Today we’d like to introduce you to Glenn Aure.

Hi Glenn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Yes, of course. Well, I was born and raised in the Bay Area, and always loved and had an appreciation of music. I taught myself how to play the drums at an early age which helped me understand the theory of measures, tempo, and syncopation. This would come in handy later in life when I started learning the different aspects of DJing. I would sneak and play my older siblings’ records whenever they were out of the house (I am the “baby” of six kids). I then began collecting my own vinyl to start building up my collection of music and became inspired by DJ legends on the radio like Cameron Paul, Michael Erickson, Alex Mejia, just to name a few. I just knew I wanted to work on the craft and carving out my own style of DJ’ing.

In 1991, I entered the Bay Area’s 106 KMEL Radio “Battle Of The DJs” contest which I ended up winning and earned a guest spot on the station. That guest spot eventually led to a permanent weekend mix show slot on the station. I was eventually asked by Sway to be his DJ on the weekly KMEL 10’oclock Bomb show, which centered around highlighting new music and artists. We helped introduce and break many artists and songs on this platform. A bigger break for me would come in 1994 when Sway was promoted to Morning Drive and brought me in as his Morning Show DJ. That was such an amazing time. I was a young man making a name for myself on one of the top radio stations in the Bay Area.

After a few years of doing Morning Drive, Sway left KMEL for MTV. I was then propelled into becoming Music Director for KMEL, so I was responsible for choosing and programming what music got played on the station, and helped mold the sound of KMEL and the Bay Area. As Hip Hop and R&B culture grew in the 90s, myself and my fellow “All Star Djs” crew were responsible for breaking many artists and songs both locally and nationally.

After a successful run in radio, I left KMEL in 2001 to further expand my role in the music industry by becoming National Director of Promotions at Capitol Records. At Capitol, I helped break more records from artists like Snoop Dogg, Westside Connection, Chingy, Letoya Luckett, Dilated Peoples. I can go on and on. Haha. I also worked for labels such as Epic, Republic, and Def Jam Records, as Radio Promotions. Fast forward to 2022, I returned to the Bay Area to continue my work in radio and reconnect with the community that helped pave the way in my career. These days, I’m on multiple markets with my radio mixshows on 102 Jams SF, V101 Sacramento, Bayology Radio, KBOS Fresno, KDON Monterey, KCAQ Oxnard, KPEZ Austin, and the occasional guest appearances on Twitch.tv and local venues.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not a smooth road at all. Ha! I faced many challenges and obstacles over the years that required lots of adaptability and strategic thinking. On the radio side, one of the biggest obstacles was balancing the artists while maintaining the station’s identity. There was always pressure from major labels and promoters pushing for airplay, but I had to ensure that our programming decisions aligned with our audience’s interests and our overall brand. Another challenge was being able to stay ahead of the industry trends. Nowadays, with the rise of streaming, the challenge is figuring out how people consume music.

As the promoter, breaking new artists was always a challenge, especially in a highly competitive market. I was now on the other side of the table, trying to convince radio stations to take a chance on an emerging act. I relied heavily on the relationships I built with people over the years. That’s why I always like to remind people to be careful not to burn bridges that they might one day have to cross. Managing artists expectations was also key-helping them understand that success takes time and that every small win contributes to long-term growth.

Ultimately, both roles taught me the importance of adaptability, relationship building, and a deep understanding of audience engagement. It was about finding the right balance between industry demands and what truly connects. I didn’t want to just “call it in”. It was, and still is, so important for me to maintain a level of respect and modesty.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
So my business partner and I (shout out to Gen, or as some call her, “Thai”), started our own promo/entertainment company. Our goal is to create opportunities for emerging artists by providing them with the tools and exposure needed to grow their careers. This can include everything from securing media placements and radio play to branding consultations. Running a own company allows me to take a hands on approach with these new artists, while navigating the ever-changing music industry landscape.

I also still record mix shows, as I mentioned before, for both current and old school stations. That part has been fun. Thai and I have even started collaborating on these mixes. Since she was a huge Hip Hop and RnB fan from the 90’s, her input to the songs I put in the mix have become so helpful. Remember, I was working at record labels and with their respective artists, so I didn’t always get to learn what songs were popular at the time. So yeah, her insight is valuable. I’m determined to teach her everything I know.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Hmm, I’d say it was when I would listen to my siblings’ record collections and teaching myself how to play drums with my older brother’s drum set. I’ll never forget the day he walked into our childhood home “catching” me play with his drums. I thought he’d be so mad at me. His look of astonishment caused me to completely go still. Haha! Instead, he was so impressed and proud that I knew how to play. I am so fortunate to have had a close bond with my siblings.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.djglennaure.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djglennaure/
• Other: https://djglennaure1.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits
Photo of Gen and Glenn – credit to DJLazyBoy