Ripon Record - May 28, 2008 - Susan Coss
Local DJ Gets Early Start
Most 12-year-olds are discovering what sports they want to play in junior high, not which parties they want to DJ next.
Ripon resident Jeremiah North, owner of Kid Red Entertainment couldn't put his musical dreams aside while attending public school.
"I've always liked music, North says.
When North was 12 years old, he was attending a festival and made friends with the hosting radio jock Stockton's retired KMIX. A few weeks later, the radio jock invited North to be a guest on his show.
"The studio was next door to KWIN and I met some of their DJs," said North. "They were my mentors into being DJs."
North's mentors introduced him into working private parties and helped him get on the path to working as a DJ for himself.
During elementary school and into high school, North started out of his home, taking out loans from his parents to purchase DJ equipment. He got his business through private events and word-of-mouth.
"My second party was a wedding in Oakland and I was a DJ at age 13 for only $45.00 for the whole night," says North.
Now 12 years later, North does more than just DJ. Kid Red Entertainment takes care of the whole party.
"We work with caterers and have three DJs on our staff roster," North says. "And if we don't have what you want, then we go above and beyond to help you. We don't leave people out."
Kid Red Entertainment takes care of their customers with a $2 million liability insurance and payment plans. This covers any unexpected brakes in equipment or fires that may occur with misuse of equipment for him and the customers.
Other than proper insurance coverage and all legal music North does his best to give service with a competitive price.
"With the economy the way it is going, we have a good service with a good price and we do our best to fit our customers' needs," said North.
If Kid Red Entertainment doesn't have the music the customer wants, they he'll get it.
Not only does North meet customers' needs, but he also updates his equipment for the latest technology.
Like American Idol's voting methods, party goers can text requests to the DJ or "shout outs" to friend or for voting and have it broadcast over a big screen. The software is called FireText and North says the kids go "wild" over it.
With the other new technology North uses, he has been able to do event in Ripon such as Mistlin Park's Color The Skies, Sober Grad's Fashion Show and other events.
North moved to Ripon five years ago and not only enjoys working with Ripon events, but also with the residents.
"I haven't met on person that isn't down to earth here," North says. "I can't go to any other community and find another that deserves to give back to. Ripon is amazing.
Giving back to the community is what North does when he does a high school event. He'll subsidize his costs to help schools out with their budgets.
Charity is big for Kid Red Entertainment; he has done Toys For Tots, NEWS10 Coats For Kids, McHenry House's "Kids In A Box" and others.
"These kids are in awe and it is a lot of fun," North says.
North will continue with Kid Red Entertainment and hopes to work not only the entire valley, but operate in all locations of California.
"I absolutely love what I do, truly if I died tomorrow, I'd be perfectly happy with everything I've done," says North.
For more information and contacting Kid Red Entertainment, go to www.kidredentertainment.com
