Page 21 - Florida Sentinel 8-19-16 Online Edition

Local
Young Woman
Fans Won’t Let Old School DJ Retire
Shares ‘Precious
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
When Floyd “Floyd Joy” Rivers began performing as a disc jockey, it was during a time when the dance floors were packed, and people looked for something extraor- dinary out of the person spin- ning the records.
As a protégé of DJ Randall C, Floyd Joy sought to find his own special mark that peo- ple would automatically at- tribute to him and him only. From that came the “Singing DJ.”
That was over 40 years ago, and due to health problems and other issues, Floyd Joy has tried retiring on numerous occasions.
“It’s a funny thing about re- tirement. Once I considered myself retired, I was busier than I had ever been before. People were requesting me to DJ their special events, and I’ve been called back into the clubs on several occasions.
“After my last club appear- ance, I said that was it and I wasn’t going to do it any- more.”
That was until Floyd Joy got a call for his services, and once again, he found himself coming out of retirement.
“If there’s one thing about the clubs in West Tampa, they’ve always shown me plenty of love. I just can’t con- vince them that I’ve retired.
“I also can’t say no when I’m asked to come out of re-
Poems’ In First Book
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Shannon Shields has been a prolific blogger since April 2, 2014. It all started when she was living in Kingston, Jamaica.
“I’m a 24-hour blogger. My mind never sleeps and I can take pictures of myself while I’m sleeping. I also have a lot to talk about.
“My blog space is about life; priceless life. You only get one, so let’s celebrate it.
“What I’m trying to do now is bring tales from life. That’s what prompted me to write “Tempting Trouble’s Tales.”
Ms. Shields said her nick- name is Trouble. She ac- quired the nickname because of her frankness and honesty in addressing issues others don’t want to talk about or re- veal.
“I’m a very outgoing person, so I pick up tales everywhere I go.
“My blogs are a reflection of encounters I’ve enjoyed with some very interesting people in some very interesting places.”
In her book, Ms. Shields said you will find a collection of poems, me-me’s, pictures, and other items.
“I’m proud to say I have had over 1.2 million viewers for the blog, and 5 million viewers on
FLOYD “FLOYD JOY” RIVERS AND RANDALL C
SHANNON SHIELDS
my Google profile.
“Since this is my first book,
it consists of my more precious poems I want to share with the public. The poems are a collec- tion of my feelings and thoughts on the different as- pects of life. I consider myself a rather straightforward woman and so are my poems.”
Ms. Shields said she tries to tell it like it is, or as she sees it is.
“I’d like to help inmates in writing their books, and I’d also like to gain knowledge from their experiences.
“If anyone wants to contact me, they can reach me at Shannon Shields, P. O. Box 172102 Tampa Florida 33672.”
tirement, so I’m at it again at the Cotton Club.”
Floyd Joy said he thinks the reason his fans keep mak- ing him comeback, is because other than himself and Ran- dall C, most of the old school DJs are gone.
“When you’re entertaining a more mature crowd, they want to hear and dance to a specific kind of music. They are not going to sit still listen- ing and dancing to the stuff their children and grandchil- dren enjoy.
“It’s through the grace of God that I can still entertain people, and although my health is still an issue, I just can’t refuse an opportunity to grab the mic and give the peo- ple what they want.”
Floyd Joy said he doesn’t know how long he’ll be work- ing this time, but he’s always alert about his health issues.
“When my health allows it, I’ll always be where my fans wantmetobe.AslongasI don’t keep a rigorous sched- ule, I think I can do it.
“What I’ll have to keep under control are the special events I’m always being re- quested to do. I’m going to have to keep those to a mini- mum as long as I’m back in the clubs again.”
Floyd Joy said it’s re- freshing to know that in this day and time, he still has an audience.
“I don’t think the ‘Singing DJ’ will ever truly go away. I’m amazed some other DJs haven’t tried it, but some of the younger guys don’t say much when they’re working. They just spin the records, get their money, and go home. They don’t really connect to their fans.
“I am a fan driven man, and if I have to be wheeled in, car- ried in, or propped up, I will continue to give my fans what they want. That’s what God has blessed me to do.”
Floyd Joy said although he’s quite busy these days, he will always devote time to his Gospel music career.
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