Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Breitenstein
Hi Robert, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I just love music and controlling the energy of a room. Overtime, I was able to make an interest into what I consider a living. It’s honestly amazing that something like this can actually be an occupation and financially support someone. I started out wanting to really just be a great technical DJ. I love skills, scratching, and being great at what I do. After some time of learning, practicing and shadowing other DJs, I realized that I need to learn to DJ for people and not just scratch. No one really cares about scratching. I was able to work for, with, and shadow several other DJs over the course of my early 20s. I took what I liked from their DJing style and business practices and found my own way. I was able to get gigs through these other DJs, learn how to DJ, program lights, emcee for a room, get content for social media and negotiate with clients. Once I decided to break off and start my own business in 2018, I already had the backlog of gigs and experience, equipment, and connections. With my team of friends, DJs, and photographers, we were able to take over quickly. In the fall of 2017, my friend Eric Goree and I hosted our first event together, “The Get Down”. This was the first time that we did something like this, and having a team was something we really got used to. Not having a restriction of what we could play and people showing up specifically for us sparked something in our minds. From there, this team worked weddings, sorority functions, and frat parties. Our success expanded and so did our team. We onboarded a new photographer, Kiersten Hart, and she elevated the prestige of our team and allowed Eric and I to solely focus on DJing. These escalated in 2022 to hosting our own event, booking big weddings, and even hosting our very first artist, Houston rapper, Beatking. One name you will hear me refer to is “TheAssignment”. This is the event that would change my life and the life of my team. We would later expand our team of photographers and videographers to Colbie Balsamo and Curtis Tran. This team would bring my social media from about 20,000 impressions to 140,000 impressions per month. TheAssignment’s goal sums up what we had always wanted, play music we want, make money, and book our friends.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing this incredible is ever easy. I tell people that it’s like being on a mountain. Sometimes it is a nice view and sometimes you get a serious set back after a long uphill climb. RnB Productions LLC has had its fair share of two steps forward and one back type of moments. One issue that we have had is photographers graduating college, moving towns or states. Like life, we are all at different stages. I am a married man with no kids just yet. Eric, my partner in TheAssignment, has two kids who both play sports. Our photographers and videographers have all moved and have jobs that are not in media, all 5 of them. Last but not least, the last two additions to our team are two brothers, the Hightowers. Josh has a 9-5 job in Dallas and Colton is in college still. Trying to get us all together but also get us all home when we need to is challenging. Colton has homework, Josh has work on Fridays and Monday, Eric has baseball and softball games on Saturdays, and I have a supportive wife that I need to keep happy. Despite all of this, we all have the same goal and passion for music. I think that we just can’t take things too seriously. If Eric can’t make it on time due to a sports conflict, we pivot and someone steps up. If Colton has finals, we let him work and pivot. If Josh is working with us and gets a work call, it is what it is. If my wife has an emergency, I can rely on everyone to take care of what needs to be taken care of.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about RnB Productions?
RnB is all about good times and experiences. RnB provides entertainment and production. What that means is that we entertain, DJ, book artists, and manage/host events if needed. We do production, both content and AV(Lighting and Audio). The pinnacle of RnB is our event, TheAssignment. We’re known for diversity in music and people, for being able to read a crowd, have a great time, and then having the content to back it up. We’re known for our extra steps in security and safety, like by bringing our own security in to ensure a safe environment. We also have bought and given away drink covers that go over the lid and prevent your cup from being drugged for free. We bring this experience to our events, to other people’s events, and weddings. Our couples for weddings are often recent college grads and don’t want to hear Sweet Caroline again, they want a party. Say less, because we party every weekend and we will bring the club to the wedding. Our libraries are up to date, high energy and we work every weekend. We have the massive lighting rigs, CO2 and cold spark machines from the clubs and bring that same energy and effort into the wedding world. We often book the DJ with a photographer and videographer, all in one booking. This specifically is something that sets us apart. We are a trio of services, DJ, photo, and video. What I would like people to know about RnB is we want to work with new people, good people, and all kinds of people. Just because we may be seen at these big events, doesn’t mean we won’t show up to your small party. A good time is a good time. Like I said, it is crazy that we are able to make a living off of doing something like this. As long as we have food on the table and are taking care of our families, we just want to have fun like everyone else.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I like to keep my books and such a secret. One podcast that I do listen to is the ROAD Podcast, Reflections Of A DJ. They interview people relevant to the DJ industry and really give a good history lesson. As a young DJ, there is just no way to know everything. At the same time, we all need to know these pieces of history. One last gem that I want to leave people with is the DJ AM Documentary. DJ AM was the first DJ in Vegas to have a million dollar residency. This was groundbreaking because he did not have any music out. He just played other people’s music in the most special ways. He is the reason that DJs like myself are able to make this an occupation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Allthingsrnb.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allthingsrnbdj/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzG25EMuewovLlfqEmxa6Q/videos
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingsrnb
Image Credits
Kiersten Hart
Colbie Balsamo
Curtis Tran
Josh Hightower
