Meet the DJ
Boardwalk's Own DJ Shawn Cox
Shawn has been a popular local professional disc jockey for over three decades. With a career in radio and mobile entertainment in Hampton Roads dating back to 1989, Shawn is a talented DJ and emcee, has a variety of music spanning the decades, carries professional sound equipment from Shure, Denon, and EV, and can even provide LED dance lighting and wireless uplighting to bring your dance floor and venue to life!
Boardwalk takes on only a handful of clients every year for DJ services, so your event gets the special attention it deserves. When you book Shawn as your DJ, you get Shawn as your DJ , and you'll work with him personally on the musical details of your event from start to finish. You'll also have access to Boardwalk's online DJ planning tools, which make creating a timeline and selecting the "do plays" and the "don't plays" easy and fun!
What makes DJ Shawn different?
Learn more in the Q&A below, then see what clients say on
From Radio to Receptions:
A Sit-Down with DJ Shawn Cox
How Long Have You Been DJing?
"I was spinning tracks on Hampton Roads radio when MC Hammer, Bell Biv DeVoe, and Whitney Houston ruled the airwaves. I was there for the rise of Tupac and Biggie, the grunge movement with Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and the pop explosion of *NSYNC, Britney Spears, the Spice Girls, and the Backstreet Boys.
Fast forward to today, and I'm mixing classics with the latest hits from Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa, Post Malone, Taylor Swift, and more. Music trends may change, but after all these years, I know how to blend the best of every genre and decade to throw a great party."
Any Fun Facts?
"Anybody who knows me knows I’m a total 80s kid at heart. I love everything about that era—the music, the arcades, the ridiculously awesome TV shows (Knight Rider, The A-Team), hanging out with my old school friends, and spending way too much time at the roller skating rinks. There’s just something about that time that still gets me.
One of my biggest hobbies is collecting and restoring classic arcade games. Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug, Donkey Kong—I’ve got a solid collection going. And the best part? Every single one is set to FREE PLAY, so there are no quarters required!"
Any Other Hobbies?
"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 simply off the grid, we love cooking out, making campfires, and just enjoying the scenery.
And since I’m a DJ, you know the camper has a rocking sound system—because every adventure needs the perfect soundtrack!"
How did you get started in the DJ industry?
"I started my career in 1989 as a part-time on-air personality, ‘Shawn O’Bryan,’ for WNVZ/Z104 FM in Hampton Roads. One night after a shift, I crossed paths with the owner of a major local mobile DJ company who mentioned they had a spot to fill and invited me to audition. I took the challenge, nailed the audition, and before I knew it, my life was a whirlwind of college, a full-time radio gig at Z104, and nonstop DJ performances at night. The thrill of performing live for a crowd quickly became my passion, and eventually, I made the decision to step away from broadcasting to focus entirely on my future as a full-time mobile DJ."
Any Related Experience?
"Other than working at a pet store when I was 15, I’ve been a DJ my entire life—it’s what I know best (along with photo booths, of course). Boardwalk is my full-time career, and over the past three decades, I’ve had the privilege of performing at just about every type of event imaginable—nightclubs, corporate events, 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. Check out a sample of my work below. Whether it’s mixing music or voicing a spot, my work has always been about creating energy, excitement, and unforgettable moments."
When DJing, what's your ultimate goal?
"Every event has its own unique energy, and that’s what makes this job both exciting and rewarding. My priority is always to ensure that my clients and their guests have an unforgettable experience—no question about that. But for me, the ultimate goal is to bring my client’s vision to life exactly as they imagined. That’s what truly matters.."
What's Your Specialty?
"Wedding receptions. From early on in my career, they became my favorite type of event—not just because of their significance, but because of the unique challenge each one brings. Some couples want a high-energy, wild, and crazy celebration—no problem, I can make that happen. But most of my clients choose Boardwalk for both DJ and photo booth services because they’re looking for something more polished and professional. They want just the right amount of crowd interaction—engaging, but never coming across as the annoying "game show host" DJ. At the end of the day, I let the music be the star of the show. Making an event both fun and upscale takes a certain level of finesse, and that’s exactly what I specialize in."