Music Tribute

Three weeks ago, Tulsa's DJ scene lost one of its most beloved and well-respected members as Elgin David Palmer II, commonly known as DJ Chron, passed away. Palmer had suffered from a combination of health issues for years, but on September 10, 2009, after spending roughly four months in the hospital, he finally passed at age 34 from complications due to a heart attack.

While news of his death spread quickly, it didn't take long for those within the community to step up with plans to honor both his memory and provide some assistance to his family. That's why, Sat., September 26, the DJ Chron Memorial Benefit will be held at Flytrap Music Hall from 6pm to 2am.

The evening's lineup will include live music from Freakjuice, Sam and the Stylees and Recorder as well as DJ sets by DJ Moody, DJ Demko, DJ Skeeter and DJ Balance. In addition, T-shirts and Chron's final mix CD will be available for purchase plus a raffle and silent auction will also be held to assist in the fundraising efforts.

"This is truly a group effort with a lot of people in the community contributing, but the main person is really Donnie Rich," said Chris Rogers, who is assisting with the event. "He's been the number 1, 2 and 3 guy in getting this going, from donating the room to helping get it organized."

The evening is about honoring a friend.

"Chron was a big figure in the local music and DJ scene, and he was always down to help and support others in any way he could," Rogers said. "We want this to be a positive event as well as a way for people to help his parents with some of their financial troubles."

In explaining his role and stature in the local scene, Rogers shared that Chron was first and foremost a DJ. It was his primary passion and a driving force in his life. Good of heart and spirit, there was no negative competitive spirit with Chron as he was quick to help and work with anyone within the scene.

"Chron worked with pretty much every promoter and DJ in Tulsa over the years and all of them will tell you he was always helpful and always there," Rogers said. "If you needed a DJ or a sound system, turntables or a mixer, he was always willing to help out."

Whether working independently, playing clubs and parties or working with outside promoters and other DJ's, Chron was arguably one of the most active and key players within local DJ circles. He was even essential in "Motion Mondays" at Uncle Bentley's, a gig that recently folded, but had been the longest running DJ night in Tulsa. Although, he initially became involved as part of the Utopia group, Chron kept the program going when the leader of Utopia moved out of state, providing an outlet for DJ's with a standing engagement for nearly five years.

Rogers shared that Chron suffered multiple major heart attacks while deejaying a gig this past spring, having flatlined and been revived by paramedics more than once before arriving at the hospital. After coming out of a coma and fighting an uphill battle with his health and recovery, he suffered another heart attack which proved to be fatal after spending roughly four months in the hospital.

Granted, Chron had struggled with health issues for years, but that's part of what made him so special and proved his dedication to his art. Amongst other afflictions that Chron fought, he had also developed a severe case of arthritis which left his hands twisted and crumpled. As Rogers shared, "Even with arthritis in his hands, he still found a way to keep at it. It may have slowed him up a bit, but he worked at it until he was still that good and kept it going.

DJ Chron's final mix will be available on CD at the benefit on Saturday night and it's an example of his hard work and dedication. "It's the last mix he ever did," Rogers said. "He finished it just a month before he went into the hospital." For Chron's fans and friends, it's a mix that all will want to have to remember him by.

"Chron was the number one supporter of the DJ scene in Tulsa and his loss will be felt for a long time. Now we're doing what we can do to try and help his parents cover some of the costs. Right away, while we were still in the hospital, we came up with the idea to do this benefit.

"His name was always regarded in such a positive manner because he was that good a person. No one has any complaint or has anything bad to say about him. That says something, especially within the DJ scene, which is kind of underground. Chron moved in all the circles, though, and was well respected in all of them because he earned it.

"This was the least we could do for him," Rogers said. "It's going to be an event he would have been proud of. We're going to celebrate Chron's life and the things that he loved."

Saturday night's Memorial and benefit concert is an all ages event that is open to anyone who wants to honor one of our local DJ scene's most beloved. Cover charge will be $10 at the door and additional donations will be accepted with 100 percent of the money going to Chron's parents to help cover his funeral and medical expenses. Proceeds from CD and T-shirt sales, as well as the raffles and silent auction will also be going to his family. Anyone who remembers Chron or worked with him will want to take part in the celebration to honor one of the true good men within our local music community.