April 2, 2025 • 23 mins
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 uncomfortable territory of overtime requests, we share our combined decades of experience to help you handle these situations with both professionalism and business savvy.
The overtime discussion proves particularly revealing – exposing our different philosophies on flexibility versus firm boundaries. Brian advocates for clear policies established during planning, while Joe takes a more situational approach. Both perspectives offer valuable insights for DJs at any career stage.
Beyond ethical quandaries, we showcase practical tools that make DJ life easier, including Brian's game-changing mini heat sealer that keeps on-the-go snacks fresh during marathon events. Our music finds segment has Brian delivering three exceptional tracks that solve specific DJ problems: transitioning between genres, offering clean alternatives to problematic artists, and bridging musical worlds seamlessly.
We wrap with an honest conversation about DJ networking behavior. Why do some professionals feel compelled to name-drop venues and brag about rates? How can you avoid these common pitfalls while building authentic industry relationships? Our candid discussion might make some uncomfortable – but that's exactly the point.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your DJ journey, this episode delivers actionable wisdom on navigating the interpersonal challenges that technical skills alone can't solve. Subscribe now and join the conversation!
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
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
we're back.
Another episode of beyond thedj booth podcast.
There we go, featuring yourboys brian b and joseph bunn.
So are you, uh, putting a lotof things in your crm these days
?
Which crm are you using, tell?
Speaker 2 (00:37):
me, you already know, we already know, they already
know djeventplannercom is theway to go for your crm.
Shout out out to our sponsor.
We appreciate you, troy, andthe team over there.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
So another icebreaker for you.
I was looking up trendingthings and have you seen this on
Reddit?
Are you on Reddit, do you even?
Oh, you don't on Reddit.
No, it's like one of my guiltypleasures, really Just scrolling
.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Okay, colin loves it, my oldest son.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
So so, aita, you know what that stands for?
I don't actually, I asked aquant, he didn't know oh, am I
the a-hole?
So basically, it's like theseuh scenarios that are presented,
yeah, where it could be eitherway, like the person telling the
story could be the a-hole,right, and they like then all
the comments.
So I went on reddit the otherday, okay, and looked up any DJ
(01:24):
scenarios I could find.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Oh my yeah, under this A-I-T-A yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
So I'm going to give you the scenario A-I-T-A Okay,
go ahead.
And then we're going to ask thequestion am I the a-hole?
Okay, and you got to tell mewhich one you think it is.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Sure, are you ready?
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Yeah, scenario one.
On Reddit you can find it.
The wedding planner keptdemanding I change the schedule
on the fly, even though thecouple and I had already locked
everything in.
At one point she snapped Idon't care what the couple told
you, do what I say.
I told her I take my ordersfrom the bride and groom, not
you, and stuck to the plan.
She gave me the cold shoulderthe rest of the night.
So am I the a-hole for standingmy ground.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
I don't think he's the asshole.
I mean, I think to me the onlyperson that trumps the wedding
planner is the couple.
Right, the couple hired thewedding planner or I think maybe
their parents.
In the hierarchy of power at awedding, that's the only people
I can think that would be abovethe wedding planner.
I've not had this happen to me,though.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
I haven't either, but I also feel like he probably
could have phrased it a littlebit better to not become across
as the a-hole.
So he is the s-hole in yourpoint.
I mean, she didn't help thesituation either, right, but in
this scenario I probably wouldhave gone along with what the
bride and or, I'm sorry, whatthe planner is telling me to do
(02:43):
I think I would have.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
No, I'm going with a couple on this one.
Okay, yeah, all right.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Yeah Two.
This couple booked me until 11PM, but at 10 55, the bride
comes over and asks if I canplay an extra hour as a favor,
because they're having fun.
I tell her I can do it.
Since the party is still going,I shut everything down at 11 PM
sharp.
Am I the ale for not giving herfree overtime?
Speaker 2 (03:10):
These are hard man.
Can you answer first?
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Well, this scenario would never happen to me, cause
I don't do overtime anymore.
I quit that a long time ago,yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Hold on, you're playing a party.
You're telling me, I don't carewho it is.
Bride client runs up five orten minutes until stop time.
Hey, brian, people got goinglate.
Maybe there was traffic, maybepeople just didn't have enough
to drink.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Can you play another hour, you know, for whatever
your rate is Okay, so thisconversation happens at the
booking level, right?
Speaker 2 (03:46):
before we even no and we talk about it on the
planning, I mean we talk aboutit, the planning, I mean.
I talk about this ad nauseum Ido too, but what I'm saying is
there is going to be a situation.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
I haven't ran into it interesting, but if I did, I
would say no problem same,because you were just saying I
ain't gonna play every time Icould pull that card because my
contracts go.
This is the start time.
This is the end time.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
There is no overtime option in mine.
I don't think there is on mineeither, but if somebody did,
this runs up to me.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
But I would never be saying, hey, here's my overtime
rate.
If they want to take care of meon the back end as far as
gratuity and everything likethat, no problem, but I'm not
charging them 200 to play.
An extra hour for me comesacross a little petty, but
that's just me so you'repotentially playing the overtime
for free?
Speaker 2 (04:33):
yeah, it's built in, but it's not, because I mean
it's not built in.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
But, like I'm saying, I'm building it in at that
moment situation.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
But if I play over, hours.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
if they said, hey, how about another hour?
Then okay, we're gonna have aconversation.
Because I think we've talkedabout this before there's
diminishing returns the lateryou go, sometimes in those after
parties or over time.
So we have this.
This is why I'm telling you wehave this discussion at the
planning call and we say listen,we're ending at 10.
Yeah, however, if the party'sjamming, I'm having no problem
(05:03):
going a little bit longer, but Ineed to be able to be the
person to make that call because, I know how it's going to end
and we want to make sure we endit with people wanting more.
That's the sign of a great party, absolutely.
That's kind of the way I frameit.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
I agree, I definitely have had that conversation
multiple times.
I do it every time.
It's part of every conversationso that there's no gray area
when we get to the event, like aone more, like a one more song
chant or five or ten minutespass or whatever.
Man, I'm fine with that.
No, you're not getting a bill,but if I'm playing an hour, an
hour, 60 minutes or more thanthat, you're getting an invoice
(05:38):
after the event since we move tothis.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
No overtime.
Yeah, I have can count on onehand going beyond.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Well, here's, well, here's the other thing about it,
man, you and I are in a pricepoint and in a tier where it is
very, very, very difficult topull off anything over that stop
time.
Right, because there are 10 ormore people that are going to be
affected Thousand percent thewedding planner, the limo driver
sitting out front, the coldsparks guy waiting to deploy the
(06:05):
catering staff that has to sitthere and clean up.
The florist that's sittingoutside waiting to come get her
florals out.
Joe Bunn, brian B, waiting, youknow, playing another like it
is damn near impossible forsomebody at a nice wedding to
pull off overtime.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Our team.
We have the policy of we docollect it before the overtime
commences, okay.
However, if, for whateverreason, they don't have money,
on them Whatever?
Speaker 2 (06:29):
yeah, no, check you, tell them do it.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
We'll take care of you.
Don't cause a scene, Rightexactly.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Nobody's going to stif you over $400 overtime fee
or whatever it is Now.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
If they asked me to do it for free and I was working
for somebody, then I don't know, I'd bring it up to my boss.
Let them take care of it.
Right, right, if you were theDJ in this situation, are you
the a-hole for not giving herfree overtime?
Speaker 2 (06:49):
I'm not giving her free overtime, okay.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
Not an hour, I'm just not.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Okay, I don't know.
I don't know why the girlfreaked out.
I don't know.
Let's go with.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Maybe she's the wedding last year.
This year they reached outasking if I'd mix a special
playlist for their anniversaryparty.
I told them I'd do it for two50.
They were shocked and said wethought we had a connection.
Can't you just throw somethingtogether as a favor?
I told them I don't work forfree.
Am I a hole for charging a pastclient for a simple playlist?
Speaker 2 (07:19):
These are nuts.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
I thought we had a connection.
Who's ever said that to you?
I've never had that happen.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Man, I wish Randy was here, because he's really good
at, like you know, buildingthese relationships and like
continuing on into people, likehaving babies and still
commenting on their Instagramsyears after the wedding, Like I
would be curious what Randywould say Listen, Spotify
playlist, no problem.
A mix where I got to go over tothat console and put shit
(07:47):
together and nah, you're gettingcharged for that.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Yeah, same, okay, all right.
Number four at a corporateevent oh, this is a good one.
The CEO's nephew, who dabblesin DJing, kept trying to get
behind the booth.
He told me he knows what thecrowd wants and asked if he
could spend.
I said no.
The CEO later told me I shouldhave let him have a moment.
Am I the a-hole for shuttinghim down?
Speaker 2 (08:07):
I think if he had been persistent, I probably
would have found somebody thatworks at the company or found
out who is the CEO, and I wouldhave gone up and asked him.
You know, is it cool if yournephew plays a few songs,
because then if he sinks orswims, it's on him.
You're not the person standingup there anymore and again, like
we were talking about in theprevious episode, I'm
disclaimering on the mic.
Ladies and gentlemen, we've gotyou know, bob the CEO's nephew,
(08:32):
little Kevin, here.
Little Kevin's about to rip itup, and if little Kevin shit the
bed, then it's on him.
Yeah, you know, like it's notone of your team, it's not
something that was preplplanned.
You're just putting him on as afavor to the ceo, right, and
you said that now to theaudience, right?
What about you?
Speaker 1 (08:50):
I think I need more context like if he's being a
tool bag with the way he asks,right and annoying.
No, I'm not doing it, but ifhe's like super nice and like
respectful and you know, I thinksimilarly, I would definitely
want to get some context all ofthese are giving me like the
creeps.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
All right, last one, I hate these.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
A guest kept asking for ridiculous song requests
that I knew wouldn't fit thevibe.
So I jokingly told him $20 perrequest and I'll consider it.
He actually Venmo'd me $40immediately.
I played one of the songs but Iignored the other because it
was way off brand for thecouple's playlist Off brand.
At the end of the night he cameback and demanded his money
(09:30):
back, saying I scammed him.
I refused jesus the a-hole fortaking the money and only
playing one song.
Yes, I'm just gonna go aheadand say it.
Give him back 20 bucks.
What are you doing?
Speaker 2 (09:37):
yeah, you didn't play it.
Yeah, no, you definitely.
If he's gonna give you themoney, he expects the song and
you definitely should have givenback the 20 spot.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Yeah, easy as this, the only one that's easy for me.
Go to Reddit.
Read up on some others.
Hold on.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
One more last thing I would have also said why did
you even give him your Venmohandle in the first place?
Cause then he's got you.
Yeah, he you know you're his,you're 20.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
He just sent you 40 to give.
I have one in the queue, nahbro, that's crazy.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
That's crazy.
I hate.
I don't even like the guy thatdid it.
Yeah, he's the asshole too.
The requester.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
There we go.
These are crazy.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Hey DJs, are you still showing up to gigs with a
flimsy facade or, worse, abanquet table?
It's time for an upgrade.
Bun gear dj booths are builtfor serious, mobile djs who care
about presentation lightweight,durable and designed for speed.
Our aluminum booths look proand set up in minutes.
If you want compliments andreferrals before you even drop
(10:38):
your first track, head over tobungearcom and level up your
setup today all right.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
So uh, gear corner, so I thought I would bring you.
I feel like we need a stingerfor the gear corner.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Yeah, who should we get to make it?
Speaker 1 (10:50):
dude, this is take one can you make that?
This is my snack bag so take usto every gig, but I want to
show you something in particular.
I thought it would be good toat least show you what's in this
snack bag.
So is the gear topic thesatchel.
No, what's in it?
Specifically one item.
There's multiple items.
I know people are going to askme, like, what the hell's in
here?
Yeah so I'll give you some,some ideas here.
(11:10):
So, uh, we have a little holderhere for the drink.
Yeah, no, for the energy drinksright I figure at a wedding no,
that's the one tara gave me thatright.
She bring it with me to everyone of them.
Yeah, it keeps it cool.
Secondly, I think it looks kindof tacky to have like an energy
drink back there.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
It does kind of blinds it.
But that wasn't the item and itkeeps you cold got some snacks,
energy bars.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
I got, uh, some of these electrolytes, electrolyte
powder, yeah but the one Iwanted to show you.
This is one of my go-topistachios.
I love pistachios, but theproblem with this is when you
open the bag, there's noresealable thing there right
yeah enter in.
This is a mini.
There's no way, dude.
Not only does it cut, it sealsit back up for you stop it.
(11:57):
So I'll let you even demo it.
Is it really work?
And it comes with a usb stickso you can charge it this is
called mini heat sealer.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Open it up.
Open them like I would normally.
Yeah, yeah, should I open itfirst?
Yeah, go open it up.
Open it like I would normallybe heating it, yeah, but this is
the problem, right.
You open it, then you've got tofold it, it's in your bag.
It's a mess.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
The thing is it keeps it fresh.
It's open.
Okay so now you want to seal itback up, right?
So wherever the cut is, justhold this down and do it like
this oh down, yeah, no way,that's working.
So let's see Dude, no waySealed up, keeps things fresh.
You can do this in yourhousehold.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
I'm sorry, I thought you were saying it's going to
cut off the top.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Well, it can, if you use this, the bottom button,
it'll cut it.
I was doing it to seal it back,for completely sealed up,
because it heated, it, it heatedit damn, this thing's gold,
what do you think?
Price point 1978 oh man, youwere doing so well a couple
weeks ago.
Here we go 1029 1029 on amazondamn bro so that is gold.
(13:04):
You gotta have it in there,because if you get these kinds
of things, I agree you know Idon't want the whole sack.
Yeah, yeah, so this keeps it, soit's fresh.
I do love the stash.
Then to open it, you just usethe bottom one.
Yeah, let me turn it back onSee how it did it here, so it
opened it back up.
Wow, that's not gear segment.
(13:25):
Good stuff.
What else we got here?
All right, I was going to playyou some tracks Music finds.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Yeah, a little bit of music.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
And we're getting into event season when this
drops, okay, this one's fromDirect Music Service.
This Wordplay Ooh, okay, thisis APT.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Are you playing that track?
How's it doing for you?
You using it?
I hadn't played much this year.
Yeah, we played it.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
How'd it go?
Yeah, I mean.
Yeah, you got to go in and out.
You don't want to stick in itlong.
Yeah, no, it was fine.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Somebody requested it .
Okay, and it was okay.
We were in like a requestperiod and then we went to Pink
Bunny Club and there was someother requests and, Okay, this
is.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
APT wordplay with Going Down.
Young Jock Okay by Mr Wired UpOkay 75.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
You didn't get this on DMS yeah he's on DMS now.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Oh shit, okay, I'm going to give it this little
(14:39):
play it's a way to get from popto hip-hop like that.
I mean, I don't usually like toplay pre-produced word plays
like that, but that one's sogood that I think you could do
it live too, probably, and loopit.
Yeah, you could, but that's sogood, why not?
Man, are you gonna send methese yeah?
Speaker 2 (14:57):
send it to you.
Would that be one you'd use?
Absolutely, yes, I love it'sgoing down.
I love that young jock song.
Yeah, and that gets you intothat like any of that snaps like
right ti or waka flaka orwhatever yeah, one more, uh,
actually two more.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
This one's american boy, estelle.
Yeah, you can't really play thekanye version right now.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
I feel like it's a little here's what's crazy me
and saquon uncanceled him, andthen we had to cancel him again.
Okay, this is the no rapversion, geez.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
Jeez, this is the J-Funk or J-Funk, maybe it's how
he says it Okay, remix, and Ijust think it grooves.
It's something you could use.
Where'd you get it?
I think this is in heavy hits.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Maybe it's important to know I'll find out.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Go ahead, but this has got a good groove for like
doors open, so not prime dance,no, I'm doing it with the beat
so you can see how it comes inWith the drops there.
This is a space groove Comingup here.
This is yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Yeah, this is even for that cocktail hour.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Cool cocktails fashion show retail store I love
the original but even if itwasn't canceled, it was always
tricky to play in that kanyepiece and this.
You can cross any generation.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
I like this yeah, guest, I like this for for 2025
yeah this version is much moreappropriate all right, one more.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
This is taking you from a house vibes to something
more radio friendly.
Okay, this is it's called.
The name of the blend is calledthe way shooting stars are.
This is bag raiders versusTimbaland, but I think it works
really good.
So, main house.
Now you want to get somethingcurrent.
It goes in key.
(17:02):
What's the back track?
It's called Shooting Stars.
But if you've been playingprogressive music like the
Shooting Stars not that that'sprogressive, but now you've got
(17:23):
to get into something a littlebit more familiar I mean, it's
spot on, right, yeah.
So anyways, those are threetracks, I think.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
I love the way our I mean I love that song regardless
.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
That one's on digital music pool.
Okay, brian B here, yes,interrupting yet another stellar
podcast episode, but don'tworry, this is a value add, not
just me rambling.
Have you enjoyed the musicfinds I share on here?
You know the ones that Joepretends he discovered first.
Well, if you didn't know, I'vegot a Patreon where you can grab
(17:57):
not only song lists but alsoexclusive edits of mine.
Yep, custom tracks.
That'll set you apart fromevery DJ still rinsing the same
tired wedding set.
Want fresh music suggestionsevery month?
Go to patreoncom.
Forward slash DJ Brian Bofficial.
Again, that's patreoncomforward.
(18:19):
Slash DJ Brian B.
Official.
You'll be the DJ.
Everyone's trying to figure outhow you keep your sets so fire
and planners will start nudgingtheir couples your way.
And if that's not a hard enoughsell, I don't know what is All
right.
Back to the episode before Joetries to convince us that Sweet
Caroline is actually a banger.
We've got a question time.
(18:39):
Okay, this is coming from ourboy, richie Stedman.
Do you want to take this one?
Speaker 2 (18:43):
Yeah, Both of you are very successful and in the
conversations that I've had withyou both, I don't feel like
you're trying to oversellyourself or list all of your
accolades.
However, so many DJs, wheneverthere's a networking event,
always brag about what theycharge, name drop venues or
clients they've worked with, andit's just annoying.
Did the two of you used to dothat?
(19:04):
If so, did this stop withlongevity in the industry, or do
you still find yourself fallinginto that trap?
And when people do it to you,how do you deal with it?
Damn deep, deep, okay, where?
What?
What's your uh thoughts?
Speaker 1 (19:21):
on this man did the two of you used to that?
Probably I definitely probablydid that.
I don't know why.
Just insecurity, probably, I'mguessing is probably what that.
I don't know why.
Just insecurity, probably, I'mguessing is probably what that.
I don't think I ever reallytalked about it on the charging
front.
I never really did that.
But maybe name drop clients orvenues probably I think it's
just it is a longevity thing.
You get in there, you getcomfortable with what you do,
(19:42):
who you are as a DJ.
I don't feel like I have to dothat anymore.
I think it can mask sometimesthe skills even though it took
skills to get there, like younot being able to articulate
your value, what you do.
Sometimes those name droppingthings can you can think that
they can bring you over thefinish line to get more jobs or
different jobs.
Now, I don't even bring thatstuff up hardly ever, yeah, so I
(20:04):
don't find myself falling intothat trap anymore.
I feel pretty secure with who Iam and what I do, and when
people do it to me I just kindof laugh internally.
I'm not going to laugh out loud.
It's just kind of like I cantell that this is somebody who's
probably young in the industry.
I don't know what about you.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
I mean, I don't ever recall a time when I was really
trying to flex on other DJs,especially in Raleigh or.
But with networking events theysay yeah, but do they mean like
local stuff, or like at next,or like no?
Probably like local, yeah, Idon't really uh, I don't
remember ever doing that toother DJs.
I really don't.
I mean, I think if I ever usedany of those talking points, it
(20:41):
was almost more to just kind ofprove my value, or prove my
worth to venue owners or weddingplanners.
Hey we play at these places.
You know, like we would love toplay at your place, right?
So I can say you know we playat the Umstead and we play at
the Angus Barn and we play atFarrington Like these are
five-star places.
We want to play at your place,right?
You know what I mean.
(21:02):
I feel like, as I've gottenolder and really understood
networking better, it is moreabout listening than anything
else.
You know, these people want tolike, dump on you, and I say
that in terms of like, just tellyou horror stories, or you
wouldn't believe this DJ thatwas there last week, or whatever
(21:22):
you know they share stories orsometimes it's personal and I
feel like my skill now is doingbetter listening and then
tabling the, whipping out thebusiness card, tabling the,
going for the sale.
Or can we play at your place andalmost pushing that to the next
meeting or the next meeting youknow what I mean Instead of
(21:44):
just sitting there just floodingthe place with business cards.
Speaker 1 (21:47):
So when people do it to you, how do you handle it?
Just sitting there justflooding the place with business
cards?
Speaker 2 (21:49):
So when people do it to you, how do you handle it,
man?
I usually just chalk it up toyou know new or naivety.
However, you say that wordNaivete.
Naivete, naivete, naivete Toi.
And, like you said, I just kindof laugh under my breath.
You know what I mean.
I don't.
I rarely feel threatened bypeople, whether they're DJs or
(22:10):
not.
I feel like there's enoughbusiness to go around.
But I do still stand by hardand fast and always will say you
cannot just let up because youthink you're the hotness.
Every day I get up and work,unless you're in Iceland.
I've worked very little inparis and iceland, but I needed
(22:30):
that little eight day reset andthen back and then been on the
phone for the last three days,yeah, you know, catching up.
So that's kind of where I standwith that richie.
I don't let it bother me, youcan't let it bother you.
You know what I mean he's thebest dj in utah, the greatest
company you don't even have toflex, you just say that's your
company name.
Company name's the company nameBest DJ in Utah there for a
reason.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
All right, let's put a bow on this.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Look at the Jersey Mike sub sitting there.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
Lonely, just lonely, waiting for it to be devoured.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
All right y'all.
Thanks so much for listening.
Shout out to S-Star, one of oursponsors, dj Event Planner, of
course, and you guys yourpodcasts.
Thanks y'all Later you.
we're back.
Another episode of beyond thedj booth podcast.
There we go, featuring yourboys brian b and joseph bunn.
So are you, uh, putting a lotof things in your crm these days
?
Which crm are you using, tell?
Speaker 2 (00:37):
me, you already know, we already know, they already
know djeventplannercom is theway to go for your crm.
Shout out out to our sponsor.
We appreciate you, troy, andthe team over there.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
So another icebreaker for you.
I was looking up trendingthings and have you seen this on
Reddit?
Are you on Reddit, do you even?
Oh, you don't on Reddit.
No, it's like one of my guiltypleasures, really Just scrolling
.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Okay, colin loves it, my oldest son.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
So so, aita, you know what that stands for?
I don't actually, I asked aquant, he didn't know oh, am I
the a-hole?
So basically, it's like theseuh scenarios that are presented,
yeah, where it could be eitherway, like the person telling the
story could be the a-hole,right, and they like then all
the comments.
So I went on reddit the otherday, okay, and looked up any DJ
(01:24):
scenarios I could find.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Oh my yeah, under this A-I-T-A yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
So I'm going to give you the scenario A-I-T-A Okay,
go ahead.
And then we're going to ask thequestion am I the a-hole?
Okay, and you got to tell mewhich one you think it is.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Sure, are you ready?
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Yeah, scenario one.
On Reddit you can find it.
The wedding planner keptdemanding I change the schedule
on the fly, even though thecouple and I had already locked
everything in.
At one point she snapped Idon't care what the couple told
you, do what I say.
I told her I take my ordersfrom the bride and groom, not
you, and stuck to the plan.
She gave me the cold shoulderthe rest of the night.
So am I the a-hole for standingmy ground.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
I don't think he's the asshole.
I mean, I think to me the onlyperson that trumps the wedding
planner is the couple.
Right, the couple hired thewedding planner or I think maybe
their parents.
In the hierarchy of power at awedding, that's the only people
I can think that would be abovethe wedding planner.
I've not had this happen to me,though.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
I haven't either, but I also feel like he probably
could have phrased it a littlebit better to not become across
as the a-hole.
So he is the s-hole in yourpoint.
I mean, she didn't help thesituation either, right, but in
this scenario I probably wouldhave gone along with what the
bride and or, I'm sorry, whatthe planner is telling me to do
(02:43):
I think I would have.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
No, I'm going with a couple on this one.
Okay, yeah, all right.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Yeah Two.
This couple booked me until 11PM, but at 10 55, the bride
comes over and asks if I canplay an extra hour as a favor,
because they're having fun.
I tell her I can do it.
Since the party is still going,I shut everything down at 11 PM
sharp.
Am I the ale for not giving herfree overtime?
Speaker 2 (03:10):
These are hard man.
Can you answer first?
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Well, this scenario would never happen to me, cause
I don't do overtime anymore.
I quit that a long time ago,yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Hold on, you're playing a party.
You're telling me, I don't carewho it is.
Bride client runs up five orten minutes until stop time.
Hey, brian, people got goinglate.
Maybe there was traffic, maybepeople just didn't have enough
to drink.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Can you play another hour, you know, for whatever
your rate is Okay, so thisconversation happens at the
booking level, right?
Speaker 2 (03:46):
before we even no and we talk about it on the
planning, I mean we talk aboutit, the planning, I mean.
I talk about this ad nauseum Ido too, but what I'm saying is
there is going to be a situation.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
I haven't ran into it interesting, but if I did, I
would say no problem same,because you were just saying I
ain't gonna play every time Icould pull that card because my
contracts go.
This is the start time.
This is the end time.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
There is no overtime option in mine.
I don't think there is on mineeither, but if somebody did,
this runs up to me.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
But I would never be saying, hey, here's my overtime
rate.
If they want to take care of meon the back end as far as
gratuity and everything likethat, no problem, but I'm not
charging them 200 to play.
An extra hour for me comesacross a little petty, but
that's just me so you'repotentially playing the overtime
for free?
Speaker 2 (04:33):
yeah, it's built in, but it's not, because I mean
it's not built in.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
But, like I'm saying, I'm building it in at that
moment situation.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
But if I play over, hours.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
if they said, hey, how about another hour?
Then okay, we're gonna have aconversation.
Because I think we've talkedabout this before there's
diminishing returns the lateryou go, sometimes in those after
parties or over time.
So we have this.
This is why I'm telling you wehave this discussion at the
planning call and we say listen,we're ending at 10.
Yeah, however, if the party'sjamming, I'm having no problem
(05:03):
going a little bit longer, but Ineed to be able to be the
person to make that call because, I know how it's going to end
and we want to make sure we endit with people wanting more.
That's the sign of a great party, absolutely.
That's kind of the way I frameit.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
I agree, I definitely have had that conversation
multiple times.
I do it every time.
It's part of every conversationso that there's no gray area
when we get to the event, like aone more, like a one more song
chant or five or ten minutespass or whatever.
Man, I'm fine with that.
No, you're not getting a bill,but if I'm playing an hour, an
hour, 60 minutes or more thanthat, you're getting an invoice
(05:38):
after the event since we move tothis.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
No overtime.
Yeah, I have can count on onehand going beyond.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Well, here's, well, here's the other thing about it,
man, you and I are in a pricepoint and in a tier where it is
very, very, very difficult topull off anything over that stop
time.
Right, because there are 10 ormore people that are going to be
affected Thousand percent thewedding planner, the limo driver
sitting out front, the coldsparks guy waiting to deploy the
(06:05):
catering staff that has to sitthere and clean up.
The florist that's sittingoutside waiting to come get her
florals out.
Joe Bunn, brian B, waiting, youknow, playing another like it
is damn near impossible forsomebody at a nice wedding to
pull off overtime.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Our team.
We have the policy of we docollect it before the overtime
commences, okay.
However, if, for whateverreason, they don't have money,
on them Whatever?
Speaker 2 (06:29):
yeah, no, check you, tell them do it.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
We'll take care of you.
Don't cause a scene, Rightexactly.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Nobody's going to stif you over $400 overtime fee
or whatever it is Now.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
If they asked me to do it for free and I was working
for somebody, then I don't know, I'd bring it up to my boss.
Let them take care of it.
Right, right, if you were theDJ in this situation, are you
the a-hole for not giving herfree overtime?
Speaker 2 (06:49):
I'm not giving her free overtime, okay.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
Not an hour, I'm just not.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Okay, I don't know.
I don't know why the girlfreaked out.
I don't know.
Let's go with.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Maybe she's the wedding last year.
This year they reached outasking if I'd mix a special
playlist for their anniversaryparty.
I told them I'd do it for two50.
They were shocked and said wethought we had a connection.
Can't you just throw somethingtogether as a favor?
I told them I don't work forfree.
Am I a hole for charging a pastclient for a simple playlist?
Speaker 2 (07:19):
These are nuts.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
I thought we had a connection.
Who's ever said that to you?
I've never had that happen.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Man, I wish Randy was here, because he's really good
at, like you know, buildingthese relationships and like
continuing on into people, likehaving babies and still
commenting on their Instagramsyears after the wedding, Like I
would be curious what Randywould say Listen, Spotify
playlist, no problem.
A mix where I got to go over tothat console and put shit
(07:47):
together and nah, you're gettingcharged for that.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Yeah, same, okay, all right.
Number four at a corporateevent oh, this is a good one.
The CEO's nephew, who dabblesin DJing, kept trying to get
behind the booth.
He told me he knows what thecrowd wants and asked if he
could spend.
I said no.
The CEO later told me I shouldhave let him have a moment.
Am I the a-hole for shuttinghim down?
Speaker 2 (08:07):
I think if he had been persistent, I probably
would have found somebody thatworks at the company or found
out who is the CEO, and I wouldhave gone up and asked him.
You know, is it cool if yournephew plays a few songs,
because then if he sinks orswims, it's on him.
You're not the person standingup there anymore and again, like
we were talking about in theprevious episode, I'm
disclaimering on the mic.
Ladies and gentlemen, we've gotyou know, bob the CEO's nephew,
(08:32):
little Kevin, here.
Little Kevin's about to rip itup, and if little Kevin shit the
bed, then it's on him.
Yeah, you know, like it's notone of your team, it's not
something that was preplplanned.
You're just putting him on as afavor to the ceo, right, and
you said that now to theaudience, right?
What about you?
Speaker 1 (08:50):
I think I need more context like if he's being a
tool bag with the way he asks,right and annoying.
No, I'm not doing it, but ifhe's like super nice and like
respectful and you know, I thinksimilarly, I would definitely
want to get some context all ofthese are giving me like the
creeps.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
All right, last one, I hate these.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
A guest kept asking for ridiculous song requests
that I knew wouldn't fit thevibe.
So I jokingly told him $20 perrequest and I'll consider it.
He actually Venmo'd me $40immediately.
I played one of the songs but Iignored the other because it
was way off brand for thecouple's playlist Off brand.
At the end of the night he cameback and demanded his money
(09:30):
back, saying I scammed him.
I refused jesus the a-hole fortaking the money and only
playing one song.
Yes, I'm just gonna go aheadand say it.
Give him back 20 bucks.
What are you doing?
Speaker 2 (09:37):
yeah, you didn't play it.
Yeah, no, you definitely.
If he's gonna give you themoney, he expects the song and
you definitely should have givenback the 20 spot.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Yeah, easy as this, the only one that's easy for me.
Go to Reddit.
Read up on some others.
Hold on.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
One more last thing I would have also said why did
you even give him your Venmohandle in the first place?
Cause then he's got you.
Yeah, he you know you're his,you're 20.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
He just sent you 40 to give.
I have one in the queue, nahbro, that's crazy.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
That's crazy.
I hate.
I don't even like the guy thatdid it.
Yeah, he's the asshole too.
The requester.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
There we go.
These are crazy.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Hey DJs, are you still showing up to gigs with a
flimsy facade or, worse, abanquet table?
It's time for an upgrade.
Bun gear dj booths are builtfor serious, mobile djs who care
about presentation lightweight,durable and designed for speed.
Our aluminum booths look proand set up in minutes.
If you want compliments andreferrals before you even drop
(10:38):
your first track, head over tobungearcom and level up your
setup today all right.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
So uh, gear corner, so I thought I would bring you.
I feel like we need a stingerfor the gear corner.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Yeah, who should we get to make it?
Speaker 1 (10:50):
dude, this is take one can you make that?
This is my snack bag so take usto every gig, but I want to
show you something in particular.
I thought it would be good toat least show you what's in this
snack bag.
So is the gear topic thesatchel.
No, what's in it?
Specifically one item.
There's multiple items.
I know people are going to askme, like, what the hell's in
here?
Yeah so I'll give you some,some ideas here.
(11:10):
So, uh, we have a little holderhere for the drink.
Yeah, no, for the energy drinksright I figure at a wedding no,
that's the one tara gave me thatright.
She bring it with me to everyone of them.
Yeah, it keeps it cool.
Secondly, I think it looks kindof tacky to have like an energy
drink back there.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
It does kind of blinds it.
But that wasn't the item and itkeeps you cold got some snacks,
energy bars.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
I got, uh, some of these electrolytes, electrolyte
powder, yeah but the one Iwanted to show you.
This is one of my go-topistachios.
I love pistachios, but theproblem with this is when you
open the bag, there's noresealable thing there right
yeah enter in.
This is a mini.
There's no way, dude.
Not only does it cut, it sealsit back up for you stop it.
(11:57):
So I'll let you even demo it.
Is it really work?
And it comes with a usb stickso you can charge it this is
called mini heat sealer.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Open it up.
Open them like I would normally.
Yeah, yeah, should I open itfirst?
Yeah, go open it up.
Open it like I would normallybe heating it, yeah, but this is
the problem, right.
You open it, then you've got tofold it, it's in your bag.
It's a mess.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
The thing is it keeps it fresh.
It's open.
Okay so now you want to seal itback up, right?
So wherever the cut is, justhold this down and do it like
this oh down, yeah, no way,that's working.
So let's see Dude, no waySealed up, keeps things fresh.
You can do this in yourhousehold.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
I'm sorry, I thought you were saying it's going to
cut off the top.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Well, it can, if you use this, the bottom button,
it'll cut it.
I was doing it to seal it back,for completely sealed up,
because it heated, it, it heatedit damn, this thing's gold,
what do you think?
Price point 1978 oh man, youwere doing so well a couple
weeks ago.
Here we go 1029 1029 on amazondamn bro so that is gold.
(13:04):
You gotta have it in there,because if you get these kinds
of things, I agree you know Idon't want the whole sack.
Yeah, yeah, so this keeps it, soit's fresh.
I do love the stash.
Then to open it, you just usethe bottom one.
Yeah, let me turn it back onSee how it did it here, so it
opened it back up.
Wow, that's not gear segment.
(13:25):
Good stuff.
What else we got here?
All right, I was going to playyou some tracks Music finds.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Yeah, a little bit of music.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
And we're getting into event season when this
drops, okay, this one's fromDirect Music Service.
This Wordplay Ooh, okay, thisis APT.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Are you playing that track?
How's it doing for you?
You using it?
I hadn't played much this year.
Yeah, we played it.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
How'd it go?
Yeah, I mean.
Yeah, you got to go in and out.
You don't want to stick in itlong.
Yeah, no, it was fine.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Somebody requested it .
Okay, and it was okay.
We were in like a requestperiod and then we went to Pink
Bunny Club and there was someother requests and, Okay, this
is.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
APT wordplay with Going Down.
Young Jock Okay by Mr Wired UpOkay 75.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
You didn't get this on DMS yeah he's on DMS now.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Oh shit, okay, I'm going to give it this little
(14:39):
play it's a way to get from popto hip-hop like that.
I mean, I don't usually like toplay pre-produced word plays
like that, but that one's sogood that I think you could do
it live too, probably, and loopit.
Yeah, you could, but that's sogood, why not?
Man, are you gonna send methese yeah?
Speaker 2 (14:57):
send it to you.
Would that be one you'd use?
Absolutely, yes, I love it'sgoing down.
I love that young jock song.
Yeah, and that gets you intothat like any of that snaps like
right ti or waka flaka orwhatever yeah, one more, uh,
actually two more.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
This one's american boy, estelle.
Yeah, you can't really play thekanye version right now.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
I feel like it's a little here's what's crazy me
and saquon uncanceled him, andthen we had to cancel him again.
Okay, this is the no rapversion, geez.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
Jeez, this is the J-Funk or J-Funk, maybe it's how
he says it Okay, remix, and Ijust think it grooves.
It's something you could use.
Where'd you get it?
I think this is in heavy hits.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Maybe it's important to know I'll find out.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Go ahead, but this has got a good groove for like
doors open, so not prime dance,no, I'm doing it with the beat
so you can see how it comes inWith the drops there.
This is a space groove Comingup here.
This is yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Yeah, this is even for that cocktail hour.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Cool cocktails fashion show retail store I love
the original but even if itwasn't canceled, it was always
tricky to play in that kanyepiece and this.
You can cross any generation.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
I like this yeah, guest, I like this for for 2025
yeah this version is much moreappropriate all right, one more.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
This is taking you from a house vibes to something
more radio friendly.
Okay, this is it's called.
The name of the blend is calledthe way shooting stars are.
This is bag raiders versusTimbaland, but I think it works
really good.
So, main house.
Now you want to get somethingcurrent.
It goes in key.
(17:02):
What's the back track?
It's called Shooting Stars.
But if you've been playingprogressive music like the
Shooting Stars not that that'sprogressive, but now you've got
(17:23):
to get into something a littlebit more familiar I mean, it's
spot on, right, yeah.
So anyways, those are threetracks, I think.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
I love the way our I mean I love that song regardless
.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
That one's on digital music pool.
Okay, brian B here, yes,interrupting yet another stellar
podcast episode, but don'tworry, this is a value add, not
just me rambling.
Have you enjoyed the musicfinds I share on here?
You know the ones that Joepretends he discovered first.
Well, if you didn't know, I'vegot a Patreon where you can grab
(17:57):
not only song lists but alsoexclusive edits of mine.
Yep, custom tracks.
That'll set you apart fromevery DJ still rinsing the same
tired wedding set.
Want fresh music suggestionsevery month?
Go to patreoncom.
Forward slash DJ Brian Bofficial.
Again, that's patreoncomforward.
(18:19):
Slash DJ Brian B.
Official.
You'll be the DJ.
Everyone's trying to figure outhow you keep your sets so fire
and planners will start nudgingtheir couples your way.
And if that's not a hard enoughsell, I don't know what is All
right.
Back to the episode before Joetries to convince us that Sweet
Caroline is actually a banger.
We've got a question time.
(18:39):
Okay, this is coming from ourboy, richie Stedman.
Do you want to take this one?
Speaker 2 (18:43):
Yeah, Both of you are very successful and in the
conversations that I've had withyou both, I don't feel like
you're trying to oversellyourself or list all of your
accolades.
However, so many DJs, wheneverthere's a networking event,
always brag about what theycharge, name drop venues or
clients they've worked with, andit's just annoying.
Did the two of you used to dothat?
(19:04):
If so, did this stop withlongevity in the industry, or do
you still find yourself fallinginto that trap?
And when people do it to you,how do you deal with it?
Damn deep, deep, okay, where?
What?
What's your uh thoughts?
Speaker 1 (19:21):
on this man did the two of you used to that?
Probably I definitely probablydid that.
I don't know why.
Just insecurity, probably, I'mguessing is probably what that.
I don't know why.
Just insecurity, probably, I'mguessing is probably what that.
I don't think I ever reallytalked about it on the charging
front.
I never really did that.
But maybe name drop clients orvenues probably I think it's
just it is a longevity thing.
You get in there, you getcomfortable with what you do,
(19:42):
who you are as a DJ.
I don't feel like I have to dothat anymore.
I think it can mask sometimesthe skills even though it took
skills to get there, like younot being able to articulate
your value, what you do.
Sometimes those name droppingthings can you can think that
they can bring you over thefinish line to get more jobs or
different jobs.
Now, I don't even bring thatstuff up hardly ever, yeah, so I
(20:04):
don't find myself falling intothat trap anymore.
I feel pretty secure with who Iam and what I do, and when
people do it to me I just kindof laugh internally.
I'm not going to laugh out loud.
It's just kind of like I cantell that this is somebody who's
probably young in the industry.
I don't know what about you.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
I mean, I don't ever recall a time when I was really
trying to flex on other DJs,especially in Raleigh or.
But with networking events theysay yeah, but do they mean like
local stuff, or like at next,or like no?
Probably like local, yeah, Idon't really uh, I don't
remember ever doing that toother DJs.
I really don't.
I mean, I think if I ever usedany of those talking points, it
(20:41):
was almost more to just kind ofprove my value, or prove my
worth to venue owners or weddingplanners.
Hey we play at these places.
You know, like we would love toplay at your place, right?
So I can say you know we playat the Umstead and we play at
the Angus Barn and we play atFarrington Like these are
five-star places.
We want to play at your place,right?
You know what I mean.
(21:02):
I feel like, as I've gottenolder and really understood
networking better, it is moreabout listening than anything
else.
You know, these people want tolike, dump on you, and I say
that in terms of like, just tellyou horror stories, or you
wouldn't believe this DJ thatwas there last week, or whatever
(21:22):
you know they share stories orsometimes it's personal and I
feel like my skill now is doingbetter listening and then
tabling the, whipping out thebusiness card, tabling the,
going for the sale.
Or can we play at your place andalmost pushing that to the next
meeting or the next meeting youknow what I mean Instead of
(21:44):
just sitting there just floodingthe place with business cards.
Speaker 1 (21:47):
So when people do it to you, how do you handle it?
Just sitting there justflooding the place with business
cards?
Speaker 2 (21:49):
So when people do it to you, how do you handle it,
man?
I usually just chalk it up toyou know new or naivety.
However, you say that wordNaivete.
Naivete, naivete, naivete Toi.
And, like you said, I just kindof laugh under my breath.
You know what I mean.
I don't.
I rarely feel threatened bypeople, whether they're DJs or
(22:10):
not.
I feel like there's enoughbusiness to go around.
But I do still stand by hardand fast and always will say you
cannot just let up because youthink you're the hotness.
Every day I get up and work,unless you're in Iceland.
I've worked very little inparis and iceland, but I needed
(22:30):
that little eight day reset andthen back and then been on the
phone for the last three days,yeah, you know, catching up.
So that's kind of where I standwith that richie.
I don't let it bother me, youcan't let it bother you.
You know what I mean he's thebest dj in utah, the greatest
company you don't even have toflex, you just say that's your
company name.
Company name's the company nameBest DJ in Utah there for a
reason.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
All right, let's put a bow on this.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Look at the Jersey Mike sub sitting there.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
Lonely, just lonely, waiting for it to be devoured.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
All right y'all.
Thanks so much for listening.
Shout out to S-Star, one of oursponsors, dj Event Planner, of
course, and you guys yourpodcasts.
Thanks y'all Later you.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.