March 28, 2024

Stein creating local memories since 2001

Disc Jockey Todd Stein, owner and president of Live Super DJ service, has been a major part in the nightlife of not only Newton, but in Iowa as well. He started working as a DJ at the age of 15 in 1985 and is still spinning tunes heading into 2014.

“I worked through high school and college in radio, doing private events on the side,” Stein said.

He is a 1992 graduate of Central College in Pella with a degree in communications. He worked at the college radio station as well as two area professional radio stations in the Pella and Knoxville area.

“I worked at Flirts Night Club from late 1991 part-time going full-time after graduating from college. Flirts was located at the University Park at the Holiday Inn in West Des Moines. I also was the DJ at Sneakers in Des Moines being my two residences,” said Stein. “I worked in college at KINA and KRLS the Pella and Knoxville stations in the sports department as well as being a DJ at his college radio station KCUI worked his way up to station manager.”

Stein left his career as DJ to pursue a career in restaurant management in the late 90s. He then came back and started up Live Super DJ service, which brought him to the Newton area in 2001. He has worked at several venues in Newton as well as opening up his own bar in Newton called Steins.

“When I founded my company in 2001, I started working at the old Diamond Daves being a DJ and doing karaoke out there,” Stein said. “I also worked at Auggies for a year and half and at Rumors for a year. I opened up my own bar, Steins, and for three years, while running my DJ company. I have been working with the Manhattan for four years and with the Scoreboard for five years.”

In his 22 years of service, his shows have seen many transitions, but he has always delivered on bringing everyone what they want.

“For bar performances, expect upbeat, fun music no matter if its a dance song or classic rock song,” Stein said. “Most venues I work at have a wide demographic that they want to try to please. That is why we rotate the music give everyone a chance to like something. It’s kind of like the Iowa weather; if you don’t like the weather, stick around a little bit and it will change.”

Since starting his business in 2001 he has seen major transitions in music trends and technology. The Live Super DJ service also offers karaoke, wedding shows, booking entertainment, and much more. The service has 90,000 songs.

“I am happy to book all these services for anyone who is interested,” Stein said.

He has made a living playing the music of others, but tries to give back to those who will keep his business going for years to come. He is an administrator of the Facebook page Iowa Bar Bands, which has benefited not only big city bands, but area bands as well.

“Iowa Bar Bands on Facebook is a grassroots effort to support live and local music,” Stein said “I make my money playing other people’s music, so this is a small way to give back to musicians especially working musicians in Iowa, so far its been widely appreciated.”

Newton bands have benefited from Iowa Bar Bands including Wikid Likir, Rockhound. In the Colfax area, Richard Arndt, as well as many bands out of Des Moines and Cedar Rapids as well.

He will be doing all of his holiday party services in Newton this year, working at both the Manhattan and the Scoreboard on Dec. 21. He will be celebrating the end of 2013 at the Manhattan.

“I will be doing a holiday party at both the Scoreboard and Manhattan, I have three other trained DJs, working with me and I can rotate them,” Stein said “I have two of them working that night and I will be floating back and forth between the venues. On New Years Eve, we’re booked at the Manhattan.”

In his career, he has many highlights, but some he will always remember.

“One of the biggest events I have ever done I was asked to work in Las Vegas for the International Mobile Beat conference and show,” Stein said.

In 2004, one of the classic dance club songs and trends was the “Cha-Cha Slide” by Casper. Stein took part of this major trend in music.

“I was the DJ and ran sound for Casper who actually performed the ‘Cha-Cha Slide,’ which was pretty big for me,” Stein said.

Working in Newton, he has developed many local memories and highlights.

“I will always remember introducing music videos to the DJ services here in Newton. The community has been phenomenal it has been widely accepted and appreciated,” Stein said. “I have also done many RAGBRI events. I will always remember doing a benefit for my good friend Mike Lawler when he lost his mom to see the community support at the event was phenomenal.”

For more information about Live Super DJ Service you can connect with it on Facebook, or call Stein at (515) 707-4645.