Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Parker.
Hi Monica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story starts in 2005, when a fateful visit to Rumors Nightclub in Grand Rapids ended up kickstarting my DJ career.
At the time, I was living in Battle Creek, where I hosted karaoke on weekdays and deejayed on the weekends at a small bar called Partners. My friend Jimmy had taught me the basics of mixing tracks together, and I fell in love with every part of it.
During that visit to Rumors, I struck up a conversation with the owner, Rickey, whom I knew from another Grand Rapids nightclub called Diversions. As we talked, he asked what I did for work. When I told him I was DJing, he mentioned that Rumors was looking for a female DJ to fill in for their Ladies Nights on the first and third Fridays of each month. Their resident female DJ was leaving to serve in Iraq, and the opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time. I eagerly accepted, and that’s how my journey with Rumors began.
A few months later, Rumors decided to keep me on as a resident DJ. Around that same time, I moved back to Grand Rapids, which gave me even more availability. By 2007, I was DJing at Rumors four nights a week, solidifying my place there.
In 2014, I met Brian Holmes (aka “Holmes), a local radio personality at 104.5 WSNX. He hosted the popular nightly show Holmes and the Freak Show and invited me to join him as a co-host. I gladly accepted, and that opportunity opened countless doors for my career. It gave me greater visibility, and the bookings started pouring in.
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of DJing all over Michigan and holding residencies at venues including Metro Nightclub in Kalamazoo, Pronto! in Royal Oak, and The Dunes Resort in Saugatuck.
More than two decades later, I’m still a resident DJ at Rumors Nightclub. It’s the place that gave me my start, believed in me from the beginning, and helped shape the career I’ve built. I’ll always be grateful for that.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think every challenge has helped shape me into the DJ I am today.
Rumors gave me an incredible place to develop my skills, but it also kept me in a bit of a bubble. Breaking out beyond my home venue and getting my name recognized across Michigan took time, persistence, and a lot of hard work.
The DJ industry has traditionally been male-dominated, and there were times when I felt I had to work a little harder to prove myself. Over the years, I’ve earned the respect of many of my peers, and that’s something I’m very proud of.
My biggest challenge, though, has been overcoming my own self-doubt. Learning to trust my talent, quiet my inner critic, and believe that I deserve to be where I am has been just as important as learning the technical side of DJing. That’s still a work in progress, but I’ve come a long way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At my core, I’m an open format DJ who specializes in reading a crowd and creating an experience that keeps people connected to the dance floor. Every event is different, and I love the challenge of figuring out what a particular audience needs in that moment. My goal has never been to play my favorite songs, it’s to play their favorite night.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to DJ everything from the typical dance nights to drag shows, Pride festivals, pool parties, and special events throughout Michigan. That versatility has become one of my greatest strengths.
What I’m most proud of is the longevity of my career. I’ve been a resident DJ at Rumors Nightclub for more than 20 years, and in an industry where trends, venues, and careers can change overnight, I’m incredibly grateful to have earned that kind of trust and loyalty.
I think what sets me apart is my genuine love for people. I pay attention to the energy in the room, I never stop learning, and I care deeply about giving every crowd the best experience I can. If people leave smiling, dancing, and feeling like they were part of something special, then I’ve done my job.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I wouldn’t describe myself as a big risk taker. In fact, I tend to think things through carefully before making major decisions. But I’ve learned that some of the best opportunities in my life have come from saying “yes” even when it felt a little scary.
Accepting the opportunity to DJ at Rumors in 2005 was probably the biggest risk I ever took. At the time, I had no idea that one conversation would turn into a lifelong career. The same was true when I accepted the opportunity to co-host a radio show with Holmes. Both experiences pushed me outside of my comfort zone and opened doors I never could have imagined.
My perspective on risk has changed over the years. I don’t believe in taking risks just for the sake of it, but I do believe that growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone.
Looking back, every meaningful step in my career started with a simple decision to say yes. If I had let fear make those decisions for me, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djmonicaparker?igsh=MWJ3dHNtcDZ1a2s5Zw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/djmonicaparker
