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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?

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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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