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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’!

I had the opportunity to work a lot of great events this spring, including spinning a swinging all-45rpm set for the incomparable Charles Phoenix at the spectacular Valley Relics Museum in May. The cars, the neon, the Kodachrome! An outrageously fun time was had by all.

Other cool gigs included Ladies Night at Playclothes Vintage Fashions in Burbank and a private party and performance on Museum Row in L.A.!

Check out the photos below.

I’m available to bring my collection of rare vinyl or shellac (78rpm records) to your event, and can spin on modern gear or on two wind-up Victolas. See my sample set lists to inspire ideas for your spring or summer bash!

Happy New Year! 2018 ended on a high note with a flurry of great gigs, and I’m looking forward to more in 2019. First of all, I have the coolest clients. It’s always a blast to create sets for their unique events.

I was honored to close out 2018 at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, spinning swinging tunes at their New Year’s Eve party. The theme was Casino Royale and I had great fun creating an all-vinyl set of 1960s soundtracks from classic spy films. Of course, I had to wear my gold 60s suit jacket and Sansabelt slacks while I played Goldfinger! The set was so well received, I’ve added it to my list of offerings. (Plus a new one called Rhythm & Burlesque. Check them both out here.)

Perhaps equally thrilling was being invited to create a soundtrack for Charles Phoenix’s annual Holiday Show. I provided a series of weird and wonderful Christmas tunes to open and close his famously fun retro slide show.

It’s become an annual holiday tradition to bring my collection of rare Christmas music to Amoeba Music in Hollywood. See photo below!

In November, I brought my dueling victrolas to the Topanga Vintage Market to entertain the holiday shoppers at their last show of the year. I love playing for other vintage enthusiasts, who always have great questions about my equipment and 78s, and lots of knowledge to share.

Thanks so much to everyone who invited me to their events. Here’s to more musical adventures in 2019!

Spinning a Casino Royale themed set at The Magic Castle on New Year’e Eve. Photo by Taylor Wong.

We had a blast at the grand opening of Ruby’s Shake Shop in North Hollywood, a classic hamburger stand with delicious shakes, burgers and fries. I played a selection of rockin’ 1950s and 60s 45s for a very happy (i.e. full) crowd. Thanks, Ruby’s! It was my tastiest gig yet.

My new "victrola" service is up and running.  I can DJ your event on two wind-up record players from the 1930s -- no electricity required. It's a fun, portable, and highly engaging show. (I have to crank the players and change the needle between each song!) It allows me to bring music almost anywhere. Sets include wild, weird, and wonderfully evocative 1920s and 30s dance, jazz, international,  Hawaiian, hillbilly music and more, all on 78rpm records. See pics below or more photos and video here.

If you want to hear for yourself, I'll be cranking it up at the Topanga Vintage Market on November 25. 

I'll be launching my new "victrola" service at several events starting this Sunday.  I can now DJ your event on two wind-up record players from the 1930s -- no electricity required. It's a fun, portable, and highly engaging show. (I have to crank the players and change the needle between each song!) It allows me to bring music almost anywhere. Sets include wild, weird, and wonderful 1920s and 30s dance, jazz, international,  Hawaiian, hillbilly music and more, all on 78rpm records. See pics from a private party below.

If you want to hear for yourself, I'll be cranking it up at the Encino Farmer's Market this Sunday, August 26th, and at the Topanga Vintage Mart on November 25. 

Hello Friends,

It's the hottest L.A. summer on record, so I've been breaking out the beach and BBQ tunes! I've got a variety of sets to keep your summer soirees cool including vintage Hawaiian music, classic R&B and blues, and 60s surf & beach instrumentals.  As always, sets are all vinyl or shellac (78rpm). Check out my set lists here or email me for more details.

Best,

David

I don't know if I can adequately describe the joy that a DJ takes in making a crowd dance. It's possible there are no more tireless or inventive dancers anywhere than the legendary Bob Baker marionettes! Getting to be part of the landmark LA theater's gala fundraiser was an honor I won't soon forget. I even got to go through Bob Baker's records and include some in my set. Check out the pictures below to see what I mean. And please visit the Bob Baker Marionette Theater soon to see a show and support their amazing work. It's always a magical experience! 

I was honored to get a peek at the epic record collection of legendary puppeteer and puppet maker Bob Baker. I'll be DJing at Bob Baker Marionette Theater's "In L.A. to Stay" Winter Gala hosted by Charles Phoenix on December 2nd! I'll be spinning my own records plus sides from Bob Baker's personal record collection. Tickets include food, drink, music, and an amazing variety show. Proceeds help to keep the legendary theater in Los Angeles for good! 

Visit here to learn more and get tickets. Hope to see you there! 

I was thrilled to DJ for the Ambassador of Americana, Charles Phoenix, at the release party for his amazing new book, Addicted to Americana. I played a set of rare and groovy 45s from the 1950s and 1960s. The party was at the astonishing Modernica Props in Atwater Village, which houses one of the largest collections of midcentury modern furniture in the world.

Special guest entertainment was provided by classic Bob Baker Marionettes, and Mr. Phoenix served up some of his signature jaw-dropping desserts. As a longtime fan of Charles Phoenix, it was truly a dream gig.

He also gave me a really great quote: “The party rode on the wings of David’s sensational selections, setting the perfect mood for the fab festivities!” An amazing time was had by all. See some pictures of the fun below! 

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