I had reached the proverbial fork in the road, only instead of intriguing, adventure-filled, tree-lined avenues; I seemed to be looking at options that consisted of dark, dangerous, low-hanging thorny branches and potholes big enough to swallow me whole. I was walking away from twelve years of marriage turned toxic, and needed to simultaneously find out what had happened to the secure, strong, happy woman I used to be, and somehow support myself. Perusing the want ads turned up precious few positions for a woman who had largely spent her adult life working part-time service jobs and taking care of her family.

As I was turned away from even lower-level management positions for lack of the proper college degrees, I became progressively less choosy. I flooded the local eating establishments with applications, as I had made excellent tips as a waitress in my youth. I found that they preferred to hire the local college students, still in their youth. Driving back to town after a short trip one day, I was mentally surfing the ads once more. It was a gorgeous summer day; I had the windows on my ancient Dodge Daytona cranked down and the radio cranked up. Singing along with the music, channel surfing for upbeat songs to keep my spirits from flagging, I mentally reread the open interview call for folks looking to become mobile disc jockeys.

I had initially blown right by the ad, no consideration needed. A fun person to be with, I was still not the person anyone would ever identify as the life of the party. However, having fifteen years of Toastmaster’s training behind me made me comfortable talking in front of any size group, I do enjoy working with people and have a diverse knowledge of music…I decided it couldn’t hurt to check it out. Making the call, I was invited down the next night for an interview, coupled with a meeting of the other company DJs.

Oddly unnerved and shaking at the knees, I parked in front of an old, cobweb-strewn warehouse. Somehow I had expected more from a company that reportedly played for more than 400 events per year, mostly weddings. Entering the dingy room full of plywood equipment lockers, I knew immediately I had made a huge mistake. The owner shaking my hand had to be eight years my junior, and the rest of the room was filled with young men, all easily half my age. Forcing a smile and taking a metal folding seat was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do! I remember very little of the rest of that interview, except for the owner telling me that the training would take several weeks, pay nothing, and if I made it through that, I could consider myself an independent contractor, a professional mobile disc jockey.

The three weeks that followed of attending weddings where other DJs were performing taught me more about what not to do than anything else, and I am pleased to say that I, and a gentleman who joined the company a few months later, would soon completely transform the training program. What I did get during those three weeks was a new appreciation for the scope and difficulty of a mobile DJs’ job. Most importantly, I got the bug. I wanted to do this, and was sure that I could do it well. The fourth week, the owner called me in a panic – he needed to cover a wedding that weekend, did I think I was ready? Ignoring the little voice screaming “NO!” in my head, I told him I would take the event. To me, that first wedding felt like a train wreck. I struggled with the heavy equipment, the butterflies in my stomach felt more like pterodactyls and the elegant words I rehearsed in my head vanished each time I switched on the microphone. Still, at night’s end the dance floor was packed, and the honored couple seemed genuinely happy as they thanked me for a wonderful reception.

Over the next nine years I came to understand that the music is only one very small part of the DJs’ job. Done correctly, the performer is actually the counselor, event planner, roadie, technician, board operator, lighting operator, problem solver, on-site coordinator, announcer, master of ceremonies, storyteller, disc jockey, music expert, music mixer, comedian, actor, dance teacher, entertainment specialist and crowd motivator. Whew! If that sounds like a huge job, it is! The working day, with travel each direction, can be fifteen straight hours or more, no breaks, and doesn’t include the many hours of preparation that begin in the weeks ahead of the ceremony and reception. I’ve often asked myself if it’s really worth it.

Fortunately, for me the answer is still a resounding yes. I have the privilege to be an integral part of a very important time in a couple’s love and life. Ever working to advance in my chosen craft, I continue to discover new and creative ways to bring out the magic moments simply waiting to be revealed, and in the doing I provide couples and their loved ones with many wonderful memories they can carry into the years ahead. And as if that wasn’t satisfaction enough, with my clients joyfully hugging me, and their friends clamoring to keep the fun going a little longer, I get to experience briefly just what it must feel like to be a rock star.

Naturally I also have a fantastic opportunity to see folks at their very best and worst. Witnessing the heartfelt exchange of life vows, often framed by stunning outdoor settings, reaffirms my belief that true love exists and can last. Finding grandmother working her sweet old booty on the late night dance floor to the most unlikely songs reminds me that growing up truly is optional. The energy is almost visible flowing between me and the crowds, and I will never tire of doing things such as getting the toughest man in the room to voluntarily reveal his inner ballerina. The words of irrational drunks roll right off my back. The gracious letters of thanks received after events are carefully tucked away for reading again on a quiet, cloudy day.

What will I do when I can no longer tolerate the extreme physical requirements of this career? Well, I’m writing a book, filled with the many wild, weird, wacky and wonderful things my fellow DJs and I have seen in the last nine years, and I’m still training the future entertainers of the industry. In choosing a completely new career path I not only regained my personal footing, but discovered strengths and talents I was unaware I had. As a female in a male-dominated occupation, and a person determined to set the bar high where trade mediocrity has long been accepted, I know many challenges are still ahead. That’s just fine – I will push the thorny branches aside and follow the sound of the music, dancing every step of the way!