Beyond the DJ Booth

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

  1. 2 days ago

    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

    A Great DJ Tells a Story Not A Playlist

  2. 29 Jul

    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

    Is Your DJ Business Built To Run Without You?

  3. 22 Jul

    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

    How Private Event DJs Stay Ready For Anything

  4. 15 Jul

    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

    EDM Wedding Bangers That Never Miss

  5. 8 Jul

    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

    What Actually Works At Gigs

  6. 1 Jul

    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

    When The Client’s Daughter Hijacks The Decks

  7. 6 May

    How to Reduce Wedding Prep Time

    Send us a message Wedding planning shouldn’t take an hour of copy-pasting, second-guessing, and chasing missing details. We’re sharing two big updates for mobile DJs: a cleaner way to shop our gear and a new tool designed to give you your time back. First, we explain the business shakeup for Bunn Gear that moves all their 3D printed DJ parts to Parts4DJs.com, while keeping BunnGear.com focused on higher-end booth products. Then we get into the real pain point behind new product development: speakers and tube lights come in endless shapes and sizes, so a universal clamp has to be tested the hard way across multiple setups before it’s ready for prime time. Next up is the main reveal: Event Sync (GetEventSync.com), Joe's web-based AI event planning tool for DJs. Upload wedding planner PDFs, your Zoom transcript, or your own notes and it pulls out what matters, flags what’s missing, and invites the client into a simple conversation to confirm details. No app downloads, no logins, no prompt-writing. When it’s done, you get a clean run of show you can actually use on the gig. We also talk pricing, future CRM integrations, and why this tool speeds up planning without replacing the final planning meeting. We close with a “pop culture” thread that turns into a serious business lesson: if streaming is headed toward obsolescence, direct ownership and micro-communities win. For DJs, that means building an email list, nurturing past clients, and focusing on the people who already care. And we answer a tough question about hiring and values when a DJ refuses to work same-sex weddings, including the operational and brand fallout. Subscribe for more real-world DJ business talk, share this with a DJ friend who’s drowning in planning docs, and leave a review if the show helps you run a tighter company. 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

    How to Reduce Wedding Prep Time

  8. 18 Mar

    DJs + Sax Players: Amazing…or Absolute Chaos?

    Send us a message Chances are you’ve played a Mike D edit without even realizing it. We open the episode by giving flowers to one of the most influential remixers in the DJ world. His unexpected passing hit the community hard, and we share some stories about meeting him, why his edits became staples in DJ crates everywhere, and what made his “clean but still club-ready” sound so unique. Then we jump into one of the fastest-growing trends in private events: live musicians performing with DJs - especially sax players at weddings. When it works, it’s electric. When it doesn’t…it can completely derail a dance floor. We break down what actually makes the combo work, why the best players understand when not to play, and how to avoid the dreaded “Santana effect” of nonstop soloing over every song. If you’re thinking about adding musicians to your events, we get into the nuts and bolts: building a dedicated crate, choosing songs that leave room for riffs, using stems to remove conflicting instruments, and setting cue points so you can extend hooks and keep the energy locked in. We also talk about the business side — how we find and vet players, how we price the add-on, and why positioning it as a surprise “Easter egg” moment can elevate the entire night. To close things out, we run through some of the current request charts and a few transitions and remixes we’re using right now for cocktail hour and dance sets. If you’re a DJ who’s curious about adding live musicians to your events or wondering why it sometimes goes sideways, this episode is for you. Subscribe, share it with a DJ friend, and if you want deeper cuts and bonus mixes, come hang with us on Patreon. 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

    DJs + Sax Players: Amazing…or Absolute Chaos?
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Joe Bunn and Brian B
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond the DJ Booth
  • Show Website
    Beyond the DJ Booth

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