Preserving History: One Record at a Time: Our Conversation with DJ Mac!

Time travel exists—and it sounds like a needle dropping on shellac. DJ Mac (Michael Cumella) transports us into the world of antique phonograph collecting, where century-old machines breathe life into forgotten voices from the past.As administrator of the Facebook group "Antique Phonograph Enthusiasts," Mac has created a haven where veteran collectors and wide-eyed newcomers alike can share knowledge about these remarkable machines. His philosophy is refreshingly inclusive: whether you've acquired your first Victrola or are hunting for a $9,000 Edison Concert phonograph with original horns, this hobby has room for everyone. "This is a place for people who are advanced collectors who've been doing it for many decades, and also for those who come on the internet and say 'I just found this in my grandmother's attic.'"What began as curiosity about old-time music referenced in Bugs Bunny cartoons evolved into a 20-year radio show career and a unique business. Mac now travels nationwide as a "phonograph DJ," bringing his meticulously restored machines to weddings and themed events. Dressed in period attire with authentic equipment, he creates immersive experiences where guests encounter music exactly as it would have sounded a century ago. "People are hearing it more with their eyes than their ears," he explains about these performances that bridge entertainment and education.The conversation reveals how these artifacts connect us to forgotten cultural moments—from the evolution of "jass" to jazz, society's moral panic over ragtime's "dangerous" syncopated rhythms, and pioneering artists like Broadway powerhouse Nora Bayes, whose unmarked grave Mac helped memorialize after nearly a century. His cemetery tours at Woodlawn combine history with live performances on portable machines at the gravesites of Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and other musical legends.Whether you're a seasoned collector or simply curious about how our ancestors experienced music, this episode invites you to slow down, wind up a spring motor, and let history sing through a brass horn. What forgotten treasures are waiting in your family's attic?