Scott McCullough has been a regular vinyl pusher around Dallas over the past decade. McCullogh specializes in a specific area of crate digging that leans heavily towards classic soul music and related genres. He has popped up as a guest at a variety of local soul residencies, but can be found on a regular basis at Single Wide's Stoned Soul Saturday and The Midnight Rambler at The Joule Hotel in downtown Dallas. His collection of 45s holds its own among the most notable DJs in Dallas. For this week's Q&A, McCullough reveals a few tidbits about his fascination with vinyl and what drives him to be a DJ.
See also: Remembering Evan Chronister, a Devoted Dallas Music Fan and Mentor The 10 Best Dance Clubs in Dallas
DC9 at Night: How did you get started DJing, and how long have you been at it? Scott McCullough: 10 years. You could say I started as a radio DJ. I started a community radio station in East Dallas around 2005 called Meat Radio. Just about every night there would be live radio shows with myself and a few friends. Later that year we started DJing in public. My first soul gigs were guest spots at The Smoke and The Lollipop Shoppe.
Is there a particular theme for the track selection of this mix?
These are a few of the 45s that I've acquired over the last year that I'm really excited about. I try to keep it gritty, greasy and generally sleazy.
Do you still buy vinyl?
I mostly buy 45s, but there are great compilations out there on LP.
Where do you dig for tracks for your sets?
Any place that sells records! Josey Records is digger heaven. If I hear something that I just have to have, I'll try the web.
What DJs and artists have had a significant impact on you as a DJ?
When I first started collecting records I was buy anything and everything on the Stax and Chess labels. And mostly LPs. In 2002 I bought a compilation of the Mighty Hannibal called Hannibalism. It collected most of the 45s that he released from the early '60s up through the '70s. It opened up my eyes to the fact that there were some amazing records that never made it to LP. Also they were on labels that were specific to that region or city.
Have you been inspired by any local DJs?
DJing with Gabe Mendoza is always an education. The Smoke compilations put together by DJ Marcos Prado are always great. Evan Chronister made some killer comps for The Lollipop Shoppe. I'm still searching out some of the records he put on the last one. He also convinced me to go see The Boss but sadly he passed away late last year. He's going to be sorely missed.
What is your most memorable music experience of the past year?
It was a little over a year but seeing Bruce Springsteen play in the rain for over three hours was pretty amazing! I was a causal observer before that show but after I saw the light.
What is your most memorable DJ gig to play?
I did a set in front of DJ Jonathan Toubin, of Soul Clap fame, late last year for the opening night of the Midnight Rambler. Toubin has taken the soul dance party nationwide.
Do you have any favorite cuts that you always keep in your crates?
Lately it's been John Lee Hooker's "She's Mine," in which he's doing a similar riff of "Tequila" by the Champs. But it's John Lee Hooker and he just owns it!
What other genres of music do you specialize in for your DJ sets?
I've been buying a lot of '70s U.K. glam called junkshop glam 45s lately. [Plus] '70s funk and soul.
What drives you to DJ music for other people?
I enjoy sorting through the past and introducing people to old sounds that are still relevant and fresh. Music culture moves so quickly and a lot great music falls through the cracks.
What is your take of the return of vinyl over the past decade?
It's great that people are rediscovering the joy of playing a record and with more interest there is more stuff available. It's a good thing.
Tracklist:
1. Bustin' Surfboards - The Tornadoes 2. Pretty Mama Blues - Arthur Griswold 3. Now I've Got A Woman - Freddy King 4. You Said You Had A Woman - Geneva Vallier 5. Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles 6. Come On Back, Jack - Nina Simone 7. Well, I Told You - The Chantels 8. The Love Bounce - Johnny Cool and the Cousins 9. Burnt Toast And Black Coffee - Mike Pedicin 10. Let Me Be Your Boy - Wilson Pickett 11. Bossman - Deane Hawley 12. Slick Chick - Vernon Harrel 13. Dead End Part 1 - Executioners 14. Little Chickee Wah Wah - Huey & Jerry 15. (Let's Twist) Slow & Easy - Ted Jarrett 16. Everybody's Doin' The Pony - Fay Simmons 17. Mary Ann - Link Wray and the Wraymen 18. Honey Stop Twistin' - Jimmy Donley 19. Keep My Woman Home - Danny White 20. El Monkey - Saxie Russell 21. Rattlesnake, Baby, Rattlesnake - Joe Johnson 22. Clap Your Hands - Memphis Slim 23. What I Say - Etta James 24. I Gotta Feelin' - Kent and the Candidates 25. Come On Home - Louis Jones 26. A Little Taste of Soul - Sugarpie Desanto
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