Questions to ask a

Wedding Reception Band

There is no way to answer all the questions you may have for hiring a band for your wedding on this page. However, we have taken some of the most common questions and listed them here. Please take your time in considering these questions before hiring any band for your wedding. Your wedding is "the" most important day of your life. You deserve to have a band that treats your wedding as a professional event, and not just another "gig".

Question: How many musicians belong to you group? What are their specialties?
Answer: There are 4. However, usually when people are asking this question, it is with the intent of making sure they have enough "sound" from the band. For instance, some bands may only have 3 or 4 musicians and then 2 or 3 singers. It is the harmony created between all the instruments and the vocals that "fill out" a band. Think of U2, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and many others. It's not the number of people, but what all is accomplished. All of our musicians are also singers. They supply harmonies and have solo's. This equals a "fullness of sound" of many bands that may have as many as eight members. A band is not hired by the "number of people" but rather its fullness of sound and ability as musicians.

Question: How long have you been playing together? Is there much turnover within the group?
Answer: Since 2002. No. We are all family and friends and have known one another for an even longer period of time.
 

Question: How many weddings do you perform each year?
Answer: We stop at 24 per year. Although we could play more, we are more interested in making sure that each wedding, gets the time and attention it deserves. Since we do more than "just play music" we like to have the time to treat each wedding as though it were the only one we have to do. Also, we do not play bars and night clubs. This allows us to concentrate on the wedding industry itself and make sure we're doing what it takes to handle such a different audience type.
 

Question: Do you have a recording of your band/show that we can listen to?
Answer: Absolutely. You can listen to us on line at our web site. We can also send you a cd, but it will be the same recordings that are available on line. We even have a short video with clips from a live concert for the National Endowment for the Arts.
 

Question: How far are you willing to travel? How much is the travel charge?
Answer: Honestly, we'll go just about anywhere. The travel charge will depend upon the length of travel, stay, and other factors. However, we typically play within2-3 hours drive of Asheville, NC.
 

Question: Can you take last-minute requests from our guests?
Answer: We are a professional band. As a result, we will not play just anything. We know what does and does not work at a wedding. Also, if the instrumentation or vocals do not fit, we will not do it. It's better not to play a song than to play a song poorly by trying to "wing" it. Your wedding is a professional event. How many professional events have you ever seen a band just play whatever may be thrown at them. We are a rehearsed band and entertainment provider. Again, this is not a night club act.
 

Question: Will you learn/play particular songs that we request in advance?
Answer: Absolutely, and we have done this many times. In fact, we have many more songs than those listed on our site. However, we have chosen to list the most popular and the ones that work the best at weddings. Here again, we will consider vocal range and instrumentation. All professionals should be humble enough to recognize their limitations.
Performers that say they can do anything are mistaken. If you have a song that we feel we can not do justice, we have other arrangements where you can have the requested song What we can tell you is you will get what you want. We have ways of making things work.
 

Question: Can the bandleader (or a specified band member) act as emcee for the reception?
Answer: Our drummer has over 25 years of public speaking. He has served as emcee for Make A Wish and other events. Not only do we emcee your event, but we help you to figure timelines and other important aspects of the evening. We also have activities to make sure the crowd is involved.
 

Question: What attire do band members typically wear to a wedding?
Answer: Suits and ties. While tuxedo's can be worn, it's usually a little difficult to work in for this type of band. Usually, you will find that your guests are so busy dancing, they will be shedding their coats and ties very quickly. The band will remain with coats, unless the crowd later warrants a different atmosphere. At that point, the band may remove their coats, but they will always have on their ties.
 

Question: Can you perform at an outdoor wedding reception?
Answer: Of course. However, the band must have a flat, hard, level surface. Usually a stage is provided or we can provide one.
 

Question: Do you bring backup equipment to the wedding? Do you have backup musicians in case of sickness?
Answer: Yes. Our back up singer is actually a finalist for Carolina Star. Backup musicians are friends that work with us in our studios.
 

Question: Do you take breaks during the reception? How often? Is recorded music playing during the break?
Answer: Sometimes. How many breaks are determined by how long we're playing for the evening. If it's a short evening, we may not take any breaks. However, most receptions last about4 hours, at which we will take a couple of breaks. However, the atmosphere is never "dry". We have activities planned for the guests during any band break. This is also when you'll do your cake cutting, etc. We work with you to help arrange the entire evening from your arrival at the reception to the last dance. It is a fast paced and well planned evening. This is why you hire a professional wedding band.
 

Question: What is your event cancellation policy?
Answer: The only one that will cancel the event will be the bride or groom. In which case they have either decided to elope, or there was some other tragedy. We charge a booking fee to "black out" the requested date for the wedding. Once we have done that, we take no further requests from anyone else for that date. That day is reserved for your event. There is no return of any monies received for the contracted date. However, if we can find another booking for that date, we will be happy to return a portion of any payments, TBD.
 

Question: What is your customer satisfaction cancellation policy?
Answer: We've never had a dissatisfied customer. If the band is so bad you have to stop them from playing, you didn't spend enough time finding the right band. In such a case, most likely a band that plays night clubs or proms is what was hired. This is why we ONLY play weddings. The music choices for a wedding are totally different from any other venue. Again, this is why you hire a wedding professional.
 

Question: What are your standard payment terms?
Answer: There is an initial booking fee to be paid. This will be determined by length of request, travel, etc. It's usually around 30% of the contract amount. This will black out your date. The remainder of the contract amount is to be paid in full NO LATER THAN 2 weeks prior to your event.
 

Question: What makes you different from other local musicians? Why should someone hire you?
Answer: We ONLY play weddings. Many bands will play many types of venues. This can be a lot of fun, but it does not allow them to concentrate on "what" they are doing. They can play any kind of music they desire. However, a band that only plays weddings is more familiar with what is required at a wedding. While the music can still be update and entertaining, the music choices must be different. A wedding has people of all ages and backgrounds. You have to know what to play, when. Also, the music at a wedding reception has to be arranged so that you don't do too much, too early. For example, when you watch a fireworks display, you get a few nice fireworks in the beginning and something extra special now and again. However, the finale's when everything happens. You anticipation has been built up throughout presentation. It's the same with a band at your reception. If you do too much in the front, it can actually be so overwhelming that some guests may tend to leave early. As a result, you start off a little slower and quieter in the beginning and then build as the night progresses. Usually, the last hour is the most energetic of the evening. This way, the volume increases a little throughout the evening as guests get accustomed to live music. As a result, the intensity builds throughout the evening. As to why you should hire us, ask our brides. This is why we received International recognition as "The Best of the Best" by the Wedding Merchants Business Academy. This is a group made up of wedding professionals from around the glove. Due to the marks we received from our brides and other wedding vendors, we've received the highest honor for a wedding band. How many other bands can say that.
 

Question: How many months in advance do I need to reserve your services for my wedding date?
Answer: ASAP. In our region, January is the busiest month for booking weddings and vendors. The reason is there are many holiday proposals. Also, because of the new year, many brides make it their resolution to get all of their wedding planning out of the way. During the month of January we can receive anywhere from 6-30 requests per day. We do not hold any dates for anyone until a contract is signed and a booking fee is paid. Therefore, if you have a date and it is still open with us, we suggest you book as soon as you decide this is the band you want at your reception.