DON WELCH

Don Welch....Bio of a NYC Music Superstar

I know that there might be a few of you out there wondering who in the hell is Don Welch and why are we featuring him here today? Well Don Welch is probably one of the most popular club DJ's and event promoters in the NYC area, which alone has brought him a certain level of fame worldwide. However I am here to tell you that he is a person who should be important to those of you here for several other reasons: 

He Knows How To Hit the "DJ Sweet Spot" - What in the hell is this? It's the "sweet spot" that exists between listening to a set by a "standard club DJ," a "radio DJ" and "a house party DJ." There is a flow to all of this that I can't explain using text. But I know it when I hear it and it can pretty much only be done by a DJ who is from "Deepest Darkest NY," and who has actually lived it.

He Stands Above The Crowd, In The World of "People Who Make a Career of Saving The Music" - As you might well imagine, I know a whole lot of the "People Who Make a Career of Saving The Music." In many cases these people are mostly concerned with the "making a career" part of the equation. Don is different, he is a person who understands the social, political and cultural "dots," that are connected by the music and he makes sure that his events always tie these things together in a manner such that when you leave one of his events, that you leave not only with a smile on his face, but you also understand that the smile is not there, only because of the music itself. For example Don's upcoming event at the Union Square Ballroom on 5/19 in NYC, is in perfect synch with the times we are living in. It's a "dance marathon." Many of you will recall for your history books that 'dance marathons" became popular in the 1930's, during the depression as a way for people to "forget" (at least for a short period of time) the economic depression gripping the United States. (sound familiar?) 

He is a Heck of a Nice Guy - (Nuff Said) --Bob Davis - (Soul Patrol)

Don Welch is a DJ, co-founder of the internationally renowned Underground Network, former Billboard reporter, CEO of OHM Music and Film Works and event promoter. He has entertained a staggering list of celebrity patrons over the years and continues to do so to this day.

He started his musical journey in Brooklyn New York, listening to the great records his parents played. His first purchase was "ABC" by the Jackson 5, leading him to become a record collector & local event DJ. As a teenager he was offered a residency at the famed Club Collibron/Second Floor in New York City, where he played the hottest new sounds to packed houses. Some of his notable patrons included Eric Mercury, Denzel Washington, Antonio Fargas, Kurtis Blow, and Hector "Macho" Camacho. His next residency was at Sava'ge, the hottest R&B Club in the country. Guests ranged from Stevie Wonder, Prince, Sylvester, and Robert De Niro, to Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Russell Simmons, and Full Force. After a successful 7 year run, the club was remodeled & renamed Elite. Notable clientele included Chris Tucker, Chris Rock, Bernie Mack, Mike Epps, Bootsy Collins, Beth Midler, and Brooke Shields. Don also Dee Jayed numerous celebrity events with patrons like Quincy Jones, Donald Trump, Bill Murray, Lynn Whitfield, Mos Def, and Kevin Bacon. In 1993 Eddie Murphy hired Don Welch to DJ at his star studded New York Plaza Hotel wedding and reception.

As a leader in breaking new music first, Don Welch has received numerous awards including gold & platinum records from Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, C&C Music Factory, Crystal Waters, and De La Soul. Don has Dee Jayed in the world's top cities including London, Paris, Frankfort, Rome, Zurich, Ibiza, Tokyo, Osaka, Montreal, and Amsterdam.

In 1992, with his DJ career in full swing, Don started the Underground Network. Created