'It's a hobby, but it's also a passion'

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Kimberly Bellamy

June 26, 2009

Local DJ Billy Bronco (Chad Hagans) on new reality TV show

KIMBERLY BELLAMY The Daily Southerner Fri Jun 26, 2009, 10:46 AM EDT

Local DJ Chad Hagans doesn't want to get confused with those that just press play on their computer playlist, and call themselves a disc jockey (DJ).

Hagans, 39, may not carry around huge cases of records to parties anymore, but that's what he started off with. Now he uses technology called serato, which takes songs form his computer, and transfers them to a blank record known as time and coded vinyl, allowing him to still scratch and mix songs.

With his experience from records and a turntable to using serato, Hagans, who goes by D.J. Billy Bronco when performing, gets people on their feet with his deejaying skills.

"You come in and give me five people, I'm going to make five people dance like it's 1,000," he said.

Hagans has taken a step towards proving that he has what it takes to be called a true DJ or at least be ranked among others who feel the same way by being casted on a new reality TV show called "Who's the DJ."

He will be competing against 14 other DJs that were chosen from nationwide auditions to earn a spot as the opener for DJ Clue.

DJ Clue has been a dominant force in hip-hop for the last 10 years, working with major music artist like Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Nas, Eminem, and many more.

Hagans found out about the opportunity through an email that was sent from a organization called Future Star DJs, which he is a member. Following the email, Hagans sent in a video clip of himself in action, and the answers to a questionnaire explaining why he deserved the spot. He was voted number four out of the 15 finalist.

His journey on the show will begin on July 1 when filming starts. Just like the typical reality show, the competitors will be put through obstacles to maintain their position.

"It's going to be how far are you willing to go to get this spot ... It's going to be a challenge," Hagans said.

According to Hagans, the need for a show that exposes what a DJ goes through is overdue.

"I felt like they needed something for DJs," he said. "It's helping people learn that it's more than what you see on billboards and promotions."

Hagans said that he is already known world-wide through post on the Internet, but believes the show will give him even more exposure.

His experience with deejaying began while growing up in New York.

"Being from the Bronx, I was in the essence of when hip hop first started," he said.

"I'm from the pioneer era with it."

Some of the pioneers that were influential to him include Grandmaster Caz, Grandmaster Flash, and Kool Herc, but his favorite Kid Capri.

While in New York, he lived with his aunt and uncle, and would come to Tarboro during the summer to visit family, and eventually started attending high school in the town. His parents are J.T. Glass and Gwen Hagans.

Through musical influences gained in New York and North Carolina, Hagans began to DJ in 1992. His ability to scratch the right mixes to make people dance has landed him performances in Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and allowed him to cross paths with well-known rapper Biz Markie, and BET television host Terrance J, who attended Northern Nash High School in Rocky Mount.

Even with his run-ins with fame, Hagans hasn't found any fame and fortune from his craft, and is okay with that.

"It's a hobby, but it's also a passion. I'm not chasing a dream, but I always had a dream," Hagans said.

Along with some exposure, Hagans plans to take the opportunity as a chance to help others.

"I want to help others that don't know a lot that want to get into music and deejaying," he said.

To learn more about Hagans, visit his web pages at www.myspace.com/djbillybronco or www.twitter.com/djbillybronco.

To learn more about the show, visit, www.djclue.tv

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