Beyond the DJ Booth

Joe Bunn and Brian B

Brian B and Joe Bunn tackle questions about the private event DJ industry, share music, gear/gadgets, and stories from their events.

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S9 · E1
Wednesday · 40 min
Why Leaving The Wedding Industry Can Be Harder Than Entering It
Send us a message Getting into the wedding industry is hard. But after years of building a business, relationships, and a reputation inside it, getting out might be even harder. In this episode, we get into why people stay in the wedding industry long after they’ve started thinking about leaving. Is it the money? The relationships? The identity you’ve built? Or is it simply that walking away from something you spent years creating is a lot harder than starting over sounded in your head? We also cover a lot of ground before we get there. We share a big DJ Collective update with RCF coming on as a sponsor, then look at some over-the-top weddings making headlines, from a festival-like cave wedding in Lebanon to Alesso’s Lake Como celebration. We talk lighting as the headline, immersive design, band-to-DJ transitions, and the kinds of “icon moments” couples are increasingly trying to recreate. Then we get practical. Joe recaps a three-hour corporate Zoom DJ stream for a global company and what it takes to program music for a workday, handle rapid-fire requests, and keep people engaged through a screen. We also unpack a challenging corporate event where layout, bar placement, and a massive auditorium created problems that could have been solved much earlier. Plus, we talk AI for DJs, including how we’re using ChatGPT and Claude for everything from travel decisions and script writing to organizing Serato libraries and eliminating some of the boring work. And we wrap with a listener question about dealing with young planners who gatekeep access to the bride and groom, which leads right back to a bigger question: after you’ve spent years becoming established in this industry, how do you know when it’s actually time to leave? Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S8 · E13
September 16 · 45 min
Doors Open Music That Hits
Send us a message Doors open is the most underrated part of a wedding reception, because it’s one of the first places where guests judge your taste, your confidence, and the vibe of the night. We get super specific about how we build doors open music that feels modern without being annoying, cheesy, or overplayed: the BPM pocket we like, when to use originals vs bootlegs, why we strip aggressive rap sections, and how to choose tracks you’ll never need again once the dance floor starts. We also go off on customer service and support, starting with a brutal “had to go to the bank” story that turns into a reminder for every DJ business owner: remove friction for your clients. Then we talk about small businesses closing and the uncomfortable truth about DJ conferences and DJ education. If you want community, networking, and events like DJ Collective to stick around, people have to show up, not just comment “so sad” after the fact. We even add nuance on when a poorly run event should probably fade out so the ones doing it right can thrive. On the tactical side, we run through doors open track ideas across eras, share remixers and artists we watch in the DJ pools, and hit the gear corner with Bunn Gear updates including Quad Pods 3.0, a new basic aluminum DJ booth, and the Cruiser ceremony cart. We close with a great listener question: what do you do when a client sends a playlist with exact timestamps for every song, and how do you protect the party without dismissing their effort? Subscribe for weekly DJ business and performance talk, share this with a DJ who needs better walk-in music, and leave a review so more working DJs can find the show. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S8 · E12
September 9 · 45 min
Wedding DJ Storytime
Send us a message Cold sparks that can literally scorch carpet, a bride who wants the party to go explicit on command, and a viral custom dance edit that suddenly turns into 20 strangers asking for the file. That’s the kind of real-world wedding DJ life we’re unpacking, with the wins, the awkward parts, and the decisions that affect your reputation and revenue. We start with updates from our world: Patreon shoutouts, DJ Collective reminders, Recharge Circles deadlines, and why we’re excited to hear more tactical lighting solutions for working DJs who aren’t trying to spend a fortune. From there, we detour through pop culture because it connects back to our craft: when performance looks lazy or “off,” the internet notices fast, and wedding guests do too. Authentic energy and clean presentation matter more than the gear list. Then we go deep on weddings. Joe breaks down an “explicit wedding” that was actually fun because expectations were clear and the room shifted at the right time. Brian shares a TikTok-influenced wedding full of specific decade music requests, an AI-generated welcome song, a photo dash, and the return of the garter removal moment. The biggest lesson comes from cold sparks indoors: testing issues, fire risk, refund friction, and why subcontracting special effects can protect your headspace and your liability. We also share practical DJ tools like EsStart for guest photos, requests, and a smarter review capture flow that can drive more public reviews. If you care about wedding DJ playlists, event pacing, DJ business strategy, and protecting your creative edge, you’ll get plenty to steal here. Subscribe, share this with a DJ friend, and leave a review with the biggest “never again” request you’ve had to handle. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S8 · E11
September 2 · 51 min
Stop Playing For The Internet
Send us a message Formalities are fading and the party is taking over. We’re seeing it in our inboxes, in the way couples ask questions, and in what actually works on dance floors right now. Gen Z wedding clients want fast answers, clear pricing, and proof you can really mix. If your set still leans on full-song playback and your sales process moves slow, you’re about to feel it. We talk candidly about what’s changing, what isn’t, and how to stay booked without becoming a hype-chasing DJ. We also catch up on the road. Joe shares highlights from Japan and Australia, from Tokyo temples and next-level food experiences to Sydney’s harbor and a DJ conference that reinforces a core truth: stop playing for the internet and start playing for the people in front of you. That leads into practical workflow talk on crate organization, trimming the bloat from your library, and building systems that protect your time instead of stealing it. Nobody gets into DJing because they love organizing folders, so we outline how to keep your prep efficient and your life bigger than your admin. From there, we dig into music strategy. We scan Billboard, Spotify USA, and the TikTok trending list to separate “chart famous” from “crowd useful.” You’ll hear what edits we’re actually playing, why one minute versions can save a moment, and how to build doors-open sets that sound current without being obnoxious. We also hit gear corner with travel recovery tools and routines for long flights, plus an Australia update on Bunn Gear distribution and manufacturing partnerships. If you got value from this one, subscribe, share it with a DJ friend, and leave a quick review so more working DJs can find the show. What’s the biggest shift you’re seeing with wedding clients right now? Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S8 · E10
August 26 · 38 min
What If You Had To Restart Your DJ Business Today?
Send us a message You can book great events and still feel like the money disappears the second it hits your account. We get into the unsexy part of being a working DJ that decides whether you stay stressed or build something durable: cash flow. With The DJ Collective coming up in Raleigh, we shout out why education matters and why Rich Cranston’s talk hits so hard, especially when the question is “I just booked a $3,000 wedding, where should the money go?” We unpack the mindset shift from chasing revenue to understanding annual cash flow, taxes, profit, savings, and investing so each booking actually improves your life. Then we pivot into customer experience and event upgrades that feel premium without being complicated. A simple thank-you video from a brand founder sparks a bigger idea for DJs: short personalized videos right after the contract and payment can boost trust fast. From there we break down real wedding field testing with EsStart, including Instant Spotlight guest photos on a TV and QR code song requests that update in real time. We talk practical guardrails, how many table QR codes you really need, why wireless HDMI is clutch, and the one item you cannot forget if you bring a TV. We also hit the human side: team-building ideas, travel headaches, and the content grind when social media growth feels stuck. To wrap, we answer a great listener question: if we had to restart our DJ business with no reviews, no network, and no reputation, what’s the first priority? If you’re building a wedding DJ business, a mobile DJ company, or any service brand, you’ll take away moves you can use this week. Subscribe, share this with a DJ friend, and leave a review that tells us what you want us to dig into next. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S8 · E9
August 19 · 36 min
We Hit 100 Episodes And Here Is What We Learned
Send us a message We just hit 100 episodes, and we’re not pretending it happened by accident. We talk about what two straight years of weekly drops teaches you about consistency, momentum, and why the audience often finds value in moments we barely remember recording. Then we turn the milestone into something you can actually use: a giveaway for the Melanair SD2, a full rack-mounted in-ear monitor system that can seriously upgrade how you hear yourself and perform at weddings, corporate events, and private parties. From there, we get into the ecosystem around the show: the Patreon Back Room community, what we’re putting behind the paywall and what’s happening with DJ Collective in Raleigh this year. We also announce a new general session speaker and talk about why we’re excited for an AI session that focuses on real workflows with tools like Claude, not the same recycled “ChatGPT for DJs” surface-level stuff. And because we’re DJs, we argue about music. We run through song of the summer contenders and land on a pick that may or may not surprise you, plus the real-world question behind it: does a track count if you need an edit to make it playable at a gig? We close with a listener question that hits a nerve: what do you do when well-known, higher-priced DJs in your market are honestly not good anymore? We unpack the ethics, the business angle, and a practical move that helps without starting drama: invite someone to shadow you, then go shadow them too. Subscribe, share this with a DJ friend, and leave a review so more booth heads can find the show. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S8 · E8
August 12 · 27 min
High-End Wedding DJ Playbook
Send us a message A wedding reception with a breakaway screen entrance, a merch table, a sax player, and RFID wristbands sounds like a flex until you’re the DJ responsible for making every moment hit on time. Brian B and Joe Bunn pull back the curtain on a full luxury wedding day, from travel and load-in to the last song, after Joe comes to Florida to shadow the entire “Brian B show” in real time. We walk through how a modern couple’s vision gets built, especially when it’s heavily influenced by social media wedding trends. From a strolling cocktail hour that flows straight into dancing to a cake decorating moment and a re-entry tied to a specific track, we talk about what makes these ideas work and what can quietly derail them. You’ll also hear the real-world challenges of event production, including venue constraints in an old church space, vendor coordination, sound checks, and how the smallest logistics can drain your energy before the party even starts. Then we get nerdy about the music: must-plays, do-not-plays, using string versions to solve timing, managing BPM and energy, and building “routine pockets” that keep the dance floor moving without feeling pre-programmed. We close with a question every DJ and creator is wrestling with: how do you navigate endless online content, avoid the noise, and stay focused on couples instead of drifting into education? Subscribe, share this with a DJ friend, and leave a review if you want more real breakdowns like this. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S8 · E7
August 5 · 39 min
A Great DJ Tells a Story Not A Playlist
Send us a message A great DJ doesn't build a playlist - they tell a story. That idea came from a listener question asking why some wedding DJs command more than double the average rate, and it sparked one of our favorite conversations in recent memory. We unpack why premium DJs aren't being paid for song selection alone. They're hired to create moments people remember, make smart decisions under pressure, and understand what an event is trying to say...not just what songs it should hear. Along the way, we share what we learned from a confidential celebrity wedding, a SeaWorld event built around nostalgia, and performing on some of the world's biggest stages at the World Cup. Different audiences. Different objectives. The same lesson: every successful event has a story, and the best DJs know how to support it. That conversation naturally extends beyond the dance floor. We welcome Vince K from August & Light to the DJC Recharge Raleigh 2026 team and discuss why storytelling (not flashy recap videos) is what creates memorable brands, stronger content, and deeper connections with clients. We also talk candidly about showing up professionally when life behind the scenes is anything but easy, and why that mindset is just as much a part of your value as your music knowledge. If you've ever wondered why one DJ earns the average rate while another commands more than double, this episode might change the way you think about your role. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S8 · E6
July 29 · 41 min
Is Your DJ Business Built To Run Without You?
Send us a message What happens if you step away from your business for a week? A month? Forever? In this episode, we dig into one of the biggest questions every DJ business owner eventually faces: Is your business built to run without you? Inspired by the ideas in Built to Sell, we discuss creating systems instead of dependencies, using pricing strategically, building a team you can trust, and what it really takes to create a business that can survive (and even thrive) without the owner being involved in every decision. That conversation naturally leads into one of the biggest roadblocks to building a scalable business: communication. Joe shares why personal DMs should never become your customer service department, how multiple DJ companies stay organized without sacrificing great service, and the simple systems that keep problems from falling through the cracks while protecting your personal time. We also explore a practical wedding enhancement using ESSTART Instant Spotlight, allowing guests to upload photos via QR code that appear on screens throughout the event. We cover setup, moderation, coordination with planners and venues, and why this can be an easy value-add for the right client. Finally, we have a little fun talking about the latest TikTok trends, viral meme edits, and internet moments finding their way onto dance floors. Which ones actually work? Which ones kill momentum? And how do you balance giving clients what they ask for without turning your dance floor into a scrolling social feed? Whether you're a solo operator looking to grow or a multi-op refining your systems, this episode is packed with ideas to help you build a stronger business—and maybe one that doesn't need you every minute of every day. Subscribe, share this episode with another DJ, and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S8 · E5
July 22 · 27 min
How Private Event DJs Stay Ready For Anything
Send us a message You can do everything right and still get hit with the one problem nobody schedules for: getting sick right before a wedding. We talk through the real-world backup plans that protect your clients, your reputation, and your paycheck, whether you run a multi-op team or you’re a solo DJ who needs a reliable sub at the last minute. Along the way, we hit a quick pop culture minute on wedding trends we’re seeing more of, like interactive cake moments and late-night snacks with bold branding, plus why those “non-DJ” elements can still wreck or elevate the dancefloor if the timeline is messy. We also recap a packed run of travel and gigs, including cross-country flights, conference energy, and the little details that keep you sane on the road. Then we get into DJ business systems: when it actually makes sense to start using a CRM for DJs, why we lean toward starting early, and how tools like DJ Event Planner help with automation, lead tracking, contracts, and the metrics that show your growth over time. If you want a DJ workflow that holds up under pressure, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share this with a DJ friend, and leave a review with your best “gig-day emergency” story. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S8 · E4
July 15 · 35 min
EDM Wedding Bangers That Never Miss
Send us a message Looking for EDM tracks that actually work at weddings? We share the edits we keep coming back to - from hooks-and-drops and chorus-first versions to mashups that bridge EDM with hip hop and rock so mixed crowds stay on the dance floor. We also react to a viral video from a bride who says she regrets spending $2,000 on a wedding DJ and built an app to help couples DIY their music. It sparks a bigger conversation about what clients are really paying for, why playlists aren't the same as leadership, and where our industry could do a better job communicating our value.We also debate popular "faster setup" hacks like zip-tying cables, why presentation still matters, and how small workflow decisions affect your brand. Finally, we answer a listener question about vendor trades and discounts, sharing when they make business sense and when they don't. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S8 · E3
July 8 · 37 min
What Actually Works At Gigs
Send us a message Every DJ has songs, transitions, and little tricks they keep coming back to because they simply work. In this episode, we're sharing what's consistently working for us right now at weddings, corporate events, and private parties: from current dance floor tracks to dinner music, walk-in playlists, and programming strategies that are getting real-world results. We kick things off, however, with a fun challenge that turns into a conversation about instincts, pattern recognition, and why trusting your ears matters behind the booth. We also drop a DJC Recharge (the event we both throw with Jason Jani in Raleigh this November 16–18), announcement of a speaker we're excited to welcome back to the DJC stage. Tom Gambuzza from EMG joins the lineup to teach the long game of building a healthier DJ business through financial discipline, leadership, hiring, cash flow management, and making decisions that position your company for long-term success. From there, we dive into Annie's Playlist, sharing tracks and edits we're actually using at gigs right now, plus why certain songs are connecting, how long we're letting them play, and ways to keep energy moving without overstaying a moment. We also swap stories from recent events, including adapting to challenging room layouts, returning to DJ for repeat families with sky-high expectations, and a growing issue facing event DJs as more venues crack down on CO₂ cannons. Finally, we answer a listener question about creativity and how to make room for it when your calendar is packed. If you're looking for practical ideas you can take to your next event, this episode is full of them. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S8 · E2
July 1 · 39 min
When The Client’s Daughter Hijacks The Decks
Send us a message A packed dance floor can disappear in one song, and sometimes the person asking for that song is the one signing the check. We open with a wild high end wedding story where the playlist is a tightrope: a huge do not play list, a “keep it upbeat” mandate, and a room full of guests who do not share the bride and her daughter’s festival taste. When a Sophie Tucker request clears the floor, we break down what we do next, how we narrate it, and how we rebuild momentum without getting defensive or breaking trust. Then it gets even messier. The bride’s daughter, who claims she DJs, walks onto the stage, leans into the laptop, questions whether Serato is “professional,” and asks for headphones so she can play tech house. We talk through the decision to let her take a turn, how to keep control of the booth, and why framing the moment on the mic can protect the vibe. If you work weddings, corporate events, or any private events, this is a masterclass in boundaries, diplomacy, and saving the night when the plan goes sideways. From there we move into practical value: dinner music crate finds that actually work in real rooms, how we pace dinner and cocktail energy, and why a few “Shazamable” tracks can make you sound expensive. We also answer listener questions on DJ pricing strategy, raising rates with conviction, what matters on sales calls, and whether photo booths are a smart add-on once you factor staffing, transport, and risk. Subscribe for more private event DJ tactics, share this with a DJ friend, and leave a review if it helps. What’s the hardest client request you’ve ever had to play? Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S8 · E1
June 24 · 43 min
Handling Bad Song Lists From Couples
Send us a message A packed dance floor is not guaranteed just because a couple hands you a long playlist. We’re Brian B and Joe Bunn, and we’re starting the season by getting real about what happens when client expectations, modern music culture, and the actual room collide. First, we share a big update for private event DJs: the DJ Collective in Raleigh (Nov 16 through 18) and why we’re genuinely hype about keynote speaker Jess Ekstrom. She’s an author, founder, and high-level conference speaker, and we talk about what makes that kind of voice valuable in a DJ conference setting, plus the extra value add attendees get. Then we shift into the stuff DJs argue about weekly: AI music, platform licensing, and how a flood of soundalikes and fake releases could change what “new music” even means on streaming services. From there, we get practical with cocktail hour picks, including records that feel timeless and newer songs that still sound like yesterday. Pop culture brings the heat with an extreme “do not play” list and a conversation every wedding DJ will recognize: how do you stay professional when the couple bans half the common toolkit? Story time goes deeper with a K-pop-heavy wedding where the playlist shows up five days before, two-thirds of the tracks are missing from the library, and the dance floor never fully catches. We wrap with a question every mobile DJ should answer: how do you weed out couples who are not a good fit before the contract turns into a long night? Subscribe, share this with a DJ friend, and leave a review if the show helps you book smarter and DJ better. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S7 · E13
June 17 · 31 min
Working with Live Musicians
Send us a message Somebody sends us a mystery package and it turns into a real conversation about community, merch, and how much value listeners can create around your brand when you actually let them in. From there we shout out Patreon supporters around the world, plug The DJ Collective in Raleigh, and talk about why being in the room with other working DJs still matters if you want sharper ideas and better execution on your next season of gigs. Then we get practical. If you’ve got TV screens collecting dust, we break down how a QR code driven live photo stream can become a clean, modern add-on for weddings and corporate events. We talk Instant Spotlight, why the “free trial” makes it easy to test, what extra gear you’ll need (yes, another laptop), and how you can price it so it is worth the effort without feeling like a cash grab. The biggest segment goes deep on DJing with live musicians. Sax is already a proven dance floor booster, but adding violin and a full drum kit changes everything: tempo management, programming, when to pull vocals, and how to give the musician real shine instead of a quick 15-second window. We also get honest about standards, showmanship, and why some players can elevate your set while others accidentally box you into one BPM all night. We close with a spicy etiquette topic, selective gratuity, plus a gear corner pick (Ulanzi battery handle grip for 360 cams) and a question of the day on gauging volume levels without relying on venue meters. Subscribe, share this with a DJ friend, and leave a review. Where do you land on tips at events, all or nothing? Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S7 · E12
June 10 · 40 min
Are Pay to Play Venues Worth It?
Send us a message Paying a venue to get on their “preferred DJ” list sounds like a shortcut until you’re staring at the invoice wondering if it actually produced real work. We dig into a real pay to play example with clean numbers: a $2,500 annual buy in, seven leads so far, three bookings, and $7,200 in booked revenue. Then we get honest about how we judge DJ marketing ROI without getting lost in spreadsheets, when gross revenue is “good enough,” and when you absolutely have to subtract labor and treat time as the real cost. If you run ads on The Knot, WeddingWire, or any vendor platform, you’ll recognize the bigger point: track leads, track conversions, and reassess mid year before you renew anything. From there, we jump into travel gig story time. Brian talks about a Monday wedding where the couple’s relationship is tied to a single song in a way neither of us expected, leading to Paul Russell showing up and performing. Then Joe recaps his Alys Beach event - the vibe, programming a slow trickle crowd, and the pressure of playing in a premium environment where everything looks perfect on camera. We also get into what a great content creator actually does, why it’s worth paying for, and how that footage can level up your DJ business marketing when it’s captured the right way. We finish with an off the record rant about aggressive Uber cologne, a real talk moment about power outages and audio systems that get throttled mid set, plus a tight list of current tracks that are working for doors open and peak hour. In Gear Corner, we share a practical recording setup for clean board audio and crowd noise, and we answer a listener question on how to price sound and lighting for destination weddings when you don’t know the local production companies yet. If this helped, subscribe, share it with a DJ friend, and leave a review so more booth heads can find the show. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S7 · E11
June 3 · 28 min
How Private Event DJs Stay Sharp
Send us a message You can usually tell when a couple filled out your DJ planning form with AI, even if they never mention it. The answers look perfect, but they don’t sound like them and that can wreck the very thing people pay a premium for: personalization. We dig into how we’re seeing ChatGPT style responses show up in wedding DJ questionnaires, what it means for music discovery and prep, and how to sanity check details without awkwardly accusing a client. One of the simplest moves is re confirming the high impact items on your final call, like guest count for sound system planning, while keeping the conversation human. Then we get into a spicy one: AI written reviews. A DJ friend is sending couples an AI drafted review after multiple follow ups, making it easy to copy, paste, edit, or ignore and he claims a 90% success rate. We talk through the ethics, the brand risk of generic praise, and why lowering friction is often the real problem in Google reviews for wedding vendors and private event businesses. We also hit Gear Corner with a practical wireless in ear monitor setup for DJs who work with musicians. If you’ve ever had a headphone cord yank when you turn your head, or you’re tired of running hard lines to a drummer from an Allen and Heath mixer, this is for you, right down to the connector choices that keep your booth clean. We close with a listener question about wedding planner timelines: when to wait for the planner’s latest version, what entertainment specific questions we still ask, and how EventSync can scan a timeline and pull only what we need. If this helped you tighten your planning, upgrade your DJ workflow, or rethink how you use AI tools, subscribe, share the show with a DJ friend, and leave us a review. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S7 · E10
May 27 · 32 min
Learn How to Say No
Send us a message That tiny moment when a couple scans your QR code at a wedding show can decide whether you book the date or never hear from them again. We talk through what went wrong with sending people to a long website contact form, why friction destroys conversions, and how a simpler raffle style lead capture setup can help you collect names and phone numbers fast. If you have ever worked a bridal expo and watched leads slip away while someone fumbles with a form, this one will feel familiar. We also jump into two real-world gig lessons. First, a story about being asked to staff additional DJs for a major event at a budget that basically guarantees a bad outcome, and why saying no can actually protect your reputation long-term. Second, Joe breaks down a 40 to 45 minute Latin set inside a wedding, including how the couple mapped which tracks must play out, how to keep the dance floor locked with recognizable anthems, and how to approach any cultural music block like a program instead of a guess. Then we hit gear and business reality: in-ear monitors, hearing protection for DJs, and the ongoing conversation around spam and fake leads on The Knot and WeddingWire. We share how we personally spot bot-style inquiries, why tracking lead sources matters, and how to judge true ROI by bookings, not just messages. If this helps, subscribe, share the episode with a DJ friend, and leave a quick review so more working event DJs can find it. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S7 · E9
May 20 · 48 min
From Conference Stages to Wedding Madness
Send us a message The part nobody tells you about being a working DJ is how often you’re building in the dark. Social media gives you instant dopamine, but long-form work like podcasting, education, and community takes time to show results. We open with some real talk about staying consistent, what actually feels fulfilling, and why the listeners who support on Patreon make a bigger difference than they probably realize. We also drop a few updates for DJ Collective in Raleigh, including the upcoming ticket price increase and why we’re excited about new faces on the lineup. From there we jump into the road stories and lessons that come from conferences and travel. Joe shares his “Meet Me At The Crossroads” talk from Midwest DJs Live, breaking down the big decision points that shape a DJ business, then we zoom out to the part that hits hardest: if you’re not careful, the work steals your life. If you’re a private event DJ, multi-op owner, or just trying to scale your bookings without burning out, this section is for you. Then we go full DJ gear mode. We rant about road cases costing more than the TVs they protect, talk Stagecoach and the weird crossover of country culture with EDM and pop moments, and get into two gig stories that feel like a masterclass in “expect the unexpected” including a worship-music cocktail hour wedding and a Serato beachball crash right before the last song. We wrap with a gear win for corporate events (a wireless HDMI adapter that actually works) and practical advice for marathon outdoor gigs in extreme heat: breaks, hydration, electrolytes, fans, sock changes, stools, and using mixes strategically. If any of this sounds like your weekends, hit subscribe, share the episode with a DJ friend, and leave us a review so we know you’re out there. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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S7 · E8
May 13 · 48 min
Breaking Down Backup Plans
Send us a message One dead play button can turn a wedding ceremony into a nightmare, and we both know that “it worked at soundcheck” is not a safety plan. We start with a few Beyond The DJ Booth updates, then get into DJ life the way it really is: imperfect, funny, stressful, and fixable if your systems are solid. We bring back a classic segment and test our brains with a drum-only game that proves how hard song recognition can be when you strip everything down to rhythm. From there we jump into pop culture with Coachella talk, including reactions to Justin Bieber’s performance style, Diplo’s perspective, and how festival moments can revive catalog tracks and reshape what clients ask for at weddings and private events. Then we go practical. We rant about the rising trend of putting DJs behind bar-style facades that create extra setup time, invite drinks near gear, and make the booth look worse, not better. Joe shares a real ceremony fail where a custom MP3 would not play at the exact moment the bride needed it, what likely caused it, and the recovery move that turned the mistake into an emotional highlight later in the night. We also talk corporate DJ realities, TV DJ booths, and why interactive content beats endless logo loops, including a shout for Instant Spotlight and its AI photo filtering. We wrap with Gear Corner, including why we love the Allen and Heath CQ12T digital mixer, and a key planning question: how to handle must-play song lists when the picks are not danceable. Subscribe, share this with a working DJ friend, and leave a review with your best backup-plan tip. Support the show RESOURCES & LINKS Our website. Please leave a review! - https://www.beyondthedjbooth.com/ To book Joe Bunn: https://bunndjcompany.com/ To book Brian B: https://djbrianbofficial.com/ Joe’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djjoebunn Brian’s Gear Finds on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/djbrianbofficial DJ Event Planner free demo: https://www.djeventplanner.com/signup.php Brian B's Coaching Options: Https://www.thdjscreativeedge.com
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