Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Waldock
Hi Aaron, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Austin.
I started at Travis High School and took a “High Tech” class in the newly built wing of the school. It was an Audio/Video class—maybe broadcasting or something similar. The teacher introduced me to turntables, and while I didn’t think much of it at the time, it must have stuck in my head. After the school district redrew the boundaries, I ended up at Crockett High School for my last two years. During that time, I got a job washing dishes at Cherry Creek Catfish. I hated the work but loved the people. To get through those long shifts, I imagined every plate I washed as a record spinning on a turntable. That motivation helped me save enough money to buy my first set of turntables.
I was so excited to set them up. With two records—one by DMX and another I can’t even remember—I was ready to dive in. But as soon as I started playing, I realized I had no clue how to DJ or even where to start. I played around with them casually for a couple of weeks before putting them away, and eventually, I sold them. So, I finished high school, not as a superstar DJ but just as a regular graduate.
After high school, I bounced through a year of meaningless sales jobs before my roommates, Cesar and Spencer, suggested we apply to join the Navy. I got accepted and became a United States Navy Rescue Swimmer, spending most of my service stationed in San Diego, CA, aboard the USS Nimitz. After my time in the Navy, I joined the Army National Guard and worked various door-to-door sales jobs during my downtime in California. That’s where I met my “Guru,” who taught me the art of person-to-person sales—he called it the way of the samurai. Those years in San Diego remain some of the best memories of my life.
In 2009, I moved back to Austin to be closer to my family. One of my first weeks back, I went to The Stardust Club, deep in South Austin—long before Moontower was even a thought. I went to sing karaoke and, after a humorous chain of events, got up to perform a funny song. The owner, John Wells, came up to me afterward and asked if I wanted to be a karaoke host. I accepted, and that marked the beginning of my journey into the event industry.
After hosting karaoke for a while in Austin, I made my way to California. There, I bartended at Main Tap Tavern with one of my best friends, Mike Ashworth. One fateful day, the owner decided to replace the karaoke company they were using, and I boldly said I could do it. He agreed, and just like that, I became the karaoke host. While I didn’t see it as the official start of my business, in hindsight, it was the first spark.
Eventually, I returned to Austin and asked John Wells—who had given me the tools to start my karaoke business in California—if I could rejoin his team. Instead of saying yes, he gave me the best advice I could have gotten at the time: “HELL NO. You know how to run the business—go make it happen yourself.” So, I did. I landed two karaoke shows a week at The Warehouse Saloon, where I built my foundation over the next couple of years.
One night, a guest at one of my shows asked me if I was a DJ. I said no, but he told me I should be because of the great songs I played between karaoke performances. That moment stuck with me, and within a week, I enrolled at DUB Academy to learn how to DJ. After graduating, I befriended a DJ at Maggie Mae’s on 6th Street and landed my first weekly gig there on Thursday nights. Over time, I connected with their event sales team and started booking corporate events, building my reputation as a professional mobile event DJ.
As my skills grew, so did my business. I went through several name changes—King Human Karaoke, Off Key Karaoke (OK Karaoke for short), Off Key Karaoke & DJ, and finally Off Key DJ Productions. Then, one day, a friend asked me to DJ their wedding. I initially said no, worried about messing up such an important day, but after their persistence, I finally agreed. I’ll never forget that wedding: I advised my friend to get microphones for the ceremony, but he wanted to save money. Unfortunately, during the vows, a train went by, and no one could hear a thing. That experience taught me two things: always trust my gut and how much I love being part of weddings—seeing families come together and celebrating love.
After that wedding, I was hooked. I dove headfirst into learning not just about DJing but about running a business. I studied everything—building ads, creating websites, assembling a team—and my business began to grow. I joined networking groups, which led to an opportunity to take over the remaining contracts of a company called The Wedding Shop after it suddenly shut down. It was through this transition that I met Neema Vedadi, another DJ. We started working together, and over time, he became the best DJ on my team. Without him, those early years wouldn’t have been the same.
Off Key DJ Productions was thriving, but a meeting with a vendor changed everything. They said they loved working with me but couldn’t promote a “two-star name.” That feedback hit me hard. For a year, I struggled to figure out how to rebrand and stay true to my vision. Finally, I decided on Spark the Night Entertainment.
From 2015 to 2016, I had big plans to grow the company into the biggest DJ brand in Austin and eventually the nation. But life had other plans. My son, Grayson Waldock, was born in February 2016. His mother and I didn’t work out, and she moved to California with him. To be close to my son, I did what I never thought I could: I entrusted my lead DJs, including Neema, with my remaining clients and moved to California. My old friend Mike graciously opened his home to me, and even though years had passed, it felt like no time at all.
While in California, I worked for larger DJ companies and made some great connections, but I miscalculated one key detail—I wasn’t collecting deposits. After six months of struggling to make it work, I returned to Austin to regroup. Back in Austin, I bartended at Dance Across Texas and became known for my famous “WooooHoooo!!” shot. Later, I moved to Portland, OR, for a relationship that ended shortly after I arrived. I spent three years in Portland, trying to build a DJ brand while enjoying snowboarding, biking, hiking, and other adventures.
During this time, I worked for The Venardos Traveling Circus as the concessions manager, making the fluffiest cotton candy. The sense of family in the circus was incredible, but COVID brought it all to a halt. I returned to Portland, only to find the DJ scene stagnant due to restrictions. Then, I saw Neema’s posts about crushing packed parties in Austin and decided it was time to come home.
I planned to stay in Austin for the holidays and then move to San Diego to be closer to my son. But after Neema encouraged me to stay and team up with him, I decided to partner with him. Together, we’ve been rocking events ever since.
In 2023, I launched Vibe & Vision Productions as a way to expand into areas we hadn’t explored yet. My focus shifted toward corporate events, fundraisers, and creating unforgettable experiences using the energy, creativity, and arsenal of fun services we offer. While the name is still young, the talent and experience behind it span decades.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey has been anything but smooth, but it’s those challenges that have shaped who I am today and what Vibe & Vision Productions is becoming. Starting out, I had to learn everything from scratch—how to DJ, run a business, and build a brand. My first set of turntables taught me that passion alone wasn’t enough without the skills to back it up, and my early days as a karaoke host taught me the value of connecting with people and reading a crowd.
One of the biggest struggles was navigating the uncertainty of entrepreneurship. When I first started booking weddings, I quickly realized I wasn’t just a DJ—I had to become a marketer, a business manager, and a leader. Every mistake I made along the way, from not trusting my gut to underestimating the importance of preparation, became a lesson that helped me grow.
There were also personal challenges that shaped my journey. Balancing my business while being a father has been a driving force for me. When my son moved to California, I made the difficult decision to follow him and start over in a new market. That chapter taught me resilience and reinforced my “never give up” mindset, even when I had to rebuild from the ground up.
COVID-19 was another major obstacle. It brought my work to a halt and forced me to adapt quickly, find new ways to engage with clients, and rethink what it meant to be a DJ in a world where parties were suddenly off-limits.
Through all the struggles, one thing has remained constant: my passion for creating EPIC experiences. The lessons I’ve learned—both personal and professional—have made me more focused, creative, and determined to make every event I’m part of truly extraordinary. The road hasn’t always been smooth, but it’s been worth it every step of the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Vibe & Vision Productions, we specialize in creating EPIC, high-quality entertainment experiences for weddings, corporate events, and special celebrations. Our mission is to go above and beyond to make the vibe match the vision, delivering events that are as unique and fun as the people we work with.
We offer a wide range of services, including professional DJing, photo booths, 360 video booths, custom lighting design, cold sparks, and more. Whether it’s an elegant wedding ceremony, a high-energy corporate gala, or a milestone celebration like a sweet 16 or anniversary, we bring creativity, professionalism, and passion to every event.
What sets us apart is our ability to truly connect with our clients. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we take the time to understand each client’s vision and customize every detail to create an event that feels personal and meaningful. Our core values—integrity, exceeding expectations, having fun, and creating a positive impact—guide everything we do, making sure every event is not just memorable but also stress-free for our clients.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of our ability to balance elevated, luxury-level services with an energetic, approachable vibe. We’ve been known for turning classy events into WILD parties, whether that’s packing the dance floor at a wedding or wowing guests with special effects at a corporate event.
What we want readers to know is that Vibe & Vision Productions is more than just an entertainment company—it’s a partner in creating once-in-a-lifetime moments. From the first consultation to the final song of the night, we’re here to make sure your event is a success, leaving you and your guests with memories that last forever.
If you’re looking for a team that can bring energy, creativity, and professionalism to your next event, we’d be honored to be a part of your journey!
How do you think about luck?
Luck has definitely played a role in my journey, both in business and in life, but I’ve come to realize that luck often shows up as opportunities—and what you do with those opportunities matters most.
Good luck has been present in moments like meeting the right people at the right time. For instance, when John Wells offered me a chance to host karaoke, it kickstarted my career in entertainment. Another example is when I befriended a DJ Kenn on 6th Street after graduating from Dub Academy. That connection opened the door to corporate events and helped me find my footing as a professional DJ.
But luck hasn’t always been kind. There were moments when things didn’t go as planned, like when I moved to California to be closer to my son and had to start my business over from scratch. It was challenging, but it taught me resilience and the importance of adapting to circumstances. I’ve also faced setbacks like rebranding after being told my business name wasn’t “elevated enough,” or navigating the impact COVID-19 had on the event industry.
What I’ve learned is that good or bad luck isn’t as important as how you respond to it. I’ve always believed in working hard, staying optimistic, and finding creative solutions. I don’t just wait for good luck to come my way—I work to create opportunities and make the most of them when they appear.
At the end of the day, luck has shaped my journey, but it’s been my passion, persistence, and support from amazing people that have truly propelled my business and life forward.
Pricing:
- Sound Only Packages Starting at $500
- Wedding DJ Packages starting at $1850
- Drop Off Photo Booths – $495
- Photobooth Experiences Starting at $999
- Cold Sparks starting at $595
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vvproductionsatx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vvproductionsatx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vvproductionsatx
