LAWTON – Patrick Reynolds had no clue his first gig as a pool party DJ in 1979 would eventually evolve into a longtime profitable Lawton business.
“I remember it was for a cast and crew party from the Lawton Community Theatre. It was a last minute thing. It was a good time, but I remember we stood in about an inch of water the entire time. We were worried about being electrocuted, but everything worked out,” he said.
Reynolds, sole owner of Journey Productions, continued his DJ work with partner Mike Leal until the two split a few years after the pool party. Over the years, Reynolds expanded his business to include rentals of chairs, tables, tents, lighting and sound equipment, stages, complete DJ entertainment systems, special effects and catering equipment.
“We started this in high school when we were juniors. I was always interested in music, radio and electronics. We were playing music for dances back then,” he said. “We weren’t doing all of the rental stuff at that time.”
Today, Reynolds’ favorite part of the business is his DJ work at weddings and parties.
“This is my love and passion,” he said. “I love taking care of customers and enjoy helping people have great events. When there’s a wedding reception and I’m playing the music, there’s excitement and I get to interact with the guests and bridal party. It’s a joyful time. People come expecting a have a good time.”
Music selections at the various events, which include proms, weddings, parties and military balls, have always ranged from big band songs to Top 40 and everything in between.
“We tailor it to meet the client’s needs and wants,” Reynolds said. “We’ve got ’50s, ’60s, country, pop, rock ‘n’ roll and more.”
When he was beginning the business as a DJ, Reynolds went from using 45 records to 8-track tapes to the CD era and now to computers. The new technology prevents records from skipping or 8-track tapes from breaking, which has been a major plus for Reynolds.
He developed a knack for keeping up with the musical trends and technology.
“Things are changing all the time in our industry, and not just the music,” he said. “People’s tastes change, and we have to adapt.”
Journey Productions, like most entertainment businesses, have been forced to adapt because of the COVID-19 pandemic. School dances, a big part of the DJ business, are almost nonexistent and created a devastating lull for the company.
“We have our ups and downs, but that’s why we diversified,” Reynolds said. “When things slow in one area, something else falls in line.”
That’s been the case with tent rentals during the pandemic.
“People want to be outdoors, but need shelter so that’s been good for us,” Reynolds said. “We’re hoping the pandemic starts to slow this summer with the virus shots being administered. We need to get back in the swing of things.”
Adjusting and revisiting his business plan has been part of Reynolds’ life since he entered self-employment on a full-time basis in the mid-1990s.
“It was easy for me to step into that full-time. My parents had their own business so I could see myself being self-employed, too,” he said. “For me, it works very well. We’ve been a debt-free company for 20-plus years. When we take a step, it’s a good, firm step.”
For more information about the company’s services or rentals, visit www.rentjp. com or call 580-355-1293. Journey Productions is located at 3701 SW 11th Street in Lawton.