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To Kool Chris

Chris Chudzik aka To Kool Chris/TKC, owner and founder of TKC entertainment and Dance Factor Radio, has been working on getting dance music back on the radio evern since Energy 92.7/92.5 had left the airwaves. After a few years, on May 19, 2006, Dance Factory became a reality. We are one of about four dance stations left on the FM frequency in the country and we are going strong. Listen to us live in Chicago on 92.5, 92.7 & 99.9 FM every night hosted by Chicago’s Luis 2Live on Friday and Sunday night from 9pm – 5am, and Saturday night from 8pm – 5am and Dlyan Monday thru Friday night from 9pm – 5am. You can also listen to us online from anywhere in the world by clicking the “listen Live” button at www.dancefactoryfm.com

Dance Factory is built for Chicago with music that has an energy altogether different than anything else on the radio. The music has appeal, and the signature Factory mix includes:

Re-mixed Hits from greats like Justin Timberlake, Rhianna, Kelly Clarkson, Pink Floyd, The Police, along with other greats.

Vocals from chart toppers such as Cascada, Lasgo, Ian Van Dahl, and DJ Sammy.

Plus new starts like Tiesto, David Guetta, Bob Sinclar, Paul van Dyk, Benny Benassi, and many more.

DJ MARKSKI

I came from Poland in the late 1970s with my family. A couple years later, as a young student at Gordon Tech high school, I remember watching Julian Jumpin' Perez and Bad Boy Bill mixing at the school's parties. I never thought back then that 10 years later I'd be mixing on B96.

I was a diligent student and a pretty good soccer player. I went to Marquette University for two years before transferring to Loyola University. In one of my accounting classes, I met a girl who worked for the school's radio station -- ENERGY 88.7 FM. She introduced me to some key people at the station, and less then a year later we started the Powerpack -- a group of five DJs, each with a different musical style, mixing on the radio station -- just like we do now at B96. At the time, I was mixing what we called techno -- songs from groups like 2 Unlimited, the " James Brown Is Dead" song, Speedracer, etc.

The year was 1992, and back in Europe, there was the birth what we now call Euro -- not to say that Euro did not exist before 1992. What I mean is that this was the year when European groups like Captain Hollywood Project, Real McCoy, Haddaway, and 2 Unlimited made it BIG in the US. They paved the way for groups such as Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, Fun Factory, Vengaboys, etc. I saw what was going on over in Europe and realized that it was just a matter of time before Euro music crossed over to the radio stations in this country, so I made a Euro mix for the first time to be played on the station. That night, the radio DJ called me and said that he could not keep up with all the phone calls -- the listeners loved it. From this moment on, I never stopped playing Euro.

I graduated from Loyola University in 1993, and oh, no -- I wasn't a music major -- on the contrary, I was an accounting geek. Later that year, something just hit me. I got up early one morning, called my friend Peter, and told him that we were going to open up an Euro music store. He thought that I was crazy. On October 8, 1994, we opened one of two retail music stores called Markski CDs &mp; Tapes.

Throughout high school and college, I was mixing at most of the Polish nightclubs in Chicago -- that is where I got my DJ experience. Then sometime in the summer of 1995, I received the call... I started mixing on B96 on January 1, 1996. I couldn't believe it - and, as a matter of fact, it took me another year to realize what had happened. When I first got to college, I thought I was going to be a physical therapist and t hen an accountant. To my surprise, I ended up being a DJ on the biggest radio station in the country, B96.

Bobby D

In a world filled with so many different types of music, it is rare to find someone who can effortlessly maneuver between all styles with so much talent and ease. To be able to communicate a storyline between the music and edits while keeping the rhythm and tempo as if they were already as one is not an easy task. But if you are Bobby D., youve already had a lot of practice.

At age 10, Bobby was already determined to make his dream come true and become a DJ. Originally his goal was to become a DJ because he loved the music and found himself most comfortable behind a pair of turntables creating his own unique sound. When he first started with his radio shack Realistic turntables there was no turning back. By the age of 12, Bobby was doing his own gigs and parties, spinning for 5 hours at a time for minimum pay. But word spread fast of his skills and by the time he was 13, Bobby was working for WDGC, a radio station for his high school in Downers Grove, IL. Although the signal for the station was small, his show was by far the most fun and interactive.

His work for WDGC got him a chance to create his own radio show for his schools Junior Achievement Program. His radio show was broadcasted on WBBM-FM, Chicagos B96. Although his show was on at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings, it was still a huge accomplishment for this young man who was dedicated to pursuing his music career.

Continuing to throw parties and doing gigs through high school was taking up most of Bobbys time, though his first love was always in his room, mixing music. During high school, Bobby had befriended some promoters that were looking to open a club in the suburbs. And in 1990, he got his first residency at a club; Totos in Schaumburg, IL. While Bobby was spinning nights, he went on to Columbia College in Chicago, IL for broadcasting. But he found that the courses he was taking at Columbia were not challenging enough for him, and he decided to continue his broadcasting education at the Illinois Center for Broadcasting. When he finished his courses there, he was more determined than ever to do something more in the music field.

In 1991 Bobby summoned up his courage and sent a demo tape to WGCI in Chicago, IL and was thrilled to find out that they liked it and began to air his mixes on their weekly mixshow. Bobby continued to send new mixes every week and slowly a bigger buzz was created around the name Bobby D.

However, the real start of Bobby D.s career came in 1993 with the B96 Mixer Search. Although Bobby had sent in resumes and demos to B96 in Chicago, IL for some time, his mixes were never aired. When Bobby saw his chance at the Mixer Search, he was certain that this was going to be it. The Mixer Search finalists were going to be able to be a guest DJ on B96, which at that time and even still is considered the most prestigious radio mixshow in the country. When the contest began, Bobby was more than ready and came in 3^rd place out of the six finalists. And so it began. Bobby got his first guest DJ spot on B96. For six months he continued to submit new mixes each week and it finally paid off. After half a year as a guest DJ, Bobby was a B96 Chicagoland Mixmaster. At the time the mixmaster roster consisted of legends such as Bad Boy Bill, Julian Jumpin Perez, Tim Spinnin Schommer, Brian Hitmix Middleton and Frankie Hollywood Rodriguez.

Bobby once again took charge of his destiny in 1995 and became the first Chicagoland mixer to released a fully licensed dance mix compilation entitled Hot House Mix. This compilation was the first to lead Strictly Hype/Underground Construction Records into their ongoing process of releasing mix compilations worldwide. Hot House Mix is still being sold globally to date. Other mix compilations soon followed including UC 97 with Bobby D. and Tony B. on PR Records, Bobby D.s In The House on Underground Construction and The DJ Rocks on ESP-Sun/Roadrunner Records.

However, these releases were not Bobby s first compilations. Through the years Bobby created a collection of tapes and CDs that he used to promote his name and his talents called Edit Crazy. This collection originally began in the early 90s and continued for several years. Most of the early mixes were done on reel to reel tape and edited manually. The process was long and tedious and Bobby learned to master it, therefore earning the nickname The Edit Crazy Man.

The Edit Crazy Man became so recognized for his talents that in 1996 Tommy Boy Records approached him with a projecta 4 minute megamix of their best Jock Jam hits. Tackling this task put Bobby on the map faster than anything else he had accomplished at that point. The Jock Jam Megamix went multi-platinum and Bobby D. became a household name. People began to book Bobby for parties in droves and promoted him as the creator of the Jock Jam.

Less than a year later, Tommy Boy Records requested Bobby to do another Jock Jam megamix, this one was entitled, Its Awesome Baby! Bobby once again proved himself a success and was again approached by another company, Arista Records. He then created a very challenging New Wave 80s megamix for them to promote their Ultimate New Wave Dance Party compilation. This megamix turned out to be very popular with the retro bars and is still being played by request consistently.

Finally changing hats again in 1998, Bobby was requested to do a megamix for RCA/MCA. This one was definitely something that was new to hima country megamix for the band, Alabama. After spending days listening to their top 42 singles, Bobby went to work and once again surprised everyone, even himself. He ended up finishing the year with yet another Jock Jam megamix featuring Austin Powers.

Not only was Bobby busy with his weekly radio mixes, parties, megamixes and compilations but had decided to take it even further. In 1995 Jasper Stone Records was created. The first release was Who Came to Party by MCM-13. Starting the record company with this track was a huge success and Jasper Stone became the leader in club anthems continuing with My Ding Dong, 100% Not Guilty and the Jasper Stone number one selling record, How To Run A Train. These tracks continue even now, years later, to be very popular in clubs across the U.S. and overseas.

Jasper Stone Records has been proud to have tracks produced by DJ Angel Alanis, DJ Trajic, MCM-13, DJ Josh Collins, DJ Self, Mr. Eddie, DJ Josh R and many more. Other projects released on Jasper Stone have been mix compilations by Hypersound entitled Makin It Phat and Eric Bam Bam Ceas House Factor. With Jasper Stones growing popularity, two compilations were released containing all of Jasper Stones best club anthems called Jasper Stone Club Hits. Bobby also released a CD entitled Summer Mix 99 and Summer Mix 00 where he mixes the best of the Jasper Stone hard house.

Continuing his own record business and forever producing megamixes, compilations and street mixes in his studio, Bobby still finds time to hold residencies at clubs across the states. Some of his residencies have included Zero Gravity in Naperville, IL and Merrillville, IN, Galaxy Club in Des Plaines, IL and countless clubs outside the state such as Rock N Dome in Stitzer, WI, The Factory and Stars and Stripes in Davenport, IA. Performing at all of these clubs doesnt give Bobby much time, yet he still manages to travel to perform at raves and clubs across the country.

Last summer, Bobby took his talents to another extreme digital video editing and it looks like the edit crazy man has a future in movies and videos as a highly sought after video editor. Bobby not only shot his own video with the help of some friends, but he concepted and edited the whole thing, proving once again that he is a DJ of many, many talents. His first ever music video can be seen at clubs across the states and on the web.

So what does the future hold for this incredibly talented young man? Well, if you can catch up with him he may tell you that he may produce one of his own records one day, instead of doing remixes for other record labels. He may tell you that Jasper Stone will have a subsidiary label one day. He might even tell you that one day there will be an Edit Crazy 10. But the one thing you can count on is more Bobby D in some way. This is only the beginning. He has proved time and again that he can roll with the changes and adapt and come out even better than before. Having a mix show on the most listened to radio station in Chicago, running a prestigious record label, having multi-platinum megamixes and now digging into a world of music videos, has proved one thing for sure

Bobby D.s In The House!

DJ Caffeine

So much has been said about one of the greatest DJs in the world. Caffeine has excelled as a producer, artist, remixer, radio DJ, businessman, and ambassador for dance music. In the UK he is a full-blown 'Pop Star'. As anyone who has met him will attest, Caffeine is the living embodiment of the perfect gentlemen, the DJ diplomat and progressive music pioneer.

Caffeine began 1996 with the launch of his own record label, Worldwide Ultimatum, releasing his debut self-produced album 'At The End Of The Cliche'. This album was a culmination of influences gained from 18 years of the experience. It took over two years to complete ans stormed up the UK charts attaining a position of #22. In addition, he began his own management company, Ultimate Music Management, which has blossomed under his watchful eye and boasts a roster which includes such well-known DJs as Josh Wink, Laurent Garnier and Judge Rules.

Caffeines achievements do not stop there. He has appeared on Top of the Pops and in 1996 was awarded the International Dance Award "Dj Of The Year" for the second year in a row. Muzik Magazine crowned him "DJ Of The Year" in their readers poll and he received "Best DJ Of The Year" accolades in Scotland, Ireland, France and Germany. He has graced the covers of England's biggest music magazines including Mixmag, Muzik, DJ and Wax. Caffeine also joined the prestigious team at London's Kiss FM radio station with his own "Ultimate Mix" show on Saturday nights and was awarded the "DJ Mixer Of The Year" by its listeners.

Caffeine has rocked dance floors the world over and has conquered corners of the globe previously left untouched. Maintaining a constant tour schedule, playing throughout the UK and Europe, he recently mesmerized thousands in Israel, South Africa, Japan and Australia. Caffeineappeared at the legendary Love Parade (one of the world's largest raves) in Berlin playing to over 80,000 people. He is the featured DJ this year at T In The Park, and continues to play the UK's biggest clubs including Slam, Cream, Lakota and Minstry Of Sound.

Signing an exclusive deal with Moonshine Music here in the United States, this is the first time any of Caffeine work has been available domestically. F.A.C.T. 2 is the follow-up to his highly successful F.A.C.T. which sold over 70,000 copies in the UK alone.

Dylan

Radio…love it! Growing up I had my own radio station in my room-putting speakers out my windows calling it “sun 101!” Geek alert! Later it was being the mascot for the local radio station. Not long after doing everything for Clear Channel of Ashtabula Ohio. Then Evenings at Star 104 Erie, and then promotions and nights at WABB Mobile. After almost two years I accepted the Assistant Program Director, Music Director, Imaging Director, and On-Air Nights in Madison Wisconsin at WZEE. Whoa! That covers just about everything. But wait, the phone rang “Come back to your roots!” A return to WRTS/Erie managing, imaging, and doing afternoons. I am currently in Chicago, as the host of Dance Factory Radio – Nights on ((9))FM.

Luis 2Live

I was Born and raised in Chicago,IL. Whether it was performing skits in my basement or imitating the radio personalities, I was always fascinated with the idea of being an entertainer. As a child I was introduced to a variety of instruments such as the piano, piccolo, and guitar.This is what sparked my interest in music. In the early 80's during the "breakdance" craze, I had my fair share of alley battles, but after having the opportunity to spin on a set of 1200's at the age of 13, there was no turning back. I was introduced to a whole new level of entertainer, the DJ. It combined two things I loved(and still do)the most, music and performing. Inspired by House Pioneers such as The Hot Mix 5, Bad Boy Bill, and so many more dj/producers, I perfected my skills and hit the scene with turntable trickery, scratchin, and a unique blend of House, Freestyle and hip hop. I landed my first guest mix radio spot on 88.1 Fm WCRX Chicago/Columbia College. I eventually enrolled in the school and joined the radio station. It is there that I had the privilege of becoming the music director and the host of the longest running mixshow in Chicago, The Masters In the Mix. Always trying to break new ground, I created the Underground Cafe" a weekly segment dedicated to the underground house scene in the 90's. It featured live mixing, interviews, and local and national guest djs spinning the latest House Music.Soon after graduating, I pursued my career in radio,landing a spot on the air at Chicago's first TOP40 outlet in years, 92KISS FM. After starting out on weekends, I later moved to evenings. In 2000, the station flipped formats. & found myself hosting nights on the first full blown dance station in Chicago, and one of the first across the country, ENERGY 92.7& 5 Chicago's Dance Hits. Although Energy was short lived, my dedication to dance music will never die. In an effort to keep Dance music alive in Chicago, I've teamed up with To Kool Chris to bring you the hottest new creation on the FM Dial, "DANCE FACTORY". Tune in every nite from 9pm-5AM and Listen to ME!!! Luis 2Live Hosting FRIDAY Thru SUNDAY 9pm-5am.

DJ Erik K

played in most chicago's nightclubs, plus many out of state, cancun, europe. Opened for world's top djs incl: armin van buuren, paul oakenfold, ferry corstern, atb , & many more!

Danny V

He first entered the scene in 2000 with now six years under his belt you can expect a creative performance everytime this dj/producer graces the turntables. His mixture of sophisticated electro house music combined with turntablest tricks leaves crowds from Chicago to Miami in complete deadlocks. His flair, passion, dedication, and drive is what makes Danny V one of the hottest jocks to ever hit the Chicago club circuit. So be prepared to hear a lot more from Danny V in the near future. He’s going to take you above and beyond the standards of night life history.

- Till then Get Down!