Beyond the DJ Booth

Recent Episodes

Dec. 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-poi…
Dec. 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 …
Dec. 10, 2025

When the Dance Floor Disappears: Hard Lessons for Working DJs

Send us a message Sometimes the dance floor tells you a truth you don’t want to hear. In this episode, Brian B and Joe break down a tough wedding where everything - the room layout, the guest mix, the cultural split, and even the flow of the night - worked against a high-energy dance set. From navi…
Dec. 3, 2025

What the Charts Don’t Tell DJs

Send us a message The charts are loud but the dance floor tells the truth. In this episode, Brian B and Joe break down one of the biggest gaps working DJs face: what people stream vs what people actually move to at private events. Billboard, Spotify, TikTok, Apple Music, Shazam - they all paint a p…
Nov. 26, 2025

Mike Walter Finds the Greatest Song Ever

Send us a message What is the greatest song ever? A chart-topping classic? A perfect lyric? A groove that flips a room from murmurs to full-on chorus? In this episode, Brian B and Joe sit down with one of the most respected voices in the private-event DJ industry, Mike Walter, to unpack a deceptive…
Nov. 19, 2025

When Wedding Planners Act Like Partners: Lessons for Working DJs

Send us a message Ever had a planner ghost right when the dance floor opens? We’ve all been there. In this episode, Brian B and Joe Bunn unpack the night-and-day difference between vendors who simply “show up” and planners who actually partner with DJs to create seamless, unforgettable events. Bria…

About the Hosts

Joe Bunn Profile Photo
Joe Bunn

Co-Host

Joe Bunn started his DJ career at the age of 14 in Eastern North Carolina. In the late 90s, he started Bunn DJ Company. The company grew from a couple of DJs to 25 of the area’s best mobile DJs. Over the years, Bunn DJ Company has expanded to Charleston, SC, Charlotte, NC, Richmond, VA, San Diego, CA, and Bozeman, Montana. The company performs at thousands of weddings, private, corporate and charity events yearly.
Joe still DJs almost every weekend, but in recent years has been helping other entrepreneurs across the country grow their businesses by giving seminars, consulting, recording podcasts, doing workshops, and producing videos.
In addition, he is the founder of The DJ’s Vault, a members only website for mobile DJs to learn how to grow their businesses. He is also part owner of a DJ software company called Crate Hackers, and is the owner/founder of Bunn Gear that makes portable DJ booths.

Brian Buonassissi Profile Photo
Brian Buonassissi

Co-Host

One of the premier destination private event DJs, Brian B travels around the world DJing some of the most luxurious events. When he isn’t on a plane or behind the decks somewhere, he can be found giving back to the industry by speaking at various industry events, writing for various blogs and publications, leading his own crowd-sourced coaching group, or recording episodes of this podcast. After living in the Big Apple for 11 years, Brian moved in April 2022 to Raleigh, NC with his wife, Tara, their now 4-year-old daughter, Annie, and 9-year-old teacup morkie, Tucker.

Reviews

A DJ podcast that not only provides real value but also offers genuine insights!

"I stumbled upon this podcast by chance a week ago since in Germany there were hardly any good podcasts on this topic and most were just used for pure advertising purposes. Here I really feel like I’m…"

Felix E. | Aug. 24, 2025

Informative and fun!

"Great podcast from 2 great guys that are true legends in the business. Very informative, lots of awesome tips and tricks, helpful gear suggestions in a cool casual atmosphere. Thanks so much guys!! L…"

Jeff Brown | Oct. 31, 2024

Bingeworthy listening for any DJ

"As a longtime DJ who is finally growing my own business, the insights Joe and Brian bring to every episode are CLUTCH. If you're willing to admit that none of us "know it all," this podcast is esse…"

Eric R | April 16, 2025

Fire!!!

"Absolute fire for the info you 2 offer. Keep up the good work."

Daniel Fish Dayton, OH | Dec. 23, 2024