Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Billings.
Hi Erica, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a Nashville Native “unicorn” people say who has always appreciated my city and music culture. Before I started the road to DJ, I had been working in the service industry since I was 16 years old. I am the oldest of my six siblings, and always had a good work ethic growing up, but wasn’t afraid to try new things. In 2019, I was bartending for a couple of years now, and just a 22-year-old trying to figure out life and adulthood. Around this time, I had attended a couple of music festivals and really enjoyed going to different EDM shows in the city.
I remember a customer of mine, reached out to me one day to help out her cousin’s party bus company in Mt Juliet, as they needed more DJs and wanted to see if I would be interested. I didn’t have much of a musical background, except playing cello for 4 years in middle school. Growing up from a kid to high school, I was playing sports year-round. When I stopped playing after graduating high school, I felt kind of lost, as some athletes can, and thought to myself with this offer now- what do I have to lose? I immediately said yes. Mind you- on this party bus, I used my laptop and a small mixer in the DJ booth and had no idea what I was really doing, besides picking songs, controlling the sound, and making different playlists for each event to come. When I reflect on that chapter, I actually loved digging into different genres, and it helped me connect more with different people, and crowd reading, I was hooked!
When 2020 rolled around, Nashville got hit hard with the tornado, and the pandemic. I remember the party bus company getting damaged, and eventually shutting down. From there, I knew deep down I wanted to dive in and teach myself how to DJ. Ironically, a buddy of mine who was selling a bunch of his gear at the time, gave me a deal and my first controller was a Denon MC7000. I bought headphones, some small KRK speakers and got started, That year having so much downtime, I would watch a ton of YouTube videos learning the basics and finding more songs to practice with and mix. As the next couple of years came, I started to play multiple of my friend’s weddings, random house sets, holiday parties, and just anything I could get my hands on. My first “real” booking gig was at a hotel in downtown Nashville, starting in the summer of 2024. This is where I would meet several other DJs who also played around the city, and got the opportunity to really start connecting with others mutually through music. We are always still learning, but man that was a time I am so appreciative of for those people who took me under their wing a bit, and also took a chance on me. I will forever be grateful for that chapter of my life as then on, it opened so many doors for me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not smooth. I would struggle really hard (and still do sometimes) with performance anxiety. I think as an artist and creator in general, being vulnerable and first stepping out of your comfort zone, can be the hardest. I have also failed many times through trial and error….but with each gig, I would always learn something new that helped me along the way. As I kept pushing through the anxiety, it helped me become more confident with my skills, song selection, and a good reminder to just be myself.
You have to remind yourself who you are, surround yourself with good people, and understand that failing is also a part of the journey to success.
The past couple of years personally, have been amazing through many moments, but also internally, a struggle. I can’t really describe the feeling, but music has helped me in more ways over the past two years stay grounded than ever. Mixing and stepping into that creative power, has helped with the healing through grief.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Through this journey, I now go by DJ Sunnee. I am an open-format DJ in Nashville, Tennessee, and have learned so much since that party bus….. thank God.
I have always enjoyed all different styles and genres of music and really appreciate each artist’s creative sound and mind. I love being intentional with each gig and crowd, selecting what songs I want to play, curating different music crates and setting the tone/ vibe for the day or night. Seeing the excitement on people’s faces from a song maybe they forgot about, to dancing and singing along, will never get old. Best part of the job are these moments and bringing different people together through music.
Side note to explain some of my musical influences, I grew up with teenage parents who were also growing up in the early 2000s. I remember being a kid in the backseat of my dad’s car listening to different CDs he would cut on. Southern hip hop artists like Paul Wall, Outkast, T.I, Three Six, etc.
I also remember my mom and I, we would cut on 101.1 the beat radio- and listen to the 5 o clock drop mix, anybody remember that one? No commercials during songs, just mix. Looking back, it all kind of makes sense where I am.
My sets now, I will usually sprinkle in some of these artists and others in. The era of 2000s music will always remind me of those good times in childhood. Taking people back to a place of nostalgia also brings me so much joy!
Other artists who were influential, would be Alison Wonderland and RL Grime. First ones I really discovered and also inspired me to start DJing.
I am most proud of the growth I have made and just sticking to something that genuinely makes me happy. Life is short, at times I even thought “should I be doing something else?” but as time keeps passing, right now, I can’t think of anything else I would rather be doing. For that, I am super thankful.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My support system since I started, has been amazing. My family and friends mean the world to me, and they have all been great supporters through the highs and lows. I have had my people show up in rooms where I had no crowd at times, just to make me smile and simply support me. Also, to dance!
The Nashville DJ community is also something special. Each person I have met, networked with, had questions for, has always shown a ton of help and grace. I have made incredible friends as time has gone on. Finding a community of people who want to help one another grow, but also has the same love for the art you do, same love for music, you can’t really beat that or ask for more.
I have worked with different businesses and companies all around the city, each one has made me feel supported and loved.
Without the support from my loved ones, DJs, jobs, and even strangers… I would not be where I am today. Truly. Putting in hard work is one thing, getting love and support from others takes you to a whole other level. I always try to show the appreciation, support, and love right back.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: djsunnee_
