Sunday, June 29, 2008

Washington D.C Prepares For The Million DJ March! Organizers Reach Out To The DJ Community For Assistance...

Washington, D.C. - In a major show of support, DC's Special Parks Services and Parks Rangers have extended the permits to The Million DJ March to include evening and night time activities, including live performances and speeches, meaning that the March and it's various forums can go for an estimated 48 straight hours. This has enabled everything planned to fit into two days instead of the original three- August 29th and 30th. The experience that Parks Services and Homeland Security has with these types of events ensures the safety of everyone attending and the shortening of the event itself will enable those who may be experiencing economic woes to attend and experience the event in its entirety.Despite the positive intentions behind The Million DJ March, many websites and community forums have sprung up since its announcement, both generating false rumors regarding the purpose of the March and erroneously soliciting funds. The message behind the March is getting distorted and its founders felt it was time to address this issue. "MDJMarch is not a record pool," iterates March founder A. Shaw (pictured above with Parks Service and Rangers), " We have no opinions that would hamper our relationships with labels or artists. We simply feel that the DJ community needs to come together and unite, for the betterment of all." Carolina's DJ Chuck T adds, " I personally feel that the DJ community is in desperate need of a facelift right now. The Million DJ March is an event that DJ's from around the world should attend. The key to getting our voices heard is to unite and show solidarity."The intentions behind the March are definitely to educate its attendees on how to better handle the business of deejaying. The role of the DJ has expanded from just being on the radio and hosting parties and shows, to working in television, touring with artists and disseminating music, digitally and through mixtapes. Those seeking information on how to go about expanding their craft, or those that are looking to get started, will hear how it is done from the best doing it today. Some of the legal issues that currently surround the digital music arena will also be addressed during the March's activities. " It is the marketing personnel who should regulate who and how promotional MP3's are distributed to those they are close with to prevent leakage." says A. Shaw. "If more accapellas and instrumentals were given to DJ's we would hear more creative ways of giving songs an extended life while creating a stronger demand for the original 'radio' version. Hip Hop especially was built around this concept."Those wishing to keep up on the latest developments surrounding the March fromits source, can do so by visiting http://www.themilliondjmarch.com/ where you can contact its staff directly. Any websites with illegal Paypal links soliciting donations on this event's behalf, should be reported.A link to download and listen to a PSA recorded by Randy Dennis is below:Million DJ March PSA - http://www.sendspace.com/file/tlr7l8Those wishing to contact March founder, A. Shaw, directly may do so on themilliondjmarch@gmail.com

Why? (The Million DJ March)

DJ's have been regarded as "underground" since their beginning in the early 1970's with founders such as Kool Herc and Grand Master Flowers. They were the "Band" to acts until tracks were just played in the background with little to no live presence. DJ's then went on to "spinning" these records bringing extra life to parties after and during performances adding to fads and trends in music. Using the turntable as an instrument, DJ's found new ways to utilize their talent by blending, scratching and sampling, giving longevity to the music we hear today. DJ's are able to give variety to an otherwise 2 or 3 act performance, hyping up the crowd and making night life quite the experience. Influencing what individuals listened to in Clubs and parties effected what individuals wanted to hear personally. Since the beginnings of DJ, technology has advanced, morphing the standard turntable in to a modern engine full of possibility. DJ's are a community that promote for many forms of corporation, the music industry being just one of them. What DJs say and do can be compared to the effects of a modern day commercial, as we notice on radio broadcasts and their choices in the music they play.Due to the advancement and sudden metamorphosis of their influence in music, there are very few laws protecting this art form as a craft and career. Self sufficient machines threaten this career choice, as so many fear to lose their jobs to in this advancing society. Depending on the audience, a DJ can custom blend the airwaves, to censor otherwise, "restricted" music and control what the masses hear. It is the responsibility of the DJ to make sound decisions based on the age and the want of the audience. The Million DJ March supports all forms of live music and will donate all proceeds from the march to keep music alive in Public Schools. Keeping Children learning.