This Monday I received a cancellation from a client who had confirmed a booking just before sending the agreement back.
She initially wanted a pianist and a Sinatra tribute, after numerous emails she decided not to book the Sinatra tribute. She wanted to just book the pianist. She then confirmed this and we sent out the contract and the invoice.
Below are few of her emails that I have picked. This one went for 49emails, I had one with 80+ before is started this blog.
So please, if you do want to book an act, please ensure you do have the budget. Thanks.
Hi, (email number 1)
I was hoping you maybe able to help me.
I am looking for two musicians to play in Farringdon on Saturday 28th June, for my brothers wedding.
Between 3.30pm-5.30 pm we require a Ray Charles style pianist (they wont need to sing but we’d like the soul style) and between 6pm-8pm we would like a Frank Sinatra singer (I saw Kevin on the website and think he looks exactly what we’re after).
Would anyone be available on that date and what is the fee?
Hi , (email 5)
The pianist sounds good - could we have all the info? thanks.
Is there another Frank Sinatra act available for that date? we would definately be interested.
Hi, (email 30)
This sounds good. I haven’t worked out the exact timings with the venue yet - and am speaking to them next week though. The 2 x 45 min sets for the pianist would be between 3.30 and 5.30pm as stated below. Then I need to work out the best 1 hour time slot for the sinatra singer/pianist (it would be better for them to do 1 x 1 hour - not 2 x 45 min sets - does this change the price at all?). If the timing does fit at all - then we’d probably have just the pianist earlier on. How much would that then be?
Do they provide their own piano? And sound equipment? Or, do I need to let you know what the venue provides sound-wise themselves?
Is it possible for both the artists to wear black tie?
Can I hear a sample of the pianists work - or just a list of the soul songs he normally plays? I’d like it to be ray charles inspired - or similar - certainly no jazz as neither of us like jazz at all.
Finally, do I need to give you a deposit - and if so, how much and by when?
Many thanks
Hi (email number 30 something)
Thanks for this additional info.
I think I am fitting too much into the day/evening - so am going to just have a pianist - not the frank sinatra singer anymore - sorry about that.
So, does the £200 quote include playing from 3.30 - 5 and for 45 mins around 7.30 too?
Does the pianist wear a jewish cap - it looks a little bit like it from the photo? I would prefer not - as it is a christian wedding?
He is stated as a jazz pianist. Can he do the whole lot without 1 jazz number - and focus on black soul music such as ray charles stuff?
thanks
email 40 something
Excellent - please book him in for us then! I’ll contact him too - do you know how much deposit he requires - or do I need to give this to you?
Hi, (email number 49)
I’m sorry but as the wedding cost creeps ever upwards we’ve decided to have a cd playing instead of a live pianist.
Thanks for all your help anyway.
Kind regards
I can appreciate your frustration with booking gigs and having them fall through.
I am organising a concert of my music in early June and the frustration in hunting for a hall was much the same. The first place I wanted, agreed to the booking, but when I went to put down the deposit, someone else had brought their deposit in first. The second choice agreed to reserve the spot for me, yet when I arrived with the deposit they had a different date and time secured and the date I wanted wasn’t available. Eventually (the fourth choice) came through and has (in many respects) been a real find - so things worked out in the end. But still, the anxiety of finding, losing, finding, losing…. was a bit much.
Good luck with it all though…