Only Passion Pays by Bob Corrigible

Bob Corrigible came to choose a DJ career after owning and managing clubs.

Even as a kid, I would be the one at parties in High School to take over the stereo and play music. I developed a large collection—first 45’s, then albums, then cassettes and then CD’s. Even 8-tracks..I had a matchbook in my car that propped up the 8-track so I could only hear one track. Then, I set up a laptop and speakers at our “cruise-in” Friday nights.

When in my late 20’s, I needed a quick way to support my family. Getting a business degree and my CPA license seemed most expeditious. As a financial analyst for CitiBank, I worked the books and made them look like what corporate wanted, so as to position the bank in the best light for investors. Not much gratification there. It paid the bills—quite nicely too—a means to an end. Now, I retired early in real life—I had a liver transplant in 2001 that impacted my work for CitiBank. The kids are grown, and, after a divorce, I entered a new phase. By the early 90’s, I was in chat rooms, AOL dialup, and all. In 2007, a friend convinced me to come in-world. This came to me at a good time.

SL is a natural progression for those who are not “ashamed” to say they know people from online. It seems our society still has an issue with “those people” who meet others through the computer. Yet, there is a kind of closeness that those who are not familiar with it tend to consider as “unnatural” somehow.

There are a lot of real world cross-overs. I go to music jams regularly in various cities and meet up with several SL musicians. I’ve met a few in SL who live near me in Florida—two are now real life friends. And, since being in SL, I have visited Satin Galli and Erin Frog in Milwaukee.

When first in SL, I helped my friend with her sims—we had ten at one point, mostly residential rentals. But also we had a beach club and a Jazz club. Running a club is very different than being a DJ. I had to find talent. I gave many karaoke singers their start. But it was too much work after three years, spending 70+ hours per week managing it. Never again!

Initially, I spent way too much time here. Now I only do four shows per week and spend time with my girl friend. The rest of my time is in the real world. It seems those who are here for a while do that: in the beginning, they are here a lot, and then the shine wears off. But for me, the social impact is still there, and I appreciate my friends more. I am an extrovert. Though I take time to recharge my batteries now and again, I like being with people. And music has an impact on people—emotions are universal.

A DJ needs focus and be true to a style. Anybody can string together a series of tunes—a jukebox can too. But a good DJ is personable, helps people appreciate the music, and they feel comfortable being around. Ya gotta talk to the audience, include them in your enthusiasm for what you play. It is a combination of personality, passion, knowledge, and interaction. To do it as a means towards making tips won’t succeed.

It can be hard to say no to a venue owner who asks me to play if the fit is not right. I choose based on style and what fans like. Just saying ‘yes’ to anybody who asks only serves burn out. I used to DJ at Jazz clubs. It was nice that I had many couples who got married after meeting at my shows. Working at Franks Elite for a few years is a time I look back on fondly.

Now I gravitate to the Blues—it is honest, and I love guitar, piano, harmonica, etc. I generally download two or three CD’s worth of music per day. My library is around 40,000 MP3’s, of which fully half is Blues. And I subscribe to several Blues publications. While I don’t generally play older tunes, it is amazing to learn the history and hear some of the old “scratches.” Many times, what you think is a new hit song can really be nothing more than a current day artist playing a song written ninety years ago!

For me, being a DJ is simple. It has kept me here when all else seemed to be falling apart. I used to be trusting of people, but I was taken aback the first time some- one really played with my mind and emotions. I avoid drama and don’t allow it into my SL world. There is no need to create problems for myself. I have found a good balance.

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Read viewpoints from other Fogbound DJs:

• Mae Vanistok “Meeting Through Music”

• Cadence Carolina “The Old in the New”

• Joe Dude “Two Sides of Music”

• Larai Dreamcatcher “Featured Focus”

• Axle Wharton “Finding Self”

“Out of the Fog: Blues DJs of Fogbound Define Relevance,” overview edited by Eleanor Medier

Also profiled in Sim Street Journal #5, Fogbound owner Yanik Lytton, “Clearing the Fog.”

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