HOUSTON – The honor of being chosen as the official DJ of the 9 ^th Annual Latin Grammy Celebration is one that Frankie Needles takes in stride.

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Frankie has been the DJ for the Latin Grammy after party for the last three years.

“This is my third year.  I did the Latin Grammys in New York.  Then the 2008 ones in Los Angeles, and now I’ve been chosen to host the party in Houston,” said Needles.

Needles said he loves doing the Latin Grammy Celebration (also known as the “Official After Party” of the event) as it is Latinos celebrating their own.  To be the best at what he does, Needles uses his versatile talent to mix the music in a way that makes everyone happy. 

“It’s like being a DJ at a big wedding.  The Dominicans listen to a lot of meringue and bachata.  The Mexicans love their regional music, but the Puerto Ricans and Cubans listen to a lot of salsa. You have to know how to please everyone,” said Needles. 

The road to the Latin Grammys was long and rough.  Like many in his industry, he started off as a mobile DJ when he was 16 in New York.  He played a lot of graduations, weddings, and apartment parties. But he never gave up on his dream.

“If you believe in what you do the money will follow,” said Needles. “It’s hard, but as long as you stay consistent, the labels will eventually come around.”

Needles’ work paid off.  It took 10 years, but then he landed a cable TV show on mun2 called “One Nation Under Hip Hop.”  He also has a syndicated radio program on LBC and Westwood “One called The Top 20 Latin-Urban Countdown with Frankie Needles.”

But while the music is pumping, it’s the kids that keep him going.  Needles is a panelist for the Latin Grammy In the School program and travels across the country with McDonald’s Latin Grammy Tour. 

The tour, which stopped in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston, started about three months before the actual Latin Grammy Awards night to create momentum about the event.  Needles, along with the other speakers, spoke to the teens they met along the way about the industry, the Latin music scene, and career opportunities.

“What drives me, and keeps me doing what I’m doing, is the kids.  They need someone to look up to and give them that extra push to be what they want to be,” said Needles.

Needles said that growing up it was his grandfather who gave him his love for music.  His grandfather showed him his LPs and got him hooked.  He was his mentor and inspiration. 

Needles hopes to be that kind of positive role-model for today’s youth.

“There is opportunity out there for everyone, but not everyone has a normal childhood with someone there to push them,” said Needles.

While everyone’s goal is different, Needles hopes that some of his passion will rub on off on the teens – regardless of whether they want to follow in his footsteps, get into acting or simply have a dream to do something.

“I was a just an average kid like them, growing up in New York…so if I can do it, they can do it,” said Needles.  “They have to realize that there is nothing wrong with being who they are as long as they are a good person.”

In addition to hosting the Official Latin Grammy After Party, Needles was also the DJ for Wednesday night’s Gloria Estefan Person of the Year Party which was held at Zune in Houston. 

But if you can’t catch Needles while he’s in Houston, he is in the process of making an CD. It’s called “Expect the Unexpected” and the CD will be a compilation of established and upcoming artists.  It’s due out in January 2009.