6 Tips for Booking Great Corporate Event Entertainment

At JMO, we've been producing entertainment for more than a few decades. Our extensive experience gives us a particular vantage point on the field, and today we'd like to offer a few things you might not have thought to consider as you book music for a business affair.

So, what should you look for in a band? Here are 6 tips to choosing the perfect entertainment for a corporate event!

1. Make sure the song list is what you are looking for

A good first step is to the song list of the band you're considering. Most bands post a list of songs on their website but the question to ask yourself is “what am I looking for”? A good place to start is by organization of the song list. Does it make sense? How is it grouped, by decades, by artist, by genre? Or is half of the listed devoted to original music? For most corporate events, original music is not what you have in mind. You’re looking for a band that covers the popular genre(s) that appeal to your guests. It may be a blue-collar good time country music party which can include old and new country songs along with cajun and zydeco music.

2. Consider if you want a "themed" event, and if the band can enhance that

JMO plays the JAFRA convention in New Orleans, July 2013It may be that you're taking your corporate event to the next level and hosting an upper-end awards banquet that rewards top sales associates or devisions. In this case you may want Broadway style or Academy Award type theme music. Some companies will go even heavier down the "theme night" route (i.e. James Bond themed entertainment, Dixieland jazz band with a classic second line, etc.), which can be a fun way to make "just another convention" actually a pretty fun party. The point is matching the right band for the right set of circumstances. You may want to consider a band that focuses on a wide variety of entertainment. These types of groups are known to play just about anything, anytime and anywhere. 

3. Things to look for in the band's video

Ok, you’ve checked the song list and decided on the genre of the party, but what does the band look like? Or, what do they sound like? Check their photos and video pages of their website. Do they wear various costumes? Costumes is a term borrowed from the theatrical world, but in band lingo means a wide variety of things. Your concern is do they show up in boots to a black tie affair (thank you Garth Brooks!). Do they wear tuxedos and formal gowns, or do are they bluejeans/flannel/t-shirts to a formal event? There’s nothing that says you can’t mix and match these concepts now-a-days. It's just important to remember that 1) it’s your decision, and 2)  you should be aware of these variables as you book the entertainment.  

4. Can this band create the right atmosphere for the party?

Remember, the band is a major driver in the "feel" of the evening and of your event. The band is often on stage all night, and will at some point have the focus every event attendee (including your boss and co-workers) as the evening progresses. 

The entertainment you choose also drives the energy of the audience which is something else you can secretly check out in the videos. It's easy to get a feel for the band, but equally important is to watch for how the crowd is reacting to the band. Is this the one time each year when your company gets to let loose (dance all night, sing along, participate in line dances, be pulled up on stage) or the only chance to have meaningful conversations outside of the office (network, enjoy the background music, connect with the CEO at a sophisticated and timeless party)? It's your choice, but remember that the band you hire will make all the difference! 

5. Reviews, press clippings, and good feedback from peers

You’re right, no body uses press clippings any more. What an archaic term that has become. But most bands also have their online equivalent called “comments”  or “reviews.”  This is that peer review process that has come to work so well. Are they drawing good reviews on their website? How many followers do they have on Facebook? Are they on other social media sites? Do they have comments or subscribers on YouTube? This is not a tell all or end all decision maker for the band but it will offer you some guidance. 

6. Flexibility and attention to detail

Be sure to ask the band if they are flexible in terms of set up, break time, green room accommodations and most of all, volume levels. There’s nothing worse than the band that won’t turn down the volume while people are having dinner conversation. Conversely, your party can be a dud if the band can’t step up to the plate (so to speak) and take the evening to the next level once the crowd has finished dinner. That’s the time to kick up your heels and dance the night away. 

Final Thoughts

Does the band have a profile that includes: photos, video, audio, and song list? Do they have recommendations and or comments critiquing or thanking them for a great job? Do they seem able to provide exactly the kind of evening you were imagining in terms of dress, theme, dancing, and logistical flexibility? If you take care of all of these variables in advance, you're all set to have a great party that will keep business flowing all year long.

If you're in the New Orleans area or would like to book JMO for your next business affair anywhere in the nation, check out our corporate event music page to give you an idea of what JMO can offer. Whether you choose us or someone else, best of luck in your search and we hope you have a great party!

How to Choose Wedding Reception Music

While you may be the biggest music fan on the planet, when it comes to picking music for your wedding reception it's often difficult to make a decision! Many of our brides struggle with narrowing down exactly what type of music they for their special day. JMO provides wedding band music, for a wide variety of occasions, but maybe we're not the band for you! To help you make this important decision, we've created the following set of guidelines. We hope it helps!

NARROW BY GENRE: If you like a certain style of music (rock band, jazz band, blues band), then it's a good idea to search for that style of entertainment. Trust that your family and friends will like the type of music that you like - while keeping in mind age range and different backgrounds of your guests. Most good bands are experts in a certain type of style, but can occasionally throw in a special request to make grandma happy or switch to an iPod on a break to keep the kids dancing. 

FINDING THE RIGHT BAND: You have an idea of what type of music you want to hear - but how do you find THE band? When it comes to booking a band, check out websites designed for live entertainment. One of the most popular sites is Gigmasters. A similar site is Gigsalad. Both of the websites have put the relevant information of groups on their sites so that you can determine the crucial details for your booking. Other wedding websites list vendors, but they don't focus exclusively on live entertainment. Regardless of where you find them, you should be able to view video clips and hear audio of any band's performance either through the band's website or YouTube.

WHAT TO EXPECT - AT THE PARTY: Most wedding bands offer a variety of music; some bands have a pre-determined set list while others can "read the dance floor." It's up to you how much you want to control the playlist through conversations (or emails) with the band before the wedding or how much you want to leave it up to them. This is a personal choice: good bands are comfortable "driving" a party, but remember that they work for you! If you have special requests, it's a good idea to let the band know ahead of time so they can prepare sheet music and have proper instrumentation. 

MAKE AN OFFER: Inquire about the price of the band but remember you can make an offer based on your budget. There are no firm and fast prices out there, and a good band will negotiate with you based on your needs. See if there are additional details you may need to provide for the band (staging, electricity, a dressing room also known as a green room). If your offer is accepted, the band should provide a detailed contract and may ask you to put down a deposit. If you and the artist accept the terms of the contract and pay a deposit, then you are contractually obligated to go forward. If the artist declines, then there is no further obligation and your deposit is yours to keep. Be careful. Once the contract is signed and the deposit is received by the band, it's like saying "I Do!" 

FINAL DETAILS: You want to be sure the band has all the contact information for your wedding planner on the day of the event. It is often necessary to have someone coordinating the music between ceremony and reception, so if you have two different sets of musicians make sure they're communicating with each other and the wedding planner so everything goes smoothly. If you don't have a wedding planner, our advice is to appoint one. It could be someone in the bridal party or a relative, but it should be someone with a level head who can keep a perspective while you enjoy the day. There is nothing like the magic in the air when the right act and a well produced event come together.

Above all, remember to have fun! It's your special day, and you should be able to enjoy the reception along with your family and friends while having the wedding you always dreamed of. 

And of course, if you think JMO can help - give us a call.

JMO: The Premier Party Band in the New Orleans Music Scene.

When it comes to being the premier New Orleans party band, JMO has been at the top for decades. Why? Because of the variety of music we provde. From New Orleans jazz, swing dance music in the style of Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr, Michael Buble´ to corporate events looking for a New Orleans party rock sound, JMO has answered the call time and time again. 

The band is a nine-piece band based in New Orleans featuring a powerful horn section with vocals that keep your feet tapping and fingers snapping. The perfect combination of raw energy, polish, and sheer entertainment value makes this group ideal for your next coprorate event.

Whether performing at the Audubon Golf Clubhouse, the Audubon Tea Room, or Jackson Square, JMO is perfect for wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, engagement parties and Mardi Gras parties.

Weddings may be intimate or grandiose, romantic or rockin', indoors or outdoors, but whatever the occasion JMO plays for your magical evening. 

Contact JMO for the premier party band in the New Orleans Music scene.

Are You Searching for a "Cover Band" or a "Dance Band"

The terms "cover band" and "dance band" can mean different things to different people. OR! They may be interchangeable in your mind. Here's one point of vue.

Cover Bands (and by the way, we're talking in terms of "New Orleans Cover Bands") tend to do record copy and work off of a predetermined list. Most of the musicians in these type of groups tend to be weekend warriors who play music as a sideline and because it's fun. There's nothing wrong with all of that. They can do a great job and might be the right thing for your party.

 (again, think "New Orleans Dance Bands"), tend to play some (or alot) of cover tunes but also offer their own arrangements of certain songs particularly when it comes to standards or jazz tunes. The musicians in these groups tend to be educated in the field, professional in the work habits and attitude toward your event, and capable of "reading the crowd". Perhaps a very important point when it comes to your New Orleans Wedding Band Music. 

If you'd like to hear more about the differences, give us a call! 

When Does a Gala Band Help with Non-Profits?

The end result is not always known when we play for galas and fundraisering benifits, so it's nice to get feedback from time to time. It turns out in this instance that we were able to help "Gunning For A Cure Prostate Cancer Resarch Funraiser" to raise $104,000 to help men's prostate help. We couldn't be more pleased.

The funds will help genetic research in this area, a program started years ago to by the Perez family who experienced the effects of this insideious desease. 

If we can help Tulane Cancer Center, or the LSU Alumni Medical Association at there fundrasing gala, our band (JMO) would be happy to help you do so as well. Check out our gala band page, you'll be glad you did.!

JM