Lead DJ/Emcee Josh Booth is a veteran DJ. This will be his 20th year in the industry, although he says he kind of fell into it.
“I’ve always loved music, and, as a kid, I would make tapes from the radio,” he said. “I would buy CDs with all my money and play music on the stereo and make mix tapes. I also played my parents’ records on our home stereo and would bring my CDs anytime I would hang out with friends.”
Booth’s first “official” DJ gig was a 50th birthday party for a fellow parishioner at his church. When he attended college (he earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast communications from Baldwin-Wallace University), he started to take more interest in DJing.
“At college parties, we would have have the computer playing music, and, eventually, I would get behind the bar and start crafting the playlist for each party. Then organizations would ask if I would DJ, and I started buying equipment. I got connected with a local community center that was having a weekly activity night, and that’s what launched my DJ career.”
The first wedding Booth DJed was his brother’s, where he also served as best man.
“My love of music, all kinds of music, is what got me into DJing,” he said. “I thrive on weddings where the playlist is not ‘normal.’ Some of my favorite events were ones where I didn’t understand one word of the music!”
When Booth isn’t DJing for Sound Precision Entertainment, he manages the day-to-day operations for a cluster of radio stations. He serves as the music director 95.5 The Fish, scheduling the daily music logs.
A lifelong Northeast Ohioan, Booth grew up in North Lima, a suburb of Youngstown. He currently resides in Alliance with is wife of 10 years and three kids, as well as their energetic sheepadoodle.
Q&A With Josh Booth
What do you like to do in your free time?
There’s not a whole lot of that with three kids, but my wife and I volunteer as youth directors for our church’s campus. I love being in the woods! I also enjoy Pokemon hunting with my boys. I’m a certified coffee geek! I kinda have a coffee obsession … so much so that I roast my own beans.
Who or what inspires you?
Music! My faith in God. People who overcome challenges to succeed.
What wedding advice would you give a couple?
Honestly, I think the best advice is to feel good about who you are hiring. For me, I like being able to talk with the bride and groom and establish a relationship with them because I feel like I’m a part of it and not just the hired help. I think when you have everyone lined up on the day of, it’s more like these are my friends who are going to make my day great! I think my favorite part is when you say goodbye to the bride and groom, and they give you a big hug rather than shaking your hand.
What songs are at the top of your playlist right now?
1. “Comin’ In Hot” – Andy Mineo ft. Lecrae
2.. “Dancing in The Moonlight” – Toploader
3. “Midnight Sky” – Miley Cyrus
4. “Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd
5. “Feel it Still” – Portugal. The Man
6. “Delinquent Habits” – Tres Delinquentes
7. “Sabotage” – Beastie Boys
8. “Connected” – Stereo MC’s
9. “Gotta Live”- Tedashii
10. “No Diggity” – Blackstreet
Favorite food?
Anything that’s done on the smoker … slow and low baby!
