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.

A New Orleans Band to Play For Your Corporate Event Music Or Gala Entertainment

DO YOU NEED FLOWERS AT YOUR EVENT?

Yes. No. Maybe. It depends.

No one NEEDS flowers but as you create an environment conducive to being in harmony with your goals and desires (think feng shui), then flowers may add an excellent detail to the room or space. Maybe a few roses here or a few hydrangeas there. Maybe a room full of flowers, but whatever you choose, it will have an impact on your space and hence your guests.

Music is similar, weather it s for a corporate event or non-profit gala. It can do many things from add to the atmosphere to entertaining a small group or it may even provide for social interaction. Dancing is always a nice way to meet and interact with people. It provides for some non-verbal input; a way to evaluate social skills, or it may pull people to your event. Think about what a celebrity named entertainer could do to help you draw a crowd.

When selecting musical entertainment, the first things to consider are your vision and  goal. Is it to raise funds, thank patrons, raise awareness or all three? Also consider space, number of guest, the "feel" for the event and if some level of music would enhance that event.

Then consider the budgets. There's the food budget, decor (flowers) budget, room rental budget, and printing budget. Music is one of those items.

If you'd like to discuss musical styles and their influence on events, then give us a call. Perhaps we can be of help, or point you in the right direction or maybe just offer some friendly advice and suggestions. In any event, (Ok. That's a REALLY bad pun!) give us a call. We're happy to talk about your vision and what we can do to help.

From annual galas to benefit dinners, JMO understands relationships and how to play for parties. Our goal is to allow you as the event planner to focus on your mission. We are proud of our ties to so many wonderful non-profit organizations that return year after year to allow us to entertain at their most significant fundraising events.

Brides Are The Star of The Show

Simply put, the Bride is the star of the show. It is her day, her choices and her memoires for the rest of her life. For us, it's about utilizing our skills as host and entertainers by using our professional equipment and havning a backup plan for any situation. Our entire focus is on creating the event that you have planned. When looking for wedding band music for your reception, ask about the sound equipment the band will use. Not all venues can use a "big" sound system nor do you want a pair of 12" speakers for the ballroom of a major hotel. It's important to match the right equipment to the right situarion.

Speaking of having the right equipment. If you're thinking of videographers, we suggest you look at 

• Bob Eutsler Productions - https://www.facebook.com/BobEutslerProductions
• Welliver Wedding Videography - http://www.welliverproductions.com/

for video memories that will live forever. They know how to capture the bride and the wedding band music along with the guests who will party forever thanks to them.

Please give us a call if we can help! 

Wedding Band Tips When Booking Music

Do you wanna dance? Do you want your guests to dance? If you’re thinking of a Latin wedding band or swing wedding band we can pick up the beat. If you’d like a more sophisticated feel, perhaps a jazz wedding band or cover band that plays Broadway show tunes might be the choice for wedding reception music.

Finding the right band for weddings is a challenge, but JMO makes it easy and fun! 

Five tips for planning your dream day wedding with the perfect wedding music.

1. Listen to audio and/or watch video of the wedding band you have in mind.

2. Communicate the details of your reception with the band leader.

3. Book early. A great wedding music band may be booked 12 to 18 months in advance.

4. After you Get a contract, be sure to read it carefully. Most wedding bands will also require a deposit to secure the date.

5. Follow up with your wedding band as you get closer to your date and make sure your wedding band knows exactly what you are thinking!