Meet the Backthird Team

Backthird Entertainment includes seven DJs, two string ensembles and two jazz ensembles – plus more than a dozen assistant DJs.

Each of our performers is unique, with his or her own personal style and taste. But no one is irreplaceable: Musicians have understudies, and we have a backup DJ on call every night we work a wedding. That’s how we ensure that even in emergencies, you’ll have a Backthird performer taking care of you.

We’re not a “contractor” or a “booking agent;” we’re an entertainment business. Our musician team is a tight group of professionals who know each other and work together consistently. DJs are trained and certified according to our own rigorous standards.

But before you meet any of them, you’ll work with our office staff.

Robbie Matteson
Robbie Mattesonmanaging director
Robbie oversees all Backthird’s Chicago-area operations, from hiring and developing talent to booking and executing events – but most of his time is spent as an account manager, making sure individual clients have a great experience. Robbie is an amateur penny-whistle player and an irredeemable Lord of the Rings geek.
Louise Kelly
Louise Kellyaccount manager
Louise serves both wedding couples and our corporate contacts, ensuring Backthird clients’ events are as happy and easy as possible. She’s been working as a pianist, singer-songwriter and music educator for more than 20 years and performing at Backthird events since 2011. Louise’s biggest inspirations are her two girls, Bella and Noelle – although Stevie Wonder is pretty high on the list too.
Scott Krema
Scott Kremaassistant production manager
Scott oversees production, training and culture for all our DJs and musicians – he’s the one making sure the right group of people are at the right place with the right gear every single weekend. When he’s not DJing his own events, Scott maintains our sound equipment and organizes monthly DJ meetings. And when he’s not doing THAT, he’s probably geeking out about pro sports or the latest Star Wars film.
Benjie Hughes
Benjie Hughesfounder
Benjie founded Backthird Entertainment in 2005, and since then has performed at hundreds of events as an MC, DJ and musician. He is the creator of Backthird’s wedding DJ certification program and the music arranger for our pop strings ensembles. Benjie also writes a majority of the posts for the Backthird blog.
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