Posted on Thu, Feb. 24, 2005 Mix master 'stepped up to the plate' By Lloylita Prout For The Inquirer DJ Lisa Love, one of three mix masters who will rock "The Blue Funk . . . Livepod! The Soul of the City!" Friday (Feb. 25) at World Cafe Live, is mindful of her blessings. Quick to acknowledge those influential in her success, Love names John Barber, Tia Hardy, Carol Riddick, and Carol's husband, Kenny Johnson. But fate and talent should be cited as well. Being at the right place at the right time led to her relationship with "Blue Funk" promoter Barber, who frequently calls upon her talents for his events. "[[Barber's DJ]] didn't show and Lisa Love stepped up to the plate," Love explained, recalling the night in 2001 when being prepared - she's always equipped with her records - was key to her big break. She became interested in the turntables after listening to the mixes she heard on the radio while she was a teen in Upstate New York, Love said. Later, she would watch the DJs in the clubs. She attributes her knowledge to DJ Smooth, who took her in as a student. But her marketing skills have been instrumental in building her reputation, too. "When you're hungry you give everybody and their mama a mix CD," Love said. Known for her soul mixes, Love spins in what she calls her own style. But she still understands an important rule of DJ'ing - connecting with the audience. So she switches up and plays radio-friendly cuts. "When people want to party, you have to conform," she said. Love attempts to reciprocate all the goodwill she has received with projects such as Girls' DJ, a volunteer collective that teaches free mixing classes to females. "I love that," she said of being an instructor. "That's really giving back." Saying that blessings are give-and-take, Love added: "You got to spread yourself around, whether you do it for free or do it to get paid." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact writer Lloylita Prout at 215-854-2877 or lprout@phillynews.com.