Beyond the DJ Booth

Joe Bunn and Brian B
  • 5.0 (9)
  • 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. Not Every Show is a Rager

    4D AGO

    Not Every Show is a Rager

    Send us a message Your next gig might be flawless or it might be a total stinker and either way you need a plan. We kick things off with a new “stinker button” idea (yes, a real button) and a no-filter rant about DJ trend overload, especially the endless wave of tech house edits that keep flooding record pools. The point is not to hate on a style, it is to protect your programming, your brand, and your dance floors from copy-paste shortcuts. Then we go full storytime with two private event DJ realities. Joe breaks down a Ravenscroft gala where the DJ job is part dance party and part fundraising machine: supporting a live auction, riding instrumentals under the auctioneer, keeping energy high for fund-the-need, and then flipping the room into dancing with an opener built for a broad age range. Brian follows with a wild wedding at the Museum of Commerce in Pensacola, complete with a trolley and the city’s first streetlight, and the emotional reason the couple chose it. It turns into a lesson on staying calm in unusual venues and keeping momentum even when the music needs to jump across genres. We also talk DJ gear with a Starlink mobile internet setup aimed at corporate events where hotel Wi-Fi pricing is out of control, plus the practical constraints like line of sight and power. Finally, we answer a key multi-op question: how do you evaluate your DJ team when you are not at the event? We compare client reviews, vendor feedback, discreet pop-ins, and low-stakes in-house battles that reveal real skills fast. If you get value from honest DJ business talk, subscribe, share this with a DJ friend, and leave a review so more private event DJs can find us. 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

    28 min
  2. How DJs Survive Bad Corporate Gigs

    MAR 25

    How DJs Survive Bad Corporate Gigs

    Send us a message A packed dance floor can come from the weirdest place and sometimes it’s a “Take On Me” to “Crazy Frog” transition that has a club screaming like it’s 2005. Brian B and Joe Bunn kick off season seven by unpacking what that kind of moment really teaches working DJs: stop assuming you know the crowd, take smart risks, and pay attention to what actually moves people, not what “should” work. Then we get into the unglamorous side of being a mobile DJ and corporate event DJ: the paycheck gigs, the tense rooms, and the nights where the goal is simply to keep the vibe right. We introduce a new tradition, the stinker button, and talk through practical ways to read a corporate audience early, switch genres with purpose, and avoid forcing a dance floor that the client never truly wanted. The big story is an AV nightmare at a corporate awards show where a billion-dollar company tries to pinch pennies on event production. We break down what went wrong, what to ask before you show up, and why bringing your own sound and the right adapters can literally save the show. We wrap with a themed-event win (a dark Alice in Wonderland dinner set), a travel gear hack, and a listener question on workflow: AI lead follow-up, CRM automation, DJ Event Planner, Vibo planning, and internal systems for subcontractor teams. If you got value from this, subscribe, share it with a DJ friend, and leave a review. What’s the worst AV or “stinker” gig you’ve had, and how did you save 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

    32 min
  3. DJs + Sax Players: Amazing…or Absolute Chaos?

    MAR 18

    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

    44 min
  4. How Record Industry Changes Will Affect DJs

    MAR 11

    How Record Industry Changes Will Affect DJs

    Send us a message The song is fire, but the tag says 2026. We kick things off with a rant every DJ will relate to—bad metadata—and then follow the thread into the biggest shifts reshaping music discovery and live events. From Netflix flirting with the label game to Sony’s surge across streaming, publishing, live, and merch, we break down how the industry is acting less like record sellers and more like IP builders, and why that matters for what actually works on a dance floor. We unpack how platform power changes the hit pipeline, why exclusive content could mint the next wave of breakout tracks, and what that means for crates, licensing, and quick-turn edits. Then we zoom into the night-to-night grind: a smart trick hidden in plain sight with Pharrell’s four-beat intros that make cold starts surgical, and a candid read on the DJ Intelligence Top 200—what still saves the room, what’s overrated, and how to test trend tracks without burning momentum. Expect frank takes on ABBA, Whitney, Mr. Brightside, TikTok revivals, and the global Latin wave driving real demand. On the business front, we share how to price for complexity without nickel-and-diming, how to present lighting like a pro without drowning clients in options, and how to handle giant do-not-play lists by asking for context that protects the vibe. We also talk planner-led timeline shifts, why trust beats ego when the schedule moves, and a small gear upgrade that makes mobile work less clunky. It’s a blend of field-tested tactics and big-picture awareness—everything you need to keep your sets sharp while the industry rewrites the rules. If this helped your prep or sparked a new crate idea, tap follow, share with a DJ friend, and drop a review. Want our weekly top 10 bangers and bonus breakdowns? Join the Patreon and get in the booth for real. 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

    31 min
  5. Must Play vs Do NOT Play Lists

    MAR 4

    Must Play vs Do NOT Play Lists

    Send us a message Two lists can make or break a wedding: the must-plays that define the couple’s voice, and the do-not-plays that guard against landmines. We pull back the curtain on how we handle both without tanking momentum, from planting a clear 25–50 song inspiration list to avoiding negative framing that leads couples down a rabbit hole of “don’ts.” We get candid about when to push back on rigid must-play demands, how to protect the dance floor for every guest, and why RSVP song polls almost always produce chaos instead of clarity. The conversation gets real with two contrasting event blueprints. First, a 50th birthday planned with AI that packed the night with a sax feature, aerialist, magician, and a “toast and roast” that stalled the energy. Then, a New Orleans wedding built for pure motion: strings to set the tone, three formal dances, and four straight hours of dancing in a 500-person tent with bars flanking the DJ booth and a video wall mirroring the surrounding trees. We break down why certain layouts amplify heat, how production can support programming, and what it takes to keep a massive crowd engaged without constant resets. We also step into the practical details pros obsess over: wireless in-ear monitoring that frees you from the booth, and dress shoes that look sharp but feel like sneakers so you can survive long sets without wrecking your feet. And we unpack a thorny real-world scenario: arriving early in a snowstorm to set up and getting lectured by the venue. We'll share the communication steps that protect your reputation while keeping clients calm. If you care about programming that respects the couple and still lights up the room, this one’s for you. Hit follow, share it with a DJ friend, and drop your rule for do-not-playlists vs must-plays in a review. We’re featuring the best takes 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

    41 min
  6. Not On My Bingo Card: DJ'ing A Cotton Gin Convention

    FEB 25

    Not On My Bingo Card: DJ'ing A Cotton Gin Convention

    Send us a message A plane party at 35,000 feet. A mega yacht dance floor at sunset. A salt flats set that looks like a music video. We chase big-feel dream gigs, then get brutally honest about the nights that humble you: a Hilton Head corporate convention where the room never found its groove. You’ll hear how we navigated a massive stage with no direction, wrangled an on-the-fly auction to save the timeline, and protected the vibe when the dance floor stared back. We also unpack the rise of RAYE’s “Where’s My Husband” and where it actually works. Grand entrances? Bouquet toss? With the right edit, maybe even a dance-floor sing-a-long. We run a live “find the one” challenge to feel the song’s stuttered cadence and share practical ways to make tricky tracks mixable using phrasing, drum reinforcement, and short intros. On the community side, the Epic Games party brought 1,200 creatives, immersive builds, and a centralized DJ booth on a riser that demanded careful monitoring. We share what moved the room: 2000s/2010s hip-hop, EDM crossovers, and a pop punk jolt plus the Dallas DJ Vault live stream’s multi-DJ lineup, video wall, and giveaways that turned a warehouse into a festival feed. Edits you’ll want in your crate get a spotlight, from a higher-energy Creed flip to a fresh Outfield rework. Then we dive into Shag and beach music. From The Embers and Chairman of the Board to modern swing-friendly cuts by Lenny Kravitz and Teddy Swims, we map a compact crate that can rescue a Carolina request. The pulse matters more than the BPM; it’s all about the shuffle and the partner dance. We close with a candid take on politics in vendor hiring. Our view is simple: lead with craft, clarity, and professionalism. Want more behind-the-scenes, banger lists, and actual edits? Join our Patreon and help us build what comes next. If you’re feeling this, follow, rate, and share with a DJ who loves dream gigs and hard-earned lessons. Your reviews keep the booth buzzing. 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

    47 min
  7. Awards Shows and DJ Disasters

    FEB 18

    Awards Shows and DJ Disasters

    Send us a message Big stages magnify everything...the wins and the wipeouts. In this episode, we break down awards season through a DJ lens: the Golden Globes walk-on music debate, the Grammys stacked with performances (and a few brutal tech gremlins), and a Super Bowl halftime set that balanced spectacle with cultural impact. What makes a song “make sense” on a big stage? And how do you translate that kind of contextual precision to a packed dance floor? We dig into the craft behind walk-on cues: when to go clever, when to default to instrumentals, and how to keep energy high without stealing focus from the host. The Grammys become a production clinic: why ambitious staging multiplies failure points, and why tight, simple execution often beats spectacle. Then we zoom in on real DJ disasters: from a full PA dropout at a pregame party to speakers tapping out mid-event. We unpack the safeguards working DJs should build into every show: confidence monitors, clear hand signals, redundancy planning, and having someone who can communicate fast when the unexpected hits. We also debate whether halftime performances actually shift requests, how cultural moments translate (or don’t) to private events, and how to test trending tracks without derailing the room. Add in real-world road upgrades - gear, prep strategy, and travel logistics - and this becomes less recap and more field manual. If you care about contextual song choice, production risk, resilience under pressure, and avoiding your own DJ disaster, this one’s for you. Follow the show, share it with a DJ friend, and drop a comment with your go-to walk-on track.  What’s your current clutch pick and why? 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

    44 min
  8. Why DJs Keep Ruining Good Songs

    FEB 11

    Why DJs Keep Ruining Good Songs

    Send us a message It’s Love Week, which means no clichés and no pretending. Brian opens with a question he’s clearly been holding in: why are there so many 140+ BPM edits in music pools right now? Are DJs actually asking for this? Or are we all just pretending faster equals better? What follows is a very real, very honest plea to editors to stop ruining good songs. From there, we break down how R&B really works across a private event: cocktail hour, dinner, and into the dance floor. What to play, what to avoid, and how to keep things moving without speeding everything up. We share timeless and modern picks, along with practical mixing choices for knowing when a song’s done…and when the room clearly wants more. Then we shift gears into booking power for 2026. Why generic “Top 50 DJ” blog posts are losing steam. How location-specific content is pulling in higher-intent couples. And where AI tools like ChatGPT are quietly influencing real inquiries. We break down what still matters with Google, how to tune your site for qualified traffic, and the small, repeatable content habits that keep your pipeline steady without chasing trends. We also shout out the Patreon Backroom. Are you not in it yet? You're missing monthly bonus episodes, weekly banger lists, private edits (where we stash the deeper music pulls and wink-worthy blends), and gear giveaways.  Plus, a few tools we actually use on shows to keep workflows clean before the first song ever plays. If this sounds like the way you already play or want to,  hit play. And if you’re feeling generous, write us a review, leave a comment on YouTube or socials, and follow us on Instagram @beyondthedjbooth. Send this to a DJ who needs to hear it, and drop your favorite R&B dinner track while you’re at it. We’ll grab the good ones for a future playlist. 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

    31 min
See All (81)

Trailer

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

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
    81
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond the DJ Booth
  • Show Website
    Beyond the DJ Booth

You Might Also Like