Back in 1989, before the world of streaming and digital downloads, the journey of discovering music was a hands-on, tactile experience. For me, it all started in the underground clubs of Houston, where I was underage but determined to be a part of the scene. The Ocean Club and the 6400 Club on Richmond Avenue were my sanctuaries, places where the sound of the DJ playing—those deep, driving beats—stirred something inside me. It wasn’t just the music—it was the atmosphere, the energy, and the shared experience of the crowd. That’s when the spark to DJ was lit.
The Ocean Club inspired me so much that I knew I had to find those records—the same ones that were shaping the dancefloors. But I wasn’t just going to walk into any record store. I had a mission. Armed with the two volumes of the Houston Yellow Pages, I set out to track down every record store that could offer me the same tracks I heard on those iconic nights out. I wasn’t going to let anything stop me—not age, not money. I spent hundreds of dollars—hard-earned cash from my job at Kmart in Webster, Texas—tracking down those records.
My spots? Dance Music Records on Montrose at Westheimer, and The Record Rack on Shepherd at Alabama. These were my meccas. I’d save every dime to fuel my 1988 Nissan Sentra and to buy new records. Drinks? Not for me. I made sacrifices. I lived off a “crisis diet” sometimes, making sure I could always buy the next vinyl, the next track that would feed my passion.
While others were out partying, I was building my collection. Every Friday, I’d collect my paycheck in cash, earning $5.75 an hour. The money didn’t go toward anything except my music. I worked to play records, to share those moments of elation on the dancefloor, to give the same experience to others that I felt when I was discovering new sounds for myself.
Those early years of hustling—driving through Houston’s streets, digging through records, and paying my dues—were the roots of my career as a DJ. It was about more than the music. It was about building a connection, creating a vibe, and understanding the power of music to bring people together. Every moment, every track I spun, was a chance to create something special for others just as the DJ had done for me at The Ocean Club.
That’s where it all started. And from there, it grew into a passion that’s lasted decades—shaping not only my music, but the way I view the world. That’s my origin story. And it's the foundation for everything that continues to inspire me today as a DJ in the world of electronic music.
Montrose, Numbers, The Ocean Club, Heaven, Club 6400, 1989
My first receipt. I will always remember this special Saturday - years ago!