DJ JoN-E

Johney Brar (born July 25, 1984 in Toronto, Ontario), also known as DJ JoN-E, is a North American South Asian DJ, Producer and Radio Jockey. He was the host and executive producer of the primetime Desi Live Radio Program which first aired on CHRY 105.5FM then signed to air nationally on HD Radio in the US in New York/New Jersey WRKS 98.7FM HD2, Washington WTOP 103.5FM HD2, Chicago WKQX 101.1FM HD2, San Jose/Bay Area KIOI 101.3FM HD2 and Los Angeles KPWR 105.9FM HD2. He is currently head of operations for BBC Soundcrew.

BBC Soundcrew

Johney Brar (DJ JoN-E) & Gurjit Bolina (MC LoudMouTH) created the South Asian entertainment company BBC Soundcrew in the year 2001 to help develop the North American Indian/South Asian Music scene. BBC Soundcrew was developed to change, broaden and strengthen the Desi/South Asian Night Life scene. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, BBC Soundcrew has made their mark with their own ventures including the Top Desi/South Asian DJ Website in Canada (BBCsoundcrew.com), BBC Soundcrew Gear, successful mix CDs and remix albums, their own record label (Funky Dhol Productions) and the only weekly primetime urban Indian/Desi radio program in North America (Desi Live on 105.5 FM Mondays 8-9PM - Hosted By DJ JoN-E) which has moved to national syndication in the United States as of December 2008.

BBC Soundcrew's successful night life scene saw them open for such popular South-Asian musical acts as Punjabi MC, DCS (Shin), B21, Sukhsinder Shinda, Lehmber Hussinpuri, Jassi Sidhu, RDB, Premi Group, Bikram Singh, Apache Indian, H-Dhami and many more.

FM Radio

BBC Soundcrew's "Desi Live" Radio Program was hosted By Johney Brar (DJ JoN-E) and aired every Monday 8:00pm–9:00pm (EST) on CHRY 105.5FM Toronto. Shows could also be listened to on their website as well as Rogers Cable Channel 945.

BBC Soundcrew's "Desi Live" Radio Program hit the airwaves in December 2004 after the green light was given from the Board of Directors of CHRY Radio Station. After the approval, "Desi Live" was given a prime time Monday night slot (8-9pm EST) to help add some diversity to the Monday night lineup on CHRY 105.5FM.

Desi Live Radio Show was sandwiched between the popular hip hop program "Backroad Radio" 6:00pm–8:00pm and "Everyday I have the Blues" the long running jazz/blues show hosted by Vince Vitacco (9:00pm–11:00pm)

The show primarily played bhangra (Punjabi) music along with urban Indian beats and music from local talent.

The show took great strides in its first year with its popularity soaring. Each show was also made available online at bbcsoundcrew.com so listeners can listen anytime as even the old shows were archived. CL Magazine stated:

“BBC Soundcrew, one of Toronto’s top Indian and Bhangra DJs, has sought to create a presence and medium for South Asians to explore their culture, not only in Toronto, but for Canada’s diverse Indian population."^[1]

Advertisement for Desi Live Radio Program, 2004.

"Desi Live" was produced and hosted by BBC Soundcrew"s Johney Brar (DJ JoN-E) and was considered the #1 Urban Bhangra Radio Program in North America. With visitors dropping by the studio every week and segments such as "The Old Skool Track of the Week, Top 5, Featured Album, Use it or Lose it (The audience decides if a new debut track should be kept in rotation on the show), and artist interviews.

However, the shows popularity triggered criticism by the show host on the local South-Asian community. While the show production and listenership made it one of the top 3 on the network, it fell well below expectations during yearly station fund drives, as CHRY was primarily a non-profit organization.

“It is sad to see that South-Asians will listen and love the show, but when it comes time to give a few dollars to support the cause they are no where to be found."^[2]

Johney Brar announced in October 2008, that he will be leaving CHRY 105.5FM permanently at the end of the month, concluding his four years of programming on CHRY on October 27, 2008.

HD Radio

Johney Brar signed a deal to move his show to the United States market with a national syndication deal with HD Radio provider WorldBand Media, beginning in late November 2008.

The shows title remained "Desi Live," however the show expanded from a 1-hour format to a 2-hour format. Desi Live also began airing live programming 5 nights a week, airing weeknights 8:00pm–10:00pm on HumDesi Radio (a division of Worldband Media) hosted by Johney Brar (DJ JoN-E).

The show aired in the following cities:

New York City/New Jersey - WRKS 98.7 FM HD-2
Los Angeles - KPWR 105.9 FM HD-2
Chicago - WKQX 101.1 FM HD-2
Washington - WTOP 103.5 FM HD-2
San Jose - KIOI 101.3 FM HD-2

This was the first attempt to nationally syndicate a Desi/Bhangra Show in North America, making Johney Brar the youngest nationally syndicated South-Asian DJ in North America.

As of October 2009, Desi Live changed timeslots from 8:00pm–10:00pm weeknights to its new home 9:00pm–12:00am Friday's and Saturday's.

As of July 2010, Desi Live began airing one night a week, Saturday's 9:00pm - Midnight.

The last show for Humdesi Radio aired on May 21, 2011. Humdesi Radio was sold shortly after this, officially cancelling all shows on its network.

Desi Live TV

In 2015, concepts were pitched to two prominent Canadian television networks of turning the radio show in to a live dance music television program, appealing to ethnic music audiences around the country. While the idea gained interest from the networks, it was put on hold by Johney claiming that certain rules and restrictions of what we can do on the program by the networks would likely make the show unprofitable. Due to this, the pilot episode of "Desi Live TV" was never shot.

Executive Producer - Radio

Johney Brar (DJ JoN-E) has created or assisted in development the following radio programs:

Notable Guests

Vikas Kohli being interviewed on the Desi Live radio show.

Trish Stratus - WWE Hall of Famer

Shaun Majumder - Canadian comedian/actor

Vikas Kohli - Audio Producer of Fatlabs recording studio in Mississuaga, Ontario, Canada

Lara Levi - CEO of Death Row Records

Sonjay Dutt - Professional Wrestler

John Leguizamo - Emmy Award winning actor

Discography

BBC Soundcrew (DJ JoN-E) - Live to Air (2001)

BBC Soundcrew (DJ JoN-E) - BreakThrough (2003)

Various - Urban Bhangra (BBC Soundcrew (DJ JoN-E) - Soun Rab Di)

BBC Soundcrew (DJ JoN-E) - Got Yourself Desi Remixxx Feat Nas (2004)

BBC Soundcrew (DJ JoN-E) - Desi Live the Mixx CD Vol. 1 (March - 2005)

BBC Soundcrew - Punjabi MC VS Eminem Mashup (Single 2005) (Produced By DJ Din)

BBC Soundcrew (DJ JoN-E & DJ Davy) - Desi Live the Mixx CD Vol. 2 (March - 2008)

All Albums and Singles are made available at BBCsoundcrew.com Music

References

External links

• Excalbur News Article on "Desi Live" and BBC Soundcrew
• Campus Life Magazine Article on BBC Soundcrew, "Desi Live" & DJ JoN-E