This week: Dangerous Dan Hyatt. The former Director of Engineering for NRC Broadcasting, Dangerous Dan spins five nights a week at a trio of clubs in LoDo, 1515, Oasis and Jacksons. When he was just nine-years-old, he borrowed $5,000 from his parents to launched a mobile DJ company and somehow managed to talk a local radio station into giving him his own show.
Name: "Dangerous Dan" Hyatt
Club night(s): Sundays at 1515 (1515 Market), Tuesdays at Oasis (1523 Market) with DJ Emir - 2 for 1 You Call Its!, Thursdays at Jacksons (20th & Wazee) - College Night! $10 All You Can Drink, Friday at Jacksons (20th & Wazee) - LoDo's Biggest Party! $10 All You Can Drink, Saturday at Jacksons (20th & Wazee), Before and after all Rockies home games at Jacksons.
Style(s) of music you spin: I AM DENVER'S PARTY ROCK DJ
So what's your story, in 100 words or less? At age nine, I wrote a business plan and borrowed $5,000 from my parents to start a mobile DJ company in La Junta, Colorado. Simultaneously, I talked my way onto a local radio station and began a weekly rhythmic program. Nine years later I made my way to Denver as Director of Engineering for NRC Broadcasting. Four years ago, I stepped away from radio, launched my own line of broadcast related equipment and began spinning five to seven nights a week.
Name of a track you can't get out of your head: The Olympic Theme music.
Name of an artist you're currently championing in your DJ sets: Most recently, my peak hours have contained alarming amounts of Pitbull. However, I'm also incorporating many '90s club classics from artists such as Real McCoy, Technotronic, Mighty Dub Cats and Lina Santiago.
What's been your best crate digging experience in another country (if you've had a good one)? Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to explore the international scene as much as I'd like. Domestically, I've had great success finding classics in Pittsburgh at Jerry's Records. I love that place!
Musical mantra: "Tip The DJ, he obviously doesn't have a 401K"
Favorite DJ experience: I could write a book on things that happen at the club. I spin so frequently it is difficult to narrow down a single event as my favorite. Conversely, every event has something memorable, whether it was the wedding in Vail with the drunk 80-year-old break dancing grandpa who looked like Long John Silver, the guy dressed as a Witch Doctor on Halloween, who climbed a support beam and nearly fell to his death, or just watching the Denver Health Human Dog Catcher scoop intoxicated people off the street.
Worst request: "Yo, my homie from California did a track in 1997 with a guy who LOOKED like Biggie. That track got sampled for a song by this underground rapper from Texas who I can't remember the name of. The track was released on cassette tape in 1998 to ten DJs in the Houston area. Can you play the second verse?"
Worst club faux pas you've committed: A couple years ago, I was eagerly preparing for New Years Eve. Somehow, I forget to sleep for several days leading up to the big night. I drank somewhere around two to three cases of Red Bull over a two day period. Needless to say, I wasn't at peak performance when it was time to spin.
Most treasured vinyl score: Lately, every time I visit a record store, I find something that is near and dear to my heart. I'm always trying to learn more about the history of music. As I learn I discover new favorites. Finding something you've researched for several months is quite a treasure.
What other music-related projects are you currently working on? Starting next week, I'm giving away a free online mix. Sign up now at www.dangerousdan.net
I've been in the studio with a very talented drummer named Donna. We're collaborating on a rather epic mix tape project.
I'm the managing partner of Hit Music Service (dot com). We provide music direct from record labels to radio programmers, mix show DJs, and qualified club DJs across the country.
I oversee a radio mix show network, MioG radio, which provides custom mix shows to 27 FM radio stations in US markets.
My broadcast engineering company will be introducing several new products this year that will increase the loudness and clarity of FM radio. I'm excited to have an established relationship with a large broadcast company that is planning on utilizing my products on all of their stations. You've gotta love loud music!
What's something happening in the local music scene that should be getting more attention? Honestly, I feel the local music scene gets plenty of attention locally. It would be great to see Denver's music scene grow larger in the national spotlight.
What elements would your fantasy club night entail? A fantasy club night would include party people who had a deep knowledge and appreciation for all music. It would also include a huge paycheck.
Question we didn't ask you but you often ask yourself: Why isn't everyone following me on twitter/dangerousdanone? I am known for some solid and humorous play-by-play live from the club.
Next time we can see you spin: Jacksons Thursday-Saturday, 1515 Market Sunday, Oasis on Market Tuesdays ... and randomly at venues throughout the metro area.
