Artist Name: DJ Ben Felton
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Connect with DJ Big Bad Ben
Facebook: /DJBenFeltonEvents
Twitter: @djbigbadben
Website: www.djbenfelton.com
As one of the most popular DJs on the ECE exclusive artist roster, DJ Ben Felton has been spinning tunes since he was 14 years old. Throughout the years, he has worked with and opened for several major artists such as Meatloaf, David Allen Coe, DJ KOOL, and Kid Capri. An inductee of the Ultimix DJ Hall Of Fame, DJ Big Bad Ben is as professional as he is talented.
“Ben Felton is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced DJs on the circuit today. His musical diversity is the absolute best in the business. A total class act that can play any conceivable event you can think of. From Sweet 16 dances, fraternity/sorority functions, nightclubs to corporate parties and wedding receptions, Ben adapts and delivers with A++ results every single time,” raves ECE Raleigh Managing Partner, Barry Herndon.
We sat down with Ben to play 20 Questions and get a better understanding of what makes this hip DJ tick.
1. How did you get your start?
I’ve been DJing since age fourteen. I started my professional DJ career working in nightclubs, and I’ve worked in most every aspect of DJing ever since. I have been fortunate to be a professional DJ since the late eighties. I’ve seen a lot of trends and music styles come and go and have been able to adapt to a wide variety of those styles and music genres. I’ve been an exclusive artist with ECE since the late nineties.
2. Where is your favorite place you have played?
I enjoy the extensive travel that I do throughout the states, and I have worked with so many incredible clients. My favorite has to be the Caribbean island of Turks and Caicos. The island was so beautiful and the wedding was amazing.
3. What has been your most memorable gig?
I was doing a college show, and we were packed into the basement of a fraternity. I had an opening DJ on and I came on at midnight. I started and the place was absolutely electric. I was killing it!
Ten minutes into the show my LD came over and yelled something to me. It was so loud, I could hardly hear him. He got in my face and said, “We’ve got to go!” I said, “Are you kidding? We aren’t going anywhere!” He looked at me again and said, “We’ve got to get out of here. The room is flooding!”
Apparently some party guests climbed onto a table and were holding the water pipe for support. The water pipe burst and water started blasting out of the end of the pipe. I have to commend the brothers. What took us four hours to load in and set up, they had out of the room in 15 minutes!
4. What are you listening to right now?
I listen to a lot of dance music, but my favorites are pop remixes. I enjoy a good rework of something that has been played over and over on the radio. I enjoy the reaction of the dance floor when they recognize the song.
5. If you could meet any artist, dead or alive, who would it be?
My all-time favorite is Lionel Richie. I rarely get the chance to play his music at shows, but his voice is golden and I grew up on his music.
6. What is your favorite song to play?
I Got A Feeling – Black Eyed Peas. It never fails that as soon as the crowd recognizes it they always start to sing along.
7. What would be your ultimate gig?
I enjoy any gig that I can play for people who appreciate my art-form.
8. If you didn’t play music, what would you be doing for a living?
I couldn’t imagine not being a DJ, but about twenty years ago I thought I was done with it. The late nights and the clubs had taken their toll. I had a friend offer me a job driving a beer truck and delivering beer. After a glorious two weeks, I decided that wasn’t for me and I’ve never looked back!
9. What is your favorite snack on the road?
Snickers bars.
10. What is your favorite thing about being an artist?
My ability to take the crowd on a journey. I’m able to weave music styles, genres and decades throughout the night without missing a beat.
11. What is that one song that is guaranteed to get everybody out on the dance floor
Right now I start with Uptown Funk. It’s a definite floor filler.
12. What is special about you?
Several things make me different. A huge difference is that a lot of people think the DJ is just a guy standing there playing random songs. For me, nothing could be further from the truth. I’m not thinking about the next song, I’m thinking FIVE songs ahead. My goal is to keep the dance floor full the entire time I am playing. It only takes one mistake, one wrong song and you’ve lost the dance floor. I like to think I am good at keeping the dance floor packed!
I’m also very particular about what versions (remixes) of songs I play. I do a lot of research to find that perfect sound. My sound is different than the regular radio version. Not over the top, but hip and current. That’s what separates my sound from other DJs.
13. You are being exiled to a deserted island for the foreseeable future, but can take three things with you. What are they?
Two turntables and a microphone
14. What was the first concert you attended?
Lionel Richie (1984)
15. What is the one thing you want potential clients to know about you?
I don’t need a chair. I’m not grabbing grandma’s arm to do the hokey pokey. I don’t “yuck it up” on the mic. I know that’s three things, but it’s so hard to limit it to one! 😉
16. What do you never leave home without?
My Tux. You never know when you might be under-dressed.
17. What gets you excited about 2017?
Doing as many shows as possible. I am a workaholic. I am always ready to hit the road!
18. If Hollywood made movie of your career, which movie star would play you?
Jeff Daniels!
19. If you had to pick one current hit song to play continuously, non-stop in the background of your everyday life, what would it be?
Can’t Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake
20. What is one of the things on your bucket list?
Play a festival.
BONUS QUESTION: How would your best friends describe you?
Loves to laugh. Enjoys life. Loves good food. Works hard. Loves music.
