An Upbeat Mix It often proves difficult to pull together enough material to bring you the themed issues that we usually produce. In this issue, however, we let go and just let the chips fall...and ended up with some interestingly related articles. While there isn't one main topic in focus, there is definitely a positive perspective evident all around. Thanks for reading, and we hope you enjoy a little lift as you do! ~ Dan Walsh, Editor-in-Chief Click here or the cover to the right to read now! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PLAYLIST: GEAR, ETC. Getting There, Part 3: At the Venue - Stu Chisholm Mixware: A New Phase - Kevin Freese ED... [read more]

One of my favorite breakfast treats is a waffle. When I order breakfast at a restaurant, I often order waffles. If there isn’t syrup on the table, the server will usually ask what flavor I’d like. It would be silly for me to order just syrup, but a waffle without syrup is downright bland. It’s the syrup, sometimes maple, perhaps raspberry, or my favorite, blueberry, that brings the waffle to a higher level of enjoyment. Taste buds rejoice when the sweetness of the syrup embraces the tongue. The child in me resurfaces when I pour the syrup on the waffle, because I always ensure that every square indentation of the batter receives its fair share of... [read more]

In the first part of this mini-series on mobility (MB #202, Jan 2019, p.26), I discussed the many options that DJs have for bringing their shows to event locations. As I hinted near the end, once you’ve got that great ride, you need to consider what other items you’ll be needing beside your lighting and audio gear. Most are common sense, but I also include some based on real-life (often bitter) experience. Here’s the rundown... VEHICLE SUPPORT Aside from the usual complement of emergency gear that comes with most vehicles, such as a spare tire, jack and lug wrench (although when purchasing a commercial vehicle you may have to buy these items se... [read more]

I always find the back stories about how someone got started in the DJ industry fascinating. There is always some interesting life twist or act of fate that captivates people to pick up the microphone and hop onto the one’s and two’s. For the past ten years, Stephanie Rivkin, a.k.a. Stephanie Stardust, owner of Royal Beats DJ Service in Connecticut (www.royalbeatsdjs.com) has been building her company and crushing her market. She wasn’t always at the top, though. Stephanie has had her share of setbacks; overcoming obstacles is one of her strong points. Read the rest of this article and check out the full issue at Mobilebeat.com  ... [read more]

DJ Shortee, a.k.a. Shannon Ames, might only be 5’1”, but the Grammy Foundation has expansively referred to her as “the world’s premier female DJ.” If you are a turntablist (or aspiring to be one), you have no doubt run into her videos on YouTube. I met her on the last day of the NAMM Show in Anaheim in January. Her performance at the Rane/Jetpack/Beat Junkies booth was the buzz of the day, and there was a huge crowd gathered to watch her do things like beat juggling while spinning around—she’s like a “Harlem Globe Trotter” of turntablism! Although I didn’t meet her in person until NAMM, I had been chatting with DJ Shortee on Instagram for a while prior to that about doing scratching lessons with her.read more]

Mobile Beat is proud to present the third annual “State of the DJ Industry” survey, with questions created by, and 2018 data compiled, analyzed and scribed by marketing guru, in-house economics nerd, and Mobile Beat presenter, Matt Martindale (Matt@MattMartindale.com). You may have seen it at MBLV live too! There were a total of 1,016 surveys were completed providing a tremendous amount of data to analyze and interpret. As of press time hard copies of the report are still available. Click here for more info. If you completed the full DJ survey and included your email address, you will receive a free digital copy of the full 21-page report and forec... [read more]

This year marked my ninth year coming to Mobile Beat Las Vegas and my first as a staff member. What an incredible experience, to be on the inside and go behind the scenes of the production and execution of the conference. The amount of hours, staff dedication and planning that go into MBLV each year is staggering. This conference really is a labor of love to give the DJ industry a solid, positive platform that helps us grow individually and collectively. Not everyone is going to have the opportunity to be a staff member (thank you Ryan and Dan), but the next best way to maximize your learning experience at MBLV is through the Platinum Pass. Two years ... [read more]

Another successful and enlightening Mobile Beat Las Vegas conference is in the books. Even though preparations for MBLV24 are already in the works, we wanted to get some feedback from first-time Mobile Beat Las Vegas attendees. The number one priority of the Mobile Beat staff is to build upon the success of the previous conference. The goal each year is to load MBLV with fresh ideas and informational content that will help DJs take their performances and businesses to the next level. A big part of that mission is to listen to attendees and add the seminars and workshops that are most valuable to their education. This year the content was exceptional. ... [read more]

At the recent Mobile Beat Las Vegas event, mobile DJs from all over descended upon a city many refer to as the Entertainment Capital of the World—a natural location for a conference and trade show aimed at mobile entertainers. While the excitement of MBLV is packed into a few days, it is still important to prepare for the trip as a small business owner. Just like the difference between a suitcase that’s been thoughtfully packed while there’s ample time before a journey, compared to one that’s stuffed minutes before departure, the way we put our business in order before a trip makes all the difference in the world. Read the rest of this artic... [read more]

I don’t consider myself a “control freak”, but I do like to have a lot of control over my DJ business. However, even I realize there are times when you have to let some of your tasks go and assign them to other people within your company that you trust. Today I want to talk about what you should probably continue handling yourself, and what you can possibly delegate. MONEY I’m going to be honest with you, you have to keep an eye on your money. What do I mean by this? I’m not saying that you have to be the one that sends out every contract and counts every dollar that comes in, but make sure that if you are NOT doing this, you are getting a... [read more]