Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2009 | Page 111

LOCAL BUSINESS

life

Tony Martin

Tony Martin DJ
celebrates 30 years
in the business
Thirty years in business is quite an

Manor, I thought ‘manor’ and

accomplishment – not only that but Tony

dressed for a black tie event

Martin was only 13 when he first started

only to arrive at the venue and

his mobile disco as a hobby. But Tony has

find that it was an 18th Birthday

reached 30 years in style, evolving and

party in a cleared out cow shed!

building a reputation over that time and

Not only that but there was an

making the hobby he loves into a business

earthing problem which meant

about which he is very passionate.

if I touched anything metal I got

During this time he has built up a very
strong client base and a reputation

a shock.
“I learnt from that experience

second to none for mobile disco

that planning is vital and before

entertainment, establishing himself as the

any event I will send a demonstration DVD

number one disco of choice for corporate

of the packages and options available,

events such as the Island Life Food and

and offer to meet and fully discuss the

Drink Awards, Cowes Week and Hunt

plans down to the finest detail,” said

Balls, parties and scores of weddings.

Tony.

Tony can offer a totally eclectic music

His success has also been built on

choice ranging from the 1940s to the

recommendation by many venues and

diversity of the present day. “The success

companies, including Island Marquees,

of an evening can usually be gauged by

Coast and Country Marquees, and the

a full dance floor – it tells its own story,”

saturated field in which a marquee sat

said Tony.

was another of Tony’s bad experiences

It was Tony’s love of disco dancing

two years ago. At 3 am in the morning as

and the film Saturday Night Fever that

he was attempting to get out of the field,

first introduced him to the role of a DJ.

the van sank up to its axles, and had to

Watching and being inspired by many

be abandoned until the next morning.

of the Islands DJs at the time, the decks

“The next day we had to jack up every

became irresistible and Tony persuaded

wheel, place wood underneath each one,

his Dad, Mick, to drive him to DJ at

and then use the father of the bride’s 4 x

children’s parties. Quickly progressing to

4 to drag it out!”

adult discos, he bought his first van at

Prior to this Tony used to tow a trailer.

13 (albeit driven by Mick who faithfully

However when he lost an axle at 30

‘roadied’ for him until 17), and the rest is

mph on the way to an early set-up the

history.

trailer became a sledge! Every piece of

The years have not been uneventful –

knew. That’s reliability!
Tony is marking his anniversary wi F