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BAND SHOPPING TIPS    PAGE 1 OF 6

 

The information in this section is advice on booking bands for weddings, parties, and other special events. It is neither a discussion of musical tastes, nor a listing of bands, but it is intended help you understand the entertainment business, as you seek the perfect band for your event. Information that relates to any law issue is not intended as legal counsel. State and local laws vary.

 

Learn the language...  
The first-time entertainment buyer may feel like he's in a foreign country, with unfamiliar language and customs.

Purchaser: Contract language for the buyer of services, meaning YOU when you hire a band.

Seller: Contract language for the business selling you the services. This may be the band itself, their agent, or a contractor.

Agent: The band's hired representative who handles their business deals. His relationship to you is basically "salesman."

Contractor: Union terminology for a role somewhat similar to an agent. To you, he's still a "salesman."

Cooperative booking: One agent books a band through another agent, who is actually the one authorized to represent the band. Both get paid out of your pocket, one way or another.

Exclusive representation: Only one agency is authorized to represent the band. Cooperative booking may allow other agencies access to the band.

Independent band: A band which handles all its own bookings.  Sometimes refers to a band which handles some of its own bookings.

Continuous music: A performance in which the band takes no breaks, or in some way provides non-stop music for the entire event.

Overtime: Any extension of the performance time specified in the original contract. Hourly rates might be higher for overtime.

Finder's fee: Money paid to an individual or company for successfully steering a customer to a particular seller. Also called "referral fee" or "kickback."

 

Your first contact with a band or agent...
How you handle your first phone call or visit to an agent or band leader seller may determine the price you will pay for his services. Keep your eyes and ears open, and it's best to keep your lips buttoned. Don't tell them who you've already talked to, who you're calling next, or when you'll be calling them. 

 

Look for signs of a "negotiable-price" seller...
The most obvious sign is unwillingness to discuss anything until they know your address, phone number, music budget, number of guests and event location. Not all this information is necessary to find you the right band - it's mostly for finding out how deep your pockets are.

They really only need to know the type of event, the location, and your tastes in music.

 

Ask the seller to discuss the bands he represents... 
Don't give a budget figure. "I don't know yet" is the most you need to give. Ask for band names and the exact price of each band. Ask for promo kits and song lists for each band that interests you, then watch the videos at home. Say you're shopping around, but don't say where.

 

Avoid this trap...
Don't put a "hold" on a band you like. Putting a hold on a band for your date seems like a smart move, until you realize that the "hold" option is offered only to keep you from shopping for a better price on the same band.  

If you call a different agency tomorrow, they won't quote you a price, because that band is already taken for your date... which is because the first agency is holding the band out of circulation... for you!   Oops.

 

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