Selena Quintanilla shares the stage with DJ Joe Rios

Kicking off our new series with a salute to DJ Joe Rios

Around 17 million people work in the leisure and hospitality sector in the United States, with about 1.56 million people employed in Texas. Of those Texans, over 1.2 million work specifically in restaurants, bars, clubs and other drinking places, making it one of the state’s largest private employers.

In a tourist town like Galveston, hospitality professionals power a massive tourism and dining economy, spanning hotels, resorts, cruise ships, bars, clubs and local restaurants. The island city could not function without its hospitality employees.

Hospitality professionals are often underappreciated but beginning with this column, “It’s My Pleasure”, The Montrose Star will salute a hospitality professional from our community, giving them the recognition they deserve.

This month, we salute DJ Joe Rios, last year’s Third Coast Pride Fest Grand Marshal. Rios loves Galveston and was deeply honored to have been selected.

“The best part was seeing all the supporters lined up in the streets at the parade and also to be able to share that with having my grandchildren ride with me in the parade. That will stay with me forever,” Rios said.

Aside from the grandchildren and making an impact in their lives, there is a line from one of Joe’s favorite songs that sums up how he’d like to be remembered. “And I knew if I had my chance, I could make those people dance and maybe they would be happy for a while,” from Don McLean’s “American Pie”.

Selena shares a radiant smile onstage. DJ Joe Rios recalls her kindness and the cherished moments they shared during years of following her career

Name:
Jose Rios Jr. aka “DJ Smokin’ Joe” or “DJ
Joe Rios.”

Where is your hometown?
I was born and raised in Galveston.

Single, married, engaged or do you like to keep ’em guessing?
I am single, currently accepting applications. LOL.

Tell us about your experience DJ’ing.
Back in 1987 I got a medical discharge from the Army, was unemployed and looking for work. An opportunity presented itself, so I took a chance. Ron Burgess was the owner at the time of the famous Kon Tiki club. The gig paid five dollars an hour and, honestly, it was all new to me. I did my best and tried to learn from listening to other DJ’s in the area.

Who were your influencers?
Johnny Alcocer and Robert Esponza were local DJ’s. They were great and I admired their mixes and would do my best to learn from them. My big brother, Johnny, who lived most of his life in San Francisco, California, told me if you are going to be a DJ, “be the best version of you.”

I took that to mean, “Don’t be like anyone else,” so I didn’t just play current hits. I would include old and new songs and mix different genres. Also, not the same 120/128 beats all night long — that can get boring.

I began to play a variety in my sets because that’s what I like to hear when I go out. Which leads me to Tejano music, thanks to my brother Ruben, who I DJ’d alongside for many years. Ruben always went out of his way to make me not just look good as a DJ but to sound good, as well. He recruited his friends Ray and Charlie as our roadies when we DJ’d events.

My Tejano set is a mix of polkas and cumbias and also English club/house music and country. So that was the beginning of finding my place in the business.

Tell us about your philosophy on being a good DJ.
I’d say it’s about paying attention to the crowd, providing great music, and mixing that together to create a great vibe for dancing. Sometimes depending on location, people come in and bar hop, so at times they require playing a song twice in the same night, and also at the end of the night. Being able to critique yourself on what went well, as well as what didn’t.

What do you enjoy about being a DJ?
I really enjoy it when it all connects — the music, the people and the energy. It is amazing to witness and to be a part of and having contributed to making that happen. I personally enjoy being able to still be doing this 39 years later and very fortunate to be able to be in two worlds, straight/gay and two languages. At times they all come together and the venue and genre doesn’t matter.

What music do you enjoy playing the most?
That varies but Latin music like Karol G, Maluma, Bad Bunny, Shakira and, of course, Selena are my personal favorites.

What songs guarantee will get people to the dance floor?
The line dances always do (not always my favorite) but a Selena mix does the trick as well in the Tejano world, and good cumbia — Fito Olivares — or a polka song with a slow intro that picks up, and the audience shouts a “grito” as couples make their way to the dance floor. (Grito is a Spanish word for “shout”. It is a passionate, high-pitched vocal cry used in Mexican culture to express intense emotion, pride or celebration.)

What is your pet peeve about being a DJ?
Most people are great and respectable, but there
are a few others who request a song and promise “everyone will dance” to the said song — that can be annoying. Or giving an opinion on a song that is being played because they don’t like it and I love it. I don’t have to say a word in response. Instead, I give a polite hand gesture in my best Vanna White motion for him to look at the packed dance floor.

Or when they say, “I’ll be back, I will get you a tip,” and disappear, or worse they request a song and push the tip jar aside. I’ve even had someone move my tip jar so she could place her purse there while she danced. The new thing is putting their phone in your face asking for a song, and still no tip. LOL.

Or they sneak in my space (booth) and girls put their boobs on my arm when requesting a song as if that will get what they are asking for. I find it all amusing.

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever seen on the dance floor from the DJ booth?
I would say probably back in the late nineties early 2000 I was DJ’ing at Evolution in Galveston, an after-hours club that attracted every walk of life. It was amazing to see whites, blacks, Hispanics, straights and gays all on the dance floor with drag queens. Everyone was having a great time, minding their own business, dancing together as one.

When is it and when is it not OK to make a song request from a DJ?
It’s always appropriate. DJ’s pay for monthly subscriptions for music and videos to keep up with trending music. Also, I think playing a set is like cooking. You have a recipe and the audience is requesting a song that might fit the vibe so it can be a risk to change the recipe. It just might work and might not.

Some DJ’s will say, “without tipping your request is just a suggestion.”

I do like to hear what other people are listening to and if I am unable to play it, I will consider it for future sets.

When not spinning records, what keeps you busy?
My grandkids are the great joy of my life. They moved away recently, and I do my best to travel the six hours to see them once a month. Children are the greatest love of all.

When I am not in the club DJ’ing I work full time at ACCT (Access Care of Coastal Texas) as Senior Housing Coordinator. After I lost my big brother Johnny to AIDS in 1995, I started volunteering at the agency then known as AIDS Coalition of Coastal Texas. Having lost my big brother and countless friends in the 1990s to HIV/AIDS, charities have always been a cause that is dear to my heart.

Selena Quintanilla (1971 - 1995)

Selena lights up the stage with her radiant smile and unmistakable star power

Tell us something people do not know about you and will be surprised to learn.
If you just met me or don’t follow me, I would say my connection I had with the Tejano queen, Selena. Those were such great times, seeing her perform and getting the opportunities to sit and visit with her after performances and in between her set gigs. I knew she had all the makings of a brightest star, and I was right. I started following her in October 1988 and continued until the last Houston concert on March 15, 1995.

She was always so kind to me, she had a way of making me feel important. I handed my personal photographs of Selena to the family. I saw her in concert about 50 times. between 1988 and 1995, and I love seeing my photographs end up on T-shirts and other merch. What an honor.

About 10 years ago I became a foster parent of two boys. That has had its challenges, but I have no regrets. The grandkids are an amazing addition to my life.

Also, once a month I go from DJ’ing at Island Time to volunteering my services to Overcomers Outreach ministry. They are a great ministry that provides services to the homeless community with a hot meal, clothing, hygiene items and haircuts. They also do toys for kids at Christmas, and backpacks for back-to-school. I provide my DJ sound system and play Christian music. I feel it’s important to give back.

I suggest everyone find any charity close to your heart and support it financially if you can. Anyone and everyone can make a difference. This charity does amazing work, and I am honored to be a small part of it.

Are you on social media?
Yes Facebook, IG, and I have TikTok, but I am not on there much.

Where and when can we dance for you?
Weekly at Island Time Beach Bar in Galveston, monthly at Southbound (Tejano night) in Galveston, Throwback Tavern in Texas City (also Tejano night) and any other private event I get hired to do. For private or club bookings, call me at 409-256-0144 or email djJoeRios@yahoo.com.

Know a hospitality professional whose story deserves to be told? Or work in hospitality yourself? It’s My Pleasure would love to hear from you. Contact Johnny Trlica at johnnytrlica@yahoo.com

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