HOW DJING BECAME MY PASSPORT TO NEW ORLEANS MARDI GRAS

Sometimes the best gigs come from the most unexpected places. Here's how a simple birthday party in New Orleans turned into my first chance to DJ in a Mardi Gras parade

I recently took a personal trip to New Orleans for a 90th birthday celebration. Originally, I was just attending as a guest, but I volunteered to bring a speaker and curate a birthday playlist for the guest of honor. I mean really, what do you play at a 90th birthday party?

Well, a couple of the cousins mentioned they had some DJ equipment and they "play music." Of course, the conversation quickly turned to gear - turntables, mixers, and setups. Before I knew it, one of the family members made a quick trip home to grab his Rane One controller.

I'll spare you the long version, but here's the outcome: I'll be DJing in my first Mardi Gras parade in 2026 in New Orleans, specifically the "Crescent City Truck Parade", which locals call the "Truck Parade."

The Magic of a Well-Organized DJ Setup

The DJ who brought his Rane let me spin from his laptop, and it was honestly one of the most organized, clean setups I've encountered. His music crates were accurate and expertly compiled. Within minutes, I was flying through old school classics and even dropped some New Orleans bounce music into the mix - when in Rome, right?

The Universal DJ Brotherhood

In my 25 years of DJing, I've probably only met one DJ who wasn't genuinely cool. The crazy thing is, I was actually trying to help this particular DJ improve his setup, and he was being completely unreceptive. Other than that one experience, I've connected with DJs from both coasts - young and old, OGs and rookies - and 99% of the time, it's been nothing but love and mutual respect.

My New Orleans DJ experience was definitely one of those magical moments.

"Don't Ever Ask a Real DJ..."

As we discussed our equipment preferences, someone asked, "Should I grab my Rane One?" The response was delivered like a friendly threat: "Don't ever ask a real DJ to get on a set - OF COURSE!"

The next thing I knew, I was DJing for the first time in New Orleans, spinning at a birthday party, taking shots with fellow DJs, and building connections that would change my 2026 plans completely.

Why the DJ Community Is Special

I can say with absolute certainty that one of the things I love most about DJing is that we're a tight-knit community. We look out for each other. We help train and mentor newcomers. And any time two or more of us get together, it's guaranteed to turn into a party!

Now I can't wait to return for Mardi Gras 2026. I was already planning to ride in the parade, but now I'll be DJing on the float! As they say in the Big Easy: "Laissez les bons temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!)

Shout out to Jonathan and Corey - two incredible DJs representing New Orleans with style.