Meet Chuck Coffey | DJ/MC, Musician and Record Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chuck Coffey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chuck, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had been involved in music for a number of years, from playing in bands to running a record label. Family and friends started asking me to DJ their weddings. It was so much fun and after the 3rd or 4th one, it dawned on me that maybe I could start up my own DJ business to earn some income. Snappy Little Numbers Entertainment was founded in 2012. It started small and grew slowly but steadily over the years. I stayed active in music and was able to branch off into some other side businesses, like online vinyl collection sales and recording/producing other artists. My wife Feb was a big help with her valuable insight and as an event partner when I needed an extra hand. I have never been very career oriented and always worked jobs that allowed me more freedom with my time. Running my own business was a way to create the kind of work/life balance that I wanted to continue. By 2018, I was able to fully transition into working for myself and I’ve stayed at it ever since.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started playing in bands and running a record label in 1996-1997. I came up in a very fertile and supportive punk rock scene, which has changed and evolved over the years yet is still a strong presence in Denver. Although making music and putting out records was mostly a hobby, I began to find odd music-related jobs for extra income through the relationships I had fostered over the years. As I mentioned earlier, I DJ’d several weddings for family and friends. It was an incredible experience each time and the feedback I got from others was wonderful. I decided I should start up my own DJ business from there on. It also turned out to be very practical. I’ve dealt with chronic illnesses since 2010 and went to part time in my day job in 2011. Starting Snappy Little Numbers Entertainment in 2012 helped me work a bit extra without putting my body through the same kind of routine that I was no longer able to maintain. A lot of my early business was linked to people I knew from my band and record label life. That really helped to where I could get my feet under me and start to expand my potential client base. While this was going on, I created an online business where I sold other people’s record collections. I also lucked out into some songwriting work to create theme songs for TV, podcasts and branding. I’ve also produced and recorded a number of artists over the last several years. Everything has fallen under the Snappy Little Numbers moniker in some fashion (Snappy Little Numbers Quality Audio Recordings record label in 2011 and Snappy Little Studios recording studio in 2020) and it was a dream to be in a position where I could work for myself full time, relative to my health restrictions. At heart I’m a people person and DJing events is an arena in which being comfortable in public is an asset. I think as a DJ (and MC) I stand out because of the personal service I offer and the depth of my musical knowledge, especially for weddings. The fact that people trust me with the soundtrack to such a huge events in their lives is something I take very seriously. I am eternally thankful to do something that helps bring joy to people.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If they are record fans, I’d for sure take them to my all-time favorite record store in the entire world, Wax Trax Records. There are a lot of great record shops around town. Black & Read, Drop To Pop, Twist & Shout and Chain Reaction come to mind and there are many more. If they are fans of the outdoors, there are plenty of beautiful parks. I’m a fan of City Park, Cheesman Park and Washington Park to name just a few. If they’re into walking or hiking, I’d pick the Highline Canal or Matthew Winters Park in the metro area. For nightlife, of course I lean towards music. Hi-Dive, The Squire Lounge and the 715 Club are some of the best independent venues around. Not only do they host fun shows, but they’re great spots to just hang out and have a drink. I’m not very good at highlighting food spots since some of my health issues are GI-related, but I do enjoy a nice coffee spot. I love the communal gathering that a good coffee shop can cultivate. Some of the ones I like the best include St. Marks, Hooked On Colfax, Mutiny Information Cafe, Stella’s, Brew Culture and Bakewell.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that I owe a shoutout to. First and foremost, shoutout to my wife Feb. She wasn’t just my partner in life, she was my biggest supporter and helper. Feb always encouraged me to keep going and never doubted that I could get to where I am, to get to where we both were. Sadly she passed away last year, but I carry her in my heart and she’s still helping me continue on. I also need to give a shoutout to the Denver music scene and the punk rock community that thrives within it. So many people have given me opportunities to succeed and I’m forever grateful. Existing in a subculture and counterculture that nurtures people that operate outside of traditional paths is a consistent source of inspiration. I do my best to return the favor to others seeking advice or examples of how to blaze their own trails. I’d also like to give shoutouts to Jennifer Dewey and Rob Burleson. They have been instrumental in helping me create logos and graphics that help Snappy Little Numbers Entertainment (and the other branches) stand out visually. My last shoutout (for now) goes to Dave Heinrich and Tier Two Live. Dave assisted me with several of the larger weddings I DJ’d in 2024 and was rock solid every single time. Thanks to all the people in my life for having my back!

Website: https://www.snappylittlenumbers.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snappylittlenumbers.ent/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snappylittlenumbersentertainment

Other: www.theknot.com/marketplace/snappy-little-numbers-entertainment-denver-co-2019043, www.weddingwire.com/biz/snappy-little-numbers-entertainment-denver/25a7b6377b075a8f.html, www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-bands-djs/snappy-little-numbers-entertainment, snappylittlenumbers.limitedrun.com, www.discogs.com/seller/SnappyLittleNumbers/profile

Image Credits
Febra Coffey, Meredith Goldberg, Chuck Coffey