Frank Guertler (left) and Joe Bunn
A Richmond DJ is back in business with his mentor.
Frank Guertler, known by the stage name “DJ Frankie” at popular Richmond bars and clubs, has signed on with Bunn DJ Company of Raleigh, North Carolina, in a deal that gives him coverage to go after gigs throughout the entire state of Virginia and expand his client base to include weddings and corporate events.
Established by Joe Bunn, who gave Guertler his first DJ gig when the latter lived in Raleigh, Bunn DJ leads customers to book its DJs through its website. It also assists them with payments and travel arrangements. To form the partnership, Guertler paid Bunn an intellectual property licensing fee and also contributes a small royalty percentage.
“What you tend to have with a lot of DJ companies is single-operator guys who run everything out of their cars,” Guertler said. “Bunn DJ is a full-time DJ company for people who DJ for a living, not just a hobby.”
Guertler moved to Richmond from Raleigh in 2005 for a construction management position with KBS. He was temporarily laid off during the housing crisis of 2008, which prompted him to consider DJing full time.
“‘Shoot, I was making a living in Raleigh as a DJ,’” Guertler said. “‘There’s no reason I can’t do it here, too.’”
While based out of Richmond, Guertler’s franchise will service all of Virginia. He said he doesn’t expect to book gigs in suburban Washington, but is open to spinning across the state.
“I am the Virginia office,” Guertler said. “I expect most of the business will be in Greater Richmond, but if someone wants me to drive three hours east to do a wedding, we’ll do it.”
A DJ Frankie show reflects Guertler’s DJing influences, including Girl Talk and DJ AM. He said he spends a lot of time online and in record stores to find new tracks. Guertler is a resident DJ at the Tobacco Company Club and has also played at New York Deli and Bandito’s Burrito Lounge, among other Richmond spots.
“I really like to do an open format, where you can go from a hip-hop beat to Journey,” Guertler said. “There’s nothing like having a great surprise and the crowd going crazy if it’s timed right.”
Guertler is already making the rounds among Richmond wedding planners, including Kate Franzen of Glint Events. She said about half of the weddings that her company plans hire DJs as opposed to bands, and that Bunn DJ’s management model could be attractive to planners in Richmond.
“I think it is helpful from a planner’s standpoint to have a single point of contact,” Franzen said.
Bunn DJ has a large market share in the Carolinas, with its DJs working an average of 600 weddings and 300 private events a year. In addition to Raleigh and Richmond, Bunn DJ also has franchises in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina.
Guertler said he currently averages “at least six” gigs a month, including “almost every Saturday.” He said he expects business to pick up around September, which he said is peak wedding season in Richmond.
“I’m very steady, but I expect to get a lot busier come fall,” Guertler said.
Frank Guertler (left) and Joe Bunn
A Richmond DJ is back in business with his mentor.
Frank Guertler, known by the stage name “DJ Frankie” at popular Richmond bars and clubs, has signed on with Bunn DJ Company of Raleigh, North Carolina, in a deal that gives him coverage to go after gigs throughout the entire state of Virginia and expand his client base to include weddings and corporate events.
Established by Joe Bunn, who gave Guertler his first DJ gig when the latter lived in Raleigh, Bunn DJ leads customers to book its DJs through its website. It also assists them with payments and travel arrangements. To form the partnership, Guertler paid Bunn an intellectual property licensing fee and also contributes a small royalty percentage.
“What you tend to have with a lot of DJ companies is single-operator guys who run everything out of their cars,” Guertler said. “Bunn DJ is a full-time DJ company for people who DJ for a living, not just a hobby.”
Guertler moved to Richmond from Raleigh in 2005 for a construction management position with KBS. He was temporarily laid off during the housing crisis of 2008, which prompted him to consider DJing full time.
“‘Shoot, I was making a living in Raleigh as a DJ,’” Guertler said. “‘There’s no reason I can’t do it here, too.’”
While based out of Richmond, Guertler’s franchise will service all of Virginia. He said he doesn’t expect to book gigs in suburban Washington, but is open to spinning across the state.
“I am the Virginia office,” Guertler said. “I expect most of the business will be in Greater Richmond, but if someone wants me to drive three hours east to do a wedding, we’ll do it.”
A DJ Frankie show reflects Guertler’s DJing influences, including Girl Talk and DJ AM. He said he spends a lot of time online and in record stores to find new tracks. Guertler is a resident DJ at the Tobacco Company Club and has also played at New York Deli and Bandito’s Burrito Lounge, among other Richmond spots.
“I really like to do an open format, where you can go from a hip-hop beat to Journey,” Guertler said. “There’s nothing like having a great surprise and the crowd going crazy if it’s timed right.”
Guertler is already making the rounds among Richmond wedding planners, including Kate Franzen of Glint Events. She said about half of the weddings that her company plans hire DJs as opposed to bands, and that Bunn DJ’s management model could be attractive to planners in Richmond.
“I think it is helpful from a planner’s standpoint to have a single point of contact,” Franzen said.
Bunn DJ has a large market share in the Carolinas, with its DJs working an average of 600 weddings and 300 private events a year. In addition to Raleigh and Richmond, Bunn DJ also has franchises in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina.
Guertler said he currently averages “at least six” gigs a month, including “almost every Saturday.” He said he expects business to pick up around September, which he said is peak wedding season in Richmond.
“I’m very steady, but I expect to get a lot busier come fall,” Guertler said.