After speaking with some of our top booked and highest rated performers, we have compiled some steps to follow when hiring a Cover Band for your next event.

Cover Bands add dynamic and energizing entertainment to all types of events, from wedding receptions, to outdoor festivals, to bar and restaurant performances, and even fundraisers.

For those who are new to the looking/booking process, here are some tips to help you through the searching, negotiating, planning, and hiring of a quality group.

1. Keep three things in mind when starting your search: Talent, experience, and professionalism - the right Cover Band for your event will impress you from the start.  Check out the group’s live audio and video samples, and their song list.  They should boast a variety of song choices, and, more importantly, the songs you want to hear.  If you have the opportunity to check out the band perform at a public event, by all means, go!  Even great audio and video samples are lacking the energy and ambiance of a live performance.

Also, a great Cover Band’s reputation precedes them.  Speak to event planners at venues where the group has performed, or past clients, for reviews.  A professional Cover Band is enthusiastic about performing, and is willing to take the time to sit down and fully discuss your event details and entertainment needs.

2. Ask important questions up front: Find out more about the band members.  How long has the group been performing together?  Have there been any recent replacements to the group?  Do they have both a male and female vocalist? We found out that 75% of bands offer different group combinations to their clients depending on their needs, so its important to make sure that the musicians you want are the musicians you get.

3. Ask more questions later: Does the band take song requests before or during their performance?  Do they allow party guests to use their microphones for personal announcements?  Let them know more about your event and the guests attending, and see if their song choices or live performance changes based on the audience.  Clearing up these details before your event will help their performance go smoothly.

4. Understand the group’s space, lighting, and electrical needs: Most Cover Bands maintain their own performance equipment, but you will be responsible for the space available for them to perform.  Our performers have told us that a stage or performance area no less than 12 feet by 20 feet is required.  These space requirements may change, depending on the group. 

Please also note that an electrical power source must be made available within 10 feet of the performance area.  So keep this in mind, especially if your event is outdoors.

5. As always, be courteous to the entertainers you hire, especially if they are traveling to your event destination.  Be sure to discuss travel or lodging expenses, and provide a parking space or proper/timely transportation to your event.  Depending on the type of event you are throwing, you should also offer food and beverage during their breaks, or after their performance has taken place.  

Good luck in your search, and have fun!

A party isn't a party unless your guests are having fun, right? So here are some quick, fun tips to inspire your next party:

• Fun Tip #1: Get wild this Halloween!
  Gnash your terrible teeth and host a "Where the Wild Things Are" party! Check out Halloween 2009 for more Halloween party ideas and inspiration.
• Fun Tip #2: Do the bump!
  Hang up your disco ball and check out our list of the Top 70's Party Songs. The 1970's is a popular theme for anniversaries and birthdays!
• Fun Tip #3: Invite Elvis to your wedding!
  Brides and grooms are making some very unique wedding entertainment choices. Check out this article for the hottest trends, Budget Wedding Doesn't Mean Cheap.

What's your idea of fun at a party? Perhaps it's dancing all night, or working the room...or both. Tell us, we'd love to know!

We hope you’ve been practicing your dance moves to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, because October has arrived.   With changing leaves, apple cider, pumpkin picking, and Halloween festivities filling up this month, you can feel the excitement and mischief brewing.

We love Halloween parties, because they bring about a surge of creativity from hosts and guests alike.  From the costumes, to the party favors and decorations, the wild and spooky ideas keep on coming.

This year, think about adding some mystery to your Halloween party.  Hire a Fortune Teller, a Hypnotist, or Costumed Character to keep your guests on their toes.

And how about making your Halloween celebration a theme party?  This year, we think a “Where the Wild Things Are” party is a great idea, and will come just in time to celebrate Spike Jonze’s movie adaptation of the much-loved Maurice Sendak story, which comes out on October 16, 2009.  Check out the movie trailer here for inspiration on how to turn your gathering into a real Monster Mash. 

Happy Halloween!

Anniversary parties take place all year round, and are unique to each couple and family.  Every couple has their own love story, and celebrating that story makes for a truly special event. 
 
Inspired by our own parents’ anniversaries, GigMasters staff members realize how important it is to take the time to celebrate love and family.   
 
If you or your parents were married in the 1970’s, this upcoming wedding anniversary illuminates a lasting love, and certainly an occasion worth celebrating to the fullest.
 
You might consider hiring a 70’s Band, Funk Band, or a DJ, to help bring everyone back to an era of funk, soul, and arguably the most influential popular dance music in history.
 
Here are our top ten song picks that are sure to keep party guests out of their seats and on the dance floor: 
 
 
The GigMasters Top 10 70’s Party Songs:
 
1. Let It Whip – Dazz Band
2. Brick House – The Commodores
3. Superstition – Stevie Wonder
4. I Want You Back – The Jackson 5
5. Boogie Shoes – KC & the Sunshine Band
6. Let’s Groove – Earth, Wind & Fire
7. Celebration – Kool & The Gang
8. Bennie and the Jets – Elton John
9. Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
10. September – Earth, Wind & Fire

 

 

If you're newly engaged and starting to freak out about wedding costs, you're not alone. "Budget weddings" are all the rage. And, "budget" definitely doesn't mean cheap -- it means coming up with creative ideas to work with the resources you have.

I'm so inspired by the 13,000+ brides and grooms who have booked their wedding entertainment with us this past year. They are certainly feeling the budget crunch, spending on average $749, 8% less than in 2008. What's great is that they're finding unique ways to use entertainment to create a one-of-a-kind wedding day.

We recently released a study that shows just how this tough economy has impacted wedding entertainment choices. Some findings:

• 17% more couples are choosing variety acts like Elvis impersonators, magicians, and belly dancers.
  
• Solo acts like acoustic guitarists and harpists are up 44%.
• More couples are asking their reception entertainment to break down into smaller groups for the ceremony and cocktail hours.

To see the complete study, click here.

And, we want to thank all the sites who featured the findings from our study. Here's a few...we couldn't list them all!

OneWed.com

CNBC.com

WCBS NewsRadio

Streetinsider.com

Hollywoodindustry.com

Examiner.com

Forbes.com

WeddingPlanningAndAccessories.com

 

  

 After speaking with some of our top booked and highest rated performers, we have compiled some steps to follow when hiring an Acoustic Guitarist for your next event.

If you are choosing the authentic and unpretentious entertainment that an Acoustic Guitarist can provide, then you’ve got good taste.  But for those who are new to the looking/booking process, here are some tips to help you through the searching, negotiating, planning, and hiring of a quality entertainer.

1.  Before you start your search, figure out what’s most important to you.  What style of music are you hoping to hear?  Many of our performers are talented across different genres – rock, jazz, classical, Flamenco, pop, folk - but narrow your search to find the right fit.  Also, are you looking for an Acoustic Guitarist who is also a vocalist, or are you looking solely for instrumental music?  Vocals add a unique style and personality to a performance, so our next tip is extra important.

2.  Ask the performer for video samples, live audio tracks, and past client reviews.  To understand an Acoustic Guitarist’s true level of talent, you must take the time to watch or listen to past performances.  And make sure they are live recordings, not just studio tracks.  You should also look and ask for references.  Speaking with another party-planner, venue owner, or bride/groom about their experience with a particular performer will clear up a lot of the unknown – like the musician’s level of talent, and also their level of professionalism. 

3. Cover all the details.  Decide early how this performer will fit into your event.  Will they play an extended performance throughout your event, or shorter sets?  Will they be a central focus for your guests, or more background accompaniment?  This will make a discussion about performance duration and break time easier. 

Also, be sure to describe your venue.  While most Acoustic Guitarists bring their own equipment, they need to know if they will be playing indoors or outdoors.  Certain details may change a performer’s needs.  For example, an outdoor event may require the use of a battery powered amp, or an extension cord.  (Remember that you should always provide a chair, access to an electrical outlet, and sufficient lighting or shade to accommodate the performer.)

4. Go over the song selection.  If there are specific songs that you would like to hear, or specific songs that you would NOT like to hear, you should discuss this before your event.  Please note that special requests may require your performer to learn a new song, so you should give them enough time to do so. 

5. Be courteous to the performer you hire, especially if the individual you hire is traveling to your event destination.  Be sure to discuss travel or lodging expenses, and provide a parking space or proper/timely transportation to your event.  Depending on the type of event you are throwing, you should also offer food and beverage during their breaks, or after their performance has taken place.

Matthew Cutillo, a GigMasters member, describes the right Acoustic Guitarist perfectly:

“The performer should ooze with a reasonable excitement for their craft.”

So keep that in mind – good luck in your search, and have fun!

With summer soon coming to a close, you may feel the need to spend as much time outdoors as possible – by the beach, by the lake, or just your backyard.  Even if you live in a city, finding spots of greenery can be relaxing and rejuvenating. 

The atmosphere of the outdoors works wonders when throwing all types of parties – weddings, birthday celebrations, company picnics, and other corporate events.  When the main décor is your landscape, your event becomes whimsical.    

This is why we are spotlighting Botanical Gardens as a great idea for a party venue.  For one thing, you can find them located in and outside of cities across the country.  They also provide gorgeous indoor and outdoor spaces available all year round to visit, and to host your next event. 

The New York Botanical Garden advertises their seasonal exhibits, and also features a Children’s Adventure Garden.  This is a perfectly unique idea for your child’s next birthday party.  Hire a face painter or a magician to make this adventureland complete.

Many Botanical Gardens also boast banquet halls and patios ideal for wedding and anniversary celebrations.  At a special request, you can even have your ceremony take place in the garden landscape of your choice.  A solo guitarist, violinist, or a classical singer, would fit elegantly into this type of ceremony.

By hosting an event at a Botanical Garden, you are also supporting community greening projects, as well as laboratory research.  By becoming a member, you too can be involved in efforts to improve surrounding communities, and to better our environment.

Take some time to stop, have fun, get involved, and smell the flowers…           

Visit the American Public Gardens Association website and use their Public Garden Search to find a garden in your area.

    

 

Kick off your flip-flops and put on your party-planning hat, it's summer! The key to throwing a fabulous party is to choose a theme that starts at the invitation and carries through to the very end of the event. Here are three party theme ideas from GigMasters to get you in the mood for some summer fun:

1. Dancing Under the Stars Nothing says summer like a great barbecue, cold drinks, and groovin' music. With a little planning, you can turn the average backyard barbecue into an unforgettable party. It's the little details that will make all the difference. Instead of the standard cooler on the ground in the dark (we've all been there), give each couple a bucket with ice and two Corona's. And, don't just plug in your iPod, set up a dance floor, hire a DJ, and crank the summer tunes. You get the idea...here's our must-play list of Top 10 Summer Songs to inspire you. 
2. Fiesta! Get inspired by the colors, sounds, and flavors of Mexico, and put together a fiesta to remember. Have fun with the invitations, use bright, bold colors to set the mood. At the party, hand every guest as they arrive a glass of colorful sangria. Mexican food is so easy to make for a crowd (or cater in from your local Mexican restaurant). And, of course, no Fiesta is complete without a strolling mariachi.
3. Hula, Hula – If recreating a Hawaiian luau in your backyard seems overwhelming, you must read on. There are simple ways for you to do your own twist on the traditional Hawaiian luau. Instead of a whole roasted pig, for example, serve pulled pork mini-sandwiches on a beautiful plate, adorned with tropical flowers. Tiki torches and Hawaiian cocktails in chimney glasses or coconut cups, will sure set the tone. And, just when your guests have completely settled in, surprise them with hula dancers or belly dancers. A 30-minute show will be the perfect finale to your exotic evening.

 

Have a party!

Marissa Latshaw, a member of the GigMasters team, was recently featured on Precious Nuptials & Destinations:: Coffee Break with the Wedding Planner. 

Take a look at what Marissa recommends for couples who want to use entertainment to put a personal stamp on their wedding day.  Both Marissa and Precious agree, it's all about celebrating what makes the couple unique!

Precious Nuptials & Destinations is a Houston, Texas-based wedding and event planning boutique.  Precious Richardson's blog is a great source of creative inspiration and practical advice for wedding planning professionals.  And, yes, that's her real name!

You might be surprised to hear that requests for Variety Entertainment at weddings has increased by 17% this past year.  But we found an article by Erika Lovley of POLITICO.com that shares some interesting info about prominent political figures making it onto the guest list for hundreds of weddings, even graduation parties, each year.
 
Lovley writes:
 
“The White House has received a range of invitations, occasionally with a letter from or a picture of the couple tucked inside.  Even save the dates have arrived.  The White House typically responds with a congratulatory note stamped with an official seal that many brides covet as a scrapbook centerpiece.”

So how does this new trend fit in with GigMasters Variety Entertainment?  It’s all about clients getting the next best thing: Celebrity Impersonators.

And it just so happens that GigMasters recently sent two Sales Representatives, Rick and Alfred, to the 9th Annual Celebrity Impersonators Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Rick tells us firsthand about the experience, the talent, and the new members to GigMasters.com:

“What a trip – literally.  Last month, we were privileged to mingle and schmooze with some of the world’s finest celebrity impersonators, look-a-likes, and tribute acts.  It was an honor to finally meet some of our current members, with whom we had previously only spoken to through email or over the phone for so long. 

Alfred and I attended on behalf of GigMasters.  Alfred was mistaken for a Dustin Hoffman Impersonator on more than one occasion, which surely can’t be a bad thing.  (Unless, of course, they were referring to the hit movie “Rain Man” and the scene with Hoffman playing Blackjack.) 

Now, we all know that Impersonators are entertainers who look, dress, speak, and behave just like our favorite celebrities.  These Celebrity Impersonators entertain us with their great talent, and also fill that nostalgia for the real thing.  Whether they impersonate a celebrity that may have passed away, or one that is still living, these professionals are superb at what they do, and never cease to amaze us.

Although the timeless phrase, “What Happens in Vegas – Stays in Vegas,” may just be a little bit true, we did take home a great deal of insight, and many new signups.  We also had a great time!  We met everyone from Robert DeNiro and Michael Jackson, to Sarah Palin, and more than one Barack Obama.” – Rick

You can find a complete list of our Celebrity Impersonators and Look-a-likes here.  We at GigMasters think that hiring an Impersonator to make an appearance at your reception, graduation party, corporate dinner, or birthday celebration – is way better than getting turned down by the celebrity.  Instead of filling your scrapbook with a decline to your invitation, fill it with some great pictures, and even better memories.