Marcus Dobbs is a 39 year-old local Athens resident who has worked part-time as a DJ for 13 years. In his time at the University from 1988 to 1992, he worked with the WUOG broadcast program, the Athens Pilot Club and the State Botanical Garden.

What makes a good DJ?

I would say someone who’s willing to interact with the crowd. I’m not talking about a clown, but I tend to get out and interact with people. I take my wireless microphone out, and I even do a little karaoke. That gets people involved. I think the best DJ is someone who can interact with people.

Do DJs have certain styles they prefer?

I’m a big hip-hop fan. But I do mostly private parties, so I’m in the business where, when I DJ, I pretty much do what the client wants. So if I go to a wedding reception, and they don’t want to hear any hip-hop, obviously I’m not going to play that. I’ve done country, hip-hop, bluegrass, you name it. I do it all.

What really is “quality music?”

For me, I think quality music is really found in the beat. I don’t know if you would define the beat as music itself, but I would think that when most people go and listen to music, unless they’re really involved with the music scene and not really paying too much attention to the lyrics, then it’s the beat.

I personally like old school R & B. I’m a big huge fan of R & B, and I distinguish between that and hip hop. I like the old motown stuff, some of the old ’60s and ’70s, with some old James Brown and The Temptations. For me, that’s quality music.

Who are some DJs you look up to?

I’m a big fan of DJ AM, Dr. Dre, and Jam-Master Jay.

Have any advice for upcoming DJs?

Stick to it. Stick to what you like. DJing is something that can be a career. For me, it’s helped pay my mortgage a couple times. If you love what you do, just stick to it. Find the group and the crowd that you feel like you can cater to. If you don’t love it, you shouldn’t be doing it. It’s definitely not about the money.

What’s your favorite memory or experience as a DJ?

My favorite memories are of the Athens Pilot Club Christmas parties. The club sponsors brain damaged children and adults, and they throw a Christmas party for them every year, and I’ve done that for the past 13 years.

For me, it’s just so good to do things like that, to give back to the community and see people who are less fortunate or have these injuries or problems, and these smiles I see on these kids or young adults’ faces and what music does for them.

For them to be able to get out of a wheel chair and get out there and dance with their friends – that’s what I like about DJing.