But when disco died in the early 80s many nightclubs were forced out of business, which led Horenian to start his own DJ service, Master Blaster Productions mainly performing at small private parties. Horenian continues, "You have to remember back then bands were still playing at all of the weddings and larger events. Actually, there was very little work for a professional DJ but I kept right on practicing and getting better and better. Before I knew it I was playing at larger and more sophisticated events."

When the decade changed, so did the trend. In fact, the entire wedding industry evolved. Bands gave way to mobile disc-jockeys and with intuition, Horenian jumped in with both feet. He goes on to say, "I purchased an already existing DJ service called Creative Sounds. It was a part-time karaoke business, which inevitably brought out my singing ability. Actually, a few reps from local sporting

franchises caught notice and I was asked to sing the National Anthem at a number of games. While you may think this has nothing to do with being a DJ, all of the public performances brought out my personality and my enjoyment for music and entertainment grew. I wanted to somehow combine DJ'ing with my personality."

It was Chip Kelly, a long time associate of Horenian's and current Tone Zone DJ who initially introduced him to Tone Zone president Gary Byron. "In 1997 we were in an expansion phase and needed to hire another DJ," says Byron. "Chip excitedly informed me that he knew of a DJ with exceptional skills and had a diverse musical repertoire. I knew that if Chip was impressed, then I'd also be. And when I finally interviewed Mark, he left a lasting impression of maturity, experience, and enthusiasm. Not only can he sing but the man can ballroom dance. What a package! Even more

impressive is that for an easy-going guy, he's meticulous. I mean contractually he's supposed to supply two sound systems for every event. His main sound system plus a back-up... well, he brings three-and they're all new!"

Horenian concludes, "Coming to Tone Zone brought me to another level. I was a good DJ before coming here but when you surround yourself with the best DJs Connecticut has to offer, it makes you even better. And that's what happened with me. What Gary has done with Tone Zone I couldn't have done with Creative Sounds. He [Gary] runs a tight ship. Let me tell you, if someone isn't pulling their weight, they're gone. I've seen it! Gary once told me that people can find a good DJ almost anywhere, but only excellent DJs at Tone Zone. Do you know how proud that makes me feel?"

A native of Newington, CT, Mark Horenian began his career as a disc-jockey in the late seventies at the discotheque, The 1200 House in Berlin, CT. "To be honest," Horenian says, "It happened quite accidentally! I used to frequent the '1200 House' consistently- even assisting their DJ. One night he asked me to watch his booth for five minutes but never came back so when the song ran out people started looking at me! I quickly put on another record and somehow figured out how to finish the night. I then found myself with a new weekend job! Which, by the time of the disco era in the mid-to-late 70's, resulted in full time employment."