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Is it time to hang up your over-ear headphones for good?

In this episode, Joe and Brian dive into the growing shift toward in-ear monitoring systems and how it’s changing the way DJs mix, monitor, and show up at events. Joe shares his full switch to custom-molded in-ears...a $1,000+ investment that’s paid off with better hearing protection, a cleaner look, and no more broken headbands or flaking ear cups.

Brian, on the other hand, explores a middle path using modular AIAIAI wireless headphones, offering flexibility, comfort, and impressively low latency without fully leaving traditional gear behind.

But this convo goes way beyond specs.

They get real about:

• Monitoring with one ear while staying tuned into the crowd
• Choosing gear that fits your brand image and client perception
• Managing comfort, sound quality, and setup stress during long events

You’ll also hear:

• A clever $10 powerstrip hack to clean up your booth
• A destination wedding gig in Prairie Home, Missouri (population 280)
• Father's Day recaps and the kind of off-the-cuff banter that makes this show feel like a green room hang

Whether you’re a seasoned pro thinking about upgrading your setup or just wondering how others manage their booth flow, this episode gives you real talk and practical insight from DJs who’ve been there.

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

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What do you do when the beach wedding you’re DJing turns into a muddy mess… and your booth is now on the dance floor?

In this episode, Joe shares a behind-the-scenes story from one of the most weather-challenged weddings he’s ever worked...a rain-soaked celebration that could’ve been a disaster but turned into one of the couple’s most epic memories. From rerouting power cables to embracing the chaos, it’s a lesson in what real adaptability looks like on event day.

But that’s just one storm.

Brian and Joe also unpack how geography can shape your entire DJ business model. From Arizona’s summer shutdowns to Montana’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it season, they reveal how the most successful companies adjust recruiting, planning, and marketing around the regional calendar — not just the wedding date.

Then it’s time to face the trolls.

They share real experiences dealing with online critics, from passive-aggressive reviews to straight-up internet clowns. Should you respond? Ignore it? Call your mom? Their candid conversation gives you a practical playbook for navigating the digital drama that comes with visibility.

Finally, for company owners growing their team, Joe breaks down his full recruiting and training process, including why Indeed is still working, how he structures interviews, and the unexpected place Joe suggests scouting new talent: the Apple Store. (Seriously — it makes sense when you hear why.)

Whether you’re building a team, weathering storms (literal or digital), or just looking for a smarter way to run your business, this episode delivers the perspective and practical advice you didn’t know you needed.

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

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Every DJ knows the struggle of balancing personal comfort with professional standards, especially during those sweltering summer gigs. This candid conversation between Brian B and Joe Bunn tackles this head-on with Joe's controversial hot take: "grown men should only wear shorts at the beach, at the gym, or if they're a child." Whether you agree or vehemently oppose this position, their passionate debate perfectly captures the hosts' authentic approach to all aspects of DJ life.

The episode weaves through summer plans as Joe shares his impressive concert lineup spanning Avril Lavigne to Mumford & Sons, while Brian tests his Joe's festival knowledge with a playful "real or fake" game. These lighthearted moments balance perfectly with substantive business discussions, particularly when addressing a listener's question about service diversification. Their nuanced take on "niching down" versus expanding offerings provides practical guidance for DJs at every career stage.

Fitness-conscious DJs will appreciate Joe's detailed review of the Whoop wearable fitness tracker, which monitors sleep quality, recovery metrics, and physical strain without the constant distractions of a smartwatch screen. For professionals working late nights and irregular schedules, these insights into physical recovery and stress management are invaluable for sustained career longevity.

The most exciting announcement comes midway through as the hosts reveal details about their upcoming DJ Collective Recharge event in Raleigh this November. With tickets priced substantially lower than previous events and attendance capped at just 100 participants, this intimate professional development opportunity promises meaningful connections and fresh content even for repeat attendees.

Ready to dive deeper into the business and lifestyle of professional DJing? Subscribe now and join the conversation with these industry veterans who combine practical business advice with refreshingly honest takes on DJ culture every Wednesday morning.

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

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Welcome to Season 4 of Beyond the DJ Booth ,where the weddings are wild, the carbs are canceled, and we’re just trying to survive both.

This week, we open with a musical quiz no one asked for:
Is “You’re the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly” a real song title?
(Somehow, yes. Thanks, Conway Twitty.)

It spirals from there into a hall-of-fame list of song names that make you question how anything gets past quality control in the music industry.

Then, things heat up as Joe recounts DJ'ing a wedding that was half-Persian, half-American... and 100% confusing at least rhythmically.

He's trying to mix 6/8 into 4/4 while keeping the aunties dancing and the groom’s cousin from hijacking the mic. Spoiler: He mostly succeeds.

Joe also opens up about his month-long battle with sugar, after a doctor told him he was one glucose molecule away from becoming a donut. He drops 12 pounds, avoids bread, and somehow DJed through it all with only minor rage blackouts.

Also in this episode:

• The real price of bad weather and venue flips (and why your gear deserves hazard pay)
• How to respectfully say “I have no idea what this song is, but I’ll play it” at cultural events
• And the surprising overlap between Middle Eastern percussion and Joe’s blood pressure

So grab your noise-canceling earbuds, your ketone strips, and your cultural humility.

Season 4 is here and it’s already sweating through its tux jacket.

Subscribe now and never miss an episode.

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

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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 maintain energy, and enough length to buy precious troubleshooting time or one that has an immediately recognizable hook to start. Brian reveals how songs like Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me," The Killers' "Mr. Brightside," and The B-52's "Love Shack" saved his performance when mixing wasn't possible. Most remarkably, the wedding couple never realized anything went wrong - the ultimate testament to professional crisis management.

Beyond music emergencies, we explore practical tools every DJ should carry, including a clever pill case system for essential medications that might be needed during long events. At just $9 for a set of three, this simple addition to your DJ bag could save you when unexpected health issues arise on the job.

We also dive into marketing strategies for DJs at different career stages, discussing the relative value of platforms like WeddingWire, Zola, The Knot versus traditional referrals. While established DJs like ourselves now rely primarily on referrals after years of building relationships, newer professionals might need to invest more heavily in paid advertising to jumpstart their business.

Comment "ohshit" on our social media posts to receive our curated Spotify emergency playlist that might save your next gig when technology inevitably betrays you. Because the best DJs aren't those who never face equipment failures - they're the ones who handle those failures so smoothly that no one ever knows they occurred.

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

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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, wedding toasts, or emotional intros. We share our curated list of go-to tracks and explain:

• Why you don’t want these songs in your dance set
• What makes a great transition song (and when to use it)
• How subtle musical cues elevate the entire event experience

Finally, we tackle the dreaded sentence:

We walk through strategies to warm up the room, change the vibe, and create movement — even with the toughest crowds.

Want our full walk-up track guide?
Comment “walk up” on Instagram or YouTube on Joe's Instagram reel and we’ll send you our exclusive PDF.

Sponsored by DJ Event Planner and ESSTART.

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

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 Nichols - portable ramps that solve a problem every working DJ faces: navigating equipment over curbs. For just $39 on Amazon, these clip-together ramps could be the upgrade your setup process desperately needs. We discuss how this simple solution addresses the very real physical demands of our profession, especially when hauling heavy speakers and lighting equipment.

We couldn't ignore the elephant in the entertainment room - the spectacular failure of this year's American Music Awards. With zero album of the year nominees bothering to show up and performances relegated to aging stars, we examine whether this marks the beginning of the end for traditional award shows. This conversation opens up broader questions about how entertainment formats evolve (or die) in the digital age, with valuable takeaways for anyone marketing entertainment services.

The episode concludes with tactical business advice on handling client requests for direct contact with musicians you've booked for their events. We share strategies for maintaining professional boundaries while ensuring client satisfaction, plus offer practical insights about which solo musicians actually work for different parts of events versus which create a disappointing atmosphere. These real-world tips come from our combined decades of experience managing expectations and delivering exceptional events.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or building your DJ business, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you communicate better, work smarter, and make more informed recommendations to your clients. Subscribe now and join our community of forward-thinking entertainment professionals!

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

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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 it the right way. From building a trusted network, to sharing the referral with confidence (not apology), to protecting your reputation in the process — this one’s full of real, practical strategy.

They also cover:

• The one thing your referral must match to avoid the awkward handoff.
• Why karma-driven referrals (not commissions) lead to stronger long-term wins.
• What to have ready before you ever say, “Let me recommend someone…”

Sprinkled in are quick hits on Mother’s Day gigs, upcoming events, and a hilarious speed round of DJ dilemmas (Would you rather lose mic audio during the toast or speaker power during the first dance?).

If you’re growing your business, working as a solo op, or navigating the early stages of building a multi-op, this episode will help you make power moves while staying rooted in integrity.

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

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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 particularly difficult wedding planner. Despite the bride and groom planning their wedding date around having him specifically, this planner created unnecessary tension throughout what should have been a seamless event. It's a raw look at the interpersonal challenges that can transform an A-level wedding into a B-level experience, regardless of how well the DJ performs.

Music lovers will find gold in this episode as Brian shares five tracks that have been absolutely destroying his dance floors lately. From Callum Scott's "Biblical" for dinner sets to a masterful Am I Wrong/Titanium blend for peak hour, these tested selections provide immediate value for DJs looking to refresh their playlists. The guys discuss what makes these tracks work and when to drop them for maximum impact.

The most personal segment comes when Joe reveals his dramatic lifestyle change after receiving concerning health test results. At 53, he's eliminated sugar and starch completely from his diet after learning he's pre-diabetic despite his regular workout routine. His candid discussion about withdrawal symptoms, changing deeply ingrained habits, and navigating food choices while working events offers a vulnerable look at the challenges of prioritizing health in a profession that often runs counter to healthy routines.

Whether you're struggling with rising costs, difficult vendors, music selection, or health challenges, this episode delivers honest conversation about the realities beyond the DJ booth. Subscribe now and join the community of professionals navigating these same waters every weekend.

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

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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 require following a rigid formula. When it comes to musical inspiration, both hosts credit DJ AM as the revolutionary who broke the mold of chronological sets, proving you could jump seamlessly between decades and genres to create something truly magical.

Through thoughtful reflection, Brian and Joe explore how their inspirations evolved from simply emulating others to finding their own voices and styles. They highlight current innovators like Spider, Vice, Scene, Fusemania, and Drew Pierce who continue pushing boundaries with their brave track selections and technical prowess—influences that increasingly shape the private event world.

Beyond inspiration, this episode delivers practical value with Brian's "Gear Corner" featuring the Jackery 500 portable power station and a solution for maintaining professional appearance with proper cases for it. The hosts also tackle a listener question about whether DJs should take photos with couples at weddings, weighing marketing benefits against timing considerations.

What makes this conversation special is how it connects artistic evolution with business savvy, showing that the best DJs draw inspiration from multiple worlds. Whether you're established in the industry or just starting out, you'll gain valuable perspective on how to develop your unique approach while learning from those who've mastered the craft.

So what DJs have influenced your style? Share your thoughts and subscribe to catch every episode of Beyond the DJ Booth!

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