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When the Dance Floor Disappears: Hard Lessons for Working DJs
Manage episode 523563480 series 3603058
Sometimes the dance floor tells you a truth you don’t want to hear.
In this episode, Brian B and Joe break down a tough wedding where everything - the room layout, the guest mix, the cultural split, and even the flow of the night - worked against a high-energy dance set. From navigating a Latin-heavy request list with older Russian Orthodox guests to watching the floor migrate toward the photo booth, we unpack what really happens when even your best instincts aren’t enough.
But the story doesn’t end there. A planner on-site remembered seeing Brian at a free showcase two years earlier and vouched for him at full rate: proof that long-tail reputation still converts when you least expect it. Joe shares a parallel moment at an elite country club where no video was allowed, yet a quiet observer in the back led to a brand-new booking. Even when you’re not collecting “content,” you’re always being evaluated.
We also bring practical tools:
- Gear Corner: the ultra-simple desk cushion lap desk that saves your neck during marathon prep days
- Crate Finds: refined cocktail-hour and early-set picks, including Coleman Hawkins’ Body and Soul, Glen Campbell’s Southern Nights, a dreamy Dreams → Frank Ocean blend as well as a tasteful God’s Plan cover and a Temperature × Le Freak blend that keeps older guests engaged
- Business Talk: Should you join an exclusive venue package? We break down rate erosion, payment risk, and how to test the waters without sacrificing brand or team quality
This episode is part honesty, part strategy, part toolbox built for working DJs who know that the rough gigs often teach more than the flawless ones.
Tap follow, share this with a DJ friend, and drop a review with your go-to track for bridging a culture gap on the dance floor.
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
Chapters
1. Warmup Banter And Patreon Shoutouts (00:00:00)
2. First Guest Recap And Mike Walter’s Book (00:03:22)
3. Storytime: The “Stinker” Wedding Setup (00:04:33)
4. Navigating Heavy Latin Requests And Gaps (00:08:20)
5. Split Room, Vanishing Dance Floor, And Vibes (00:12:40)
6. Culture Clash: Latin Meets Russian Requests (00:16:45)
7. Postmortem, Pride Check, And Client Feedback (00:19:40)
8. Recent Wins And Country Club Referrals (00:23:05)
9. Gear Corner: The Desk Cushion Fix (00:27:34)
10. Crate Finds: Elegant Dinner And Southern Nights (00:31:45)
65 episodes
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