The Music Man of Biddeford
D.J. Roger Grenier delivers the music people request and emcees the events.
by Deborah Sayer - News Assistant
Portland Press Herald/Thursday, September 20, 2007
BUSINESS PROFILE
By Day, Roger Grenier manages home heating oil deliveries for the Dead River Co. of Biddeford. But what really fuels his passion is music. And as the one-man show behind the business Music by D.J. Roger Grenier, he delivers nearly every weekend.
This year, Grenier, 43, celebrates 25 years of providing musical entertainment and emceeing services for weddings, reunions and other functions.
To say he's music aficionado is to understate the point. Grenier possesses a vast knowledge of songs popular with past generations. And that knowledge, accompanied by an affable manner and energetic presence, has made him a popular choice for individuals seeking his services for their special events.
Armed with a digital sound system that includes two laptop computers and an arsenal of nearly 20,000 song titles, Grenier provides a wide variety of musical genres for every event. The selection spans music from the 1940's to present, including pop, rock, jazz, swing and R&B. And though Grenier personally is a fan of classic rock'n'roll, he's mindful to stay current on the musical trends of successive generations to better serve younger audiences.
"I try to stay on top of what's popular," said Grenier. "If you don't, you get lost in the shuffle."
Grenier is a natural at emceeing, directing the flow for an event. He knows just when to speak, encouraging attendees to hit the dance floor, and when to let the music speak for itself. On occasion even he gets caught up in the moment and has been known to provide some air guitar shtick, accompanied by a leap to the dance floor from atop stage speakers.
While advancements in technology would allow Grenier to sit back and run the show with a touch of a button, he prefers to stay engaged with his audience, playing requested music as well as selecting tunes that are likely to appeal to mixed age audiences as the event progresses.
"Typically, I will sit down with a client beforehand and together we'll map out a musical program," said Grenier, who noted that religion, ethnicity and extended family matters all come into play when putting a set together. "I try to tailor each reception to their needs." This includes getting a list of "Who's who" and correct pronunciation of their names.
Grenier's type of job isn't for everyone. For, while most of us spend our weekends recreating, he's generally the guy providing our entertainment. He takes pride in the fact that he's prompt to return calls and has never missed a function. And why would he? He's proven to be the life of the party.