Episodes

13
June 18, 2025

The Night The Laptop Froze And No One Knew

Send us a text What happens when your DJ equipment completely fails during the peak of a wedding reception? Brian i takes us through his heart-stopping experience when his laptop froze mid-set, forcing him to create what we're now calling the "Oh S*** Playlist" - a collection of carefully selected tracks designed to keep the dance floor moving during technical emergencies. The perfect emergency song needs specific qualities: a natural cold ending or smooth fadeout, universal appeal to mainta...
12
June 11, 2025

Would You DJ a Wedding at Chuck E. Cheese?

Send us a text Would you take a celebrity wedding over your cousin’s…or DJ a full-pay gig at Chuck E. Cheese? This episode kicks off with real DJ dilemmas that blend humor, horror, and hard truths about reputation, branding, and where we draw the line in our careers. Then we flip the script and dive into something every DJ needs to master but few talk about: musical transitions. Those 30–50 second instrumental tracks can make or break the moments between moments — like corporate walk-ups, wed...
11
June 4, 2025

Gen Z, Gear Hacks & the Death of Award Shows

Send us a text Ever wonder how to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry where connecting with younger clients is crucial? In our latest episode, we tackle the language barrier head-on with a fun (and slightly humbling) exploration of current Gen Z slang. From "ratioed" posts to having a "Menty B," these linguistic insights might just save you from awkward miscommunications with your next twenty-something clients. The gear corner returns with a brilliant submission from listener Kevin ...
10
May 28, 2025

They Asked for You. You Referred Steve. Now What?

Send us a text What do you do when a dream client reaches out for their big day… but you’re already booked? In this episode, Joe and Brian unpack one of the trickiest solo-op dilemmas: how to make referrals without damaging your brand. When someone hires you for your vibe, voice, and vision — is it even possible to pass the mic without losing trust? Prompted by a smart question from Jesse in Chicago, the guys dig into why referring the wrong DJ can do more harm than good, and how to approach ...
9
May 21, 2025

Booked Solid, Burned Out, and Battling Sugar Withdrawal

Send us a text Ever feel like the daily grind is getting more expensive? You're not alone. Brian B kicks off this episode sharing how he's been booking double gigs in Florida's sweltering heat to keep up with rising mortgage payments and private school tuition costs. The financial reality of today's economy has many DJs pushing their limits, forcing tough decisions about travel schedules and family time. The conversation takes a sharp turn when Joe recounts his recent run-in with a particula...
8
May 14, 2025

Beyond the Booth: DJs Who Inspire Us

Send us a text Ever wonder which DJs have shaped today's wedding and event entertainment landscape? In this enlightening episode, Joe Bunn and Brian B pull back the curtain on their professional influences in a candid conversation about the figures who've transformed their approach to both music and business. The discussion reveals how pioneers like Mike Walter set the standard for professionalism in private events, while Jason Jani showed there are multiple paths to success that don't requi...
7
May 7, 2025

Hot Sauce and Hot Tracks: A Spicy DJ Cinco de Mayo

Send us a text Grab your sombreros and questionable life choices—this is a LIVE Cinco de Mayo episode of Beyond The DJ Booth, where Joe Bunn and Brian B. celebrate the only Latin holiday they truly connect with… because, well, they both really love Mexican food. Broadcast straight from a virtual live audience session, the heat gets turned up—literally—as Brian takes on a hot sauce challenge that may or may not require medical intervention. Meanwhile, the duo dives into the hilariously honest ...
6
April 30, 2025

Immigrant Ingenuity and DJ Dilemmas: Navigating Long Toasts

Send us a text Handshakes, heritage stories, and handling awkward reception moments take center stage as Joe Bunn and Brian B share valuable insights for DJs navigating the professional and personal side of event entertainment. The conversation kicks off with a discussion about making strong first impressions. Joe shares his father's wisdom about proper handshakes—never the dreaded "dead fish"—and the importance of introducing yourself with both first and last names in professional settings. Th...
5
April 23, 2025

Creating Magic Moments: The Timeless Power of Perfect Ballad Selection

Send us a text Brian B takes us back to his origin story as a teenage karaoke host with frosted tips in late-90s California, revealing how this unlikely start built the foundation for his DJ empire. With disarming honesty, he explains the perfect karaoke host paradox: "You can't suck, but you can't be so good that people are intimidated." This delicate balance created the stage presence and crowd reading skills that would later positively impact his career. The conversation shifts to practical ...
4
April 16, 2025

When Everything Goes Wrong: Power Outages, Pollen Season, and Professional Pride

Send us a text Ever wondered what happens when the music suddenly cuts out during the most crowded moment on the dance floor? In this remarkably candid episode of Beyond the DJ Booth, Joe Bunn and Brian B pull back the curtain on the messy realities professional DJs face at high-end events. The conversation dives deep into situations rarely discussed in public forums – from Joe's recent technical nightmare with custom-wired cables that caused power failures during peak dancing time, to strategi...
3
April 9, 2025

Navigating Event Season: Personal Stories, Travel Tips, and Business Automation

Send us a text Ready for event season? Top DJs Brian B and Joe Bunn share what they're most looking forward to as their calendars fill with diverse celebrations. Joe anticipates a beach wedding for the third sister in a family where he's already created unforgettable experiences for the other siblings. These repeat clients have become true fans, attending his events and engaging with his content—the dream scenario for any service professional. Meanwhile, Brian prepares for an eclectic lineup: a...
2
April 2, 2025

When DJs Become the A-holes: Real Stories from the Wedding Circuit

Send us a text What do you do when the CEO's nephew wants to commandeer your DJ booth mid-event? How about when a client expects free services because you "have a connection"? These real-world ethical dilemmas plague professional DJs, and Brian B and Joe Bunn are tackling them head-on. Drawing from Reddit's notorious "Am I The A-hole" threads, we dissect five scenarios that reveal the complex moral territory DJs navigate at every gig. From wedding planners demanding last-minute changes to the u...
1
March 26, 2025

The Heater Playlist: Elevating Your Wedding's First Impression

Send us a text Wedding cocktail hours set the tone for the entire reception, yet finding that perfect musical sweet spot between ambient background and engaging atmosphere remains an elusive challenge for many DJs. In this season opener, Joe Bunn and Brian B reveal their secret weapons: tracks that consistently make guests approach the booth asking, "What is this song?" The hosts share carefully selected gems ranging from Sylow's smooth R&B cover of "Dilemma" to Jazzy D's reimagined "I Just Wan...