Orlando, Fla. – After years of spinning clubs and mobile events, Charles Miles founded Mix on Wheels in 2008. Rolling with a fleet of tricked-out/DJ-equipped vehicles – including the new EV DJ – the company has thrived in a market rich with corporate and theme-park gigs.
We recently caught up with Miles, 57, to further understand his unique approach to his mobile market.
DJ LIFE: Where did you grow up, and what got you interested in music?
Miles: I grew up in Alabama and moved to Orlando when I was 30. In my early teens, I was deeply involved in breakdancing. I vividly remember visiting my grandparents in Chicago during middle school, where I first saw the breakdancing scene take off. It was electric, and that’s when I knew I had to be a part of it. The song that sparked it for me was “Let the Music Play” by Shannon. That track really gave me a sense of how big breakdancing was in the mid-’80s, and I’ve been hooked on music and dancing ever since.
DJ LIFE: How did you get the DJ bug?
Miles: During my junior year of high school, a local teen club opened in my hometown. Since I was a dancer and always involved in music, I was a perfect for fit for [DJing at] the teen club. I worked for two years through my junior and senior years. After high school, I moved to Tuscaloosa to attend the University of Alabama, where I majored in business, while I was DJing at clubs and doing mobile-DJ work.
DJ LIFE: How did things progress on the DJ side?
Miles: In 1996, I moved to Orlando to pursue a degree in audio engineering at Full Sail University. After graduation, I landed what I thought would be my dream job as a pro-audio manufacturer rep. I was also a part-time DJ for Walt Disney World, specializing in corporate events and Fairytale Weddings. Eventually, I transitioned into full-time DJing, mainly performing at Disney World’s main stages, corporate theme park buy-outs, and sports-hosting for Disney’s ESPN.
DJ LIFE: At what point did you get the idea for these vehicles with DJ/pro-audio systems?
Miles: So… during that time, I had the privilege to go on tour with Disney and Coca-Cola as the DJ for their Grad Night events, held for high-school seniors at the Magic Kingdom. While on tour, I DJed out of Coca-Cola’s tricked-out entertainment trailer as part of the Grad Night promotion. At this point, the idea was born to create Mix on Wheels, a mobile-DJ service offering an innovative spin on traditional DJ entertainment.
DJ LIFE: How did you go about it?
Miles: I founded Mix on Wheels in 2008 by investing in my first vehicle, a Hummer H3. The concept took off, and I soon expanded to add six more vehicles: a Hummer H3, Mini Cooper Clubman, Jeep Wrangler, International Terra Star, VW Vintage Bus, Honda Element, and even an eco-friendly DJ trike bike. Our newest addition is a 2024 Tesla Model X, which has transformed into the world’s first electric DJ vehicle – the EV DJ. Today, Mix on Wheels is a multi-op company, serving all types of events for clients like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, sporting events, and destination-management companies from all over the country.
DJ LIFE: Sounds like your company is rather different from those in your market…
Miles: Our focus is highly centered around the theme parks. We provide entertainment for private-corporate events inside the parks, as well as in convention centers, hotels, and at sports events. What sets us apart, of course, is our fleet of exotic DJ vehicles. I was the first to introduce this concept in Central Florida, taking mobile DJing to a whole new level with custom-designed vehicles. We’re always looking for ways to wow our clients, and the addition of the Tesla Model X electric DJ vehicle is just one of the many ways we’ve stayed ahead of the curve.
DJ LIFE: How many DJs work for you now?
Miles: We have approximately 15 DJs on our staff and access to additional DJs when needed. As the company has grown, I’ve personally stepped back from spinning at events to focus on the company’s demanding growth. Now, my primary role is to provide excellent communication with my clients and continue bringing in and training the new generation of DJ talent.
DJ LIFE: How many events does the company do each year? What’s the breakdown?
Miles: In 2024, I’m proud to say we performed over 1,600 events. It’s incredible to see how much we’ve grown over the years. About 15-percent of our events are weddings, 60-percent are theme-park events, and 25-percent are private corporate events, including sports events. We’re fortunate to have a wide range of events that keep things exciting.
DJ LIFE: Tell us more about the latest tricked-out car…
Miles: Our newest concept DJ car, 2024 Tesla Model X, is a game-changer. My business partner, who is also my wife Mayra, played a huge role in bringing this concept to life. She wanted to maintain the classic Tesla look, while transforming it into a cutting-edge, mobile-DJ vehicle.
DJ LIFE: What’s in it?
Miles: The vehicle features a built-in Pioneer MIDI DJ controller in a custom, futuristic pull-out case, with a 40-inch, curved TV monitor that projects logo or video playback, a built-in Shure wireless microphone and fiber-optic lighting throughout the interior and exterior, which can play over 300 light patterns. To make the Tesla EV DJ Car more interactive, we added an SMS photo booth, which can double as a roaming photo booth. This vehicle is entirely battery-powered with separate power modules, so we don’t tap into the car’s main battery. Everything is self-contained within the vehicle in an electrifying package.
DJ LIFE: What’s an event like with this vehicle?
Miles: As the DJ arrives, the car itself comes alive. A low hum, a surge of energy, and then… the vibe explodes. Every beat drop is a sonic boom, amplified by a state-of-the-art sound system that pushes the boundaries of bass. One of the most eye-catching features of the Tesla is its gull-wing doors. When they open, it instantly grabs attention, adding a dramatic effect that makes the car even more of a showstopper at events. We’ve used the Tesla for all kinds of events – theme parks, SpaceX, Kennedy Space Center, golfing events, parades, grand openings, and private celebrations. It’s a unique experience that truly takes our clients events to a whole new level. And this is the first electric DJ vehicle offering sustainability and the environmentally friendly future of partying, a testament to the fact that high-energy entertainment and eco-consciousness can go hand-in-hand.
DJ LIFE: Who did the pro-audio installation in the car?
Miles: We handle all fabrication in-house, working with the same fabricators we’ve been collaborating with since the start of the company. We’ve got a great team that ensures every detail is taken care of, and the set-up is quick – less than 20 minutes to get the vehicle ready to rock for indoor or outdoor events.
DJ LIFE: Aside from the cars, what DJ gear set-up do your DJs usually use?
Miles: I’ve been in the industry long enough to know what works. My go-to DJ controller is Pioneer. For microphones, I love the Shure wireless mics. When it comes to sound, I trust RCF speakers – they’ve been a great longtime partner from the start of my company, and I recommend them to all our DJs. We also use lighting from Chauvet, Ape Labs, and ADJ, depending on the event. As for transport, we use Gator cases to keep everything organized and protected.
DJ LIFE: How does your company market itself these days?
Miles: The relationships we’ve built over the years have been crucial to our growth. My wife and I have worked hard to establish a reputation for excellent service, particularly with the Central Florida theme parks and destination management companies. Thanks to these long-standing partnerships, we’ve been able to generate repeat business, which makes up about 80-percent of our revenue. We’re known for delivering top-notch service, and that word-of-mouth marketing has been invaluable.
DJ LIFE: How has the business changed in the past few years?
Miles: Over the past five years, our business has doubled. A huge part of that growth comes from introducing the DJ vehicle concept to the industry. In today’s world, it’s essential to stand out, and by doing so, we’ve seen greater success. The Tesla Model X has been a major part of that. As the world becomes more eco-conscious, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this trend, creating an innovative and sustainable model that speaks to clients who want something unique and forward-thinking. We’re also forming new partnerships, like the one we’ve recently established with SpaceX, which will take our events to new heights. The evolution of the DJ industry is not only about music, but also about providing new visual entertainment concepts.
DJ LIFE: Where do you see yourself/your company in five years?
Miles: I want to continue expanding by adding more electric vehicles to our fleet and staying innovative with new ideas. I’m always thinking about the next big thing, and I believe that if you do what you love, people will notice. That mindset has been key to our success. I’m also grateful to have my wife as my business partner – her insights and ideas have been invaluable in growing the company. As times change, we’ll keep adapting, but the core of our business will always be about delivering the best entertainment possible.