Sports DJ Sound Off: Meet Ro Parrish

The Sports DJ Sound Off series is designed to provide insightful ways to help properly theme and soundtrack sporting events.  In addition to providing themed playlists, we're now connecting with some of the most talented Sports DJs across the country and picking their brains for your benefit.  Listen up as we 'Sound Off' with the industry's finest.

Ro (far left) with 3PT staff following the 2014 Tip-Off Tailgate at the Final Four in North Texas. 

Over the past few years, I've had the privilege to work with Ro Parrish on some marquee events including multiple NBA All-Star and Final Four weekends.  In 2013 and 2014, we worked together on the NBA All-Star Celebrity game in which Ro was the PA Announcer.  Over the last three years, we've worked together on multiple events surrounding each Final Four weekend with his role evolving each year from DJ to correspondent to Co-Host.  Ro is family to us here at 3 Point Productions and his skill set allows us to utilize him in nearly any capacity needed.  He's a pro's pro.

I recently got to 'Sound Off' with my friend and here's how it went down...  Meet Ro Parrish. 

Ro poses with the Dallas Mavericks 2011 NBA Championship Trophy. 

MH:  Which sports organizations have you or do you currently DJ for? 

RO:  I'm currently retired from DJ'ing or "unattached" from a sports organization but I spent 8 years as the Official DJ of the Dallas Mavericks and 5 years (and counting) as a NBA resident DJ for various league events.  I also Host and DJ for Big D NYE and Turner Sports Events, where I perform in front of crowds of 30,000+ annually.  

MH:  How did you get involved in sports and become a Sports DJ?

RO:  Started interning for the Dallas Mavericks after my freshman year in college.  That gave me my introduction into the world of sports professionally.  Years later after graduating college, the Mavs welcomed me back to the organization and created a position tailored specifically with my skill set in mind.  

MH:  What's some advice you'd give young people considering a career in sports?

RO:  Approach with caution, this isn't for everyone…  there are many ups and downs.  However, if you're passionate about it, put your all into it and never look back.  I've enjoyed the ride, and I'm looking forward to where it takes me next.  

Ro's career highlight - his Emmy Award from his work on 'Mavs Insider'. 

MH:  Which of your career highlights are you most proud of and why?

RO:  Winning a Broadcast Emmy Award for 'Mavs Insider', a TV program I hosted for the Mavericks in conjunction with my DJ responsibilities is probably my proudest career highlight to date.  However there are others that I have great pride in which include performing as the the Opening Act for Beyonce when she came to Dallas during her "Mrs. Carter World Tour" in 2013 and being one of the only two NBA DJ's that have won a title and have a championship ring.  I feel blessed.  

MH:  What is your favorite sport or event to DJ for and why?

RO:  NBA All-Star Weekend because it's one of the biggest weekends in the world of sports.  The celebs and stars are out all weekend and the fans are ready to be entertained.  It's also a "family reunion" of sorts for all of the NBA DJ's.  

MH:  What equipment and software do you use?

RO:  My weapons of choice are as follows:  1200 Technics, MacBook Pro, Serato, Pioneer 909 or Rane 62 and Dicers.  

MH:  Which songs, artists or genres do you consider guilty pleasures?

RO:  Hip-Hop breaks are my guilty pleasure.  I'll drop those anytime.  Like…  "Just Begun" - Jimmy Castor Bunch, "Down By Law" - Fab Five Freddy, "Let's Dance" - Herman Kelly or "Pump Me Up" - Bobby Torres.  There are also some abstract genres that I will occasionally mix in… like songs used in popular commercials, video games, cartoons or even TV theme songs.

Ro doing his thing on NBA Opening Night in Cleveland this season.  

MH:  What 3 songs do you think every DJ should have in their music library?

RO:  "Let Me Clear My Throat" by DJ Kool, "Public Service Announcement" by Jay-Z, "Peter Piper" by Run DMC and "Apache" by Sugar Hill Gang.  I know, I listed four.  Shoot me. 

MH:  If you could DJ any event in the world, which would you pick?

RO:  Super Bowl.  

MH:  If you were a professional baseball player, which song would you select as your batter intro music?

RO:  "The Don" by Nas or "I'm a Boss" by Meek Mill.  The first 15 seconds of those tracks have so much energy…  But honestly, I'd probably change my song weekly according to my mood or what record was hot to me at the time.  I loved how Derek Jeter switched it up - in the early 2000's he had "Whoa" by Black Rob and some of the Method Man & Redman tracks from "Blackout", then mid 2000's he went with "Go DJ" by Lil Wayne (double entendre) and in his last season he went with "Trophies" by Drake.  

MH:  What's your favorite sporting event theme night to soundtrack for?

RO:  90's Night was always my favorite night because that's the era I grew up in.  From the clothes to the music, it takes me down memory lane to when I had no worries and no responsibilities.  

Stay in-tune with Ro Parrish by following him on twitter:  @RoParrish

Learn more about Ro and all of his talents at RoParrishepk.com

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