Mike D.

Born and raised in Brooklyn NYC. Spent 30 years of my life there, so that gives me the right to say I’m from Brooklyn. Music has always been in my life. 1979 my dad took me to see Kiss at Madison Square Garden, the poor man couldn’t hear for a week, that night changed my life forever. I was sick when I was a kid so I had a lot of time at home, listening to my favorite bands on my stereo. When I turned 12 my folks learned I had a talent for photography and I went to a school that helped develop that creativity. I hated that school more than you can imagine, I didn’t fit in with the other kids, they all wanted to be Vinnie Barbarino driving daddy’s Caddy and I wanted to be in Black Sabbath. High School I made friends with the kids who like me, always wore black t-shirts and jeans. I joined some metal/hardcore bands and played drums. I wasn’t that good, but I had a great time and made friendships that I still have to this day. I went to A LOT of concerts, I got a fake id that said I was 16 and it got me into Lamours and CBGB’s and every other club in NYC. WOW it was an amazing time, seeing my favorite bands live and in person. After school I kicked around for awhile not sure what I wanted to do. I knew college wasn’t my thing and I thank my folks for letting me take some time at that age to figure out what I wanted to do…Most of my friends were in bands so I would go out with them and roadie for a night. No pay but free smoke and booze and that was ok by me. Eventually I found my way and got my foot in the door at MTV. 1993 I got my first gig working as a production assistant on the Jon Stewart Show. Someone once said to me “if you got into this business to be around the celebs your wasting your time”… I learned and learned and ingested everything. I worked my ass off did everything and anything it took to get the job done and eventually I became the Producer. I love it at times and hate it at times. It's a job wtf did i expect... beats shoveling crap at the zoo right. Today, I live in the burbs with my wife and 2 year old daughter who are my everything.