Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Doc McDaniels. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Doc., thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
I believe risk are one of the few things in this earth that act as a chisel to a humans character. I want to say the biggest risk for me, which is ironic now that I look back, was dropping out is pursuing my career as a DJ. I am 28 years of age now, but i started to really fall in love with the art of mixing and scratching at 19. Around that time i was not in a place mentally where i felt i could fulfill a role to better someone’s company nor was i able to really adjust to new authority figures. Djing became a natural high for me, soo i took the risk. I dropped out of college with just my tables from my refund check and this old refurbished macbook. The hardest 3 years of my career. No college, i had a couple jobs but i got fired from all 3. I vividly remember my last job. I was a “Porter” at Hertz by the airport. I get a call from T-Wayne’s manager. I was finally making a little money and every now and then a couple dollars from DJing. That call was everything that day, it was everything i needed. It was 2015 when Fetty Wap had the world in his hands basically… that call was to go on tour with them. I risked that last job., which really i never got fired from that one, just to go on tour.. 7 years later.. that risk has taken me to 8 different countries ,has also allowed me to break multiple artist music in a Houston, and has allowed me to be Don Tolivers official Dj. I should definitely say, regarding my career, every risk i have taken was worth it, rather if it was successful or not. Every risk is a learning experience
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I have been in my field for 8 years now. Started with just college parties here and there, then the nightlife, and now its north nightlife and the MUSIC INDUSTRY. I got into the music industry working on my craft and building connections. The Fetty Wap tour back in 2015 really cracked the door open a little bit for me. As far as here in Houston i got in the nightlife through Aristocrat life and the Goodfellas. Both amazing hospitality and promo teams but 2 different cultures. Working with them definitely help me separate myself from most people in my field. I DJ a certain way but i also understand I’m an entertainer soo i do what i can to complete my job. Most likely you will see me in full character; this means my shirt may be off, i might be standing on top of the dj booth, and i could also have the microphone engaging with the crowd on a personal level. Lately i have been producing as well as a little A&R work
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
There is a book i like to read called “The Secret”. Had a couple hiccups on my journey one was not having a place to live. Sleeping on my friends couch was a hell of a learning experience but everything isn’t also sunshine and flowers. My brother is the one who gave me the book. The book talks about law of attraction and how it’sa certain mindset you need to have and maintain in order to paint the picture in your head on a canvas the way you portray it. Besides the Bible, this book for sure changed my life and changed my perspective on how you are sipped to attach your goals
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I think this one might touch a couple readers because we all go through something like this. Death is in inevitable i think we all know that. My first love was sports then music, but my main goal was to make sure my late baby brother wanted for nothing at all. Me being me i just though very simple if i make it to the league i can make millions. The league didn’t work, soo i really took DJing serious. I finally start making a name, finally start really gettin some type of financial reward for my talent and i get a call that my baby brother has this rare form of cancer. In reality i was a DJ for him and him only. The mental strain it had on me was crazy. He was diagnosed in 2017 and he fought hard. July 15, 2019 God brought him home. Well where the resilience in this. July 18th , arguably one of the greatest clubs Houston has ever had “ENGINE ROOM”. That was the last night it was open, of course i had to dj. The Dr told us early that morning that my brother wouldn’t make it another day. Djing through death is one thing, but djing through “your brother isn’t going to live past tomorrow” is a different type of echo in your head.
Contact Info:
- Website: dr.mcdaniels.net
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/dr.mcdaniels?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.mcdaniels94
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dr_mcdaniels?s=11&t=9C006d1yCEtwu8XUXMz50g
Image Credits
@Neffscenes @joshuaamiles @swang_baby_productions