Andy “DJ A-Dog” Williams has been spinning turntables for about 10 years—he got his start in Burlington. He borrowed money from a friend, bought a used pair of turntables, and has been creating sounds ever since.

Williams moved to Vermont when he was 10-years-old, and attended high school in St. Albans. As he grew older, he was antsy for a place to just kick back, party, and skate. Burlington drew him in and he started coming often. He decided to move to town since he didn’t need a car to get around and could find a bigger job than in his “small hick town.”

Burlington’s skateboarding culture is what Williams is thankful for. After all, they are the ones who named him “A-Dog.”

“Skateboarding is a different culture, skateboarders have creative people,” he added. His skateboarder friends were the ones who started buying records and DJing, ultimately introducing Williams to the art.

Williams’ musical style is focused on 90’s hip hop, but according to him he plays a “diverse amount of groups.”

“Recycled soul, funk, and jazz. James Brown. Original 70’s funk,” said Williams.

Now that he is over 30, he plays music with opinions, understanding, and realizations because that was what was going on when he started. Tribe, De La Soul, and Common are just a few of Williams’ influences.

“I’m into the true school era,” he said. “I listen to a lot of music that people might not know,” added Williams. He doesn’t listen to the radio or watch MTV. And he believes the music industry has changed.

“It’s hard to get under the umbrella of a label,” he said. “That world’s gone.”

Williams said that he has been trying to break into the music industry for awhile, but with technology the way it is, YouTube, MySpace, and basic networking are ways to promote these days.

“Just do it independently,” he said. “I’ll make a mix CD and put it out for free.”

Williams spins every Wednesday night for “True School” & Broke in Burlington with friend and fellow DJ, DJ Nastee, at Nectar’s and often plays just down the street at Red Square. He has a big affiliation with Burton Snowboards and Gravis Footwear as he has been DJing many of their events for the last five to six years.

“…major BIG UP 2 them… they’re the reason I have gotten 2 travel the U.S.,” Williams wrote on MySpace.

Williams also wrote that he often DJs their parties and occasionally DJs their fashion shows. Because of them, in the last five years Williams has been able to travel to New York, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, California, British Columbia, and Washington.

“[I was] the opener for the opener,” Williams said of one of his best shows when he performed for The Roots. “They might not [have] known that I was there,” he added, but regardless, he was extremely grateful for the experience.

Williams has opened up for acts such as Jurassic 5, Hieroglyphics, Smif & Wessun, Fatlip, Z-Trip, Akrobatik, and Scratch Tour over his career. In 2008, Williams went to Minneapolis, MN, Indianapolis, IN, Austin, TX, and Morgantown, WV with Beastie Boys’ DJ, Mixmaster Mike, for the Bacardi Live Tour and lived one of the best moments of his career.

“[Mixmaster Mike] is an innovator,” Williams said. He added that he was “very blessed” and felt “good anxiety” during the tour.

Just because Williams plays in Burlington at Nectar’s and Red Square, at Burton and Gravis parties, and travels around the country to different gigs, doesn’t mean he isn’t fine-tuning his skills.

“I play three or four nights a week. I get up, make coffee, make a beat, and start networking,” he said. “It’s still a hustle. [You have to] really be passionate. Stay true to what you like.”

Williams has put out a 10-15 CD catalog and roughly 15 tapes, which he self-produced. Hippae, ‘Pon Di Rise, and Well Blended (The Re-fixed Tape) are just some of his CDs that showcase the music of Biggie, Jay-Z, Collie Buddz, Alicia Keys, Cutty Ranks, Massive B allstars, Big Pun, Method Man and Red Man, and more, each infused with DJ A-Dog’s style.

“I just wanna continue to do this,” Williams said. “Even if it was a domestic level, play at parties for someone else.”

Williams added, “I’m still a humble person, my hard work will manifest [and I’m] thankful that [DJing] can be an occupation.”

Williams and his friend and fellow DJ, DJ Nastee, created a production company titled 4word Productions. They also work with Burlington’s radio station 99.9 The Buzz during Friday Night Mash-Up. For DJ A-Dog’s upcoming appearances, check him out on Myspace or follow him on Twitter.