Since the majority of my jobs have been weddings, anniversaries, parties ECT --- When asked if they could sing my answer was always the same: �If you would like to sing I must ask the people who hired me first. If they say it is OK it will be fine with me.�

I would tell the people who hired me that their party was going well ; the people are having a good time � and that I would not like to have someone perform that would change the mood in the room; but if you want them to sing I will tell them that you said it was OK.

When I visited the people who wanted to hire my band I always added this subject in my presentation.

Rarely did I get a Yes, let them sing. I�d go back to the person and tell them that the host said that they would rather that would not sing.

I�m enjoy my life, John C.

PS, Just a thought. This is not to edify myself or brag in any manner but I would like to share what I did when I booked a party for my band.

Playing Rules for parties. The Music Union set them. (That�s about the only thing they did that was good. Ooops, there was one more. Each room had a required number of musicians that must play the job without getting special permission.

Play 45 on and 15 off.
Continuous music � 55 minutes on the hour.
Price per man and double for the leader.

My presentation:
1-Using $125 per man: Three men and a leader $500. Got an OK.
2-If you wish the band could play Continuous; 55 minutes on the hour. This will keep your guests alive and moving.
3-The cocktail hour � the hour proceeding the party; normally in a different smaller room, will set a mood of eating, talking, and laughing before entering the catering hall. Having music at the cocktail hour will set the mood for what you have prepared for them in the main hall.
$125.00 four hours
50.00 Continuous music
65.00 Cocktail hour (Two men)
$240.00 for the two men who also played the cocktail hour
$175.00 for the other two men.
The charge for overtime was $65.00 per man.

Hmmmmm, I'm doing it again -- us old guys just love telling our stories. (smile)

John C.




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