Current:Home > InvestJohnathan Walker:Who was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call -WealthSync Hub
Johnathan Walker:Who was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call
Indexbit View
Date:2025-04-10 03:47:46
The Johnathan WalkerDemocratic National Convention featured a musical roll call Tuesday night, and DJ Cassidy, a Grammy-nominated performer − and now the first "musical maestro" of a convention roll call − led the event while he introduced each musical artist and state.
Cassidy, a producer from California, according to LA Times, wore a shiny blue suit, a beige hat and square sunglasses when he welcomed the crowd to the DNC's roll call as "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge played.
"Now, we're going to pass the mic from state to state so that all our voices are heard all around the nation," said Cassidy.
'Do Something!':Michelle Obama lays into Trump and rallies DNC
DNC roll call songs
When Democrat delegates announced their votes to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic runner, Cassidy played a unique song representing each state.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Tennessee delegates jammed out to Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" while Texas took it to the floor with Houston-native Beyoncé's "Texas Hold 'Em."
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul bragged about the Empire State's historical significance over Jay Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State Of Mind." California Gov. Gavin Newsom later praised the Golden State over a mashup of Tupac Shakur's "California Love" and Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us."
Another Beyoncé song, "Freedom," played as Harris made another surprise appearance, accepting the party's nomination in a live broadcast from a campaign event she and running mate Tim Walz were attending in Wisconsin.
'California Love' to 'Texas Hold 'Em':DNC honors each state with unique songs
'Truly surreal'
Cassidy took a not "normally fun or cool" political event, as described by former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, and turned it into something grand, with fun music and dancing.
"The whole night was truly surreal," Cassidy told Psaki in an MSNBC interview.
The four weeks of "meticulous" planning went into setting up the DNC roll call.
The ceremonial roll call of the delegates happened on Tuesday, the second day of the Chicago convention.
Before this year, music had never been a part of a convention's roll call, said Cassidy. And that's a fact he "really had to wrap his mind around."
Who is DJ Cassidy?
DJ Cassidy is no stranger to political events or the Democratic party.
The DJ, who got his start playing at school functions, was called on when former President Barack Obama "needed a maestro," they called him to play at both of the president's inaugurations, his 50th birthday, and former First Lady Michelle Obama’s 50th birthday at the White House, according to Cassidy's website.
He's also played at events orchestrated by Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, the Kardashians and even performed at Jay-Z and Beyonce's wedding.
How did DJ Cassidy get his start?
The DJ fell in love with music at a young age. On his 10th birthday, "DJ Cassidy was born" when he asked his parents to get him two turntables and a mixer.
"His love of music and appreciation of sounds both classic and cutting-edge date back to age five when he discovered pivotal Hip Hop records like Run DMC's "Sucker MC's" and cult classic dance films like 'Breakin,'" states his website.
Every weekend, Cassidy would visit record stores, study vinyl sleeves and learn who wrote and produced his favorites.
The young DJ studied artists from across genres and vowed to play all kinds of music for people all over the world.
"DJ Cassidy’s career is the culmination of a lifetime of deejaying around the world, observing people react, and making people move," stated his website.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Woman who stabbed grandfather in the face after he asked her to shower is arrested
- Summer School 8: Graduation and the Guppy Tank
- Woman who stabbed grandfather in the face after he asked her to shower is arrested
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Japan’s PM visits fish market, vows to help fisheries hit by China ban over Fukushima water release
- Hurricane Idalia slams Florida's Gulf Coast, moves into Georgia. Here's what meteorologists say is next.
- U.S. citizen Paul Whelan appears in rare video inside Russian prison in clip aired by state media
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Who is playing in NFL Week 1? Here's the complete schedule for Sept. 7-11 games
Ranking
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Pennsylvania is considering an earlier 2024 presidential primary, partly to avoid voting on Passover
- Allow This Photo of Daniel Radcliffe In His Underwear to Put a Spell On You
- Four people held in a problem-plagued jail have died over the span of a month
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- 'Happiest day of my life': Michigan man wins $100k from state lottery
- Below Deck Mediterranean's Captain Sandy Yawn Celebrates 34 Years of Sobriety
- Pope Francis again draws criticism with remarks on Russia as Ukraine war rages
Recommendation
Trump's 'stop
Pennsylvania is considering an earlier 2024 presidential primary, partly to avoid voting on Passover
'It's blown me away': Even USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter has Messi Mania
Why Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes team could surprise the nation (or not)
The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
Last defendant in Georgia election case released from Fulton County Jail
Autopsy reveals what caused death of former American champion swimmer Jamie Cail
NewJeans is a new kind of K-pop juggernaut