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Meet our DJ
DJ Shawn Cox
When you hire a DJ, you’re not just hiring someone to play music. You’re trusting someone to guide the entire flow of your event.
DJ Shawn Cox brings a calm, confident presence behind the booth, a deep understanding of timing and energy, and years of experience reading rooms and moving crowds naturally. He approaches every set with a mixologist’s mindset, keeping transitions tight and pacing intentional. From elegant formal moments to a packed dance floor later in the night, everything feels smooth, controlled, and never forced.
Shawn is a seasoned and highly regarded local DJ with deep roots in the Hampton Roads entertainment scene. With decades of experience spanning radio and live events, he brings a polished, professional approach to every celebration. Boardwalk Entertainment has been recognized multiple times by Coastal Virginia Magazine’s Best of Weddings Awards as one of the region’s top wedding DJs, a reflection of Shawn’s refined emcee style, wide-ranging music knowledge, and attention to detail.
Boardwalk takes on only a limited number of DJ clients each year, which means your event gets Shawn’s full focus. When you book DJ services, you work directly with Shawn from start to finish, including access to Boardwalk’s online planning tools that make building your timeline and choosing your must-play and do-not-play songs simple and stress-free.
Shawn isn’t there to steal the spotlight. He’s there to make sure the spotlight stays exactly where it belongs.
What makes DJ Shawn different?
Take a closer look below. You’ll see Shawn in action, followed by a sit-down Q&A that dives deeper into his background, approach, and what shapes the experience he brings to every event.
From Radio to Receptions:
A Sit-Down with DJ Shawn Cox
How did you get your start as a DJ?
"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. I hosted the popular “Hot 8 at 8,” ran contests, took requests, voiced commercials, broadcast live from hot spots like Ocean Breeze Water Park, and even interviewed 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 biggest current hits. 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."
Have you always worked in music and entertainment?
"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 been the foundation of my career for more than three decades.
I also worked as a Certified Life Safety Educator with the Virginia Beach Fire Department while continuing to run Boardwalk. I taught fire and life safety programs throughout the city and managed the department’s child passenger safety and car seat program. It was definitely a change of pace from weddings and events, but I really enjoyed getting out into the community and doing something completely different.
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 connecting with an audience and creating the right energy for the moment."
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. I was hooked.
At the time, no one in Hampton Roads was offering photo booths, so the only options were vendors coming in from out of town. 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. As the first dedicated photo booth company in Hampton Roads, we focused on quality, great service, and staying personally involved in 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. Carolyn and I run the show, with a small crew of close friends who help host our fleet of ten open and enclosed photo booths.
As DJ services became a bigger part of the business, we eventually outgrew the name Boardwalk Photo Booth Company and rebranded as Boardwalk Entertainment to better reflect everything we do. Same heart, same quality. Just a name that makes more sense."
Where does your love of all things old-school come from?
"I’m definitely a product of the 80s. I grew up with MTV, arcades, Atari, roller skating rinks and half-pipes, boomboxes, cassette tapes, and shows like Knight Rider and The A-Team. I loved all of it then, and apparently I never completely grew out of it.
These days, one of my favorite hobbies is collecting and restoring classic arcade games, like Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug, and 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. 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 to 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 matters most to you 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 incredible 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."
