As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a DJ. After training at student station KCRS on the Northern Iowa campus, I worked at a series of stations including KUNI/KHKE in Cedar Falls, KWLO in Waterloo and KWAY in Waverly. Being in the music scene in the 80’s was a blast. So much great music. College Radio had intersected with the main stream and R.E.M. was on the Top 40. I’ve always loved that music. About seven years ago I decided to scratch that itch and put together a DJ rig. At first playing venues like The Triangle Tap and The Cumming Tap. During the COVID lockdown, I transitioned to an All Vinyl rig. I bought about 200 Vinyl LPs and a couple of nice Audio Technica DJ Turntables along with upgrading my speaker system with new EV Powered Speakers. I call myself DJ Chop Shop. I’ve poured through the archives of the CMJ New Music Report along with Billboard and other dance charts to assemble a now 300 LP strong catalog heavy on 80’s College and Dance Music. Requests are encouraged. Curating this collection for a couple of years means I don’t really have anything I don’t really like. I furnish menus at my shows that list about 800 songs along with paper slips folks can send up to me. This will be like my fifth BRR Ride in Rippey. The weather looks like a balmy (for BRR) 40º. Should be a super fun time! The Thirsty Pigs really know what they are doing with beers and brats. Owner Jay Kennedy is a righteous dude. I do a number of gigs with The Thirsty Pigs throughout the year including the Pig Tails Ride in the spring in Sheldalhl. I’ll be spinning the Fun Hater’s Ride again this year at The Triangle Tap.
Friends of Rippey
