Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lee Dyson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lee, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.

Our Story: From DJ Booth to Living Room….to Game Show Stage

Hey Mister DJ has been proudly serving weddings, corporate events, holiday parties, fundraisers, and special occasions since 2007. For over a decade, we’ve been bringing energy, music, and unforgettable moments to events across Southern California and beyond.

In 2020, everything changed.

When the pandemic lockdown hit, the live events industry came to a standstill overnight. With our calendar wiped clean, I started DJing online—first on Facebook, then on Twitch—just to pass the time and stay connected with our audience. To keep things fresh, I began adding interactive games like Name That Tune. The chat engagement skyrocketed, and I had my lightbulb moment:

Why not create a virtual, music-themed game show?

I invested in professional-grade studio gear, built a green screen setup, and taught myself OBS broadcasting software. I learned how to design immersive, theme-based virtual sets that looked and felt like high-end productions.

We offered a few free virtual shows to industry friends—just to lift spirits and give back during tough times. Almost immediately, the referrals started pouring in. Companies were looking for fun, meaningful ways to engage their remote teams, and we delivered.

From 2020 to 2022, we hosted over 1,000 paid virtual game show events for clients like Sony, GoDaddy, State Farm, and more. And we continued to volunteer our show for nonprofits and organizations in need of a morale boost.

As the world began reopening, a surprising trend emerged: the phone started ringing again—but this time, corporate clients wanted us to bring our virtual game show experience to their in-person events.

So we built it. And Let’s Play LA was born.

Today, we’ve fully integrated Hey Mister DJ and Let’s Play LA into a one-stop, fully customizable entertainment solution. Whether it’s DJs, sound, lighting, karaoke, silent disco, or live game shows and game nights—we bring the energy, creativity, and professionalism to make every event unforgettable.

Looking back, we feel incredibly grateful. We were able to adapt, pivot, and grow during one of the most difficult chapters in our industry’s history. Entertaining and spreading joy is what we love—and it’s a gift to be able to keep doing what we do best.

Lee, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Music has always been my refuge and a source of inspiration.
In school, I was a victim of constant bullying and felt a persistent sense of isolation.
Putting on headphones and listening to music created a safe space for me—it often changed my mood and mindset. As I grew older, I realized the power and emotional impact of music and knew I wanted to use it to positively affect others.

I started by buying records and making mixtapes for my family and close friends.
Eventually, I got a lucky break at a local bar when their main DJ called in sick at the last minute—and I was instantly hooked.

I was fortunate to be hired by a mentor who taught me the art of programming music for nightclubs in Minneapolis. That’s where I learned how music formats could influence sales and saw the business side of the industry—something very different from the artistic/creative perspective I had started with.

Later, I relocated to a larger market (Miami), where I worked my way up to become music director for a chain of nightclubs and hosted a weekly mix show on a local radio station. At the same time, I was managing a restaurant, which taught me valuable lessons about service standards and the importance of meeting—and exceeding—customer expectations.

After relocating to Los Angeles in the mid-2000s, I headlined at all the major nightclubs. But over time, the club scene no longer felt rewarding. By shifting gears into special events like weddings, corporate functions, and fundraisers, I was able to continue sharing my passion for music in environments that had higher emotional stakes—and a much more meaningful payoff.

In 2008, I launched Hey Mister DJ (yes, named after the song), and we’ve been fortunate to become one of Los Angeles’ most in-demand DJ and entertainment companies.

In 2022, we launched Let’s Play LA—a music-themed game show experience designed for both virtual and live events.

What sets us apart is our methodical and intentional approach to music selection. We understand how the vibe and tone can truly shape the overall event experience.

While many DJs and entertainers seem to be chasing the next Instagram photo, we continue to perform because we genuinely love music, games, and having fun—just as much as our clients do.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

In order to grow and thrive professionally, I’ve had to do a significant amount of personal work.
That’s meant healing childhood trauma, shifting from an avoidant attachment style to a healthy one, learning to trust, and—most importantly—recognizing when my thoughts, fears, and decisions are coming from a place of scarcity rather than abundance.

Accepting that I’m highly ADHD has also been a game-changer. It’s allowed me to build better systems, avoid the constant feeling of failure, celebrate the wins, and offer myself grace when I need it.

It’s been a long journey—through therapy, books, mindfulness, and men’s groups—and the work is still ongoing.
But as I’ve found more confidence and peace internally, I’ve also been able to feel more fulfilled in my professional life.

Self-work is the most important work you can ever do.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

The neurodivergent brain functions quite differently from a neurotypical one.
Many creatives live with ADHD—which can be both our greatest superpower and our biggest obstacle to consistency, success, and happiness.

We often shift rapidly from being easily distracted (Squirrel!) to becoming intensely hyperfocused.
You might think we’re being rude if we interrupt or seem to drift during a conversation, but it’s rarely intentional. In fact, many of us carry guilt or shame about how we show up in both work and social settings.

So please—be patient and compassionate with the creative mind.
To someone on the outside, it might look like we’re living the dream. But the truth is, we’re often our own harshest critic—missing the moments we should be celebrating because we’re stuck in self-doubt or overanalysis.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.heymisterdj.com and www.letsplayla.com
• Instagram: @heymisterdjlee
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hey-mister-dj/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lets_Play_LA
• Soundcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/Hey_Mister_DJ/