DJ Feature: Dan “the Man” Ramirez
Fiesta Musical is going strong after five years with a fresh brand of Tejano programming in Kansas City. Fiesta Musical features an unrivaled new artist music library; insightful and informative guest artist interviews; edgy commentary and informed opinions; and listener’s song requests. The fiesta begins every Monday night at 7:30 pm and lasts until 10:00 pm (central standard time). Fiesta Musical airs on 90.1 FM in Kansas City and simulcasts via live web stream at http://www.kkfi.org. For an enhanced, interactive experience, join us in our chat room at http://www.myspace.fiestamusical during the show to interact with the djs and make your requests while chatting with Tejano fans from across the nation. Fiesta Musical…Taking Tejano to the Future!
DJ Feature: Dan “the Man” Ramirez
Interest in Tejano
Dan listened to regional Mexican music as a teenager before the genre “Tejano” even existed. Dan’s father exposed him to legendary artists such as Isidro Lopez, Tony de la Rosa, Los Panchos, etc. During frequent trips to Kansas City to visit family, Dan would tune in to the Lupe Quintana show. The Lupe Quintana show exposed Dan to even more great regional Mexican music and the newer Chicano style music. He would go to a local record shop in Kansas City, KS to buy the latest albums. This store was a great asset because if they did not have the albums Dan wanted they would order it for him. Dan was hooked and the early roots of Tejano music were now planted.
Dan eventually moved to Kansas City in 1966. In 1968, Dan saw Little Joe when he came to Kansas City at the LaSalle Ball Room. A week later he saw Roy Montelongo and soon after Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution at the National Guard Armory. These artists from Texas were coming to Kansas City about twice a month and local bands were performing quite often as well. There was plenty of live music to go around. In the meantime, Dan’s album collection grew along with 8 tracks and cassettes. And Dan would also buy music by Mexican greats such as Antonio Aguilar and Vicente Fernandez. Dan still has this collection to this day.
Dan was originally drawn to the music because he liked the beat. But one day, his parents told him there was more to the music than just the beat. They asked him to listen to the message the songs were saying through the lyrics. Now, Dan realizes the lyrics send a message. Sometimes these messages are positive and some are negative but nevertheless, there was more to the music than just the beat. And since then, Dan developed a deeper appreciation for the music.
Involvement in Radio
Through a friendship with a couple of local djs, Dan was invited to volunteer for a local Tejano radio show. Dan became a volunteer for KKFI in Kansas City and answered the phones. Dan was encouraged to learn how to operate the board in case someday he would help run a show. Opportunity came knocking when KKFI decided to expand their Latin programming. Tomas Pacheco was volunteering at KKFI at this time and Tomas and Dan along with IV Garza were offered first opportunity to create their own show for the expansion. Thus, in July 2003, Fiesta Musical was born.
Talking on air did not come easy for Dan at first. Eventually, with enough on air experience, he has become more comfortable and now cracks jokes and provides commentaries on various subjects. Dan has invested much time in researching Tejano artists and the music so he can perform professionally on air. When Dan is on air, he likes to balance new music by new artists like Candace Vargas and Monica Castro along with the legends in rotation i.e. Little Joe and Ruben Ramos. Dan feels it is important to keep that bridge in tact between the old and new artists which he feels satisfies most of our listeners.
D
an is well entrenched in the Kansas City community and serves as an ambassador for Fiesta Musical in the public. Dan is respectfully called “Dan the Man” on the radio and is affectionately known as “Uncle Dan” out in public. Dan enjoys being among the people and mingling with listeners. He often seeks feedback about Fiesta Musical and always asks the listeners how to improve the show. One thing Dan hears often is how the listeners appreciate the in-depth artist interviews on the show. The listeners feel they are learning more about Tejano music and the artists in the industry as well as hearing some good music.
Interest in Mobile DJ
Dan has taken his popular identity and personality on the road. The past couple of years, Dan has become more involved in performing at local events. Dan especially enjoys being a dj at the Guadalupe Centers, Inc. senior center. When Dan performs, he mixes Tejano with other types of Spanish music including classics by Antonio Aguilar and Vicente Fernandez. He enjoys seeing how the seniors’ eyes light up as they reminisce about the classic songs and seeing how much they enjoy the music. Dan hopes to continue performing in public for as long as he can and maybe you can catch Dan as an mc or dj at a local fiesta or private event.
Next week: Fiesta Musical dj feature on DJ Ritmo
