Meet Count Graham: DJ to Special Needs Organizations
by Christy Bouziotis
When he’s not hard at work as a computer programmer for United Healthcare, George Graham trades in his laptop, technology manuals, and coding algorithms for turntables, mixers, speakers, and headphones as he transforms into Count Graham, Special Needs DJ!
For more than 13 years, George has offered FREE DJ services to any area organization providing services to special needs individuals. Beneficiary organizations include the Rotary Club, Somerset County’s Therapeutic Recreational Program, Mount Bethel Village, Bethel Ridge, Becca’s Friends, Special Kidz….and (lucky us!) GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough!
With the Fantastic Friends at our annual New Year Party!
George has DJd numerous events and dances for GiGi’s Playhouse, including our annual charity 5K. And all he asks for in return is for everyone to have as much fun as he does – if that’s even possible! We wanted to go one-on-one with George to learn about what he does and why he does it.
Q: What is it you offer as Count Graham, Special Needs DJ?
Count Graham: I offer free dances to any organization that provides services to special needs individuals. I’ll play for as long as they need me and whatever specific songs they want. I’m also very enthusiastic and get up and dance with the participants! My wife knows that the sweatier I am when I get home, the more fun I had!
Q: How did this all start?
Count Graham: I’ve actually been DJing for about 40 years. I started dedicating DJing for only special needs about 13 years ago when I realized that those individuals were not having the same kind of experience as other people. My son is 24 and has autism, so I experienced it firsthand.
Serving the community at the Annual Rotary Fair on Special Needs Day.
Q: Why do you do this? What motivates you to provide this service?
Count Graham: For me, it’s giving back to the community and knowing that the participants truly enjoy the service I provide. I can tell that based on the smiles on their faces. I actually have more fun doing these dances than any other dances I’ve done in the past.
Q: What do you enjoy most about doing this?
Count Graham: The participants!! I always say that I could have a horrible week at work, but if I have a dance that weekend, it makes up for it a thousand-fold! I’ve made a lot of friends of the participants through the years, and I treasure each and every one of them. They always ask me when I’m coming back! It makes me feel so loved.
Q: How many events do you DJ a month? How many GiGi’s Playhouse programs annually?
Count Graham: It depends on the month because February, October, and December are the busiest! In those months I typically do four dances. Other months typically range from one to two. For GiGi’s Playhouse, counting events, I usually do four or five a year. I’m always willing to do more!
Q: What’s the most memorable moment you have had while DJing for GiGi’s?
Count Graham: I was playing a song from Grease and got up to dance with the participants. I ended up having three of them on each side of me dancing and singing along with me! What a great time that was!
Recent Posts
I cannot express how humbled I am by this recognition. I don’t do it for that. I do it because I love this community! The participants’ smiles are my pay and, for that, I’m a rich man.
George, I love the part about how enthusiastic you are and how your wife knows you had fun based on how sweaty you are. Hilarious! You are awesome. Thank you so much!
George was a good friend of mine growing up. He always was a good person, and it really touched me, when I came across this article. I am glad to hear that he is putting some of his talent to such a good cause.
My personal opinon he’s the best i love dj graham he is cool it’s ashame we can’t see him live in. Person he is funny 😁
i love him as a friend like i love chris annunziato my ex roomie as a friend he’s cool
Chris Annunziato was my ex roomie we bonded I loved him as a friend and couldn’t be more inseprable
He and i both loved processed yellow American cheese singles by Borden or kraft we loved you guys cause you wouldn’t bully us and not taunt us either like Sal but nah I’m joking around
Christopher Morris annunziato born September 6th 1992 he was a brilliant guy and was very funny to me and Scott flora we used to live together in appartment 215 we were inseprable
George graham you are the best dj ever you make us laugh he also made chris annunziato laugh
You’re parties are the best Dj graham you make them fun you are a special guy
And Halloween is my favorite time of year it symbolizes fun fun fun and more candy
And I had fun on Friday seeing you on zoom you are one cool dude and bring joy to everybody’s. Life and make people happy
i just wish it wasn’t so short you are the best dj ever and i wish you could visit mbv live in person
Mount bethel village that is come visit us anytime soon george graham you are the best
Please let me know when you’ll visit us for shure come back to us please with cheesecake
You know we miss you. Already but you have to visit us in person live at mount bethel village there you go i want to wish you good luck and how much do miss us