Current:Home > ContactWho was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call -Elevate Capital Network
Who was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call
View
Date:2025-04-16 17:20:12
The Democratic National Convention featured a musical roll call Tuesday night, and DJ Cassidy, a Grammy-nominated performer − and now the first "musical maestro" of a convention roll call − led the event while he introduced each musical artist and state.
Cassidy, a producer from California, according to LA Times, wore a shiny blue suit, a beige hat and square sunglasses when he welcomed the crowd to the DNC's roll call as "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge played.
"Now, we're going to pass the mic from state to state so that all our voices are heard all around the nation," said Cassidy.
'Do Something!':Michelle Obama lays into Trump and rallies DNC
DNC roll call songs
When Democrat delegates announced their votes to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic runner, Cassidy played a unique song representing each state.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Tennessee delegates jammed out to Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" while Texas took it to the floor with Houston-native Beyoncé's "Texas Hold 'Em."
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul bragged about the Empire State's historical significance over Jay Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State Of Mind." California Gov. Gavin Newsom later praised the Golden State over a mashup of Tupac Shakur's "California Love" and Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us."
Another Beyoncé song, "Freedom," played as Harris made another surprise appearance, accepting the party's nomination in a live broadcast from a campaign event she and running mate Tim Walz were attending in Wisconsin.
'California Love' to 'Texas Hold 'Em':DNC honors each state with unique songs
'Truly surreal'
Cassidy took a not "normally fun or cool" political event, as described by former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, and turned it into something grand, with fun music and dancing.
"The whole night was truly surreal," Cassidy told Psaki in an MSNBC interview.
The four weeks of "meticulous" planning went into setting up the DNC roll call.
The ceremonial roll call of the delegates happened on Tuesday, the second day of the Chicago convention.
Before this year, music had never been a part of a convention's roll call, said Cassidy. And that's a fact he "really had to wrap his mind around."
Who is DJ Cassidy?
DJ Cassidy is no stranger to political events or the Democratic party.
The DJ, who got his start playing at school functions, was called on when former President Barack Obama "needed a maestro," they called him to play at both of the president's inaugurations, his 50th birthday, and former First Lady Michelle Obama’s 50th birthday at the White House, according to Cassidy's website.
He's also played at events orchestrated by Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, the Kardashians and even performed at Jay-Z and Beyonce's wedding.
How did DJ Cassidy get his start?
The DJ fell in love with music at a young age. On his 10th birthday, "DJ Cassidy was born" when he asked his parents to get him two turntables and a mixer.
"His love of music and appreciation of sounds both classic and cutting-edge date back to age five when he discovered pivotal Hip Hop records like Run DMC's "Sucker MC's" and cult classic dance films like 'Breakin,'" states his website.
Every weekend, Cassidy would visit record stores, study vinyl sleeves and learn who wrote and produced his favorites.
The young DJ studied artists from across genres and vowed to play all kinds of music for people all over the world.
"DJ Cassidy’s career is the culmination of a lifetime of deejaying around the world, observing people react, and making people move," stated his website.
veryGood! (86)
Related
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Plans for I-55 Expansion in Chicago Raise Concerns Over Air Quality and Community Health
- Love Seen Lashes From RHONY Star Jenna Lyons Will Have You Taking a Bite Out of Summer
- Vanderpump Rules' Raquel Leviss Leaves Mental Health Facility After 2 Months
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Fossil Fuel Companies and Cement Manufacturers Could Be to Blame for a More Than a Third of West’s Wildfires
- Khloe Kardashian Gives Rare Look at Baby Boy Tatum's Face
- Can Iceberg Surges in the Arctic Trigger Rapid Warming at the Other End of The World?
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Clean Beauty 101: All of Your Burning Questions Answered by Experts
Ranking
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Awash in Toxic Wastewater From Fracking for Natural Gas, Pennsylvania Faces a Disposal Reckoning
- As Extreme Fires Multiply, California Scientists Zero In on How Smoke Affects Pregnancy and Children
- A Pennsylvania Community Wins a Reprieve on Toxic Fracking Wastewater
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- How Daniel Ellsberg Opened the Door to One of the Most Consequential Climate Stories of Our Time
- Fossil Fuel Companies and Cement Manufacturers Could Be to Blame for a More Than a Third of West’s Wildfires
- America’s Forests Are ‘Present and Vanishing at the Same Time’
Recommendation
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James Biggest Sale Is Here: Save 70% and Shop These Finds Under $59
Mourning, and Celebration: A Funeral for a Coal-Fired Power Plant
Climate Resolution Voted Down in El Paso After Fossil Fuel Interests and Other Opponents Pour More Than $1 Million into Opposition
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
Save 70% On Coach Backpacks for School, Travel, Commuting, and More
Meet the Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner: All the Details on the 71-Year-Old's Search for Love
Get the Know the New Real Housewives of New York City Cast