Beyond the DJ Booth

Joe Bunn and Brian B
  • 5.0 (7)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. What Would You Do If You Couldn’t DJ Anymore?

    4D AGO

    What Would You Do If You Couldn’t DJ Anymore?

    Send us a message What would you do if your main gig disappeared tomorrow? We put that question on the table and followed it into some unexpected places : law, sports agency, music programming, even D1 basketball before circling back to the core skills that make great DJs irreplaceable: reading people, controlling momentum, and telling a story in real time. From there, the episode jumps into both the practical and the absurd. We break down a ’90s slumber-party after-party concept that actually improves events. We talk why themed after-parties are a cheat code for music curation, how not to cannibalize big reception moments, and what discoverability really looks like in 2026: where SEO, social proof, and timing collide.  In our "story time" segment, we talk through a 65-and-a-half birthday that found Brian B through ChatGPT, featured a bass-and-vocal virtuoso, and somehow ended with Jenny McCarthy FaceTiming Donnie Wahlberg from the dance floor while he played a smart NKOTB routine. Then we shift into a blunt breakdown of a venue showcase: banner messaging that sells benefits (not features), the impact of DJ-plus-sax fusion, and the contact-form mistake we won’t make again. When three DJs started clashing in the same outdoor space, we solved it the hard way: syncing systems with wireless remotes so one playlist fed multiple rigs, zero chaos. Along the way we unpack ROI on wedding showcases, when saying no is the smarter play, and how much “relationship value” actually matters when attendance is soft. We wrap with growth and future-proofing: scaling a gear line toward seven-figure revenue while navigating real manufacturing constraints, and building a weekday corporate niche in medical software to balance the calendar and reduce dependence on weddings. It’s honest, tactical, and a little unhinged. Part strategy session, part story hour, and part field guide for creative businesses wondering what comes next. If this episode made you rethink your skills or your ceiling, tap follow, share it with someone who needs the push, and leave a quick review so more DJs can find the conversation. 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

    48 min
  2. How a Chandelier Almost Ruined New Year’s Eve

    JAN 28

    How a Chandelier Almost Ruined New Year’s Eve

    Send us a message A packed dance floor can die in one flick of a switch. In this episode, we break down two real events where tiny, overlooked details nearly derailed the night -  including a New Year’s Eve celebration hijacked by a blinding rental chandelier and a holiday wedding where the bar shut down two hours early… yet the room somehow stayed alive. From 28-degree outdoor dinners to guests hovering behind the DJ booth pretending to twist knobs, we walk through the exact decisions that saved both parties — and the non-negotiable habit checks we now build into every show. We get tactical about flow: how to announce an early last call without killing momentum, why pre-lighting walk-throughs matter more than your newest transition pack, and the moment you have to force the party inside when weather turns on you. You’ll hear how we rebuilt energy after delays, structured countdowns under midnight pressure, and handled a groom’s 11 PM curveball request to sit everyone down on New Year’s Eve. We also talk playlist politics:  last-minute overhauls, “no Pitbull” rules, and how to respect taste without abandoning the room that actually needs to dance. Then we tackle the elephant with a ring light: influencer pricing. We unpack the shared-risk contract model that keeps “exposure” from turning into an unpaid invoice, what deliverables actually count, and the red flags that tell you a clout deal won’t convert. If you care about DJ booth boundaries, lighting strategy, weather contingencies, and the business math behind brand mentions, this episode is your blueprint for fewer trainwrecks and more clean wins. If this sharpened your craft or your contracts, follow the show, share it with a DJ friend, and leave a review with your wildest lighting save... what’s the one fix you’ll never skip again? 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

    33 min
  3. Bruno’s Back, And DJs React

    JAN 21

    Bruno’s Back, And DJs React

    Send us a message The comments were spicy, the questions were fair, and we decided to hit record and bring it all back. We kick off with a new segment called "Bring It Back" built to revisit hot takes and fix misses. We start with the update on Joe's office ease. From there, Joe is pressed on his non-use of TikTok. (spoiler: he's done with skits). Then we wade into the AI storm. A pod viewer called for a stronger stance on generative tools, plagiarism, and charts. Here’s ours: tools help, theft harms. Don’t clone living artists or misrepresent authorship. If a platform allows an AI track and a client asks for it, your job is still to read the room and deliver. Policy will keep shifting, so build a filter you can defend and a set you’re proud to play. We’re not kingmaking tech; we’re protecting craft and connection.  Then we move to our music segment and celebrate the fun part: Bruno Mars is back. We break down his latest single’s tempo and feel, share a few blends and remixes and talk through why the rollout was masterful. It may not be an Uptown Funk bomb, but it’s primed for early-night energy and remix heaven.  To close, we also share our most fun years behind the decks—from riot-level college chaos to international bookings when confidence finally clicked.  If this conversation helps you think sharper about your craft, business, and the culture we’re part of, tap follow, share with a DJ friend, and leave a review. Then tell us: would you play an AI request if it packed the floor? 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

    40 min
  4. In-Ear Mixing, Cleaner Setups, Better Shows

    JAN 14

    In-Ear Mixing, Cleaner Setups, Better Shows

    Send us a message Some sets feel effortless - not because the crowd is easy, but because your monitoring and setup give you control before the first blend. This episode breaks down the practical choices that make private events smoother, from the IEM workflow we rely on at every wedding to the booth setups that tighten timing, reduce stress, and keep your mixes honest. We start with the foundation: why one in-ear monitor and one open ear is the sweet spot for awareness, cue precision, and crowd connection and when full isolation makes sense with split cueing and a crowd mic. Then we move to the booth itself: how a small battery-powered floor monitor sharpens blends without blasting the mains, and why disabling your crossfader prevents those accidental sleeve-swipes that can wreck a transition. In Gear Corner, we introduce a new batch of 3D-printed accessories built for working DJs: tripod cable clips for fast cleanup, column speaker caps that safely mount a wash light, and custom adapters for modern tube lighting. Thoughtful hardware, small-batch construction, and simple solutions that reduce friction across ceremony, cocktail, and reception setups. We wrap with clean, actionable mixing ideas: when to choose EQ-based blends over crossfader cuts, how to route your headphones for better timing, and why consistent booth ergonomics improve your performance more than any new effect or plugin. If you’re trying to level up your sound, tighten your blends, or streamline your setup for weddings and corporate work, this episode is your roadmap. If this helps you build a cleaner booth or a better show, subscribe, share with a DJ friend, and drop a review so more working DJs can find the podcast. 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

    21 min
  5. AI, High-Touch DJing, and the January Hustle

    JAN 7

    AI, High-Touch DJing, and the January Hustle

    Send us a message January doesn’t ease you in; it throws you straight into the deep end. In this episode, we talk packed calendars, unexpected inquiries (including a celebrity half-birthday lead sourced through ChatGPT), and the growing role AI plays in the private event DJ industry. We’re pro-tool but pro-craft first, drawing a clean line between using AI for inspiration, bumpers, and workflow vs replacing the musicians and creators who make this culture worth protecting. Then we shift to gear: specifically the brand-new BunGear Command Center Cart. We break down why a clamp-in, fully assembled booth cart is a game-changer for working DJs: fewer load-in variables, faster setups, reduced strain, and a workflow that feels engineered instead of improvised. Casters, clamps, weight, bundles - if efficiency matters to you, you’ll want to hear this part. On the business side, we zoom in on “unreasonable hospitality” and how small, thoughtful moves justify premium pricing long before a couple sees your dance floor. From pre-meeting gifts for qualified prospects, to branded wedding emergency kits, to ditching the “Zoom-from-your-car” era forever, we lay out simple upgrades that change how clients perceive you and how much they’re willing to invest. If you’re navigating new tech, new gigs, or a new standard for what your brand should look like this year, this episode gives you the roadmap. Subscribe, share with a DJ friend, and leave a review with your favorite hospitality touch...you might inspire the next one we steal. 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

    33 min
  6. The Songs That Never Miss at Weddings

    12/31/2025

    The Songs That Never Miss at Weddings

    Send us a message New Year’s Eve doesn’t give DJs room for autopilot, it demands intention. We kick things off with the tiny details that matter on the biggest night of the year: clean transitions, tight loadouts, smart routing, and why “Happy New Years” needs to finally retire. Then we break down a viral clip of a planner sliding down a staircase to save a dress train and use it to talk vendor awareness, timing, and how to help without becoming the main character. But the heart of this episode is a deep dive into the reaction records that never missed in 2025. From Montell Jordan into a Fresh Prince flip, to Pitbull heat, Rihanna’s “We Found Love,” Nicki’s “Super Bass,” a Hollaback Girl × Unwritten mash that crushes peak hour, and a lean, chorus-first “Dancing Queen” - we unpack why these songs still hit. You’ll get practical programming notes on when to go original vs edit, how to use double-hook entries to keep momentum, and the surprise bridges that turn “oh no” into “oh THIS is fire.” We also revisit DJC Recharge: why fewer DJs with longer sets created deeper learning, and how "connection sessions" replaced panels with real-time crate improvement. Plus, a look at 2026’s silent-disco learning model, designed to multiply voices without multiplying noise. A listener question rounds things out: how do you keep a wedding on track when the bride warns her mom will overstep? We share calm scripts, firm boundaries, and our north star: protect the couple’s vision while keeping the night moving. If you love timeless bangers, vendor craft, and sharper programming, this one’s for you. If it resonates, share it with a DJ friend and drop a review with your guaranteed floor-filler, we might feature it next week. 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

    38 min
  7. Tricky Intros, Tough Venues, and the DJ Skills That Keep Crowds Moving

    12/24/2025

    Tricky Intros, Tough Venues, and the DJ Skills That Keep Crowds Moving

    Send us a message Season Six opens with a true DJ gauntlet: impossible song intros, broken grids, and venues that think bass is optional. We start by dissecting one of the hardest count-ins in rock history - The Rolling Stones’ Start Me Up - and break down how phrasing, hi-hat patterns, and cue-point choices determine whether your floor lifts off…or looks at you like you’re insane. If you’ve ever had a track refuse to land on beat, this segment is your new cheat code. From there, we zoom out to Spotify Wrapped and the gap between what DJs love and what their data says they actually play. Cocktail playlists inflate your minutes, client requests warp your genre map, and yet trends emerge: Teddy Swims for tone, Giveon for texture, Boy & Bear for mood, and the Nashville storytelling that keeps finding its way into 2025 weddings. We turn those insights into real programming ideas for dinners, corporate events, and mixed-age dance floors. Gear Corner brings a small upgrade with a huge quality-of-life payoff: the Gator tripod shelf that solves cluttered ceremony setups and keeps lav receivers, remotes, or iPad notes clean and elevated. And then comes the high-stakes part: venues with hard dB ceilings, meter-triggered shutdowns, or outright bans on subs. We walk through red flags to spot early, questions to ask before signing, the parking-garage wedding that pushed every limit, and why being honest with couples about volume rules is essential to protecting your reputation. If you’re a working DJ who wants better mixes, smarter setups, and a roadmap for sound-restricted venues, this episode gives you tools you can use this weekend. Share it with a DJ friend, subscribe for more weekly takeaways, and drop a review with the hardest track you’ve ever tried to count in. 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

    36 min
  8. When DJs Should Raise Their Rates (And When They Shouldn’t)

    12/17/2025

    When DJs Should Raise Their Rates (And When They Shouldn’t)

    Send us a message Raising your rates isn’t about confidence — it’s about capability. In this episode, Brian B and Joe break down exactly what it takes for a DJ to step into a higher price tier and stay there.Using a real New Year’s Eve wedding that booked at $26,000, we pull apart every ingredient behind a premium fee: travel costs, gear decisions, prep time, performance structure, and the expectations that come with working at that level. We start with the numbers behind the headline. First-class flights for a family of three, extended lodging, car rental, meals, and local rentals: your net rate only makes sense once you understand the true COGS. But the real value isn’t logistics. It’s the show. Brian breaks down his “mini-set” strategy: prebuilt, 60-minute routines across genres that can be sliced, stacked, and rearranged so the dance floor never dips. That’s how a DJ turns four hours into a controlled surge rather than a slow fade. We also get honest about pricing psychology. Small bumps keep you in the same client sphere. A true leap requires a different circle entirely: new planners, new expectations, and a more sophisticated discovery, communication, and contract process. When your prep is deeper, your sequencing sharper, and your delivery consistent, the rate starts to make sense to you first…and then to your clients. On the wellness side, we share a simple recovery tool every DJ (especially the traveling ones) should carry: a non-elastic stretch strap that undoes flight stiffness and load-in fatigue in minutes. Your body is part of the rig so you should maintain it like one. If you’re a private event DJ ready to charge more or trying to decide if you should, this episode gives you the blueprint: upgrade the work, articulate the value, understand the math, and build a performance that earns the tier you want. Follow the show, share it with a DJ friend, and leave a review so more Booth Heads can level up alongside you. 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

    35 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
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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
    73
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond the DJ Booth
  • Show Website
    Beyond the DJ Booth

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