Wow!!! I had such a great time chatting with my good friend Annika Johnson of Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butik , for her latest episode of Door County Girl. We talked about how I started my vintage music mobile DJ service, how I got into magic and how my family and I ended up moving to Door County, Wisconsin. And, I revealed what I have learned about the magic connection to Ephraim, Wisconsin. Please check it out!
I was absolutely delighted and honored to be profiled in the Peninsula Pulse by arts writer Sam Watson. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about my many years working in music (and a bit about magic, too!) as well as DJing and record talks in Door County. Thanks so much, Sam!
You can read the piece here: On the Record: Local Collector DJ’s with Huge Assortment of Vintage Vinyl, 78s
I was excited to see my talk on the history of 78 rpm records at the Sturgeon Bay Library get a shout out from The Peninsula Pulse! The talk was well attended and everyone was so engaged and asked so many great questions that we went almost hour over the scheduled time! If you’d like to see one of my talks or listening parties, check out the full list of upcoming events here or below.
Fifteen years ago, I fell in love with the artistry and history of close-up magic and became a magician member of the Academy of Magical Arts at the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. I was lucky enough to study with many legends of slight-of-hand magic. Since then, I have performed close-up magic as Mysterious Watkins at private and corporate events.
I've been delighted to perform in my home town of Sister Bay twice this summer! I had a great time performing several sets at Northern Door Pride's Circus themed event at the Sister Bay Village Hall on June 13th, and then at the Sister Bay Library on July 18th. See some photos below.
And you can see The Mysterious Watkins in Fish Creek on October 28th for their Jack O' Lantern Days Halloween celebration!
What a fun afternoon! The weather could not have been nicer and we even had a dance floor going. Thanks so much to Al Johnson’s, Bryn, Chase, and everyone who came out to hear me spin some classic sixties soul 45s on August 6th at The Stabbur at Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant, one of my favorite places in Door County -- or anywhere! I hope the goats enjoyed it as much as. I did.
I was delighted to give a talk and demonstration on the history of 78 rpm records at the Sister Bay/ Liberty Grove Library in Door County, Wisconsin on July 6th. We listened to some rare records from my collection (including Blind Lemon Jefferson on Paramount!) as we learned about the history of recorded music from the first half of the twentieth century. Thanks so much to Christina for inviting me and all the great folks at the library!
Happy Holidays!
Wow!!! I had such a fun time the over last three weekends spinning some vintage Yuletide favorites on vinyl and shellac at the incredible Door County, Wisconsin Christkindlmarkt. Thanks so much to John Nelson, Pat Palmer, Don Bumpus and everyone at the Christmas Market. I’m already looking forward to seeing everyone there next year!
I just created a new holiday playlist on Spotify with highlights from all of my 2022 Christmas Market sets. Below that you’ll find my holiday playlists from the last few years as well. I hope they bring some musical cheer to the season.
Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday. Wassail!
I’m delighted to announce a series of gigs at one of my favorite new Door County traditions, the magical Chistkindlmarkt at Sister Bay’s Corner of the Past Museum. I’ll be spinning crowd-pleasing favorites from my collection of rare holiday music on vinyl and shellac. Come join us from 3-5pm Friday November 25 & Saturday November 26, Saturday December 3rd, and Friday December 9 & Saturday December 10.
Learn more about the Christmas market at www.doorcountychristmasmarket.com
Wassail!
On September 28th, I was honored and delighted to be part of the centennial celebration of the newly restored Bayside Tavern in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. The MacDonald family, who have owned the beloved bar since 1975, recently removed the ‘70s-era mansard roof to reveal and restore the original facade of the historic building, which was originally a school house, then an ice cream and soda parlor, a pool hall, Bill’s Tavern in 1934, eventually becoming the Bayside Tavern.
I played 1920s jazz on 78rpm records and the Cherryland A’s brought out their awesome collection of Model A cars. There were historic photos and artifacts and great stories that illustrated how the building and the tavern have been the heart of the community as a gathering place for many generations.
Thanks so much to the Bayside Tavern, Bobby MacDonald, Town of Gibraltar Historical Society, and everyone who came out to celebrate 100 years of the Bayside Tavern building. It was a truly fun and heartwarming event!
David Watkins DJ playing 1920s jazz at the Bayside Tavern Centennial with a 1920s Model A from the Cherryland A’s
I’m excited to announce my first residency in Door County! I’ve teamed up with Adam Pokorski of Rusty Dusty Vintage and Records to bring you 60s soul nights at Twelve Eleven Wine & Provisions in my hometown of Sister Bay, WI on the first Friday of every month. You can see photos from our first two gigs below. Come shake a tail feather with us next on Friday, November 4th!
What a blast to open the season with an outdoor gig in front of a beautifully restored vintage trailer! I got to spin an all 45s set on May 6th for the open house and flea market at Heather Weasler’s gorgeous Drömhus office and event space in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Drömhus is a lovingly remodeled church in the heart of Sturgeon Bay. You can see pictures of the interior here. Thank you Heather and everyone who stopped by!
Over the last 20 years I’ve created complications of rare and rocking vintage Christmas cuts for friends, as well as for Charles Phoenix’s Holiday slideshow and amazing retail stores such as Artel in Prague and Amoeba Music. This year I created three playlists of some of my favorites on Spotify for all to enjoy! Wassail!
Since moving to beautiful Door County, Wisconsin last September I’ve enjoyed getting to know the people of this wonderful community. I especially love learning about Door County history. I also got to spin some vintage pop, soul, and R&B sets on 45rpm and 78rpm records for several fun private events and the grand opening celebration for the newly revamped Fish Creek Beach. See photos below, with more to come!
Seasons Greetings, friends!
Anything new with you? Oh, everything? Me too! First off, I hope this finds you safe and well. 2020 brought lots of changes, including a big move for my family. We now live in beautiful and historic Door County, Wisconsin.
I spent the first part of the pandemic spinning online, including at the Quarantuned Music Festival, on Instagram Live, and on Facebook. It was a great way to connect with friends and share my collection while staying safe at home. Then we moved more than halfway across the country and I’m still digging boxes of records out of storage. I did find my Christmas records, just in time. I hope you’ll join me on Facebook Live next Saturday, Dec 19th and Thursday, Dec 24th (8pm CST/6PM PST), for two sets of rare, weird, and wonderful holiday tunes. Please visit here to watch. Warning: watch live if you want to see the full sets.
I’ve really missed DJing for you, and I hope you enjoy these sets! I’ve saved up some of my very best records to bring a little holiday cheer into a difficult year.
Ho ho ho,
DJ Wassail Watkins
Please take a moment to check out my new promo video!
DAVID WATKINS DJ: VINTAGE MUSIC - REAL RECORDS
"The party rode on the wings of David’s sensational selections, setting the perfect mood for the fab festivities!" --Charles Phoenix, The Ambassador of Americana
“If you want an eclectic mix of music that is fun and varied and all full of cheer, you should check out David Watkins. He is… Awesome!” — DJ Lance Rock, Yo Gabba Gabba
Specializing in unique and sophisticated vintage music in a wide variety of styles, as well as Christmas music people actually want to listen to, Los Angeles DJ David Watkins spins thoughtfully curated sets from real records (78s, 45s & LPs) on modern equipment, bringing an analog feel to a digital world. Clients include Charles Phoenix, Bob Baker Marionette Theater, Live Nation, and the Magic Castle.
Find me on Instagram here!
Had a fun afternoon spinning 45s for Charles Phoenix’s Holiday Jubilee book signing at the amazing Valley Relics Museum’s 11th Annual Car Show and Toy Drive. Thanks, Charles and Tommy!
A visit to Rainbo Records
What a thrilling and emotional experience it was taking a tour of the soon-to-be closed, historic Rainbo Records. Started in 1939 by Jack Brown, Rainbo Records grew from a small business making cardboard recording blanks for home use to a world-known manufacturer of CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records.
Rainbo Records made the Wheaties “Record-On-A-Box”, the Disneyland Talking Map, and the discs used in Chatty Cathy Talking Dolls.
Among the artists Rainbo has made product for include Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Monkees, Milton Berle, Redd Foxx, The Ventures, Led Zeppelin, The Kinks, and on and on. I am so happy I got the chance to visit this L.A./ San Fernando Valley music industry landmark. Thanks so much to Steve Sheldon, Rainbo Records president, who gave such a wonderful tour. You can read about the history at their website.
Photos: Rainbo Records exterior on a rainy morning; Steve Sheldon, Rainbo Records president, displaying a Rainbo-made Elvis gold flexi 78 rpm; inside the facility; displays of the many unusual records that they made; the amazing floor in the lobby.
94th Aero Squadron Gig
It was a fun and beautiful evening for slinging sides of shellac at a client appreciation mixer at the amazing and historic 94th Aero Squadron at the Van Nuys Airport.
If you haven't been, you really must check it out. It's a WW I themed restaurant designed to look like a French chalet, complete with a biplane in the parking lot and a bombed out bunker patio. With a killer view of the runway at the Van Nuys Airport, you can watch private jets and antique aircraft take off and land while enjoying a happy-hour cocktail or meal.
It was a pleasure to bring my rare 1930s-1950s 78s to this great space. The set included sides from Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Wingy Manone, Billie Holiday, Django Reinhardt, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Jordan.
Well folks, spinning 78s at the legendary Hollywood Palladium for The Growlers was the biggest Halloween thrill I could ask for.
I feel lucky to have played some of the most historic places in Los Angeles, and being on that iconic stage is something I'll never forget! You can see video below.
DJ David Watkins spinning Big Maybelle's "Strange Things Happening Every Day" on 78rpm at the Palladium in Hollywood for the Growlers' Beach Goth Halloween Show (Nov 1, 2019). www.davidwatkinsdj.com
DJ David Watkins spinning Wingy Manone's "North Hollywood Blues" on 78rpm at the Palladium in Hollywood for the Growlers' Beach Goth Halloween Show (Nov 1, 2019). www.davidwatkinsdj.com
Happy Halloween! I'm excited to announce I'll be spinning 78s for The Growler's Beach Goth Halloween show at the legendary Hollywood Palladium on Saturday, November 2. Tickets are still available.
It's been a busy fall so far. I had an absolute blast DJ-ing at Soap Plant / Wacko at the launch party for Charles Phoenix' awesome new book, Holiday Jubilee. I played a mix of vintage styles at a fun private art opening and got out the 1920s & 30s shellac for the Heritage Square Museum's 50th anniversary party. The museum is a Los Angeles treasure and they have Halloween tours coming up, so be sure to visit.
You can see photos from recent events below!
Planning a winter holiday gathering? I have been collecting wild, weird, and wonderful vintage yuletide tunes for years and can bring my unparalleled collection to your party or event. Read more about my holiday sets here.
"If you want an eclectic mix of Christmas music that is fun and varied all full of holiday cheer, you should check out David Watkins. He is… Awesome!" -DJ Lance Rock, Yo Gabba Gabba
I had a great time spinning ukulele and Hawaiian music from the 1920s to the 1940s on 78rpm at an anniversary party for the Jumpin’ Flea Circus, a group of ukulele enthusiasts who’ve been meeting to strum their ukes in Sherman Oaks for 15 years! Thanks to all the fleas for the warm welcome and the chance to spin some of my all time favorite records. The joint was jumpin’!