Today we’d like to introduce you to Earl Mells.
Hi Earl, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
For nearly a 3rd of my life (pun intended), I’ve been honored to bring the hype and provide the soundtrack for events of all types and sizes, from large conferences with tens of thousands of attendees to personal birthday parties with dozens, from Florida to Chicago to Texas and beyond! I got my start doing personal parties in college at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University as a teenager and subsequently, upon being heard, have gradually procured an increasing variety of shows, conferences, and events.
I’m currently most active in Georgia and work or have worked with such clientele as the Atlanta Public School System, Reach Records, and the MMA. I’ve participated in such events in Atlanta such as A3C, Streets Alive, Westview Summer Solstice, and a variety of neighborhood association-sponsored events in the inner city. I have DJed at locales across the state including High Museum of Art, Kennesaw State, Georgia State, University of Georgia, Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman, Kennesaw State, Center Stage Atl, Ponce City Market, Piedmont Park, Stone Mountain, Monday Night Garage, and many more!
As of late, I’m very grateful for new and returning clientele and have been grateful to meet amazing people and provide a celebratory and exuberant atmosphere through music, even digitally. I’ve hosted several parties and events even through the pandemic with private parties and such organizations as the Annie Casey Foundation, Foster Success, and South Carolina’s Department of Social Services with online attendees from across the nation and beyond, opening for such prominent figures as Brittnay Packnett Cunningham! I am grateful to continue today to provide high spirits through music for people of all types!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all! Between the ups and downs of income, the struggle of growing a clientele/fan base in the concentrated arena that Atlanta is, the physical stress of mobile DJing (lugging my own equipment to various venues, needing to set up in a timely manner, and still having to perform and tear down and transport after), connecting and staying connected with organizations/clientele, and, having done this for a while now, rolling with the punches of the changes of culture and social media, maintained schedules and dates, DJing can be quite a busy job. But I wouldn’t trade my experiences for the world, I have met so many great people and seen so many momentous occasions and events occur!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a local DJ in Atlanta. I provide DJ services for a variety of clientele and organizations, primarily Christian but all family-friendly/community-based, and specialize in doing so as I specifically am geared toward creating a clean but extremely fun environment through music and have a track record of doing so for well over a decade in Atlanta. I am proud that I am able to have a gift to create a dope vibe in a variety of settings but still be able to maintain my standards and my Faith.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The industry certainly has changed in a lot of ways on the surface as music consumption has shifted from physical media to streaming and the internet/social media have created a different atmosphere and landscape for the consumer (I went from using the traditional turntables and a mixer to a controller). As such the need for a social platform and sphere of influence I believe has bubbled. I honestly hope that the ability to entertain and have a dialogue of sorts with the audience to create a true musical experience is not lost to the popularity of a social media-driven world where follower count is the main determinant of a DJs ability to onlookers. However, I believe this can be beneficial as well as exposure can be provided for DJs who may otherwise not get opportunities and also music is enjoyed by a wider variety of audiences and people.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DJEarlThe3rd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DJEarlThe3rd/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DJEarlThe3rd
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DJEarlThe3rd
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/djearlthe3rd
Image Credits
The David Loren Company
