1. What or whom inspired you to want to become a Deejay?
I was inspired to become a Deejay because of my unending love of music and entertaining people. The DJs who inspired me at an early age (17) were Richard Jenkins, David Rodriguez and Richie Kaczor.
2. Where and when was your 1st gig?
I started out at 15 years old playing in the park of the Lower East Side. I then played at black straight parties at schools like NYU and Hunter College. My first paid gig in a REAL disco was Adam’s Apple on the Upper East Side.
3. Give us the names of some of the songs that you played the 1st night you deejayed?
Love is The Message, Girl You Need A Change Of Mind, Rock Your Baby, Rock The Boat, Love’s Theme.
4. Where else did you spin?
I was the resident DJ at 6 clubs….Barefoot Boy (Gay), Xenon (Straight), Magique (Bridge & Tunnel), The Palace (New Wave/Disco), Funhouse (Kids), Network/Garbo’s (All Women). I also did guest spots at Ice Palace 57, Red Parrot, Area and many others.
5. Who are your favorite deejays?
In the disco era, it was David Rodriguez, Richie Kaczor, Walter Gibbons, David Mancuso, Jim Burgess and Larry Levan. Currently it’s Danny Krivit.
6. Who are some of the Djs you took under your wing and taught them the ropes?
Jellybean, Brad LeBeau, Danny Roman, Jerry Bossa, Randy Murray and others.
7. How did you transition into the next musical phase when disco died out in the mainstream?
Whatever music came along I was able to adapt and would learn anew.
8. Are you excited about your Mobile Mondays Debut?
I’m always excited to spin records.,,Mobile Mondays is no exception….can’t wait!
9. Did you ever think you’d be doing an all vinyl party again?
Hopefully! I did do a semi-vinyl party with Bacho Mangual at the WMC this year and played vinyl with Danny Krivit in London.
10. Did you get promo 45s in the mail from record companies? If so What years?
Record companies usually only sent albums and 12″ in the mail. That was from 1975 – 1986. I either bought my 45’s or had to pick them up at the record companies.
11. Tell us about your roll as a co resident on Sirius / XM Studio 54?
I kind of invented my role on Sirius XM Studio 54. I didn’t want to copy what Jellybean & Robbie Leslie were spinning. So I decided to name each show after a disco I played at so I would be able to spin a wider range of music which included funk, soul, rock, disco, euro-disco, jazz and new wave.
12. What does Ray Caviano mean too Tony Smith?
Ray was one of the first superstar disco promoters and I was lucky enough to get music from him early before the song was released. Also, Ray Caviano was instrumental in getting the owner of Xenon to let me try out at the club. And I got the job and spun there for 3 1/2 years / 5 days a week. I can’t wait to see him again.
Vinyl Culture 
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