For the last of our series with our amazingly Dapper DJs for Cumberland Shuffle, we got a few words with Conrad Friesen, from Orange County, CA.  We're excited to have Conrad in to bring us a bit of that southern California flavor!

Cumberland Shuffle: Alright, Conrad, we've got just a few quick questions. To start, we're featuring a bit of LA swing history and style this year, and as our resident Californian, we'd like to know: what are your top 3 songs that you think feature that sound that best represents the old-school California dancing?
Conrad Friesen: I would say three songs that do pretty well in giving you that LA feel are Big John's Special by Benny Goodman, Cow Cow Boogie sung by Ella Mae Morse, and Hit Me Brother With A Solid Four by the Andrew Sisters (this is the song performed in the Buck Privates dance scene). For me, the "white Jazz" sound feels the most like LA, if you know what I mean. Music that Balboa dancers like is also a good example of the LA feel, since Balboa and Swing were the dances at the time, and Balboa is a dance that was invented in Orange County, where I live now. I actually live close to Balboa Island where Balboa was started.

CS: That's perfect! I think that will help give Cumberland Shuffle attendees an idea of what the other side of the country may have sounded like, at the time. Now, you've never really DJed in the Southeast. What are you most excited to bring to this region of the country?
CF: This is true, it'll be my first time DJing in the Southeast. I have to say, I'm very excited that I will be dancing and DJing in this part of the country. I'm hoping to bring something different to the dancers here. I do my best to play songs that swing hard, but that dancers may have never heard before. I hope people enjoy my DJing, I love to share good music. I happen to love Kansas City jazz, myself.  I also tend towards the music of Count Basie and Chick Webb, since that's what really makes me want to swing out. I love Big Band music for Lindy Hoppin', but I love me some old-time dancing and music too, so I'm looking forward to playing some of my favorite old-timey music that I don't usually get to play at dances. 

CS: Well, we can't wait to hear it! What are you most excited about for Cumberland Shuffle, specifically?
CF: Ladies, I want to dance with you! I'm excited to dance in a place that I've never danced in before, to meet new people and dance with them, and to share my music with others. I'm pretty shy, but I love people, so I hope I make some new friends while I'm visiting. Also, I love visiting different cities around the country and I look forward to checking out Nashville.So, now you know, Conrad's bringing some sweet sounds to Cumberland Shuffle. Make sure to register today so that you don't miss out on your chance to hear (and dance with) him!