| 5
Steps for Booking Music |
You
don't know how it happened. You can't recall the details.
Maybe it happened when you stepped out of the room.
Regardless, it doesn't matter. The committee appointed you to
locate music for the party!
Sound
familiar? You fear the demands. "We need music that
appeals to a wide age range, that's energetic, interesting,
and good for listening or dancing."
Thankfully,
your job is not as difficult as it seems. If you follow my
5 Steps for Booking Music, your success is guaranteed
and your guests will be congratulating you on a superb job.
1. Select Live Music.
For the vast majority of events with an age range of 20-70, live music adds its own unique touch, both musically and visually. Seasoned professional performers intimately involved with the creation of their music transmit an energy level and enthusiasm to their audience that recorded music cannot match. Want the best of both worlds? Hire a jazz combo for cocktail/dinner music and a DJ for the reception!
2. Look for a Track Record.
Can the band or booking agency furnish you with names of satisfied clients
and venues where they have successfully performed? How many years have they
been in business? You must have complete confidence in the dependability
and reliability of the musicians you hire. There is nothing worse than placing
a call to the band the day before the party and finding out that the phone
has been disconnected. Work with people who inspire your trust!
3. Ask Questions--and Demand Answers.
How comfortable are they in taking requests? What is their break policy? How
extensive is their set-up? Do they need a piano? What do they wear? Is the
band responsive to the purchaser's wishes regarding volume? Will they perform
overtime? Remember—there is no such thing as a stupid question.
4.
Put It in Writing.
Contracts are essential. It's absolute foolishness to book a band without
a contract, which typically requires a 20-50% deposit as consideration.
A detailed, accurate written contract is your best assurance that the musicians
will do what they promise.
5. Kick Back--and Enjoy!
More great parties have been killed by micro-managing hosts
and nervous party planners. Select top quality musicians
and let the professionals do their job. And don't hesitate
to communicate your needs throughout the event!
For
over 35 years, we've been helping clients select great
music for great parties. Remember my 5 Steps for Booking Music and
you'll be completely at ease!
This article was written to assist readers
in search of information on booking music. You are invited
to use it in your publication or website. Please include
a link back to Ned Kantar Productions.
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