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Like many music lovers, Mike Corny has an extensive CD collection that includes more than 10,000 songs.
But they are not just for his own enjoyment; They’re the tools of his trade and he brings them whenever he goes to work. He also totes a CD player, speakers, amplifiers and mixers.
Corny is such a popular disc jockey, this equipment gets plenty of use. In 2006, he had people hitting the dance floor for 238 events — weddings, communions, political victory celebrations, holiday parties and more.
The South Philly native — who’s still a proud resident — almost always plays on or near home turf, with his most frequent venues being the Waterfall Room, Popi’s Italian Restaurant, Mancini’s, Galdo’s and Colleen’s.
His fans often greet him with, "How’s South Philly’s favorite DJ?"
He lives up to this reputation by using skills gained from years of experience. "You have to read the crowd," Corny said. At a typical event, he’ll size them up, adding, "During dinner, you try to get a feel for the crowd: Are they responding to different eras of music? Are they singing along, tapping their toes? I look for clues of what to play for the rest of the night."
Most of the time, he plays a variety. "I try to mix it up, because with most parties, the age range is wide," he said. "So I always bring everything in my catalogue. And then I find out which direction to go."
That’s certainly true with the annual event for senior citizens at St. Richard’s Parish, 18th and Pollock streets. "Everything I play is from before the l960s," he said. "If I play music from the ’70s, they’ll say, ‘You’re playing too much new music! Give us some oldies.’"
In contrast, at sweet-16 parties, "I have to be up-to-date, because their musical tastes change every three weeks."
Whatever the event, choosing the right tracks is only part of the challenge. Personality is key, too.
"My most important role is to help people have fun," Corny said. "So I have to maintain high energy and show that I’m having a good time. I have to be on, because I’m the focus for four or five hours."
A true professional, he knows the show must go on. Once, on his way to a party in New Jersey, his car was hit by a bus. He had the tow truck take him right to the event, where he promptly set up his equipment. "I was a little dazed," Corny said, "but I still went on."
The holidays brought their own challenges because of the daunting schedule. In December, Corny did 30 Christmas parties, 90 percent of them with South Philly caterers. Then came New Year’s Eve at Galdo’s, 20th Street and Moyamensing Avenue, where Corny worked a five-hour event for 400 people.
"I’m trying to entertain everyone and making sure midnight comes off perfectly," Corny, who does this every year, said. "My goal is to have everyone on the dance floor at midnight."
As the magic moment approached, Corny played Fralinger String Band’s "Mummers’ Medley" and the crowd loved it.
The party ended at 2 and, by 6:30 a.m., the DJ was on his way to the Convention Center for another annual gig — serving as the voice of the Fancy Brigades, who strut their stuff indoors, rain or shine. Corny introduces each brigade and captain. "And I keep the crowd fired up between performances," he said.
For nine straight years, he’s been doing two three-hour shows. Even with only a few hours of sleep, his energy level is always high.
"It’s very easy to stay excited when you have a live audience of 12,000," he said — not to mention the TV-watchers.
Corny helms many South Philly special events throughout the year. Feb. 17 he’ll be at St. Monica’s Carnivale, a fundraiser for the parish. The school gym at 16th and Shunk streets will be the scene of live entertainment, dinner, games and Corny at the turntables.
He’s also already booked for the Feast of St. Anthony’s June 14 to 17 and the second annual Italian Festival in late September.
As for weddings, his calendar is crammed every year and his schedule is already filled for several nuptials in 2009.
His interest in music began early, and at 45, Corny has racked up 30 years of experience. Growing up on the 2400 block of Clarion Street — just two blocks from where he lives on the 2500 block of Hicks Street — parents Louise and Dutchie were music lovers and the youngster started buying his own records at age 10. Back then, he was Mike Cornaglia, but everyone called him "Corny," thus his nickname — and later stage name — was born.
As a teen, he played music and told jokes Wednesday nights at the former String Band Showcase at 13th and Shunk streets (now Cholly Bears), where he earned $10 for each five-hour stint.
"I was never shy and I became a different person with a mic in my hand," Corny said.
Then a neighbor asked him to DJ at a christening party at Holy Ghost Hall at 24th and Wolf streets, and more gigs soon followed.
Because he never thought of this as a possible full-time career, Corny majored in engineering at Drexel University and later worked as an insurance salesman.
But he loved DJing on the weekends and had a steady gig a Gino’s Cafe at 12th and Annin streets. "That’s where I learned how to make a crowd have fun," he recalled.
In l985, he decided to spin tunes full time. Now he not only has a vast collection of music and sound equipment, but also a closet full of tuxedo pants, vests and formal jackets.
A specialty is his "20 Songs in 20 Minutes" routine. "It’s all fun music and the song changes every minute," he said. It’s become so popular he sometimes gets jobs just to do "20 in 20."
Wife Susan and daughter Samantha are major fans, but they can’t possibly attend all of his gigs so they come to the big events, such as St. Monica’s Carnivale next week.
Whatever the event, the popular DJ gives it his all.
"People have so many pressures in their everyday lives," Corny said. "I’m there to help them have one experience where they just enjoy themselves. If at the end of the evening, they leave saying, ‘We had a great time!’ then I know I did my job well."
