DJ DONNIE BENNETT
X-MiX Remixer, Donnie Bennett is an absolute legend in some music circles. He's known to be a wildly energetic and professional DJ Entertainer with no limits on his ability to plan, adapt and perform to the highest standards, while masterfully leveraging the latest technology, gear and music library to ensure that YOUR EVENT... is the MAIN EVENT... and remembered with joy for years to come!
Donnie's unmatched music industry career, technical mixing skills and magnetic personality simply cannot be overstated.
Born and raised in Rhode Island, Donnie is well known for combining his lifelong roots in entertainment with his smooth mastery of blending hit music and classic party tracks (of all genres) LIKE NO WEDDING DJ you've ever heard before.
For over 4 decades he's been a sought after entertainer and event producer who's helped coach many other DJs and Producers along the way.
Donnie’s Music Industry work has extended to production and/or promotion for major international recording artists like Abba, Paula Abdul, Christina Aquilera, Stevie B, Backstreet Boys, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Blondie, C&C Music Factory, Eminem, Whitney Houston, Enrique Iglesias, Ja Rule, Kool & The Gang, LL Cool J, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Ricky Martin, N’Sync, Shannon, Jessica Simpson, Will Smith, Britney Spears, Jay-Z and many more!
If you're looking to book Donnie for an event... you don't need to know anything else. Just reach out to him to learn if your special date is available on his calendar. Rates may vary based on location, event size, date (day of the week), travel, or accommodations.
JUST CLICK THAT "CONTACT" BUTTON AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE TO GET STARTED...
But if you'd like to hear a fun story... and you really want to know more than should be legally allowed to know about a guy who shows up, ROCKS YOUR PARTY, and leaves sober. Well... here's more about Donnie Bennett...
AND IT ALL STARTED IN 1985!
1985 was a pivotal year for Donnie. That was the first year he got paid to DJ for a crowd; the first year he was blessed to be a radio announcer on his way to his career in radio; and the same year that he performed at his very first real concert... as an early Hip Hop Rap Artist. (**suck it Marshall Mathers**)
AS AN ENTERTAINER... he did sing and appear on stage prior to 1985, but that was as part of a group, performing in an Italian opera, which he learned to sing without understanding very many words in Italian. But for Donnie, that was nowhere near as awesome as when he first jumped on stage in 1985 to perform his original songs as an opening act to early Hip Hip Pioneer, known as the original human beatbox: The Legendary Doug E. Fresh.
Donnie won that opportunity by conquering the finals of a legit multi-city EAST COAST KING OF RAP battle event, which led to Donnie's first real Hip Hop show and many other blessings beyond that.
He was all of 15 years old at that time.
Donnie would go on to host thousands of events, over the last 4 decades, including a 7-year run with his own comedy show that he created, produced, managed, promoted and hosted for 6-months per year between 2010 and 2017. The show catered to the bachelorette and birthday-girl demographics and was titled GIRLS NIGHT OUT. It featured a delightful blend of adult humor, high energy, great music, hilarious and useful prizes... and for some... the most memorable night of their lives... that only their phone memory cards may ever see or hear about ever again (if they're lucky).
AS A RADIO PERSONALITY... Donnie owns the fact that he was a total nerd for radio from an early age. Starting out as the A/V guy in his pre-teen middle school years, he was always gravitating toward technology and sound. So much so... that after getting into the most academically challenging high school in the city, he literally skipped school to go to ANOTHER SCHOOL.
And he did it because the other school (Hope High) had a radio program and a radio station. And Donnie had a dream.
So in 1983, as a high school freshman, he transferred himself WITHOUT his parents knowledge or permission, by using his fairly new 1981 Texas Instruments TI 99A Home Computer (compete with modem). While his older brothers skipped school to make funny cigarettes disappear in the woods of Roger Williams Park with their friends... Donnie was taking two buses to get to the opposite end of the city to chase his goal.
And when his Mom finally found out a few weeks later, that he used his home computer to leave a prestigious, tested-entry, college prep school (Classical) to attend a not so esteemed school that required extra bus money each way to get back and forth every day... well... let's just say that the news was NOT met with a celebration. Donnie's computer was quickly confiscated. And he didn't get another computer again until he was 22-years old.
But 2-years in to his new high school... back to the magic year of 1985...
Donnie had earned enough money (and friends in low places) to locate and purchase his first ever FAKE ID, which elevated his age to 18, so that he could apply for... and successfully earn an internship at WHIM, a local country radio station... as well as an actual job at WWLI, a local soft rock radio station.
Donnie already knew the basics of production because that's what he was learning in school. He was the perfect production assistant: eager... easy to order around... familiar with the gear... and he didn't complain about being the lowest paid person in the building. It was great experience, but after a few months Donnie had to quit both stations as summer was ending and it was almost time to return to school for his junior year of high school. His story to the station managers was that he going to be busy at BROWN UNIVERSITY... which was only true in the sense that Donnie would go to Brown all the time for parties.
But from there he would eventually earn his way to a brand new radio station. And in a much more legitimate manner.
In 1987 Donnie graduated high school and enrolled in Boston's Emerson College. But his scholarship money would only go so far. His mother worked overnights and money was too tight for four years of college tuition. She held back tears when she delivered the sad news, but Donnie was undeterred.
By 1988, at the age of 18, Donnie left Emerson because he was able to get hired by another local AM radio station. One that Donnie specifically targeted because his plan was to become a fixture across the hall at a newly formed FM station that played the kind of music that Donnie truly related to. WWKX-FM (Providence, Rhode Island)... known at that time as KICKS 106 (before it eventually converted to local powerhouse KIX 106) was a Top 40 Rhythmic station that played all the music that made people dance... and that Donnie was known for playing.
Donnie pivoted and ascended quickly. During his tenure at KIX he went from happy intern to happier overnight weekend on-air host, to Mixshow DJ, to eventually becoming the unofficial station mascot - doing the one thing that the other on-air DJ's were not trained to do: DJ... with records... flawlessly... to a live crowd of party goers.
Donnie was being sent out weekly to DJ and host nightlife events, various promotions and day parties at the beaches as well.
By night he would DJ as much as he was allowed to. And during all other waking hours he worked hard at the station to eventually become the youngest commercial radio Program Director in America - at just 20-years old in 1990.
It was an interim position, due to the station being sold, but it was one that was recognized nationally at the time. This was bittersweet because his rise had come at the expense of several coworkers and mentors that he truly loved - in particular, world famous voiceover talent John Garry (who can be heard on the intro of a few of Donnie's mix sets).
After toiling away in the overnights - and after getting in trouble COUNTLESS times for breaking format or playing unauthorized music, the powers that be figured the safest way to keep an eye on him was to bring this "dark knight" DJ into the daylight.
Donnie was tapped for frequent morning show co-hosting appearances, before becoming the Afternoon Drive Personality under new leadership.
Not bad for kid who used to dumpster dive to pluck a large portion of his earlier record library straight out of the official (and very stinky) KIX 106 parking lot dumpster.
Other radio experience that Donnie has earned on his resume includes:
- WFHN (Fun 107 in Fairhaven, MA)
- WQGN (Q105, Mystic, CT)
- WQSX (Star 93.7, Boston, MA)
- WJMN (Jam'n 94.5, Boston, MA)
- WPRO (92 PRO FM, Providence, RI)
- WKTU (KTU, 103.5 FM, Jersey City, NJ - serving NYC)
Donnie also went on to become a talk show host in Providence, with his show REAL ESTATE 101 at a legendary industry giant, NEWS/TALK 630 WPRO, where he later worked as the Traffic Reporter and had great on-air chemistry with a notoriously beloved, former Mayor of Providence with incidental ties to the TV show "Family Guy"... the infamous Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci, Jr.
Some of Donnie's great radio accomplishments and radio roles included:
- WWON-AM (News Producer)
- WPRO-AM (Sponsored Talk Show Host)
- MEDIAPEEL (Regional Multi-market Traffic Reporter)
- MEDIABASE (Radio Airplay Tracking Professional)
- XM Radio (National Mixshow DJ)
- CBS Radio (National Entertainment Correspondent)
- HOTSPOT RADIO ADVERTISING (Owner)
- SUPERADIO (Weekly Syndicated Mixshow for over 100 North American Radio Stations)
One of Donnie's heroes, radio legend, "Uncle" Dale Dorman personally called Donnie after hearing his work and hired him up to the Legendary KISS 108 in Boston, but Donnie's high energy and young sound made him a much better fit for their sister station... known as JAM'N 94.5. So that's where he went for over 2 years.
Donnie's radio career brought him boundless opportunities to connect with local business, hardcore fans of the music, amazing listeners and a litany of celebrity encounters.
Some of the people that Donnie has personally interviewed include:
> Stevie B (King of Freestyle Dance Music)
> Babyface (R&B Singer & Producer)
> Boys II Men (Iconic 90's R&B Group)
> Mariah Carey (Pop Goddess)
> Coro (Freestyle Singer & Dancer)
> Kenny G (Composer & Saxophonist)
> Debbie Gibson (Pop Singer)
> Guns N' Roses (Rock Band)
> Arsenio Hall (Comedian & Talk Show Host)
> Whitney Houston (Come on. You know)
> Janet Jackson (Michael's little sister)
> George Lamond (Freestyle Singer)
> Eddie Murphy (Charlie's Less Funny brother)
> Red Hot Chili Peppers (Iconic Rock Band)
> L.A. Reid (Music Producer & Executive)
> Teddy Riley (R&B Producer & Singer)
> Sir Mix-A-Lot (More than a 1-Hit Wonder)
> TKA (Legendary Freestyle Singing Group)
> TLC (R&B Singing Group)
> Patty Smyth (Legendary Rock Icon)
> Adam West (1966 Batman & Family Guy)
> Barry White (Verbal Baby Maker)
> Karen White (R&B / Pop Singer)
> Young MC (Rapper, Writer, Producer)
AS AN EVENT DJ... again... we have to go back to 1985.
That's the year that Donnie was able to snag a spot at one of the most iconic bars in the history of Providence: Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel. That's the first venue outside of the community center or local church where Donnie got to play the music he loved... for people who loved the music! And he had to get dropped off and picked up by his beautifully awesome Mom to do it.
Over the years Donnie would add hundreds of venues to his list. He played, and hosted events, at some of the most memorable and legendary nightlife venues of his era from Providence to Boston and beyond... including (but DEFINITLEY not limited to):
• Alhambras, Westport, MA
• Art Bar, Providence, RI
• Avalon, Boston, MA
• Bahama Bob's, Providence, RI
• Barry's, Warwick, RI
• Cahoots, Providence RI
• Clarke Cooke House, Newport, RI
• Club Confetti, Providence, RI
• Club Shalimar, Providence, RI
• Fish Co, Providence, RI
• Gerardo's, Providence, RI
• JR's Fastlane, Providence, RI
• Limelight, New York, NY
• Lupo's, Providence, RI
• Mardi Gras, Warwick RI
• Narcissus, Boston, MA
• Palace, Saugus, MA
• Palladium, New York, NY
• Paradise Garage, New York, NY
• Roxy, Boston, MA
• Shooter, Providence, RI
• Tickets, Newport, RI
• Tropics, Oakland Beach, Warwick, RI
• Tunnel, New York, NY
• Vincent's, Randolph, MA
Donnie's three longest weekly DJ Nightclub residencies were all in Providence:
- 2 Years @ Club Shalimar
(Throwbacks & Old School)
- 4 Years @ Cahoots in The Providence Marriott
(Hit Music, Throwbacks)
- 7 Years @ Gerardo's
(Progressive House, Hip Hop, Weird Shit & More)
He was also blessed to tour nationally and internationally with many stops in Miami, Orlando, Atlantic City, Los Angeles, The Caribbean Islands, Europe and many more. On top of that, Donnie has been the featured as the headline DJ at multiple Radio Industry, Music Industry, and Professional DJ Industry conventions throughout his career.
AS A PROFESSIONAL REMIXER...
Donnie's proficiency behind the decks in a live setting has never been in doubt. But even that was no match for what he was capable of producing in the confines of his humble home studio.
It was soon clear that he was a natural music editor and arranger, creating DJ remixes and edits that were used by countless DJs around the world during the upswing of the remix industry. By 1992 he was remixing for a company that he still has ties to today - X-MiX, which has been a dominant force in the music remix and production industry since its inception - and is still very much going strong today!
By 1998, the skills that Donnie displayed as a remixer, combined with his unique management style - helped him to be the easy choice for advancement to the role of Executive Producer, by X-MiX owners, Larry Clawson and Neil Petricone. Donnie went from being low-man on the totem pole to the new driving force and the workhorse that would help elevate X-MiX into the new century.
Over the next several years. Donnie was blessed to have a hand in the production and promotion of over 1,500 major record label recordings and remixes, sometimes working on projects for the biggest names in the business, while also working to elevate new talent as well.
Being part of X-MiX also meant being part of the management team for international recording artists Armand Van Helden, DJ Sneak, Junior Sanchez, Felix Da Housecast and many more. Donnie, who was producing thousands of records and CDs per month on behalf of X-MiX was also responsible for the pressing of the iconic masterpiece "2 Future 4 U", which was the third studio album by American record producer Armand Van Helden. It was released on November 30, 1998, on Armed Records, a sub-label (at the time) of X-MiX, and it included the singles "U Don't Know Me" and "Flowerz".
2026 AND DONNIE'S ORIGINAL MUSIC...
One goal that Donnie has always had is to release projects featuring his original songs. That dream was put on pause for a very long time... but it is now FINALLY about to become a reality.
In 2026 Donnie has reached back into his archives to pluck some of his favorite original songs that have never seen the light of day... with the goal of creating his very first album of original work.
The project is currently in production, with 10 of the 11 tracks fully produced (as of this writing). And since Donnie has an absolute love affair with so many styles of music... he has vowed to follow the QUEEN FORMULA... by ensuring that his album is brimming with different sounds and styles, across genres... making it less of an album, and more of a SOUNDTRACK or COMPILATION.
The working title is:
THE DONNIE BENNETT EXPERIENCE Vol. #1 (Split Personality + AD⚡️HD)
And it's coming soon to all platforms.
WHAT DOES DONNIE DO WHEN HE'S NOT IN THE DJ BOOTH OR THE STUDIO?
Donnie has been a Professional Real Estate Advisor since 2001. He happily runs a small brokerage in Warwick, Rhode Island, close to his South County home.
If you'd like to learn more... we will be forced to seek a restraining order. Hasn't enough been said here already?
But for now... if you have a wedding or some other amazing private event that needs to be absolutely awesome... you could not find a more experienced entertainer... or a more cheerful party smasher... than the one and only... DONNIE BENNETT.
And we lived happily ever after!
This concludes DJ story time. Many blessings to you and everyone you love!
And don't forget... Donnie and his team make EVERY event the MAIN EVENT!