have my sights set on two Scorpion™ Storm™ FX lasers, two Vue™ 3.1 effect lights and a few moving heads.

4. What is your favorite fixture and why?
My favorite fixture in my arsenal is the LED Techno Strobe™ RGB. Its flexibility has been the back bone of my mobile light show for almost four years. I can use it as a flood, wash or accent light and it communicates perfectly with my Vue™ 1.1 and Vue™ 3.1 fixtures.

5. Best advice you can give someone just getting started in the DJ industry?
It’s not about you and it’s not YOUR party. It’s theirs. Give them the party they want, not the party you think they should have. Don’t treat the event as an advertising opportunity, let your work speak for itself. If you do a good job, people will want you for their party too. Don’t beat your audience over the head with who you are and what you do, let them ask you.

One Grammy winner, Bass Player, LED Lighting and 30 New CHAUVET® products at NAMM 2011

Did you see it? We had five-time GRAMMY award winner Victor Wooten, who gave two live performances along with a jam session with Quintin Berry, at the NAMM 2011 CHAUVET booth.

It wasn’t only music superstardom, it was also an LED lighting extravaganza with over 30 new Chauvet Lighting products at the NAMM Show 2011 in Anaheim, California, including 21 new LED fixtures, six new lasers, two new controllers and our all-new CHAUVET travel bags. Additionally, almost all our fixtures have Edison power linking which make them very compatible and easy-to-use with other fixtures.

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