A.L. man is first to DJ a wedding at new stadium

Published 10:00 am Sunday, September 11, 2016

An Albert Lea man earlier this month became the first person to DJ a wedding at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Jacob Abrego, owner of Uptown Sound, described the Sept. 3 event as fantastic.

The wedding — originally scheduled at Club Purple, which overlooks the field — was later moved to the field.

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The wedding party — including the priest — wore Minnesota Vikings and football attire, Abrego said, noting the bride and her uncle entered to heavy metal music used at Vikings games.

“It was so cool, so cool,” he said.

Following the wedding, the party moved to Club Purple, where Abrego played jazz and entertained the crowd.

Albert Lean Jacob Abrego was the DJ for this wedding at U.S. Bank Stadium Sept. 3. Provided

Albert Lean Jacob Abrego was the DJ for this wedding at U.S. Bank Stadium Sept. 3. Provided

The wedding dinner included brats and hamburgers to signify a football game, Abrego said.

Abrego, a 2003 Albert Lea High School graduate, was selected as the wedding DJ after the bride and groom, Shane and Nikki Anderson, remembered him from a New Year’s Eve performance a few years ago.

“For them to say they remember a performance I did three years ago, that’s a big deal,” Abrego said.

Abrego, who normally goes by D.J. Abrego, has performed in Albert Lea at places such as Country Inn & Suites, Wedgewood Cove Golf Club, Heritage Hotel, Southwest Middle School and Albert Lea Elks Club, and has expanded his audience this year to Mankato, Marshall, Faribault and the Twin Cities.

“It’s fantastic,” he said.

Abrego DJs city and private events, and said he has DJed 1,733 weddings over his 16 to 17 years in the industry. Originally a one-man operation, Abrego has received help from his brother and some friends over the years.

He thanked his parents for their help in his becoming a DJ.

“They were the ones who gave me the opportunity at the age of 14,” Abrego said.

Abrego said he was inspired by a Wisconsin-based DJ who performed for his wedding.

“He rocked my wedding, and I was like, that’s what I want to be like,” he said.

Abrego said he brings a show audiences won’t forget.

“I’ve got a few years left in me,” he said.

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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