Behind the Screens with the Dallas Stars: How Grubes Gets Fans in the Groove

 

In most sporting arenas, music is used as a way to simply fill lulls in the action. For Dallas Stars DJ Michael Gruber, it is an opportunity to create a moment that fans will remember long after the event ends.

The witty disc jockey has developed a cult following in Dallas due to his creativity that began at local sports radio station The Ticket, where he was a board operator known for timely audio drops during the station’s flagship programs.

Today, like a composer looking down on the crowd from his booth behind section 110, Gruber plays a large role in directing the mood of the crowd through his sound.

A close relationship with the video team helps Gruber, more commonly referred to as ‘Grubes’, match the perfect songs with the right moments, and people have noticed.

During a Stars game several years ago, Grubes played exclusively Nickelback songs during the second period, a band that evokes strong feelings to say the least. The crowd quickly caught on to the stunt, as did national media outlets like CBS and FOX.

With breaks in play happening almost by the minute, Grubes is an integral part of the atmosphere at the American Airlines Center. Whether the crowd needs motivation or some relief, Grubes has been lauded for always making the right choice in any situation, even if that means leaning on Nickelback just to get a laugh.

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