5 Important Things To Know When Selecting The Best Possible Band For Your Wedding Day!
Guest Feature: Steve Memmolo & The Classic Yellow
At a Martha's Vineyard Wedding a few years back I discovered the wedding and event band, "Steve Memmolo & The Classic Yellow." They impressed me so much that despite listening to many other bands over the years at wedding receptions that I've photographed, I still always recommend The Classic Yellow. They are stylish, classy, their sound is amazing and their ability to get the dance floor moving is incredible. I knew right away when I started researching for Free Resources: Tips for Wedding Planning by industry professionals, I needed to have Steve Memmolo write the article for hiring a band.
Steve has provided 5 tips for choosing the perfect band for your big day as an exclusive article for Jenee Cook Photography wedding couples. Check out Steve Memmolo & The Classic Yellow's work, you will seriously be impressed!
Hello Everybody :) My name is Steve Memmolo, and I'm the lead singer, owner, and operator of the party band known as The Classic Yellow. We’ve been playing at weddings, events, & clubs in the greater Boston area since 2008! Of those, I’d estimate we’ve done 250+ weddings over the years.
- First things first: When you hire a live band a lot of times you are getting a combined playing & gigging experience of up to 100 years or more! Most musicians have also studied their craft at the collegiate level or beyond. It’s a cohesive and collective effort, playing songs together in real-time with instruments they have spent most of their life mastering. This is also something to keep in mind when considering a DJ. Don’t get me wrong, DJ’s are great, in fact I was DJ-ing on the side all through college... just understand the price gap. One guy playing pre-recorded music versus 5 to 8+ people collaborating on a tailor made performance for your day.
- If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is: Make sure to go see your band play together live before you hire them. It should be easy to find multiple examples of their performances and promo material, in the form of videos & photos, etc. online. If there isn’t much out there it doesn’t mean they aren’t good, but maybe just less experienced or not much reputation yet.That’s fine, but know what you’re getting. Inquire about the singers you want for your day. Ask if the ones you see in the video are the same ones you’ll be getting? A lot of wedding band websites offer you an amazing price, but the members you see in their examples are just that, the actual band is pieced together and/or don’t play together regularly. The price of the band is usually dictated by the singers you want on the gig, if you specify any members then you will likely be paying more. That being said...
- Get it in writing: Make sure the terms of agreement are laid out in plain english and you feel good about what you are getting into. If there is something you don’t like or want adjusted, ask! Be wary of agreements that are less than a paragraph or more than 3 pages. It should be pretty straightforward. I’ve only missed one gig in 10 years, due to illness… never a wedding, but you should know what the liability for you and the band is, in case of an emergency. Know your options and don’t sign anything you aren’t comfortable with. A 50% deposit down upfront is standard practice… this is for both parties insurance and safety.
- Music: Ask for a copy of the band’s full repertoire and be familiar with their style of music. I.e. If you love country, don’t hire a Motown group and ask them to play all country songs. Know the artists and genres of music you want for your day, it’s ok to be a little specific. Narrow down the music you want but also don’t try to dictate the exact songs, their exact order etc. There is a good amount of reading the crowd and the mood of the room, even though I will write a set list and flow for the evening. Also, discuss the possibility of learning any special songs for your dances. Keep in mind, most bands will include a free song or two, and then charge per each extra song they have to learn after that.
- Have Fun: This applies not only to your wedding day, but throughout the process. It’s easy to get stressed as the months and days draw near, but try not to transfer that to your band. Your point person throughout the process; be it the owner, band leader, or management company team member, will be able to field your questions and concerns. Just remember, this is a celebration! You want the band to have fun too. Dictating every move and down to the minute schedules can set up a constricting and tricky dynamic that is counter productive to the fun-making we want to give you. Don’t forget that we are here to help you and we want you to enjoy the process too, so have faith in that. If you’ve hired an amazing group, be confident in them and their abilities.
How to book Steve Memmolo & The Classic Yellow for your Wedding or Event:
Email: theClassicYellow@gmail.com
Website: https://www.musicmanage.com/artists/Classic-Yellow
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