JEFF “BAD MOJO” MILLER
Your Co-Host – Virginia Beach, VA
What else can you say about this guy? Not only is he your co-host for this crazy shindig for the past 16 years, but he has danced, taught, and DJed at swing and blues events all around the country for over 19 years. A Chicago-native with Blues still in his heart and soul, it is no wonder he got hooked on Blues Dance after his first exchange. He now lives, breathes, cries, bleeds, and plays Da Blues.
Get ready for some tunes that are traditional Blues, modern Blues, acoustic remakes, harmonica influenced, new originals, local Blues artists, and his famous curveball songs that make you question his sanity but also say “WTF? – oh yeah, we gotta dance to this!”
In addition to organizing and DJing at dance events, he also plays a mean harmonica and has sat in with local and national Blues bands across the country in the past several years. He yearns for one day to write songs & play for you at the late nites. Who knows, you might see him playing along with the bands too.
BRYAN “BOOBOO” SPELLMAN
Your Co-Host – Dallas, TX
Bryan has been helping organizing and gracing the DCBX DJ tables for over a decade now and has been a bad-bad-bad enabler for craziness and shenanigans.
At over 6ft tall and broad-shouldered, armed with his trademark raised eyebrow and immaculate attire (if it’s not designer, it doesn’t go anywhere near him). He makes an imposing figure who commands respect. His confident appearance is matched by his masterful control of a good musical mix. Before each set he always powers down the previous track and leads the packed dance floor in a show of appreciation for the out-going DJ.
To watch Bryan DJ is part of the Blues experience. Cocky? Perhaps, but certainly not arrogant. A very precise and confident body language gives a visual indication to what he is playing as he dances out each track.
DAVE “HOT SAWCE” WARNER
Durham, NC
Would it really be Dirt Cheap Blues if Dave Warner wasn’t there? We certainly don’t think so. Dave is a regular DJ at Dance Blues Friday in Durham, NC, and the Music Coordinator for the Tobacco Road Blues events in the Raleigh-Durham area. He’s played at blues events from New York at Charleston, and he’s making his sixth straight appearance as a DJ at Dirt Cheap.
Dave continues to dig through new releases from veteran performers and emerging artists alike to keep his sounds fresh and keep dancers connected to the music. Expect to hear something new and exciting from Dave again this year!”
HELENE “ON WHEELS” HOROWITZ
Washington DC Area
We are super proud to have Helene back at our DJ Table! Helene has been a DJ for forever, but she’s been dancing even longer! She’s always in motion, moving between home scenes in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, but she finally escaped New England for life inside the DC Beltway.
Sometimes she plays the blues, sometimes she swings, but no matter what she plays, it is always memorable and fun! She is one of the regular DJs for Capital Blues. She’s played at the Elm City Exchange, DCLX, VBLX, and Tobacco Road Blues to name a few. She’s excited to be back in Virginia Beach for Dirt Cheap Blues.
JEFF “BUNNY KING” KLEIN
DJ COORDINATOR • From somewhere in Michigan
Jeff returns to DCBX for his… let’s see… carry the 1… umpteenth year. He, unfortunately, ruined his consecutive streak last year when illness kept him from hopping on the plane, so he is going to play last year’s playlists this year to make up for his absence. Dancers should be warned, though, as it may be difficult to find the beat while he is playing two years’ playlists simultaneously. He is working on overlaying the two playlists so that both songs being played simultaneously have complementary tempi and grooves. This could either result in an epic dancing experience unlike any you have ever had or it could be Jeff’s final year being invited back to DCBX. Nobody knows…
Whether it is blues music tailored to dancing on the beach of music for those late nights when you need a boost of energy, Jeff loves curating his playlists to fit the room, the time, the mood, and the venue. He has been DJing for somewhere in the range of 18 years from coast-to-coast and is celebrating his 23rd year of dancing. He loves returning to Virginia Beach every year to renew his deep and meaningful relationship with the reclining chair in Jeff Miller’s living room.
In his free time, he teaches people stuff and likes doing new things. He has also been known to make a fool of himself when the situation calls for it. He is desperately hoping the situation calls for it this year at DCBX.
BETO “BIG TRAIN” ZALETO
Arlington, VA
(pronounced Beh-Toe) – Beto has been following his passion for dancing, music, and honing his talents for more years than he can count. He has not only mastered the art of Dancing, but has also proven his DJ abilities to keep dancers on the dance floor.
Seemingly a natural since his early teens, Beto began spinning for friends at birthday parties, barmitzahs, kool-aid stands, and pie-eating contests. His signature neo-pro dreamfunk style mixed with energetic vocals and crying guitars has since become an unmistakable sound that has been heard from the DC area to the Mars Rover.
As a DJ, no one can question Beto’s versatility or music and dance-ability. Whether he’s creating a night woven with dark and mysterious grooves, or charging up the dance floor with electrifying vocals, Beto intuitively works a room with his creative mixing and programming style, playing music for the masses, as well as the most discriminating audiences.
Prior to becoming a DJ, his younger years were still filled with music, starting with being the gopher at local recording studio where he learned the different rhythms of music. Growing up watching TV and searching any musicals and operas, he opened himself up to all types of music, from classical to jazz to swing to blues.
We welcome Beto back to the DJ Table and enjoy his smiles and his energy to the dance floor.
DAVE “HOT SAWCE” WARNER
Durham, NC
He’s baaaaaaaaaaaack! Dave Warner returns to our DJ table for the first time since 2019, marking his 11th appearance as a DJ at Dirt Cheap Blues. Dave is a regular DJ at Dance Blues Friday in Durham, NC, and was the Music Coordinator for the Tobacco Road Blues events in the Raleigh-Durham area. He’s also played sets at blues events up and down the east coast and fusion events all over the country.
Dave continues to dig through new releases from veteran performers and emerging artists alike to keep his sounds fresh and keep dancers connected to the music. Expect to hear something new and exciting from Dave again this year!
GREG “JAILHOUSE” GERSHOWITZ
Charlotte, NC
Greg has been rocking the DJ table since he grew facial hair. His appreciation for music started by rifling through his parents’ vast and eclectic record collection and started experimenting with the controls on their old naugahyde-covered record player.
He is nonetheless a completely self-taught DJ, buying all the music he could with money saved up from a part-time job as a hand model. He learned to appreciate a wide range of music and brings that inspiration to the dance floor.
He took these musical talents and became a well-rounded DJ at several lindy, west coast swing, blues, tango, and wherever event need tunes to move the dancers. Plus he always enjoy brutalizing people on the dance floor, never letting them leave the dance floor, and never stop!
