Meet the DJ
Boardwalk's Own DJ Shawn Cox

​When did your DJ story begin?

"I started my career in 1989 as a part-time on-air personality, “Shawn O’Bryan,” at WNVZ/Z104 FM in Hampton Roads. Still in high school—and later in college—I was the youngest guy on local radio at the time—hosting the popular “Hot 8 at 8,” running contests, taking requests, voicing commercials, broadcasting live from hot spots like Ocean Breeze Water Park, and even interviewing artists like Vanilla Ice.

 

I was spinning tracks when MC Hammer, Bell Biv DeVoe, and Whitney Houston were topping the charts, through the rise of Tupac and Biggie, into the grunge explosion with Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and right through the wave of ’90s pop that brought us *NSYNC, Britney Spears, the Spice Girls, and Backstreet Boys. I got to play all those sing-along hits people still request at my events today—back when they were brand new.

​

Early in my radio career, I met the owner of a major local mobile DJ company who invited me to audition for an open spot. I nailed it—and soon, life became a blur of college classes, full-time radio shifts, and DJ events at night. Eventually, my passion for performing live took over, and I decided to shift my focus from broadcasting to building a full-time career as a mobile DJ.

​

Fast forward to today, and I’m still mixing classics from my radio days with the latest from Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa, Post Malone, and more. Music trends change—but after all these years, I know how to read a crowd and blend the best of every genre and decade to throw a great party."

​

What’s your background outside of being a DJ?

"Other than a brief stint at a pet store when I was 15, DJing has always been my passion—it’s what I know best (along with photo booths, of course). I did study law and journalism in college, but I’m not a lawyer by day and DJ by night—music and events have always been my full-time focus. Boardwalk is my career, and for over 25 years I’ve had the privilege of performing at nearly every kind of event imaginable: nightclubs, corporate functions, game shows, awards banquets, anniversaries, birthday parties for all ages—and most importantly, wedding ceremonies and receptions.

​

Beyond DJing, I’m also a voice actor for a well-known local production studio, lending my voice to TV and radio commercials that often air nationwide. Whether I’m mixing music or voicing a spot, my work has always been about creating energy, excitement, and unforgettable moments."

​

​

​

​

What inspired you and Carolyn to launch Boardwalk—and how did it grow from there?

​

"Back when I was part of that large mobile DJ company—where I spent over 20 years and eventually became a co-owner—Carolyn and I started noticing photo booths gaining popularity at weddings across the country. She had worked with a few as a planner and thought they added something special. I got hands-on with a photo booth for the first time while DJing a wedding in 2009 and instantly loved the vibe. As a longtime fan of coin-op machines and vintage design, I could see how much fun guests were having—and I was hooked.

​

At the time, photo booths were only available from out-of-town vendors—no one in Hampton Roads was doing them locally. I pitched the idea to my partners a few times, but it just wasn’t something they were into. With their blessing, Carolyn and I decided to take the leap ourselves. We designed and built our first vintage-style Model 14 photo booth—and just like that, Boardwalk Photo Booth Company was born.

​

That one booth turned into three pretty quickly, and we became the first dedicated photo booth company in Hampton Roads. Boardwalk focused on quality, great service, and doing it all with our name—and our hands—on every detail. Eventually, I stepped away from the larger company to give Boardwalk Photo Booth Company my full attention.

​

After a few years, past clients started asking if I’d ever DJ again. I said yes—but this time, it was just me. No big team, no outside DJs or distractions—just Carolyn and me running the show, with a small crew of close friends who host our fleet of ten open and enclosed photo booths.

​

Naturally, that led to some confusion. “Wait…your DJ is from a photo booth company?” To clear things up—and better reflect what we actually do—we rebranded as Boardwalk Entertainment. Same heart, same quality—just a name that makes more sense."

​

What vibe do your friends instantly associate with you?

​

"Anybody who knows me knows I’ve got a serious soft spot for old-school fun. I grew up on 80s music, arcades, roller skating rinks, and shows like Knight Rider and The A-Team—and that vibe has never really left me. 

 

One of my favorite hobbies is collecting and restoring classic arcade games. Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug, Donkey Kong—I’ve got a solid collection going. And yes, every single one is set to free play. No quarters required."

​​

When the weekend isn’t booked, how do you spend it?

​

"When we’re not working events, Carolyn and I love traveling in our camper. It’s our condo-on-wheels, giving us the freedom to explore new places while always having a familiar space to unwind. Whether we’re by the beach, in the mountains, on a Disney vacation, or off the grid somewhere quiet, we love cooking out, making campfires, and soaking up the scenery.

​

And since I’m a DJ, you know the camper has a killer sound system—because every adventure deserves the perfect soundtrack!"

​

You and Carolyn make a solid team—what’s it really like working with your wife?

​

"Honestly, it’s one of the best parts of what we do. Carolyn and I have different strengths, which is probably why we work so well together. She’s all about the details—making sure everything looks perfect and runs exactly the way it should. I’m focused on the energy in the room: reading the crowd, keeping things moving, and making sure everyone’s having a great time.

​

Most of the time when we’re working together, she’s in planner mode through her business, Carolyn Celeste Weddings. She’s coordinating the day and running the timeline, while I’m at the DJ booth bringing the party to life. We also team up often as photo booth hosts, which is a fun way be in the mix without running the whole show.

​

We’ve done so many events together at this point that we barely need to talk—we just move around each other and keep everything flowing. Not every couple can work side by side for hours and still come away wanting to hang out—but we always do. I feel lucky for that."​​​

 

What’s the main goal when you’re DJing an event?

"Every event has its own energy—that’s what makes this job so exciting. My #1 goal is to make sure the host and their guests have an unforgettable time, no question. But beyond that, I’m focused on bringing their vision to life—exactly how they pictured it. Whether that means a packed dance floor, a perfectly timed ceremony cue, or a sentimental moment during dinner, I want everything to feel intentional and effortless."

What's Your Specialty?

"Wedding receptions. From early in my career, they quickly became my favorite kind of event—not just because of the meaning behind them, but because no two are ever the same. Some couples want a high-energy, off-the-charts celebration—and I’m totally ready for that. But most couples choose Boardwalk for both DJ and photo booth services because they want something polished and professional. They’re looking for just the right amount of crowd interaction: engaging, but never over-the-top.

​

At the end of the day, I let the music be the star of the show. Creating an event that’s both fun and refined takes a certain finesse—that’s the sweet spot I aim for every time."