Remembering DJ Frantic

DJ Frantic's death will leave a big gap in the DFW hip-hop community, says producer/rapper Richard "Picnic" Escobedo. Picnic's hip-hop group, PPT, had performed with Erck's Clever Monkeys on a few occasions.

"He was the first guy that I ever really met...that was the true definition of what a disc jockey is," Picnic says. "I don't know anybody that went as far with it as him. That's some really rare shit. I don't know anybody that was doing anything like him. I don't know if anybody understands how big of a loss this is. "

A Frantic Life

The Life and Times of DJ Frantic

May 1, 1976: Fran Lee Erck is born in Irving.

1999: His friend, Pat "Phat-1" Johnson suggests he learn to DJ after Erck complains that he's bored with his videogames.

2000: Erck buys a secondhand set of turntables. He practices and performs at a few house parties, usually waiting until most of the guests have left before taking his turn.

May 10, 2002: DJ Frantic has his first club gig at the Sand Bar in Dallas. Though it was supposed to be a shared set with Phat-1, he reluctantly performs alone after his partner breaks a leg.

Summer 2004: DJ Frantic wins the Texas DMC DJ competition, earning a trip to Los Angeles to compete in the next round. He and rapper/DJ Jason "Big J" Abbott form Clever Monkeys.

August 2006: Erck earns a recording arts diploma from the Dallas Sound Lab at MediaTech Institute.

June 3, 2007: Erck marries Stacy Whitaker.

February 2, 2008: At 31 years old, Erck dies in a car accident. He is survived by his wife; his father, Les Erck; his mother, B.J. Karnath, and her husband, Steve; and his sister, April Prince, and her husband, Rob.