Today we’d like to introduce you to Miguel Hernandez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started to dj in 1995 but didn’t start djing professionally till 2001. Djing opened up many doors and meetin’ alot of unique people. Each event I dj is different. Like alot of DJs, I started playing at backyard parties. In 2011 I received The Peoples Choice Award via The Houston Press. Now being a parent I started to volunteer dj for my daughter’s school in Alief ISD. My dj volunteering didn’t go unnoticed and has recently landed me the 2021 Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award via Art Spark Texas.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
By no means has it been a smooth road. At an early age, I was diagnosed with a learning disability making schooling and traditional office work difficult for me. I would say djing for me is my outlet as in expressing myself and I’m just lucky to get paid for it.
In 2005 I had all my equipment stolen. I had let good friend borrow my dj equipment and he didn’t unload it once he got home. The next morning his gear and my dj equipment had been stolen out his ride. Took me years to rebuild and I’m still good friends.
Covid has been extremely hard on everyone. Our industry was completely shut down and like every musician, all my gigs were canceled. I’m completely thankful for The City of Houston for helping the Arts and Music community with grants. I was lucky enough to have received one.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Everything was good. I was living of my gigs then pow covid hit. To make ends meet I went back to what I know best which is run cable. (I was once a tech for a large cable company) with my unemployment funds, I applied for my license and started Custom Cable Works Houston. We install security cameras, TV Wall mounts to home theaters.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My support system is the most important part of all of this. My mom for allowing me to discover music. My late father for teaching not to be scared of hard work. My wife for understanding me and all the talented dj friends for keeping me on my toes.
Contact Info:
- Email: djmikone@gmail.com
- Website: www.djmikone.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/djmikone
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/djmikone
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/djmikone
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/djmikone
- Other: www.mixcloud.com/djmikone
Image Credits
Leo Garra
