by robert@flxwebdesign.com | May 14, 2025 | 2024 MEX Hall Of Fame
Chuck “The DJ” Lehnhard has been a Mobile DJ pretty much his whole life starting in Jr. High. He made the leap to being a full-time, single system DJ in 1985. In the early years of the internet the DJ world opened for Chuck. First on AOL with the chat room “DJ Chat” and then early websites for DJs such as ProDJ.Com & DJZone.
School dances were the mainstay of Chuck’s company and soon he was the moderator on both sites for their school dance pages. This led to Chuck attending DJ conventions, DJ Times Expo and Mobile Beat Convention. Both magazines started featuring articles written about school dance performances by Chuck and that led to Chuck moderating school dance panels at both conventions for the next few years. This is where Chuck became known.
In the years that followed, he and his wife Kajira moved to Maui and his DJ gig reports, pictures and overview on life on the islands made a mark on a number of DJs and Chuck showing up to conventions in his “aloha wear” set him apart in look and style while at the convention and on the golf courses where he would always set up a golf day for those would want to join him play and network.
After moving back to California, he kept DJing and never slowed down because of his contacts in the DJ world that he made and the networking with other DJs that was always his passion. Chuck and his DJ friend Phil Trau for years organized a local event called “Post Holiday Blow-Out” where DJs would gather in January to have dinner, talk, network, compete and share ideas. They also arranged “DJ Day At The Diamond” another networking event to bring together local DJs as friends and colleges, not as competitors.
These days Chuck runs a FaceBook page for DJs called “DJ Playlist Workgroup” where Mobile DJs share ideas on music, what to play, when to play it and of course, they network.
The year 2025 marks Chuck’s 40th year in business as a full-time single system Mobile DJ and while his new focus is on weddings, corporate and game show events, not schools, and 95% of his events are booked through an entertainment company, he shows no sign of slowing down.
by robert@flxwebdesign.com | May 14, 2025 | 2023 MEX Hall Of Fame
Randy Bartlett owned and managed Premier Entertainment in Sacramento, CA for over 30 years. A full time entertainer and Wedding Entertainment Director®, specializing in weddings, as well as performing at hundreds of Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, corporate and social events, his referral based business had his clients paying him substantially above the average rate of DJs in his market.
One of the country’s most recognized speakers for the DJ profession, he’s presented his hilarious and educational seminars to standing room only crowds at conventions in the US, Canada, England and Jamaica. He has presented at MEX, Mobile Beat, DJ Expo, MidWest DJs, DJ Think Tank, NACE, AfWPI, Wedding MBA, ARMDJs, as well as many local DJ gatherings and private workshops. His consistently sold-out Microphone Skills Workshops have helped DJs around the world reach new levels in their wedding businesses.
Randy was a frequent contributor to the online Chat Boards for DJs, including DJChat, ProDJ and DiscJockeyAnerica, as well as a contributing writer to Mobile Beat Magazine and DJ Times Magazine.
He’s the creator and producer of the best-selling and acclaimed 1% Solution series of training videos, and is a member of the Wedding Entertainment Directors Guild™ and the ADJA, serving on the Board Of Advisors, and has been featured in the books “The Best Wedding Reception…EVER!” “The Mobile DJ Handbook,” “Mind Your Own Business, “Performance Beyond Expectation” and “Celebrate Life.”
Prior to his career as a mobile DJ, he spent 15 years in sales, with 10 years in sales management & sales training and was a nationally recognized and award winning sales representative.
In 2023, he was inducted in the first class of the MEX Hall Of Fame. In 2017, he was inducted into ADJA Hall Of Fame and in 2018, inducted into the Mobile Beat Hall of Fame and awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Wedding Professionals, International.
Randy retired in 2019 and now lives in the Sierra Nevada Mountains just outside of Yosemite National Park and spends time there as well as his home in Sacramento with his wife, Denice, who was also a wedding entertainer and DJ. Randy enjoys traveling and volunteering in his mountain community.
by robert@flxwebdesign.com | May 14, 2025 | 2023 MEX Hall Of Fame
Mike Walter’s DJing career began in 1988 with Star DJs, a New Jersey based Multi-Op. He was a highly successful DJ and MC for Star while also helping to run their operations including the hiring and training of all new DJs. In 1993, he started his own company, Elite Entertainment, which has been one of the top DJ companies in the highly competitive market of New Jersey for decades. He has personally trained scores of DJs, many of whom are still on the Elite Entertainment staff decades later.
In 1998 Mike started speaking at DJ conferences. He has presented on any and every topic concerning our industry, from hiring and training new DJs, to sales and marketing and performing and programming. He also offers MC workshops to groups and DJ companies across the country.
Mike is also an author, having published three books: “Running Your Multi-Op”, which is widely regarded as the most comprehensive guide for those looking to grow their DJ business; “Ten Things You Can Do to Have a Better Day”, a self-help primer; and “On This Date in Music”, a compendium of music history. Additionally, he has released various educational videos aimed at assisting fellow DJs and business owners.
Mike was honored and thrilled to be included in the very first group of inductees to the MEX Hall of Fame in 2023.
by robert@flxwebdesign.com | May 14, 2025 | 2023 MEX Hall Of Fame
Shani Barnett stands as a trailblazer in the entertainment world, with over 25 years of unparalleled dedication and innovation in the DJ industry. From the very start, Shani has not only captivated audiences but has also shaped the future of Mobile and Club DJing. Her talent and expertise have taken her to the stage at some of the industry’s most respected DJ Conferences, including the DJ Times DJ Expo in Atlantic City, Mobile Beat Las Vegas, Las Vegas DJ Show, Harvest of Sound Boston, DJX Atlantic City, and MEX Las Vegas, where she has shared her wealth of knowledge through educational seminars and dynamic live performances.
As the founder of Shani Barnett Productions in Chicago, she has elevated the industry by working with an elite roster of clients—from chart-topping music artists and athletes to fashion icons and high-profile corporate brands. Shani’s unique ability to connect with audiences and tailor her performances to any event or crowd has made her a sought-after DJ, flying regularly to major cities like Miami, Orlando, Nashville, and Las Vegas to light up the hottest venues across the country.
Shani is a versatile open-format DJ, known for her ability to seamlessly adapt to various environments. She can be found entertaining at corporate events, private functions, and in Chicago’s vibrant nightclub and lounge scene. In addition to her local engagements, Shani is frequently flown to DJ at some of the hottest clubs and rooftops across the nation.
Her commitment to excellence is further reflected in her partnerships with industry-leading brands. As a Brand Ambassador for DAS Audio and an endorser of Ultimate Ears Pros, Shani exemplifies the very best in sound technology, proudly using their products to enhance her performances and push the boundaries of what’s possible in live entertainment.
Whether she’s spinning at corporate galas, exclusive branding events, or Chicago’s most iconic nightclubs and rooftops, Shani continues to captivate and inspire. An open-format DJ at heart with a love for Chicago House, she has the unique ability to seamlessly adapt her style to any setting, ensuring every crowd gets the unforgettable experience they deserve.
Shani’s extraordinary contributions to the DJ community, her tireless pursuit of excellence, and her passion for her craft have earned her a rightful place as one of the most respected and influential figures in the entertainment industry. Her induction into the 1st Class of the Hall of Fame is not just a recognition of her career achievements, but a celebration of the mark she’s made on the culture of music, performance, and entertainment.
by robert@flxwebdesign.com | May 14, 2025 | 2023 MEX Hall Of Fame
Since 1973, John Rozz has been recognized as one of the most innovative mobile DJs in North America. John’s unique approach to total show mobility includes lighting, special effects, sets, costumes, and music, which has made his company, Sound Spectrum Entertainment, one of the elite mobile DJ companies in the Northeast. He operates a party venue, Club Lucent, where private events such as Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, birthday parties, Quinceañeras, and company parties are hosted. He has delighted audiences nationwide at weddings, corporate events, schools, and celebrity celebrations.
John maintained a twenty-year relationship with major New York City event planners, including Barkley Kalpak, Empire Force Events, and Briggs and Associates. Through this collaboration, John contributed to the team that welcomed international corporate tour groups to New York City. He and his company provided audio-visual entertainment for various prestigious gala events held at venues such as The Russian Tea Room, Ellis Island, The Intrepid, Tavern on the Green, Rockefeller Center, and Carnegie Hall. During this time, Carnegie Hall’s Union noted that he was the first DJ permitted to perform there. John has worked with prominent figures like Harrison Ford, Rush Limbaugh, The Grucci Fireworks Company, Lou Gramm of Foreigner, and Lauren Hutton. His most significant experience was preparing for six days for The Millennium 2000 New Year’s Eve Party at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in NYC. Under the direction of Colin Cowie and his long-time DJ friend, César Cosío, John had the honor of participating in John Travolta’s 50th birthday celebration in 2006 in Los Cabos, Mexico, where the team entertained notable guests including Natalie Cole, Carly Simon, Eddie and Gerald Levert, Oprah Winfrey, and Quincy Jones. In 2017, John toured with DJ Casper to promote the Cha Cha Slide and encourage healthy kids through line dancing.
Despite these remarkable events, John remains committed to his hometown of Wallingford, Connecticut, where he serves on numerous community-based organizations. In his personal time, John plays on his town’s senior basketball and senior softball teams. He collects vinyl records, American Flyer Trains, and turntables. Additionally, he supports The United Way, ASRC Autism Connecticut, and The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation of Connecticut.
He has received countless awards for production excellence, creativity, and community service. Some of these include: *Los Diamantés Appreciation Award presented by DJ César Cosio, 2024 *Groovy Award, United Way, 2024 *MEX Hall of Fame Award, 2023 *Citizen of the Year Award, Wallingford Rotary, 2017 *Businessman of the Year, United Way, 2011 *Lifetime Achievement Award, Mobile Beat DJ Conference, Las Vegas 2010 *Think Tank Flame of Inspiration Award, 2007 *DJ Institute Alfonso Reyes University, Mexico, 1999 *Hall of Fame Inductee, American Disc Jockey Awards, Las Vegas, 1997 *International DJ World, Toronto, Canada, 1996 *National Mobile DJ of the Year, Las Vegas, 1996 *National Mobile DJ of the Year, Atlantic City, NJ, 1995…and he has attended numerous DJ shows and expos throughout the years in locations including New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York City, California, Nevada, Arizona, Mexico, and Canada!
