The Hawkeye

Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Freestyle

Media Credit: Andy Lee Francis Vehonsky dives off the ULM footbridge.

Francis Vehonsky is a fifth year pharmacy student from Monroe. He acts as an SGA senator, an officer for an academic fraternity and Phi Delta Chi. In his fourth year, he volunteered at St. Vincent De Paul's pharmacy. He was a lifeguard and a swim coach. On top of all that, he is a disc jockey who started small and gradually gained popularity amongst club owners and party throwers in northeastern Louisiana.

What got you into DJ-ing? I did it for the love of music and the need to make money.

Who do you DJ for? I've done camps, wedding receptions, high school proms and a few private events. The money is really in the private events.

How did you get to where you are today? I started playing music at high school parties, weddings and house parties. When I saved up enough money to buy my turntables (those were expensive) and other equipment, then I got my chance to DJ at bars and clubs around town.

What all do you use? I use Serato Scratch live, a program that allows me to manipulate the music that is playing on the turntable. Instead of dragging huge cases of records around, all my music is on my laptop.

How much did your equipment cost? The turntable and mixer alone cost $2,500. The funny thing was that I [had] never practiced before, and didn't know if I was going to like it or not.

Who gave you the first chance to DJ? Scruffs [a club in town]

Why do you do what you do? I have always been passionate about music. Being in control of the party is an amazing feeling, I just can't sit back, relax and listen to the music. I feed off the crowd.

Ever have stage fright? All the time! It is so easy for something to mess up when you are in front of a huge crowd. Anything could go wrong with the needles, records or laptop.

What was the worst moment when you DJ-ed? I was at the club one night when the power to the whole place turned off because of the weather. They were unable to turn anything back on, so it ended up being an early night.

About how much do you make a night? It all depends on the location and the event. If I were to bring all my equipment including speakers and lights it definitely would be more.

Your brother is a DJ, also. Who's better? Right now, he probably is. I haven't been able to spin lately due to school and work.

Why should I come to a party that you DJ? I like to think I play the right tracks at the right time and keep a constant groove in motion.

What club or event would you dream to DJ for? To be part of the annual Coachella lineup. It is a three-day music festival on the west coast that brings in the hottest names in music of all genres.

Which DJ inspires you most? DJ Vice. He is one of the most sought after DJ's in the country and a regular DJ at some of the hottest clubs in Las Vegas. He inspired me to learn how to scratch and to push myself and be a better DJ.

Your biggest pet peeve when you're behind the decks is...? The drunk girl asking me to play the Stanky Leg half a dozen times.

What genres of music do you spin? Hip hop mostly, but I like to throw in some dance music and old school rock and rap.

Who's the best artist alive? The best artist out there would have to be Timberland. Any song that he touches usually becomes a hit because of its beat and creativity. He is able to incorporate all artists from different genres into his style of music.

What's the most outplayed song? Journey - "Don't Stop Believing." There are so many other great songs that they have sung. And, yes, I saw them live this past summer in Shreveport.

Status, Static, or other? Why? Definitely Status. Because of the chill atmosphere and [their regular] drink specials.

What's your favorite past time? Triathlons. I used to be a swimmer, so it was easy for me to pick up.

What's the craziest thing you've done since you came to ULM? Chair jumping in Admin late at night and throwing 500 people-themed house parties.

What were you thinking when you jumped off the footbridge? That I should have gone with my roommate to jump off the Sterlington Bridge. The footbridge was not as exciting as I imagined it. I guess I was trying to compare it to the time that I went skydiving.

What would you do if someone stole your deep fryer? [Question by Andy Lee]. I would go find the auntie that drives the Tahoe and slice her tires; no one touches my deep fryer. How else am I going to cook my mozzarella sticks?

What's your favorite dish? Definitely would have to be something Italian. Probably the chicken parm that Melissa [girlfriend] makes.

What's the longest you've let your hair grow? Six or seven inches before I cut it into a Mohawk for a party.

What's your worst habit? Procrastinating, but it works out in my favor because when I am pressed for time I do my best.

If you had one day, everything paid for, what would you do? Have a throw down with Bobby Flay [The American celebrity chef].

What are your plans for the summer? Go to South Africa for the World Cup and then do my monthlong rotation at a hospital.

What's your biggest fear about going to Africa? What all do you want to do when in South Africa? The 20+ hour flight. Once there, I want to go to the USA vs. England game. I also want to go on a safari at a national park and go to the vineyards in Cape Town. Mostly I just want to go eat and have an awesome time.

What would you like to do before you die? Complete the Hawaiian Ironman. It is a one-day race that consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike and a marathon run.

You're a pharmacy major, so how do you balance it all? It is very hard to balance school, work and fun. I have to keep in mind that my education is my first priority. When I do hang out with friends, I always do it big because I don't know when the next time will be. It is about a bunch of sleepless nights-either partying or studying-and being able to say no to people when you have to be in the library that night.

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