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BOOST of confidence: Brad is decked out for another gig.
DJ Brad gives magic music remedy a spin
Gareth Parker28/ 9/2005
A TEENAGE DJ is living up to his nickname by using dance grooves to help him overcome a speech impediment.
During everyday life, 18-year-old Brad Ashton finds himself having to cope with a nervous stutter.
But taking to the decks as dance DJ Spunky Monkey, the former Siddal Moor pupil is proving to be a real feisty character, building up a loyal fan base across Heywood pubs and clubs.
"When I'm stood behind the decks with my headphones on I just forget about the stutter. It's as if the music gives me a boost of confidence," he said.
With gigs at venues including Bar C, The Albany, Rumours and a slot at the recent Charities Fete under his belt, Brad is now hoping to spread his wings further into the world of producing.
"I've got a music making programme on the computer and a friend of mine, Tony Higham, has been helping me to make a CD, which I'm hoping to send off to production companies and local radio stations, as well giving to the places where I DJ," he said.
The pair have been good friends for a number of years with 42-year-old Tony, who works for Biwater's, one of the inspirations behind Brad taking to the decks, having been a successful club DJ himself while living in Brazil during the early 1980s.
"I was at a bit of a loose end career wise and got in touch with John Schofield at New Deal to see what kind of music courses were available across the borough," said Brad, who lives on Barley Hall Street.
After completing a DJ skills course run by Pride Media in Middleton, Brad started promoting himself across Heywood, advertising himself as Spunky Monkey, a nickname he earned at school.
"Spunky means feisty, which I suppose I am, although there may have been one or two other reasons behind it as well," said the DJ, who although his bag is dance music, will style the music to the occasion.
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