We recently connected with DAVID STEELE and have shared our conversation below.

DAVID, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

That’s a great question — and one that makes me pause and reflect.

Sure, there’s a version of me that wishes I had jumped into the creative world sooner. Maybe I’d have more years of experience, a bigger portfolio, or a few more gray hairs earned behind the DJ booth. But the truth is, I wouldn’t change the timing of our journey — not by a beat.

Starting Solid Steele Sounds Entertainment when we did was no accident. It was born out of the right mix of life, lessons, and love — especially love. My wife, Debbie, and I built this together. She’s the lens behind Debbie Steele Photography, and I’m the one pressing play on the party. We’re a husband-and-wife duo that shows up with passion, humor, and a mission to make people feel something — not just see it or hear it.

If we’d started earlier, we wouldn’t have been us yet. We were still becoming the people this business needed — not just technically, but emotionally. Creativity is about connection, and you can’t shortcut that. The way we interact with couples, handle the stress of a wedding day, or roll with the surprises — that’s not just talent, that’s lived experience. And trust me, a couple hundred weddings later, you learn real quick that flexibility and a sense of humor will save the day more than any piece of equipment ever will.

Now, if we had waited longer to start this journey? I think we might’ve missed the moment. We caught that sweet spot — when couples were starting to look for something real. Not just a vendor, but a vibe. Not just services, but soul. And we’ve built our brand on just that: heart, hustle, and being 100% ourselves. From the moment a couple meets us, we’re already invested — not just in their event, but in their story.

People often say, “You two are the perfect team.” And while we love hearing that, we’re also honest about it — we’re not perfect, we’re real. And that realness is what makes us work. It’s what allows us to show up fully for our clients, to bring joy, calm, and the occasional spontaneous dance-off.

So no, I don’t wish we’d started earlier or later. I believe we started at exactly the right time — when we were ready to bring not just creativity to the table, but heart, humor, and something unforgettable.

And if I’m being really honest… my knees wouldn’t have held up if we’d waited much longer.

DAVID, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Who is David Steele (DJ STEELE)
Well, depending on who you ask, I’m either the guy who can pack a dance floor faster than you can say “Electric Slide”, or I’m just the crazy dude yelling “Let’s GOOOO!” from behind the DJ booth like he’s announcing a WWE match. Either way, I’m David Steele — a Jackson, Mississippi native born and raised in The City With Soul. And soul is exactly what I bring to everything I do.

Music runs deep in my bloodline. My dad was The Real Dan Steele, a legendary radio DJ with the kind of smooth voice that could sell sand in the desert. Growing up, I watched him do his thing and thought, “That’s cool… but I want to crank it up a notch.” Then there’s my brother Jeff Steele — another Steele in the game who made his mark as a performer and DJ. So yeah, you could say I was genetically doomed to be behind a microphone and two turntables.

But I didn’t just fall into this gig — I earned my stripes. I started out hauling speakers, untangling cords, and learning the ropes one party at a time. I’ve done it all — from middle school dances to million-dollar weddings — and every single event taught me something new about people, about music, and about how to turn a gathering into a full-blown experience.

I’m not just a DJ. I’m a vibe curator. A party architect. A man on a mission to make sure your feet hurt the next day and your voice is hoarse from singing along to “Shout.” Whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, or private party, I treat every gig like it’s the Super Bowl halftime show (minus the wardrobe malfunctions).

But here’s what I really want clients, fans, and followers to know about me: I care. I care about the couple who spent months planning their wedding. I care about the grandma who’s ready to throw down to some Earth, Wind & Fire. I care about every kid on the dance floor doing the worm like it’s the Olympic trials. This isn’t just a business — it’s a passion.

I’ve been blessed to work alongside my incredible wife Debbie (aka the shutter-snapping genius behind Debbie Steele Photography), and together we’ve built something special — Solid Steele Sounds Entertainment. We bring over 20 years of combined experience, countless 5-star reviews, and an unhealthy obsession with making every event unforgettable.

I may joke around a lot — and trust me, I do — but when it’s go time, I’m all in. So if you’re looking for a DJ who brings energy, professionalism, and just the right amount of crazy, I’m your guy.

Oh, and one more thing — if you hear me yell “Let’s GOOOO” from across the room, don’t panic. It just means the party’s about to get real.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Oh, absolutely—where do I start?

Let me break it down like I break down a beat: being a creative DJ isn’t just about pressing play on a playlist and knowing which button makes the fog machine go “pshhh.” (Although, let’s be real… the fog machine is a crowd favorite.) There’s a whole other level of thought, energy, and emotional intuition that goes into this gig that non-creatives might not always see.

Non-creatives sometimes think this is all just fun and games—and don’t get me wrong, it is fun. But it’s also work. Strategic, mental, emotional, and physical work. What they don’t see is the hours spent curating the right music for the right moment, managing timelines, calming nervous brides, dealing with Uncle Larry’s 14 requests for “Free Bird,” or adjusting on the fly when the power flickers or the mic dies during the best man’s toast.

We are the vibe architects. The whole room looks to us to set the tone, keep the energy flowing, and make it feel effortless—even if we’re internally panicking because the groom’s surprise dance with his groomsmen just turned into an impromptu performance of Magic Mike Live.

Non-creatives might also struggle to understand that creativity doesn’t clock in at 9 a.m. and out at 5. We don’t get our best ideas sitting in a cubicle. We get them at 1:17 a.m. while brushing our teeth or driving to pick up dry cleaning. Our brains are wired for connection, rhythm, and reading the room. We create moments—real, powerful, goosebump-inducing moments. That takes more than a Spotify playlist and a pretty light show.

To anyone coming up in the game: protect your passion. You’ll meet people who don’t “get it.” They’ll ask you when you’re going to get a “real job.” They’ll assume all you do is party for a living. But don’t let that discourage you. You’re in this because you have the ability to move people—with music, with energy, with joy. That’s no small thing.

Also: always bring backup equipment. Always.

Final insight? Get good at reading people. No two events are ever the same, and no two crowds dance the same way. Some crowds need a hype track, others need a slow jam. Some need you to step in like a game show host, others just want you to vibe quietly in the background like a musical ninja. Learning to adapt without losing your unique voice—that’s what separates the good from the great.

So yeah, to the non-creatives: we’re not just DJs. We’re curators of happiness, energy shifters, and vibe conductors. And to anyone thinking about getting into this game? Welcome. Just remember—it’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

And yes… you will eventually play the Cha Cha Slide. Just surrender.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

If we truly want a thriving creative ecosystem, society has to do more than just “like” a photo, tap their feet at a wedding, or say, “Wow, you’re so talented!” Artists and creatives don’t just add flair to life—they bring the soul, the emotion, and the connection. We’re not luxury items—we’re the invisible threads that tie moments, movements, and memories together.

So how can society better support us?

First off: Respect the craft.
Creativity isn’t just a “fun hobby.” It’s work—real work. It’s time, talent, experience, education, gear, and sleepless nights staring at a blank canvas or an empty dance floor, wondering how to make magic happen. Treat it like a profession, because it is one. Exposure doesn’t pay bills. “You get to do what you love” isn’t a discount on groceries. If you want a creative to show up for you, show up for them—with fair pay and proper credit.

Second: Invest locally.
Support your local DJs, photographers, painters, musicians, writers—the folks who are building culture in your own community. Don’t wait until they “make it” before you believe in them. Book them, tip them, share their work, write reviews. That kind of grassroots support creates a ripple effect that keeps the creative energy flowing in neighborhoods, towns, and cities.

Third: Normalize creative education.
We put a lot of pressure on kids to grow up to be doctors, lawyers, or engineers—but we also need artists, storytellers, and music-makers. Let’s fund arts programs in schools and encourage young people to explore their creativity without the fear that they’ll end up “starving.” Creativity isn’t an escape from real life—it’s a critical part of how we cope with real life. And sometimes, it even helps change it.

Fourth: Create space—for real.
I’m talking about more platforms, venues, grants, workshops, showcases, and events that actually highlight creatives. Don’t just celebrate artists during a monthly “art walk” or when it’s National DJ Day (although I will take a cupcake, thank you). Make creative expression part of the regular rhythm of life in your city. When creatives are given room to grow, the whole community benefits.

And finally: Just show up.
You don’t need to understand every detail of what we do—you just need to value the fact that we do it. Come to the shows. Clap at the performances. Dance when the beat drops. Share the love. Let us know we’re seen. Because at the end of the day, creativity is a two-way relationship—we create, you experience. And when that exchange is honored, everybody wins.

In short: Respect the hustle. Feed the culture. And for the love of all that is funky… don’t ask us to do it “for the exposure.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.solidsteelesounds.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solidsteelesounds/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.steele.475506

Image Credits

Debbie Steele – Debbie Steele Photography