Swingin' Dance Band

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Make your event memorable , hire a “live” band for your entertainment. Whether it is for listening or dancing, there is something exciting about hearing a live band perform. The musicians performing create an energy that is contagious and draws people in. Each year millions of people pay large amounts of money to attend concerts of their favorite performers because they want to feel that energy. Social events are about human interaction. The live musicians react to each other and the audience, there is a give and take that naturally engages the audience’s participation. Your guests will prefer the live music. In fact, the music is usually the most memorable part of the event. Each performance is fresh, bringing a new experience every time they play.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. The arrangements were written by the leader specifically for the instrumentation. They sound great with a big full sound. Many bands like this play "big band" arrangements without all the parts covered. they sound weak and incomplete. Our band has years of experience performing a wide variety of music with great custom arrangements.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Ask for a song list and a sample of the performance. Even a great band can be a disappointment if they play the wrong music for a particular group of people. If they like country & western they might not like R&B or Jazz. Be sure you know what sort of music you want. Many wedding bands. like ours, can cover a wide variety of styles.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Question: How long does the band play and do you take any breaks?
Answer: Typically, we play a 4-hour dance for wedding receptions. We would take 3 short (15 mins/ea.) breaks during the night. For other jobs, if we play longer then 90 minutes, then we would take a break. We take a break every hour after the 1st hour. During the breaks we play recorded music. We can play your CD's if requested. The band can be booked to play continuous, which means 2-3 additional musicians will be hired to play on the breaks.

Question: How can I check to see if you're available?
Answer: First, check the schedule page, if we aren't booked, then send me an email with your date and location and I will let you know if that date is still open. I play with many different groups in the area, so I might be busy with another group. I don't put down the time of my outside gigs, so If I have one listed, please check with me on the time. I might be able to do your job also.

Question: How can I hear the Band?
Answer: First, check the schedule for the next public gig. If there isn't one listed in the near future, then send me an email and I will send you out a demo CD. There are some musical examples on the band's page. You can also check the song list for the band to see what type of music they play.

Question: I really like a song that is not on your arrangement list, would you be willing to learn it for me?
Answer: Absolutely, As long as the song is in a style that we play. (we don't play any AC DC, etc.) We will be asking you what songs you want for a first dance and father/daughter dance, etc. If we don't play the song, we make every effort to learn it. I can't guarantee that we will learn all the songs you request, but I will let you know if a song just can't be played.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Question: Can you hold a date for me?
Answer: Here's what we do: you request a date, we discuss where we are playing and how many musicians are needed. I will send you out 2 copies of our contract. You will return one signed copy to me with the retainer (20%) and I will sign it and return it to you with a statement acknowledging the retainer. We will then hold the date for you. The balance of our fee is due on the date of the performance. If we get another request for the same date and we haven't received your signed contract and deposit yet, I will let you know. We can only hold a date if we have the signed contract & deposit.
Question: Do we need to sign a contract or do you require a deposit? Answer: Yes & Yes. As stated above, a signed contract and 20% deposit is required for every job we play. It is for the protection of both parties involved.

Question: Do we have to make arrangements to feed the band?
Answer: For Weddings, typically the band is fed. It doesn't have to be the same food that you are feeding your guests. Sometimes, the caterer will let the band go through the buffet line after all the guests have or a light meal (or boxed lunch) is prepared for the musicians. This is not a requirement. If it is a problem for you or the caterer, let me know and we can make other arrangements.

Question: Do you need to be paid in full before the engagement?
Answer: No, as I stated above, payment is full in due by the end of the engagement. We do require a check or money order made out to: Sheley Musical Services by the end of the performance.

Question: How do you handle overtime requests?
Answer: Overtime rates are quoted in the contract. Typically they are quoted at $25 per hr and $15 per 1/2hr (per musician). We extend the job in 1/2 hour or 1 hr increments. You have us for the night, so overtime is never a problem. we'll play as long as your guests are having a good time.

Question: Do you accept credit cards?
Answer: We are not currently setup to take credit cards. Although, I do take payment by Paypal (which can be by credit card) for my arranging. If you need to pay by credit card, let me know and I will see if we can work it out. Payment would need to be in full before the engagement, by this method.

Question: Do we select all the songs from your play list and put them in order?
Answer: Here's how it works: About 4 weeks before your reception we will send you an updated songlist, or you can download it from the band's page, which will include all of our most recently learned songs. We ask you to select up to 10 "must play" songs, that is, those songs that you really want to dance to or feel very strongly about. We will also ask you to select 30-50 songs that you think you, your guests, family, and friends will enjoy. Finally, we will ask you to indicate any songs you don't want us to play. When you return this list to us, we will put together a rough setlist based on your selections. Based on the styles of music you have selected, we may also fill in some songs of a similar nature that are pretty much guaranteed crowd pleasers, (unless of course the selection is on your "don't play" list). The band is quite flexible as far as what is played and when. As the reception progresses, we will be taking requests from your guests, and we will honor those requests, if we can. We will also be "reading" the crowd, to see which songs are receiving the best response. It is this experience in reading a group that sets the Band apart from other Bands or DJ's that play the same songs in the same order all the time.

Question: What information do you need from us in advance of the reception?
Answer: Since every wedding is different, we don't need the same information from everybody. However, as a general rule, here are some of the pieces of information we look for:
Itinerary for the reception. What time do guests arrive, what time is meal served, cake cut, etc.
Will the entire wedding party be introduced? If so, we need the list of names in advance. Just to be safe please include phonetic pronunciations for some of the more difficult names. We'll go over this list with you before the event to ensure names are pronounced properly.
When is the first dance, right after introductions or after the meal? What song?
Will there be a Father/Daughter Dance? What song?
Is there a separate Mother / Son Dance, or is there just going to be one "Parent Dance" where we invite Mother / Son up halfway through the Father / Daughter song?
When will the Parent Dance occur...after the First Dance, after dinner, or at some other point?
Will there be a Bouquet Toss? Will there also be a Garter toss? When will this occur?
Is there a toast that will be offered? Who will be doing it?
Will there be a blessing / grace offered just before dinner?
Are there any special rules or requirements for the band imposed by the facility? Examples might be carpets for hardwood floors, early or last minute load-in due to room availability, specific set up and break down times, specific volume requirements, etc.

Question: How long does it take you to set-up?
Answer: Much depends on the facility we will be performing in of course, but in general it takes about 45 minutes to get the PA system set up and ready to go.
The setup crew typically arrives two hours prior to the contracted start time, to ensure that everything is ready to go before any guests arrive, and to give the band time to change for the performance. However, we have in the past been able to get the full band set up in as little as 30-45 minutes with sufficient advance notice. Note that Downtown Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison hotels often require longer load in periods, as access is more severely restricted and finding parking for the band's vehicles can take some time.