What do you wear to a Friday night tête-à-tête with a guy named “Lovebone?” And how do you address him? Mr. Love? Mr. Bone?
I’m starting to rethink the whole scenario when DJ Lovebone strides into the lobby of Columbus Inn and Suites, wearing a white polo shirt and impeccable white shoes.
I’m so taken with the spotlessness of his “kicks” that I forget my worries and launch straight into the question that’s been dogging me for months.
Why does everyone call you DJ Lovebone?
This is going to be so crazy. My mother-in-law gave me that name. When I first got into music, my brother was a (disk jockey), and I took up the name “Soup Bone Soul Patrol.” I was a small guy, probably 20 or 21.
She had heard what my name was, and she said, “What’s that they call you? Lovebone?”
And I said, “That’s it!”
It just stuck to me. My mother even calls me that sometimes.
So is that what most people call you?
Most call me Lovebone. Some call me “Love.” The radio station, Mix 106.1, had an issue on the name and wanted me to be Richie “Lovebone” Cousin, and that just didn’t fit, so they let me go ahead and use (Lovebone). I have preachers in the pulpit that will call me Lovebone.
You play Thursday nights at Columbus Inn and Suites, but where else can people hear you?
Mix 106.1. I have a show Saturday mornings from 6 a.m. to noon. It’s funniest thing. All the shows I do are live, nothing artificial. My show is straight from the hip. I’ve got a guy named “Cat Daddy” that calls me every Saturday.
What kind of music do you play?
Blues. I use my laptop. I look out there, and if it’s mostly an older crowd, they want blues and Southern soul. Around 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., the younger crowd comes in, and I’ll step it up a bit. If the young get too hyped, I’ll play a slow song to kind of slow it down. A DJ can control fights — he can control it all. It’s all in the music.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen while working?
We were having a lip syncing contest, and this guy came in dressed like a woman. He was lip syncing a Whitney Houston song. He did a good job, and this other guy looked at me and said, “When she gets through, I’m going to ask that woman to dance.”
(They danced) and he came back and said, “Something wasn’t right about that woman.”
How did you get started in this career?
I went to school at Jackson State, you know, the Sonic Boom of the South. I was part of the dance committee. … After I got into it, I never did leave it alone.
What’s your cellphone ringtone?
“Show and Tell” by Al Wilson.
How have changes in the music industry affected your work?
When I started, I was using 12-inch wax. … I didn’t think I’d change to cassettes. Then … I went to CDs. Now … my laptop. The records were always fun, the only thing was you may have to bring about eight crates. Only thing I have is my laptop, a stand and a mic.
What kind of music do you like?
I like slow music. I like the guy that his heart’s been broken and the girl comes by and rescues him. That’s what I start off with. My music always tells a story. … When I start the show, I lead up to it. That always works. I’ll play something slow and easy my first 20 minutes — just smooth, smooth songs.
What’s the hardest question a caller has ever asked while you were on the air?
A guy asked me, “How can you tell when a woman really loves you?”
I told him, “I want you to give your girlfriend your cellphone, and make her give you hers for a day.” … If you really love a person, you ain’t got no problem.
What do you listen to when you’re just kicking back, relaxed?
I listen to a lot of gospel. Sometimes I’ll be two hours out, (driving) close to Meridian, and I won’t play the blues. I’ll throw my gospel in, and it will bring me home.
Do you ever get burned out? What keeps you going?
At one point, deejaying was a job; that’s all it was. The more I got off into the music, it became a way of meeting people. Everybody knows you. … It’s the love of music and meeting people. I have seen people come in here down and out, and the music lifts their spirit.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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