DJ Sam Chatman Shares What Happens When You Follow the Music

Before my first trip to Chicago, I knew DJ Sam Chatman’s name. He is always warm and welcoming whenever our paths cross and I pay attention to him. Last summer he announced he was no longer with 95.1 and not playing at the Saturday brunch. My trips to Chicago in 2019 were planned around being at the first Saturday brunch to hear DJ Sam Chatman play so I was dismayed.

After the announcement, an immediate candid social media movement rooted in Chicago, started in love for Sam standing with him and showing the strength of his following. Fast forward to now … there’s a new 95.1 under new ownership and Sam is back on the air. Who is DJ Sam Chatman? Some out-of-town steppers I have talked to do not know a lot about him. So, I want to celebrate DJ Sam Chatman’s birthday today by sharing with you what I know about him.

Sam Chatman. DJ and Promoter all of his adult life

First, he paid attention to music before the term steppin’ came about but the music didn’t become a tradition for Sam Chatman until the 1970s. He went to parties and clubs listening to other DJs. At the very first house party he promoted, he was the DJ and he continues to be a DJ that promotes his own parties. Then, when his house parties became too big he moved into nightclubs.

“I was just a CTA bus driver. It was all about the music. I loved the music. I can’t tell you how or why I got involved.”

DJ Sam Chatman

DJ Sam Chatman Coined the term Steppin’

However, some steppers from the seventies say the first time they saw the word steppin’ was on a flyer with the name DJ Sam Chatman. His infamous posters throughout the city on a long stretch from Maywood to Altgeld Gardens, promoted his sets. His set on the Westside was at the Keyman’s club and attracted 400-500 steppers on Fridays. On the other hand, the legendary Dungeon sets were DJ Sam Chatman’s sets on the Southside. He also coined Chicago as “the Steppers Capital of the World.”

The DJ Whose Gang Parties Saved Lives

During the 1970s there were a lot of gangs in Chicago. Every gang in the city was at his parties. Southside gangs and Westside gangs did not comingle. If gang members showed their faces on the wrong side of the city “they could get their heads peeled.” However, in 1975 Sam bought his Coupe DeVille and personally invited Southside steppers from the Dungeon as his guests to the set on the westside.

After a night dancing together in a circle, steppers cutting in and dancing together, the party ended and the Southsiders waited in the lobby. Westsider gang members were waiting outside for Sam’s Southside guests. However, Sam intervened ending with no violence that night. After that, Sam was renowned for initiating the beginning for gangs dancing together at the sets and parties as Sam then invited the Westsiders to the Dungeon. DJ Sam Chatman had one rule “No gang-fighting at his parties or you were barred for a year no matter the reason.” He has never had an incident at his parties. People loved dancing that much that they were afraid of being barred. He saved a lot of lives.

DJ Sam Chatman on Steppin’ Etiquette

DJ Sam Chatman definitely appreciated and enforced steppin’ etiquette. For example, he would not allow caps or gym shoes in the parties in the ’70s and 80s. How you wore a hat or cap told your gang affiliation. Sam loosened up on the dress code as times changed over the years. Ladies should wear heels on the stepper sets.  In the 1970s women wore heels and stockings at the set even as teenagers. 

Saved A Lot of Lives and Created Families

Certainly, when you were in a certain age group and you step, you came to DJ Sam Chatman’s party. People would come to the set and watch people dancing and the next week they would be at the set dancing.  Of course, friends practiced together at home. Some steppers started out at DJ Sam Chatman’s sets ad 16 years old and became lifelong friends – having babies and making families. 

DJ Sam Chatman’s most valuable lesson

“Appreciate the people in front of me and try to be nice to everyone. At my parties, I want the place packed. I am nervous when my dance floor isn’t full. When my dance floor is packed, I am the happiest person in the world. I don’t want to sit up in a place by myself. I am proud that when someone puts my name on a flyer, certain people show up at a party and my name still brings people out. ”

DJ Sam Chatman Gave the people music

During the 1970s Steppers didn’t have CDs and many didn’t even know the name of songs. Of course, the music brought people to his set because it was the only place they could hear music they wanted to hear. One of the best songs “Life in the Country” by the Ebony’s – he had the only copy of that record for a year because he got it from them personally. “Some music was almost exclusive to me. It’s not about Sam. It’s about the music.” Steppers didn’t have their own music until they started making CDs. The music brought people to Sam’s sets.

A DJ and His Love for Technology

“I love progress, innovative things, the computer – a remote control.” When some people say a DJ sold out because he has no more crates and 45’s, Sam just imagines what he could have done if he had this technology 30 years ago. Herb Kent first told Sam Chatman to get a computer. He thinks printed flyers will never be obsolete because everybody doesn’t do Facebook and Instagram. 

Some of DJ Sam Chatman’s classics old and new for steppers

Sam says you can find a record 25 years old and make it a hit today. So, there is no old music.

• Pathway to Glory – Loggins & Messina
• Eddie Kendricks – Skippin’ Work
• Eddie Kendricks – Body Talk
• Ebonys – Life in the Country
• Carmichael – Count the Stars

“Great music lasts forever.”

DJ Sam Chatman

“The Chatmans and the Dows go back to the 1950s in Robbins Il. evan before I was born. Sam was the absolute GREATEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO STEPPIN…HELL..HE COINED THE PHASE! He cared about us All! He Fed us …He got us out of Jail… He gave us a place to be. Because he made Me Who I became in The Steppin Committee. ..”

Tony Dow

Happy birthday DJ Sam Chatman!

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