CRAIG "Bubbles" Darrell is no stranger to the Bermuda DJ scene and is arguably one of Bermuda's finest DJs. He's been spinning musical melodies for 25 years and his positive, uplifting spirit is as infectious as the music he plays. This week Mr. Darrell met with Mid-Ocean News writer Alex Scrymgeour and photographer Glenn Tucker and spoke about his career, some advice for up and coming DJ's and where people can hear him play.

Q: How long have you been in the DJ business?

A:. I have been a DJ since 1983. I started playing at an old bar in St. George called The Kings Port which is now a club called Ovation.

Q:. What got you interested in being a DJ?

A:. I just love music. Prior to becoming a DJ I used to love going to the nightclubs. But it was mainly because I really love music. Me and music connect like bread and butter. We are intertwined.

I also like keeping people happy and making them smile. That's important.

Q:. What style of music do you play?

A: Everything. Not much country and western because not many people request it, but everything else I play, mainly rock, R&B, hip hop, and jazz.

Q: How did you get your name DJ Bubbles?

A: That's a good question. I've had that name since I was eight or nine years old.

When I was that age I was playing cricket and got hit twice on the head in a matter of days. I was hit once with a cricket bat and once with a cricket ball.

The result was I was walking around with two big bumps on my head and that's where the name Bubbles came from.

Q: Where did you grow up in Bermuda?

A: I was raised in Scenic Heights, Southampton. That's my original homestead.

Q: Where did you go to school in Bermuda?

A: I went to Heron Bay Primary School and then graduated high school from Warwick Secondary. For college

I went to Bermuda College and studied bookkeeping and accounting. I do my own books for my business and I love that. I love math and bookkeeping. It's good to have another trade because if the DJ business ever goes down I have something to fall back on.

Q: Who was your biggest influence growing up?

A: My biggest influence growing up was my father, Elliot Darrell, who worked at the former Sonesta Beach hotel as a doorman for 40 years. I always loved how he got along with the tourists.

My father has always had a great personality and no one has ever talked bad about him. He is jolly and happy all the time and as a kid I picked up on that and learned from that. People say with my personality the apple doesn't fall toofar from the tree.

My father and mother have been married 44 years as of this Wednesday gone past and they both have been strong influences on my life.

Q: Who is your favourite and most influential DJ?

A: My favourite DJ was named DJ Cobbs. He was out of New York City but used to DJ at Spinning Wheel, a popular Bermuda nightclub, back in the day. He passed away in his sleep about 10 years ago but he definitely was a motivating factor for me.

He was more into the music and didn't really interact with the crowd like I do, but I learned a lot from him.

Q: What is your personal favourite style of music?

A: My favourite music is slow R&B type of stuff. Anything on the mellow side and love songs I really enjoy.

I'm more into 1970s disco and the 1980s club style of music. Luther Vandross is my favourite artist. I love his music.

Q. What is your favourite song?

A. I have a lot of songs that I love, but if I had to choose one it would have to be something by Luther Vandross.

Q: What sort of events do you DJ?

A: I DJ at nightclubs and also do conventions, wedding receptions and corporate functions.

I do a lot of work through the hotels. Tthe convention group managers call me because they know I have the variety of music and the personality.

Some conventions return to Bermuda and request me because they have hired me for previous events.

Q: Who are your main clientele?

A: Most of my clientele are tourists. Tourists and expats, for the most part.

Q:. What is the most memorable gig you have ever had?

A: The most memorable gig I have had to date was when Miller High Life hired me.

Back in the 1990's they were here for a convention and saw me DJ.The Miller High Life people came up to me and said, "You are coming with us."

The next thing I know they have bought me a plane ticket, flown me to New Orleans, picked me up by limo and put me up in a nice hotel and I did the party for them. It was a DJ gig I will never forget.

Q: What makes Bubbles tick?

A: My son, Tevin, makes me tick. He is 16 now and is coming up behind me in the DJ business. Also positive thinking and setting and making your goals get me going. I'm not the type of person that gives up to easily and I'm very ambitious.

Q. What words of advice do you have for people wanting to get into the DJ business?

A. First of all you have to love what you do. You have to have a love for music, a love for people and most important you have to have a love for yourself.

If you love music and you are a people person then you are already on the way because it is all intertwined. When you have those three working together, loving yourself, loving music, and loving people, you have it made and it's perfection.

Q: Where can people hear you spin?

A: I'm at The Wine Cellar at the Southampton Princess hotel on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I'm also at Pompano Beach Club hotel Tuesdays and Sundays. I just started playing at LV's, a jazz club, on Saturday's as well.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add or share with our readers?

A: I just want to let people know that if you want to make it in life you have be doing something that you love. Set your goals, strive to work hard and stay positive.

Make the best of life and make sure you love yourself first and foremost before you try to find love or a job and you will go far. Love yourself first and you can conquer anything after that.