Clock Strikes 12:
Fifty Club Jocks Reveal Their Y2K-Party Plans,
Playlists & Paranoia

Succumbing to the incessant din of conversation regarding the upcoming “Millennium Parties” this December 31, DJ Times decided to find out how various club jocks around the globe will approach their gigs on this rare occasion. In order to present a somewhat egalitarian result and get some useful answers, we decided to strip away some of the hype. That is, we contacted some of the world’s more recognizable jocks (many of whom are also artists, producers and/or remixers) along with lesser-known, but no less valuable, working DJs.

Also, in an effort to keep responses short and sweet, we asked our club DJs via e-mail three questions: Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve? What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”? Will you be doing anything especially different or thematically different that night? We went with the first 50 responses.

Listed alphabetically, here they are – some glib, some serious, some halfway complete and some only mildly scandalous.

John Acquaviva, Windsor, Ont., Canada, techno titan, Home Clubs for 1999: Florida 135 in Barcelona, Industry in Toronto, Stammheim in Kassel, Germany, Spundaes/Nikita in San Francisco and Sona/514 Parties in Montreal
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve ?
“I will play in Phoenix, Ariz. I had a lot of offers in more established places, but I chose this one as it is an up-and-coming scene that I have had some wonderful experiences with. Just as well, if the world goes to hell, I will just have to deal with waiting it all out in sunshine and 80 degrees.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“In Europe, the parties start after midnight, so usually midnight happens over a nice dinner. I do assume that I will play at the witching hour this year. I have yet to think of possibilities, but they could be ‘Celebration Suite’ – Airto Morreira, ‘Auld Lang Syne’ – Guy Lombardo or ‘Blackout’ – Li’l Louis. One of these three may well fit the bill and I am leaning to Li’l Louis. It depends on what happens and if the power is still on, I guess.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“As a DJ for 20 years now, I have been taught by my elders, and still believe, that this particular night is unique to all others. Musically, I like to play some of my favorite songs of the year, but I will bring my favorite music of this decade and maybe some earlier ones. This way, if the time is right I may get to reminisce over some classics.”

Holly Adams, Los Angeles, DJ@Large, bump!, house & techno
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Medusa’s, Mexico City. It’s a four-story mega-club that holds 4,000 with a three-level dancefloor and hanging DJ cage. Quite mega!”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“‘Together’ by Tom Chasteen, Exist Dance.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Super high-energy deep house, discobilly and skank metal – just kidding.”

Chuck Addis, Philadelphia, Pa., Club Egypt resident
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Egypt in Philadelphia, where I’ve been a resident for five years. We’ll have three rooms open. Disco 2000 will have the best of the 1970s and 1980s. Plush will feature R&B. The main room will offer Top-40 dance and house music.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“Don’t know yet.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Well, it’s open bar all night and a champagne toast at midnight. Plus, there’s ‘wow entertainment’ all throughout the club like swing dancers, fire eaters, stilt walkers, and acrobats. We’re also giving away a free trip to a Florida resort.”

Tony Allen, Orlando, Fla., trance, funky breaks, funky house
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I will be the only entertainment playing on the main stage at the Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration at Epcot Center in the Japan Pavilion. The stage is set across the water from the Space Ship Earth at Epcot Center, Orlando, Fla. I did this same show last year with over 50,000 screaming people. I can’t think of a better way to spend New Year’s.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“Just before the ball drops, Disney will take over for one of the largest laser, water and fireworks shows in the world. The show will do the count down. I will take over afterward to ring in the new millennium with a party – provided we still have electricity. ”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“This will be one of the largest Y2K New Year’s celebrations in the world and I am honored to be a part of it. My show will include a lot of audience interaction, a wide range of music, a video/camera system and some very cool lighting.”

DJ BabyAnne, Orlando, Fla., bass-n-breaks queen working overtime
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I’m pulling a triple. I’ll be at Club La Vela in Orlando, 600 North in Daytona Beach and Club Five in Jacksonville.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“At midnight, I will be spinning in Daytona along with Icey and Mike n’ Charlie. Charlie will MC the count down live.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“I will be doing lots of driving that night – so, no champagne until my final destination.”

“Bad Boy” Bill, Chicago, Ill., house/techno/breaks
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Unknown venue, Toronto, Lifeforce promotion company.
” What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“Not sure if I will be DJing as the clock strikes, because it will probably be a huge party with a lot of talented DJs performing. But if I was DJing, I would have to start with a wicked scratch – and then who knows?”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“I have a special record I pressed with a special ‘millennium vocal’ that Alex Peace did, so I’ll definitely be using that. I have a couple of other tricks up my sleeve, but I can’t give away all my secrets. Let’s have the DJs take it into 2000!”

Jason Bentley, Los Angeles, Maverick A&R, globetrotting club & radio DJ
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I don’t expect to be playing on New Year’s Eve this year. It’s strictly chill-out for me. Bali is my current destination. However, the unrest in East Timor is a bit worrisome. Anyway, happy New Year.”

Joseph “Jobey” Berliner, Raleigh, N.C., Hi-NRG DJ extraordinaire
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“My New Year’s Eve gig will be at my main club – yes, I still have three residencies – CLUBZONE, in Raleigh, N.C. It’s always fun when New Year’s Eve falls on a Friday. What a way to kick off the weekend!”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“My format for the evening will pretty much be the same as previous New Year’s events. Everything before 12:00 will be a retrospective of my club’s top songs of 1999, culminating with the last song (about 11:50-11:55, depending on the length of the cut) being what my room’s patrons deemed their favorite dance song of the year. All the songs during that pre-midnight period, however, are determined by going over the previous year’s charts, and finding what songs (from January, 1999 on) still get cheers, whistles, or a general stampede to the floor! At a few minutes before midnight, I plan on playing a special mix of ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ produced, written, and arranged by me and my remixing partner Todd Shields (together we are the remix team Jobey’s Lollipop), which we’ve already begun work on. The mix utilizes various vocal snippets of quotes that have become part of people’s vocabulary over the past century. It’ll be anything from Neil Armstrong’s ‘One small step...’ to Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream...’ to Clark Gable’s ‘Frankly, my dear...’ – you get the idea!”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“After midnight, anything goes. I’ll break out the newest, the hottest, and have more fun than the traffic allows, because we’re never gonna see another millennium New Year in our lifetime – unless medical science knows something we don’t.”

Mr. C, London, Owner-The End, Techno raconteur
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I’m going to start off in Shine in Northern Ireland, one of the most underground house/techno nights in Europe. Because it’s in Northern Ireland and not on the mainland, it doesn’t seem to get the props that it deserves. It’s one of my top five places to go in the world. They hate cheesy house and cheesy techno—it has to be deep and it has to be funky. Then they’re going to jet me back to England to Chelmsford, there’s a place I’m playing called the Millennium Bug Brawl—a festival that’s estimating between 10,000-20,000 people will be there, in heated marquees. Then my driver will take me back to The End in London—my club—and I’ll be playing there from 7 until 9. And the party will go on until mid-day.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“The music will stop when the ball drops, and then something else will start. I want to play something really, really cheesy, because I never ever play cheese. I want to play a track where everybody’s going to scream—a total celebration of life. It’ll be some kind of a late ’70s early ’80s disco number of some sort. Then I’ll start mixing the techno back in on top of it.”

Steven Cabral aka DJ Forplay, Los Angeles, Cal., Eurodance/Hi-NRG
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Stock Exchange in downtown Los Angeles. It’s a huge place, used to be U.S. Stock Exchange building. It converted to a disco in the seventies. Massive!”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“I will play ‘Millenium 2000’ by Download on 3Beat Music UK. My program will include lots of Euro, trance, and Top 40. After all, it is a club associated with KIIS FM 102.7.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“We will be having a special performance by a dance diva. But, I don’t know who it is yet.”

Victor Calderone, Roxy, NY, Tribal/House
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Two parties in Miami. The Ice Palace with Chris Paciello (Liquid) and Susanne Barsh from 10:00pm to 4:00am. It’s a film studio/warehouse space holding 8,000 people, a mixed crowd—gay and straight fashion crowd. Then it’s on to The Miami Beach Convention Center with Jeffery Sanker for after hours from 4:30am to 10:00 am. That’s a 100-percent gay event with a capacity for 10,000 people.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“I would like to produce something special for the night.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“I will be premiering some new productions and new music, other than that I’ll just go with the vibe and the energy of the night.”

Alex Carmenates aka DJ Cubanito, Houston, Tex., Latin house/salsa/merengue
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Club Extravaganza in Houston, the second room inside Metropolis Discotech with capacity for about 200 people. The big room holds 2,000 people. It has a great sound system and a lighted dance floor.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“‘Living La Vida Loca’ by Ricky Martin.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“My usual non-stop multi-peak-frenzy-generating mixing.”

Gary Deane, Wilmington, Del., big ’80s club king and DJ Times scribe
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I’ll be playing at The Lava Lounge in Baltimore’s beautiful Inner Harbor.”
What song do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“I actually hadn’t given it much thought, but it might go something like this. While the ball drops, play Sprach Zarathustra’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey Theme,’ then ‘Auld Lang Syne’ by Guy Lombardo – yeah, I’m a traditionalist. Then play ‘Another Auld Lang Syne’ by Dan Fogelberg. I suppose I had better think of something else as well. The club is charging $140 a head!”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“The club will get a special liquor license to allow for expanded hours of operation, probably until 5 or 6 a.m., and it’ll be right at the Inner Harbor where the city puts on an intense fireworks display at midnight.”

Deep Dish – Dubfire & Sharam, Washington, D.C., remixers, producers, artists, spinners of “deep, dark, progressive house and everything good in all genres”
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Buenes Aires, Argentina, at the Buenes Aires ‘City Millennium’ party.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“We’re not sure yet but we know what we’ll be playing for 2001.” Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“If we were gymnasts, we would do 100 flips to commemorate the event.”

Phillip E. Dickerson, Philadelphia, Pa., soul-sufficient DJ & theme park enthusiast
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I will be playing at my club, Club Millennium, located at 40th and Filbert Streets in Philly.”
What song do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“I don’t know yet, but I know I will count down with ‘Instant Replay’ and go into ‘Auld Lang Syne.’ But my first record will be something new and hot off the presses to bring in the New Year correctly.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“We will be having an act that night, but at this time I am not sure who yet.”

Dave “The Wave” Dresden, Stamford, Conn., DJ Times scribe, club DJ, Electro Circus mixer WMRQ-FM, Hartford, Conn.
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“BAR in New Haven, Conn.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“I might re-visit what I did last year, which was play various remixes of Prince’s ‘1999’ for a half hour or more and then go off into nutty techno and trance territory.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Right now, there are no plans, but BAR always makes New Year’s Eve a special night, so more than likely this will be an extra special occasion.”

Eardrum, Hyattsville, Md., Director, Tables of Distinction DJ Association
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I have long since stopped spinning on New Year’s Eve because for about 16 straight years my wife had to sit through every kind of venue and mingle with all kinds of guests because that was my job. New Year’s Eve, for our family, is usually spent in church giving thanks to the many blessings that have come throughout the year, and praying for that which lies ahead. This year I plan to include the DJ concept into our ‘New Year’s Eve Worship and Fellowship Night’ by setting up the sound system and spinning gospel music as a background to our service at Beulah Baptist Church in Hume, Va., under the leadership of Rev. Douglas Gore.”
What song do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“When the hour is upon us, I plan to do a mix for the young and old. At midnight, I’ll blast Kirk Franklin & Nu Nation’s ‘Revolution’ and then cut into the more traditional Dorothy Norwood’s classic ‘Shake The Devil Off!’ And the rest of the year is business as usual, as I continue to spin at ‘private-only’ functions and run one of America’s best record pools.”

Marshall Fairbanks, Woodbridge, N.J., DJ Productions/Surf Club resident, progressive house, trance
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“New Year’s Eve is booked presently at Terazza Restaurant in Nutley, N.J. It’s an Italian restaurant/bar that will be converted to nightclub atmosphere for this night. I also will be working with a few promoters for guest spots in New York City at locations to be announced.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“At this point I know a remixed version of Prince ‘1999’ will be in the mix in the final minutes of the year. I’m not sure which mix yet. I’m sure more will be released to make the choice more difficult and I may even use a few mixes and edit them. Also, songs that will be in the mix include Whitney Houston’s ‘My Love is Your Love’ and Jennifer Lopez’s ‘Waiting for Tonight’ (Hex Hector mix). But there is still time for more great music to come out. Right now, these would be the songs in the mix before and/or after the ball drops.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Converting the restaurant into a club and offering a large cash giveaway.”

Chris Fortier, Orlando, Fla., house, progressive house & trance DJ
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Don’t know the venue.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“Guarded secret.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“I’ll be playing the whole night from start to finish. This was the reason I chose this gig.”

Adam Freeland, Brighton, England, Futuristic Breakbeat, disco philosopher
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I’ll be doing NY2K in Sydney with Derrick Carter and Phil Smart and crew. It’s in a massive warehouse just outside the centre and they are expecting about 8,000 people.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“Er, what a question. I dunno...Tsunami One and BT Hip Hop Phenomenon has been the biggest tune for me this year, so how about that? Other tunes’ll include Prince ‘1999’ (Tsunami One re-edit) and Mombassa ‘Cry Freedom’ (our own tweaked version).”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“I’d like to think I will put across a euphoric energy with the music and a vibe that says, ‘This night is a landmark of us moving through to the next level, a new era. And we must unite and use music as a catalyst to break down barriers of fear, which suppress the humanity and create a much more positive future.’ Fuck, I went off on one there, eh! But I think that’s why it is so important that we push music forward at this time. I feel frustrated that most music in the past few years has been really retro. I feel we should use the technology and mindset we now have to take sonics to the next stage and that attitude will be reflected in every area of life. New Year’s Eve is a good time to express that.”

FreQ Nasty, London, England, DJ/remixer/producer, cigar aficionado
Where will you be playing?
“Big Beat Boutique in London.”
What record do you expect to play when the ball drops?
“‘Back in Black’ by AC/DC.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night? “No, just wearing the usual pink leather policeman’s outfit.”

DJ Markie Gee, Hartford, Conn., Director, BPM Record Pool, Baltimore Orioles apologist
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Mint in Hartford, Conn. It’s a cozy, candlelit, multi-culti and ferocious. This is the place Connecticut heads go to hear real, organic, groovy house music.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“Chris Simmonds’ ‘Once Upon a Club’ on Cross-Trax (U.K.).”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“The theme will be apocalyptic – it’s the last party.”

Davey Gold, New York, N.Y., Strictly Rhythm Records promoter, club jock with a mobile past
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“You know, I’ve played New Year’s Eve for the last six years in a row – some in nightclubs, some on the air, some very fun and festive private parties. But this year it only seems proper to take off and spend it with some people I haven’t celebrated it with since 1985 – my family. Whether we sit in their home or rent one in the Poconos, I’m with them. Happy New Year.”

Michael Goldman, Orlando, Fla., Senior Producer, PGI, DJ/event producer
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I’m Executive Producer for the ‘Millennium Event’ for City of Lakeland, Fla. The event is for 25,000+ people. We are transforming a six-square block area of the city into four different decades from their past with a 5th stage for the finale. The country music stage (representing the late 1800s, the city’s founding) features Dave Durham and the Bull Durham Band, a ‘Reba McEntire’ tribute and country music DJs. The swing music stage (representing the 1940s) features the Swing Daddy B Orchestra, a ‘Frank Sinatra’ tribute and swing DJs. The oldies music stage (representing the 1950s & 1960s) features tributes to The Beatles and Elvis along with oldies rock-n-roll DJs. The 1970s- to-the-present stage (representing the obvious) features dance music DJs and VJs.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“The music for the finale will be a custom remix of a Beethoven number choreographed with the lasers and fireworks. The finale is a laser and fireworks show with the countdown being done by powering down 10 Lunix 200 Airstars in reverse order. (In case you are not familiar with the Airstar, James Cameron used them to film the nighttime exterior shots on ‘Titanic.’) These are very bright lights and we are using a total of 26 of them around the city.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“The unique thing about the event is the city is getting behind the event with massive community support. All the cars on the blocks that represent the various decades will be removed and replaced with transportation from that era (i.e. – horses, carriages, Roadsters, etc.). The signage on the buildings is being replaced with actual recreations of signage from historical archives to match as closely as possible the look of the architecture from that era.”

Wade Randolph Hampton (aka WishFM, aka W), Sandy, Utah, La Belle Epoque resident in San Francisco, Los Angeles & Salt Lake City, playing “lower Haight Street drum-n-space”
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I’m introducing my new live act at CoolWorld’s Planet New Year at the Santa Clara Fairgrounds, just outside of San Francisco. It’s multiple stages, DJ Craze, Kool Keith, and so on. Capacity is 60,000. The last one I played on July 10 had over 30,000.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“Obviously, ‘Basketball’ by Kurtis Blow.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“It’s the world premier of San Francisco’s new supergroup Pipebombs for Crackheads (my partnership with my son’s godfather, Robbie Hardkiss), which is already a little top-heavy in the thematics department and so complex I could easily fill 20 or 30 pages of this fine magazine. I’m afraid that if I was to tell you any more, it would ruin the surprise and we’d be forced to kill all witnesses.”

Rene Hewitt, Bronx, N.Y., house music DJ at The Warehouse
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I really didn’t book myself to play. It’s going to be 2000 and I thought I would be with close friends. But a friend (DJ Louis Gorbea) asked me to accompany him and play at Excalibur. DJ Andre Collins is the head resident at The Warehouse and he’ll be playing, too. If I’m asked to play that night I’ll do it because I’m one of the house DJs.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“I really haven’t given it any thought. There are so many new records coming out between now and then, that I would have to give it some thought. One record that they do like is ‘Knights of the Jaquar.’ When this record is played, they go gaga!”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Make the dancefloor jump from one side of the room to the other, up on the stage, and inside the DJ booth.”

Allen Jeffrey, New York, N.Y., DJ/producer, Director, For The Record pool
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“On live radio in New York – WATF 91.9 (Cool) FM.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“‘Attack of the Thunder Gods!’ by The Allen Jeffrey Experience.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Saying a prayer for all humanity!”

Lancelot, New York City, House Party Specialist
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I usually DJ at my cousin’s house in Queens on New Year’s. He has a fabulous entertainment set up downstairs in his home that includes a DJ booth, a dancefloor area, a healthy bar and lounge area. There’s also a huge monitor setup against the wall where we all usually watch the ball drop from Times Square as we dance into the New Year.”
What song do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“I plan on dropping a song that really is very deep and spiritual. As a matter of fact, I heard this song played recently at Dance Ritual – Louie Vega’s Wednesday party at Vinyl in Manhattan – only to find out that I already had this fantastic tune. It’s called ‘Wishing You Were Here’ by Blaze [Kevin Hedge/Josh Milan].”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“The only thing different that I’ll do on Y2K Day is what everyone normally does every New Year’s – get smashed with my girl, family, and friends. Happy Y2K!”

Liquid Todd, New York, N.Y., mixshow DJ – “Solid State” on 92.3 K-Rock in NYC & 104.1 WBCN in Boston, Port Washington homey
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I will be playing at one, perhaps even two, parties in Bali. I also may be called into duty to host the New Year’s Eve show on K-Rock, which has happened for the past two years. I’m not sure yet.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”? “I don’t even know if I’ll be playing when the ball drops, unless I do the radio show. In either case I have no idea. I always pick the track day of.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Yeah, I’m going to be going absolutely naked all night.”

Lorie & E-Man, Brooklyn, N.Y., Bang The Party, “New York’s only bi-borough deep house party”
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Frank’s Lounge, Fort Greene, Brooklyn. In 1999, this Fort Greene neighborhood haunt celebrated its 40th year in the bar business. First-time patrons can’t help but notice the years of history oozing out of Frank’s – from the old timers singing to the jukebox downstairs to the hundreds of party photos lining the walls of the DJ booth upstairs. The place is by no means fancy, but it is the perfect place to get loose to pulsating music with an eclectic group of locals.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“‘Auld Lang Syne 2000 – Bang The Party Remix.’ Believe it or not.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Bang the New Year – being that New Year’s Eve falls on the same night that we would normally do Bang The Party at Frank’s. In addition to our usual deep-house-’til-sunrise festivities – E-Man spinning with guests, hosted by Sweet Sable – we will be offering a hot buffet at 9 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight and party favors. We are trying to decide on an additional special treat like a performance, live drumming or maybe a raffle. The party will go later than usual, so we will serve breakfast around 7 a.m. The whole shebang will cost just $25.”

The Mega Men, New York, N.Y., funky house DJs, WNYU 89.1FM
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Sweatin’ Records’ Millennium Bash, East Village, New York City. It’ll be a bar/lounge private party inviting various industry heads, close friends and family.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“New hot jam produced by William Rosario, ‘Everlasting Love,’ that’s coming out soon.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Just making sure the heads at our party have a wicked time.”

Mike’y D Merola, Staten Island, N.Y., WKTU-FM mixer
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I don’t know which club I will be mixing, but it’ll be a club with the ‘partiest’ crowd. I am starting a new gig at Club Tremors in Linden, N.J., soon.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“Maybe ‘Amadeus 2000’ by Giuseppe D (Blast Records).”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“This New Year’s Eve will be history in the making in our lifetime. A lot of special sound sweeps to do with our century would be a good idea. Maybe I will do a 200-minute medley of all the greatest tracks of the 1990s.”

Yvonne Monet, Dallas, Tex., club DJ and Merge Radio morning host
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I’m DJing at the Millennium Ball at The Grand Hyatt in Atlanta. It’s a 99X radio event with Smashmouth as the headlining band. I will be set up in the Grand Ballroom, which will be transformed into a club, while the band will be set up in another area. I will probably feature different music from the century at random times throughout the night for fun. I’ll do a little disco set, a little ’80s set, some hip hop, maybe even a couple ’50s and ’60s sets mixed in with current popular music.”
What song do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“After midnight, it’s full-on breakbeat, hard house, trance, drum-n-bass, and big beats until dawn. But, like any gig, I’ll do whatever it takes to make the people have the best party ever.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“I’d be curious to see how much DJs are charging for their events. I know some clubs who aren’t planning on paying their DJs any more money than they normally do. Basically, I am charging the group putting on this event double the price I charge to do a prom or corporate event, which I think is very reasonable considering what it is.”

Robert Oleysyck, Las Vegas, Nev., progressive house and trance DJ
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Utopia in Las Vegas. It’s right on the strip in the middle of all the new development happening in the area. There’s an official capacity of 2,000, but I’m sure there will be more that night. They’ll open two stories with an outdoor patio on the second floor.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“I guess I need to start thinking about that, huh?”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Well, just like any New Year’s Eve, it’s a special night, but more so this year. I’ll most likely be playing a lot of anthems and classics.”

Chris “The Greek” Panaghi, Long Island, N.Y., “all forms of house – from hard house to commercial”
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“The Dallenger in Garden City, L.I. It’s a classy, upscale nightclub located in the heart of Long Island. This club holds about 1,000 people strong. Dress to impress.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“I will play the record I’m vibing on at the moment – Michael Moog, ‘That Sound.’ That record is the record of the millennium.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Just partying, and having a good time – life’s a party.”

Art “Pumpin’” Payne, Detroit, Mich., urban/house DJ, Asst. Director, MDA Record Pool
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Unless a super offer to be elsewhere comes along or something, I will be at my resident club that night – Club Topaze. It’s a small R&B, hip-hop/rap club.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“Dave Koz, ‘Auld Lang Syne’”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“It’s still in the planning stages at the moment. But at least I’ll be drinking Moet instead of Molson in the booth that night.”

Oscar Poche, New York, N.Y., SuperFunk NYC/2nd Colour Entertainment, “house and Latin-influenced music”
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I will be here in New York helming a huge party at Super Funk/Vanity and then I’ll be off in Italy for a planned event with Danny ‘Buddha’ Morales. I feel fortunate to be one of the few among my peers who actually have a permanent residency in New York. But our guys gig all over the world. At our 2nd Colour DJ agency, we have Danny ‘Buddha’ Morales in Italy, and Benji Candelario in London. Most of our parties are for true music heads and mixed crowds where the music we play is also the star.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“‘Sun Is Shining,’ ATB’s mix of the Bob Marley track. This is without a doubt a peak record for me.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Well, contrary to popular belief, we will not be popping E’s that night. But we will provide some musical guests that will remain underground for now.”

DJ Gary Q, Atlantic City, N.J., Club Déjà Vu resident and mixer for WZBZ, Atlantic City, annual DJ Expo host
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I’ll be at none other than Déjà Vu for New Year’s.”
What song do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“As far as the record that I’ll spin at midnight, it will probably be something that says 2000 in it. I really haven’t given it much thought yet.”

Dave Ralph, United Kingdom, “Tranceport” DJ, Kinetic Records, apparently busy
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Shadow Lounge, Miami Beach.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“That would be telling!”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“For all other inquiries, please contact my press agent Stephanie Lees at Pitch PR.”

Jim Robinson, Orlando, Fla., Electro-Magic Productions/ Promo Only CDs
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“My DJ company will be DJing several locations at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida. At the Epcot Center’s Italy Pavilion, we’ll play Euro-house music. At the Epcot Center’s Japan Pavilion, we’ll play music videos on a 35-foot video wall. Epcot Center is obviously doing a special version of their Illumination 2000 fireworks and laser show. It will be one of the biggest displays in the world. Estimated attendance will be 120,000 at Epcot alone. At Walt Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we’ll have party music and an interactive DJ. And at Universal Studios Florida, we’ll have two separate interactive DJs.”
What song do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“I will probably play whatever the No. 1 dance song is at the time.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“All entertainment stops for the Illumination show, which starts approximately 15 minutes before midnight. Immediately following the show, we all begin playing again. Hopefully, all my CD players are Y2K-compliant and will still play!”

Raymond Leon Roker, Los Angeles, “jungle.futurebeats.- ancienthiphop.breaks,” paranoid magazine publisher
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Unsure…but Hawaii looks possible.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“‘Let the Sunshine In’ – The Theme from ‘Hair.’”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
Breathing anxiously and wondering if Urb is really Y2K-ready.”

Dave Rosenbloom, Allentown, Pa., DJ/audio contractor, Communication Technologies
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Maingate, Allentown, Pa.”
What song do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“A remix/edit version of ‘1999’ that I’ve been working on for the last few months.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“I’ll start the night with classics, work up to the present – and keep a generator handy.”

DJ Sep, San Francisco, Cal., Dub Mission parties
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Well, I don’t know if this is glamorous enough – or maybe too glamorous – but come New Year’s Eve, 2000, I hope and pray to not be spinning anywhere near a metropolitan area. Instead, I hope to be doing something I’ve never done: lie on my back on the desert floor, looking up at the stars – whether intoxicated or not, that remains to be seen.”

Dennis “Ace” Swartz, Nashville, Tenn., crossover DJ
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Neptunes, The Outer Limit of Nashville. I’ll be playing a Top-40/crossover format.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“I will be playing a 15-minute New Year’s party medley – ‘You Dropped A Bomb On Me,’ ‘Celebration,’ ‘1999,’ etc.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“We will have pyrotechnics in each of the three dance rooms in the complex. I also plan on coming to work in nothing but a top hat, combat boots, giant diaper, and a millennium ribbon around my chest! I’ll be the ‘New Year’s Baby.’ And, of course, sunglasses – future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades. I can’t wait!”

Danny Tenaglia, Queens, N.Y., DJ/remixer, Vinyl resident, Twisted artist, D-Tourist
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“After a very hard decision to change my initial plans and do Sydney like we did last year, I decided to stay more local and do Liquid’s Big Event at the Ice Palace Film Studios in Downtown Miami. Victor Calderone will play until 5 a.m., and I will play until noon. I had several offers to travel overseas, even much more lucrative than this one, but I wanted to be somewhat ‘home’ and have it be special as well for my own personal reasons. Miami is my second home, y’know.”
What song do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“I haven’t a clue yet as to what my first song will be.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“After the first party, we will keep the venue and all the rentals and have one more bash there that Sunday night before I return for those who did not make it the first night due to other plans.”

Tiga, Montréal, Que., Canada, techno DJ, Club Sona resident
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I will be playing at ‘Celebration 2000’ at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada’s largest New Year’s Eve, 2000, party.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“Not sure...too early to tell.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“No, just playing an extra special set – lots of big tunes.”

Johnny Vicious, New York City, DJ/remixer, Groovilicious artist, future X-File
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I haven’t made a decision yet whether I’m going to play or go on a trip. Either I play in Australia, Brazil or New York City – or I go to Egypt on vacation.”
What song do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“I don’t know, maybe ‘2001: A Space Odyseey.’”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Maybe get abducted by aliens.”

VybeMuZik, Kevin “The Undah- Dub” Donaldson and CJ Burken, WOMB-FM, house DJs
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“The Den, NYC. It’ll be an intimate gathering of a few hundred packed in a lush, plush atmosphere.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“I have no idea – probably one of mine.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Bomb shelter survival tactics!”

LeDell Wallace, Birmingham, Ala., house-breaks DJ
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Studio, Birmingham’s only upscale dance club – capacity 1000.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“A ‘2000 Remix’ of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ that I am working on. It’s either that or ‘Tootsie Roll.’”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Oh, yeah!”

Nick Warren, Bristol, England, global DJ ready to rock
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I am playing at Home in Sydney.”
What record do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“No idea what I will play, as I start at 4 a.m.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Rocking the bollocks off the place.”

Pete Werner, Orlando, Fla., resident at Mannequins on Walt Disney World’s Pleasure Island, Promo Only CD’s honcho
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I won’t be spinning this New Year’s Eve. I am one of the lucky ones who will be taking the night off. Jim Fox will be spinning at Mannequins on Pleasure Island. Pleasure Island, featuring the guys who do New Year’s Eve every night, will have Hootie & the Blowfish, The B-52’s and Styx.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Pleasure Island will feature lavish food spread (crab legs, beef tenderloin, etc.), a champagne toast, of course, lasers, 4th of July-style fireworks display and various party favors.”

Josh Wink, Philadelphia, Pa., Ovum artist, remixer, Womb resident and DJ of “all forms of electronic music – house, techno, drum-n-bass and experimental”
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I’m taking the night off to be with friends. I’m crazy to take off due to the money offers, but this is what I want to do.”
What song do you expect to play “when the ball drops”?
“None. No DJing for me!”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“Relax!”

“Little Louie” Vega, New York City, Dance Ritual/Club Vinyl, Master At Work
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“Millenium party in Tokyo, Japan. A TV studio will be converted into a club.”
What record will you play when the ball drops?
“I haven’t decided yet. It will be a spontaneous act, but I’ll give myself a wide selection to choose from.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“I may bring musicians - maybe a guitarist and a percussionist.”

Moby, New York City, DJ/V2 artist, Usually very quotable
Where will you be spinning on New Year’s Eve?
“I will be playing in Miami Beach. Apart from the fact that I’m playing for a bunch of nice people, I don’t know the details.”
What record will you play when the ball drops?
“I’m not DJing. I’m playing live.”
Will you be doing anything special or thematically different that night?
“That remains to be seen.”

Copyright © 2000 DJ Times Magazine
TESTA Communications Publishing