Hey, Mr. DJ

DJ Johnny Stuart

One day in 1969, Stuart’s father put the needle to a record’s groove and Santana blew out of the speakers. Stuart was seven at the time, and was instantly hooked. Since then he’s played in clubs in New York, Atlanta, Italy, Turkey, Greece and Spain. He’s also worked for a long list of celebrities including Rihanna (see proof, above), Oprah Winfrey and Larry King.

• “There will always be a childhood friend or family member who will want to show off, but do yourself a favor and don’t upstage the bride and groom.”

• “The drunker people get, the less inhibited they are, and the better the party will be—so drink up!”

• “By the end of the night, no one will care if you’re doing the Lawn Mower, the Running Man or the Mashed Potato.”

• “Sometimes corny can be cool. I love the people who are not intimidated, who are feeling the music and just want to move. I’m there to watch you shake it, not sit in your chair, so let your hair down and have some fun!”

(johnnystuart.com; fees start at $2,500)