Five years ago, Dan Gregory’s life changed forever when he was shot by the brother of an SPD officer during the 2020 protests on Capitol Hill. The trauma left deep scars, both physically and mentally, but through music, DJing, and an unexpected Capitol Hill community on the dodgeball court, he found a lifeline.

“Music Saved My Life”
For Gregory, DJing is survival.

“If it wasn’t for music and having an outlet, I probably would have offed myself,” he admits. “That was a lot to go through, and I’d still do it all over again if I had to, but music is how I process my emotions.”

Under the moniker DJ Danny G (formerly DJ oohchillem), Gregory has turned his pain into a magnetic force, curating sets that bring people together at everything from bus stop pop-up jams, homeless camps, or local taco stands.

Today, he brings music to the busy courts of Cal Anderson just blocks away from 11th and Pine and the center of where CHOP formed five years ago this month.

“I love how music can change an environment,” he says. “People come in stressed, and then the right song comes on, and suddenly everyone’s singing along. That energy is everything.”

Dodgeball, Community, and a Safe Haven
Gregory’s healing journey didn’t stop with music. After moving to Seattle, he discovered a dodgeball community through Meetup. What started as a casual hobby became a sanctuary.

“Every Friday and Sunday, no matter what’s happening outside these gates, this is a safe place,” he says. “Gang members have told me, ‘When we’re here, the beef stops.’ People need that—somewhere to release aggression in a way that’s productive, not destructive.”

Even in the rain, Gregory sets up his DJ equipment, playing through storms and snow. One downpour fried his laptop mid-set, but he laughs it off: “It was one of my best sets ever.”

Mental Health, Humility, and Healing
The last five years have been a crash course in resilience for Gregory. He’s undergone counseling, medication, and deep self-reflection.

“I moved here at 28 thinking I knew everything. Now, at 32, I realize I know nothing—and that’s growth,” he says. “Humility isn’t a bad thing. Failing is like Mr. Miyagi’s lessons—you learn from it.”

He’s also embraced his identity as pansexual, a journey that once led him to a hospital after a suicide attempt. “I used to think I wasn’t accepted, that my dreams didn’t matter because of who I am. Now, I’m learning self-love.”

Paying It Forward
Gregory’s mission now is simple: Be visible. Whether DJing for free at homeless camps or mentoring his autistic nephew from afar, he wants others to see that healing is possible.

“Isolation is dangerous,” he warns. “Community—real community, with people who look like you and people who don’t—that’s how we survive.”

For those who want to support Gregory’s journey, watch for his next gig or find him at the dodgeball courts—rain or shine.

Because, for him, the music never stops.

To support Dan Gregory, follow @djoohchillem and catch him DJing at local events or at dodgeball Fridays/Sundays in Seattle.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or the Washington Warm Line at 1-800-500-9276. 

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