Planning Guide
Every step you take: Planning Guide.
A step-by-step guide for planning your event, from booking to the last dance.
The full walkthrough
Planning Your Event.
You've got your hands full planning your event — a Buckhead rehearsal dinner, a Lake Lanier sunset cruise, a Midtown holiday party for your clients. Mike makes sure the music aspect is stress free.
Booking
You picked a date, locked in the venue, and you're ready to book. Mike will send you a simple contract. Need changes? No problem! Maybe you are in early planning stages, and just want Mike to hold the date. Also no problem.
Song Selection
Talk to Mike about the vibe you want. He will tailor a set list to match the flow. For example, if you want music during dinner, Mike can play chill instrumentals. Or maybe you want high energy from song number one - it's all good. The songs Mike currently plays most often are listed on the Songs page.
Have a theme for your party? Mike has done Yacht Rock, 70's, 80's, Latin instrumentals, even French music! Advance warning — No opera!
If you have song requests, please discuss that early on. Mike is constantly adding songs to his repertoire, and some of his favorites were requests. But lead time is helpful - learning all the parts and crafting that into a looping performance can take 40-60 hours for a complex song!
For your wedding processional / recessional and first dances, Mike can help you select the perfect songs. For this part of the event, it often works best to play the original song on his iPad.
Volume
Mike will dial the volume exactly where you want it. He's played with guests easily having a conversation 5 feet in front of the speakers! And it still sounded like your stereo. On the flip side, if you want to rock out, his PA has plenty of horsepower.
Load-In
Mike generally arrives 1.5 hours in advance for load-in and setup. Please let him know if there is a long haul from where he'll park, if security check-in is needed, or if any challenges accessing the party area (e.g. a lot of stairs). Not a problem, he just wants to plan enough time.
Equipment
Mike provides everything — all instruments, PA and lighting. He brings an iPad with a variety of playlists to keep the flow going when he's not performing.
Do you want to play music on your phone, laptop or iPad? Can do.
Stage Area
Mike doesn't need a stage, unless you'd prefer to set one up. He only needs about 10×10 feet of space, and one electrical outlet. If need be, he can squeeze in fairly tight — it's fun to play close-in with your guests!
Weather
If you want Mike to play outside, please plan a backup spot in case it's raining or cold. If there's any chance of rain, we should go to Plan B. A "game day decision" is OK.
Speeches, Toasts, Announcements
You're welcome to use Mike's microphone for speeches and toasts, or if you have an auctioneer.
He can also do announcements ("Dinner is served! Last Dance! Martians have landed!"), and emcee for you.
Insurance
Mike carries liability insurance, which is required for many corporate events.
Ready to plan?
Let's talk about your event.
Tell Mike about the date, guest count, location, and the vibe you're going for. He'll come back with availability, a quote and next steps.