Meet Michael Valladares

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Valladares.

Michael, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I began djing in 1996. I moved from Los Angeles CA. to Phoenix in 1995. It started with me just meeting some friends in high school and went from there. I didn’t know many people so I started going out to parties and met some promoters and DJ’s at that time. I started by helping promoting parties and making friends with the people throwing these parties. I eventually began going out on my own and met DJ’s and just would ask questions and one day I decided that I kind of wanted to try it out too. But this wasn’t my first time where the thought of djing had crossed my mind.

Growing up In LA and listening to the radio I fell in love with house music. I’d listen to Richard (Humpty) Vission on Power 106 as well as DJ Enrie and Tony B and I ask my mom at ten years old, why don’t they have clubs for kids my age? (I was 11/12 years old) I wanna see them DJ in person. I guess that little bug and the love of what I heard on the radio was still very much a part of me at 16 because I ended up doing it.

I was eventually taught how to properly mix by a man that would go on to become my best friend and the godfather to my two sons, David Patino (Dj Frequency). I met him while helping to promote and while no one would really take the time to show me the way, he once asked if it was something I was wanting to learn and he took it upon himself to show me the way. Along with a man that had a huge impact on the Phoenix party scene, Benny Arce and a DJ from the Scottsdale scene in that time, Dj Steel, I was able to perfect my craft by working hard and dedicating all my time and energy into it. I credit these three men for taking a chance on me and pushing me to mix songs as clean as possible and learn the ins and outs of djing.

Over time things began to happen for me. The same DJ’s I grew up listening to on the radio in LA I eventually met and was blessed to share the same stage with. More and more doors began to slowly open up and by 2000 I made my first appearance on the radio in Phoenix on Power 92.3. It was my first time being on the radio like that and was blessed to have been apart of that while trying to balance a day job, a wife and two young sons. It was an amazing experience that I wanted more of for sure. I was with the station for a year and a half, but stayed close with everyone there and would still DJ parties and events with some of those DJ’s and became good friends with many of them over time.

I took time away from the radio for a while and just focused on the day job and the family while still djing weekends and at time weekdays. The radio itch was still there though and in 2007 I was able to jump back into the radio. It wasn’t in the same capacity though, at least not right away. I began working promotions for KVIB 95.1 Lation Vibe. By this time the reggaeton movement had begun to grow more and more and outside of the station, I was djing lots parties and clubs where Hip hop and Latin we more of a staple and was the majority of the music was being played. In 2008 I finally got my shot to be on the air as a mixer on Latino Vibe. After about 6 demos our program director, Bobby Ramos gave me a shot. With his help along with, Justin “Dj Wicked” Sanchez, Jesse “Boy Loco” Natividad & Chris Chavez who I worked with there at the station, I grew and was molded into an even cleaner and sharper DJ and even now in 2019 I still carry all that knowledge with me. Many of their words still echo in my head to this day. I became a better DJ, and better person because of them during those times and I can never thank them enough.

I stayed with the station up until the start of 2014. In 2013 I moved to Dallas Texas but as still sending mixes back to Phoenix to be aired on Latino Vibe until January of 2014. When I moved to Dallas I only knew three people, DJ’s NVS, Fishr Pryce & Rev. There was other DJ’s too, Avi Marco & D-Roz, but not as well as NVS, Fishr & Rev. With all of their help I was able to meet other DJ’s and eventually, owners, bartenders and they helped put me on. I hit the ground running when I came out here. Little by little I began to build my name up. I did some work for Redbull Dallas thanks to Fishr and NVS as well as the little work I did for Redbull in Phoenix/Scottsdale/Tuscon. It was a struggle to find soli work but I was determined to keep pushing no matter how much I got knocked down. In the fall of 2014, I made my return to the radio but now in the Dallas market on HOT 93.3. What started as just a job in promotions eventually became more. I was doing video production for my projects for djing and I was given a chance to show my work to the new program director at that time, Louie Diaz. He liked my work so I began doing more for him and the station and added the fact that I was also a DJ plus the past radio experience I was given a shot to be one of the DJ’s (mixers) for the station. I learned so much more from working Louie and he also taught me so much.

During my time with HOT 93.3, I decided to go to film school. I love djing but also fell in love with video production and felt I wanted to learn even more. I took a step back from the station and focused on school and I eventually graduated with a degree in Motion Picture Production. I wrote, directed and shot some of my own films and learned additional video editing techniques I had no additional knowledge of. My passion for video edition and production lead me to photography and falling in love with that. So along with djing, I now had addition passions that I continue to grow in. I love djing and always will. I’ve been doing this for 24 & 1/2 years. It’s given me so much even though it is it’s also taken so much, but even though my love for it is still strong, there just something to be said about being behind a camera that truly loves.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
By no means has my career been a smooth road. By the time I was 27, I had already been divorced twice. I have four kids that I didn’t get to spend much time with because of working. The holidays were always difficult because of djing. Times, when you should be with your family, were cut short due to gigs. New Years’, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day & Birthdays had to be scheduled around my work. It made for a difficult time.

I sacrificed so much of my family for my career and now I’m paying the price. My relationship with my children is sadly not that strong and I blame myself for a lot of that. I swore when I was younger that I’d always be there for my kids but sadly that just didn’t come to happen. I have regrets about the road I took many times. I wish I could have a “normal life” as we all dream of but life just doesn’t work that way and now I have to deal with the way things have worked out.

By no means thought have I nor will I give up. My kids are amazing and I couldn’t be any prouder of them. I’m working my ass off to change things and try to be there for them more now than I ever was before. I love them like crazy.

Please tell us about your work.
Well, DJing for 24 years I’ve learned to play every genre of music that will bring a party to life. Haha, I’m able to cater to any crowd and living in Texas for six years I’ve learned to appreciate country music a little more and have even done a few events where its all country music. I’m still not all that familiar with it but I’m learning.

I’m working on the photography side of things more and more as well. I’ve shot weddings, concerts graduation pictures and friends as well. The only way to get better is by grabbing your camera and going to shoot. I love shooting and I hope to one day say that this camera bought me my new house haha.

I’m now in the works of building a clothing line. At the time of writing this, I’ve already released my beanies and now I’m working on the hoodies. I’ve got a few other ideas for additional merch but all in time. I have to do a little bit at a time.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Like I previously mentioned, David Patino was probably my biggest supporter when I first started. We’d practice mixing records back and forth over and over at his house for days, weeks and months before he’d let me step foot behind a DJ booth.

Benny Arce, who gave me my real first shot at djing when David said I was ready. With my record crate of like 20 records, Benny let me get on at a party he was djing and it just went from there.

Dj Steel, help to sharpen my skills even more by challenging me to perfectly mix ten records back to back without messing up to get a mixer from him as my reward haha I did and I still have that mixer to this day. Mikee Mike gave me my first real shot on the radio in 2000 on Power 92.3 and it brought my love for radio and my dream of one day djing on air to a reality.

Bobby Ramos, Dj Wicked/WKD, Boy Loco & Chris Chavez (RIP) all made me an even more well rounded DJ. Not just for radio, but also in the clubs. Without them, I don’t think I could’ve grown the way I did. I learned so so much from them.

NVS, Fishr, Rev, Avi & D-Roz were instrumental in my rise here in Dallas/Ft Worth. They trusted me and my work and skills to be able to put their names on the line by backing me up when I first moved here to help get me going. So much has happened here and I owe so much to them. Every door that’s opened here and all roads I’ve gone down over the last 6 & 1/2 years all start with them and I cannot thank them enough.

Contact Info:

• Website: RockoFilms.com
• Email: djrocko1200@gmail.com
• Instagram: RockoEst96
• Facebook: DjRocko1
• Twitter: RockoEst96

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