Danish author Hans Christian Andersen has frequently been quoted for saying, “Where words fail music speaks.” If there’s one person who knows this to be true it would DJ. Spinn. Born Kenneth Russell, DJ Spinn has been a Charlotte resident for almost four decades and a HOUSEhold name for many who still fondly remember him as the guy on the ones and twos (back in the day) at Club Mixx. During this interview, Qnotes talked with the local DJ who has a firm grip on spinning tunes that evoke emotion and prompt crowds to dance and shout to the music they love.
L’Monique King: Are you a native to Charlotte?
DJ Spinn: Actually, I’m not. I was born and raised in Columbia, S.C. and came to Charlotte in the mid-80s to attend broadcast school. I completed it but I didn’t pursue it. I went back home to Columbia for a couple of years and worked in retail as a warehouse manager for Macy’s. I started out as a temp and they were impressed with my work ethic and hired me full time within 30 days and made me an assistant manager. I was there for six years until they took their first nosedive into bankruptcy and I was laid off. When that happened, I then went to Atlanta to interview at two other Macy’s stores. One made me an offer. At that time, I had friends from broadcast school who were living in Charlotte and suggesting I move to Charlotte. Thinking about the distance between Atlanta and my aging parents, I made the decision to move back to Charlotte to be closer to them. That was 1991. I’ve been here ever since. So Charlotte, for me. is basically home…