A Conshy Conversation with #ConshyProm DJ – AJ Dilworth

A Conshy Conversation with #ConshyProm DJ – AJ Dilworth

2/4/2020

by Brian Coll

So Aj, we go back to kindergarten… damn I feel old just saying that. I know there is a question in here somewhere… so I guess since we have known each other that long, I’m not sure I ever asked when you started as a DJ.

Believe it or not it was roughly around 1988 or thereabouts.

Have you been doing this on your own since then or with a company?

Interesting story actually I am a product of right place right time. There use to be a restaurant called Tolands. Great place for people who remember it. Around 13 years old I worked there as a bus boy. One night we had a dj in there. His name was dj jammin Joe (Joe Malozzi) he also used to own the dance club jam land which use to be located behind the Plymouth Square Shopping Center. Joe was doing his thing that night in Tolands when he frantically started waving me over to his dj booth saying kid, kid come here, come here. Once I got there he looked me straight in the eye & said listen .. I have to go to the bathroom really bad! If I’m not back by the time this songs ends .. push this slider down & push this one up & hit this button…GOT IT!! As soon as I said yea he ran off to the bathroom. Joe was just coming out of the bathroom as the song ended …. I did exactly what he told me to do.  Since he was just coming out he actually saw me do it & heard that it was seamless & nobody had a clue that this busboy just transitioned from one sound to another without any awkward silence. Once Joe got back to the booth he looked at me & said you did that pretty good you want a job! For the next 10-12 years Joe took me everywhere with him. He taught me how to read a crowd & how to work the mic after years of working with Joe he decided to retire to Florida with his wife Millie (Millie flood) he sold me his business & since I went everywhere with him I inherited his customers as well.  I am EXTREMELY grateful for my mentor & all that he has given me!

That is awesome, of course I remember Tolands, I even did karaoke there one night many years ago and I think Millie was probably in our kindergarten class as well! Such a small world. So, do you have any regular gigs or nights out anywhere?

I used to be the resident dj at the Casmar cafe for about 10 years prior to them deciding to sell the current owners & the new establishment Jaspers. While I am open to another residency, no opportunity’s have risen to date.

I’m assuming you do weddings if someone is reading this who is planning a wedding…

Absolutely wedding are our specialty! We are also available for any events birthday parties, corporate events, family gatherings, weddings, dance parties, or any other events/special occasions.

 
What keeps you busy besides the DeeJay gigs?

Currently I am the operations supervisor for a company called Proshred security. We deal with all your document destruction needs. I am also a husband to my wife Nettie & father to my daughter Stella & stepson Peter.

I watched you keep crowds entertained for years at the Relay for Life… what do you have in store for the people going to the Conshy Adult Prom?

In between the other entertainment I plan on keeping the crowd moving with some of the songs we all grew up with as well of songs from today. Honestly there’s something exhilarating about seeing someone’s face or watching them jump up to dance when you put on that one song that they just haven’t heard in years but they’re shocked & excited to hear it.   

What are some of your favorite songs to play that people might not expect?

That’s hard to say without reading the crowd. You have to see what songs people react to the best to figure out what songs are really gonna work great.  Is it rock?? Is it pop?? Is it rap?? Is it alternative?? Is it country?? Is it hip hop?? My preference in music is irrelevant…. it’s all about what your crowd wants! Pleasing your customer & creating a great time is the ultimate goal! You will just have to come on out to the adult prom to find out the true answer to that question .

That’s a great answer, get out of the way and let the people there enjoy the night and the music. Okay… this isn’t a conshystuff story if I don’t ask you about your favorite things in Conshohocken.

Conshohocken bakery. Fellowship house, Tony & Joes, Lenny’s, VFW, Great American Pub, Boathouse, Conshy Corner Tavern, Coll’s Custom Framing, library, Sutcliffe park & last but not least the CBC.

Favorite memories here?

My most favorite memories I would have to say were the fellowship house after school & Saturday mornings at Sutcliffe Park with box hockey & all the games/events

I have a shirt that I wear proudly & often that reads my story begins in Conshohocken …Conshohocken is deeply in my heart. The people I grew up with are some of the best I’ve ever known. These are people that were raised on a different level in my opinion. No matter what we all mostly hold that closely to our heart. That comradery we all share is immeasurable & it is my belief that the people I grew up with will always be there with a helping hand if need be. Although I haven’t spoken to some in 20+ years I’d be willing to bet if I called up a Brian (butch) Coll, Spencer Fisher, Sonny Jones, Dwayne (Butter) Graham, Rob Palermo, Tim Donovan, Matt Khunert  Joe Desola, Robyn (Kelly) Dronitsky, Jenn Freese, Mike Walsky. Mark Chesky, Adrienne Clemente, Clint gates & countless others … anyone of them would offer a helping hand in a heartbeat if for no other reason only because we grew up together in the great place of Conshohocken.  As we all commonly say Conshy Strong!!

I think you just named either a most wanted list or a list of some Conshy OG’s!!! Maybe some of them will see this and buy a ticket to the Conshohocken Adult Prom. AJ, thanks man. See you in a few weeks and I wait to hear what you have to play for all of Conshy.

Buy your tickets here…. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conshohocken-adult-prom-title-sponsor-the-great-american-pub-tickets-83826680859?fbclid=IwAR2asN8L5cfiku7ZW41jWewVrWtGfUAyO93VEfeIW4opTtOO-PNybNpHdfo