It’s no surprise that Chase Martinez learned to operate a pair of turntables before he learned to operate a car. Spending a good part of his youth in Long Beach, CA (a city put on the map by rapper Snoop Dogg,) Chase moved to the Coachella Valley at the age of 12. Three years later the fledgling DJ made friends with Michael Wright, who was the DJ at a 16-and-older night club at the time. Coincidentally, all three of us would end up working in radio together years later at KPSI power 100.5. Chase would hang out in the DJ booth for hours watching his good friend mix the records and became fascinated with beat mixing.
Growing up in the 80’s, Chase, was heavy into Old School, Funk, and West Coast artists like Zapp & Roger, The Gap Band, Michael Jackson, and Dr. Dre (who has been one of his inspirations.) After quickly advancing his DJ skills, Chase began booking himself in various night clubs, bars and casinos. Some great memories from his early DJ years include spinning music at concerts for Old School acts such as The Cover Girls, Stevie B and Mellow Man Ave.
It was 1998 when Chase landed his first job in radio at KKUU 92.7, a few years later I had the privilege of working with him at KPSI Power 100.5 (now mix 100.5) when Chase was hired as the night time air personality and Music Director. The years of mobile DJ work, night clubs and radio experience eventually landed him his last radio job in 2006 at KRCK 97.7, where he was once again the Music Director in charge of programing the daily playlist in addition to hosting the afternoon drive slot.
While radio was fun, Chase had his sights set on perusing more than just playing music; he wanted to be the one making the music. After picking up a drum machine and a sampling keyboard, Chase added the word “producer” to his title. For a short time he had his own recording studio in Cathedral City, CA where he continued to perfect the art of producing and recording his own music.
Although he has been a DJ since 1985 and enjoys making a living at it, Chase continues to record and produce with the aspiration of making that his full-time career. His plans for the future are to take his production skills to the next level by starting his own independent record company to help people with their music careers.
DJ Chase Martinez is available for private and corporate gigs. You can reach him by e-mail: djchasemartinez@gmail.com or you can catch him a few times a month at Spotlight 29 Casino in the Blue Bar and Groove Lounge.
Written By: Craig Michaels
Musical Affair Entertainment
(760) 619-3276
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