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FSS: What is the most important thing an entertainment buyer
needs to consider when he/she is booking a band?
CW: Carefully consider your objectives and demographics.
When choosing entertainment for an after dinner show or
dance, consider the age group, socio-economic and ethnic
make up of your audience. This is especially important
when considering a Celebrity Artist as a drawing card for
your conference. Unless you have a specific theme in
mind, when buying a dance band, choose one with a repertoire
spanning a variety of good danceable tunes from the 60’s,
70’s, 80’s, and current pop favorites. This format
generally works for an audience of 35-60 year olds.
Buy your talent from a reputable source like your Producer.
He/she has worthy contacts nationally and can hone in on the
most appropriate talent for your event.
FSS: Are there advantages to using a producer versus going
direct? If so, what are they?
CW: Absolutely! In a word…insurance! When you buy direct,
you are merely placing an order and are responsible for
producing the show yourself. Staging, sound and lighting
production, backline rental, transportation, lodging,
hospitality, contract rider requirements and legal issues
all fall on your shoulders. Should any issues evolve to
where the Artist is not able to perform, you’re in trouble!
You have nowhere to go! You have no one looking out for your
best interest. You run the risk of not having a show for
your attendees. Panic sets in and you’re wracking your brain
trying to figure out who to call to cover your event. In
most cases, as a meeting planner, you have enough on your
plate without having to deal with entertainment issues. The
Producer is your insurance policy. He has the technical
knowledge, vast industry contacts and the ability to deal
with the various personalities and idiosyncrasies of the
Artist. He can quickly determine the Artist’s “hot" buttons
and can turn a potentially ugly situation into a win-win for
everyone. Most producers, you’ll find, are former
musicians/entertainers themselves and know how to “talk the
talk". Most importantly…he/she is your representative and is
responsible for determining the appropriate production and
presentation of the show for optimal impact and enjoyment by
your audience. And…making sure your show never goes down.
FSS: Over the years, what do you think is the number one
mistake that people make when they are booking bands?
CW: In an effort to save money, some buyers will jump at the
chance to buy an Artist direct banking on the relationship
of a friend or a friend of a friend who knows the Artist or
the Artist’s family. Those deals rarely come to fruition and
in most cases end up costing the buyer more money, grief and
frustration.
FSS: How do you avoid that happening?
CW: When this type opportunity arises, don’t cut out your
producer. At times like these the Producer is invaluable.
He/she can help you through the process and provide
direction in the negotiating phase, technical and logistical
issues and make sure you don’t get led down the garden path.
Once again, your Producer is your rep, not the Artist’s rep,
and becomes your insurance policy that things will be done
right and at a fair cost!
FSS: What's the check list for a buyer to use when
considering a band?
CW:
- Purpose – drawing card or social enhancement to your
meeting/conference
- Demographics of your attendees
- Do I want the band/music themed and do I want that
specific themed music throughout the event or do I want to
switch to a variety of dance music during the course of the
event.
- Determine a budget range…there’s nothing more
frustrating to the buyer and producer when presented with a
Great Artist who is just too expensive. Be reasonable and
save everyone time and aggravation!
- Get recommendations from a Producer
- Choose bands that have experience working a corporate
environment/audience.
- Make sure the Artist’s/band’s staging and production
requirements aren’t overkill for your size room and
attendees.
- Ask for a Press kit: Photos, cd or dvd, bio and song
list.
- Once you have chosen a Band you like, ask your Producer
to put a hold on them for your date. NOTE: National Artists
generally do not honor holds…submit an offer when ready to
commit. Don’t dilly-dally. Meet with your committee, make a
decision, submit your offer and secure the date with a
deposit.
FSS: What is the difference between a Booking Agent and a
Producer?
CW: Agents represent a roster of Artists. They are order
takers and are responsible for filling the Artist’s
calendar. They generally do not get involved in producing a
show and most likely will not be on site for your event. The
Artist is their boss and their responsibility is primarily
to the Artist.
The Producer represents the Client/Buyer. It is the
Producer’s responsibility to guide the buyer in making the
best and most appropriate talent selection, relaying the
Client’s objectives to the Artist, contracting appropriate
sound and lighting production according to the size venue
and audience demographics, ensuring the Artist rider
requirements are reasonably met based on Client’s
limitations and create a win-win atmosphere guaranteeing a
Great Show! The Producer is always on site for the duration
of set up and show. The Client is the Producer’s boss and
his/her responsibility is primarily to the Client.
More on Chris Wolski
Now President and CEO of Chris Wolski Presents, Inc., Chris
began his Atlanta career as a pianist/singer. In 1975 he
teamed up with bassist/singer Eddie Clark to form the
musical act "Chris and Eddie" which became one of the most
popular musical duos in the Atlanta market along with Banks
and Shane and Randall & CC.
Deciding there was more to life than performing as a "lounge
lizard" in smoky night clubs, his career in the special
events industry began in the fall of 1982. Joining the ranks
of Bob Axtell Entertainment, Chris began booking bands and
producing simple events.
In May 1983, Chris produced the Ray Charles Show, his first
National Celebrity Artist, for client Encyclopedia
Britannica at the Field Museum of Natural History in
Chicago. This defining moment in his career led to a long
list of production credits including such celebrities as
Reba McEntire, Bill Cosby, The Dixie Chicks, John Denver,
Count Basie & his Orchestra, Ray Stevens, Willie Nelson,
Alabama, The Beach Boys, Tony Bennett, Henry Mancini, Tom
Jones and Rick Springfield to name just a few.
In 1986, Chris was promoted to Executive Vice-President, and
awarded Axtell Productions International's "Producer of the
Year" distinction in 1986 and 1987 as the net profit sales
leader for the company. In 1987, he became co-owner of API
with Dianne McGarey, expanding the company's focus to
include innovative total event production planner. In 1992,
Chris joined forces with Executive Event Management. He,
along with teammate Scott Martin, successfully managed 22
shows in 17 days at the Classic Center in Athens, GA during
the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.
In 1997, he formed his own corporation, Chris Wolski
Presents. Since its inception, Chris has promoted his own
festival, The Georgia Bluegrass Jam, has produced numerous
multi-faceted events for Fortune 500 Corporations, GA
Government Associations, Industry Associations, Fairs,
Festivals and Special Events. Awards Galas for the Printing
Industry of Georgia, the fashion industry's DIVA Awards,
Georgia Artists for the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards
and America’s Magnificent Carpets Awards are among the many
awards shows his company loves to produce.
Chris has provided in-kind sponsorship for the Brain Tumor
Foundation, City of Hope, Egelston Children's Hospital, Give
Kids the World, ISES Holiday Hope. Between 2003 and 2005,
Chris served as Technical Producer, Entertainment Chair, and
Logistics Chair for the Atlanta Annual Allie Awards, and as
logistics coordinator for Hospitality Helping Hands in 2004.
Industry affiliations include membership in the
International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE),
International Festival and Events Association (IFEA),
International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA),
National Association of Catering Executives (NACE), and
Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Chris currently
serves on the board of International Special Events Society
(ISES) as Director at Large of the Greater Atlanta Chapter.
Chris resides in Gainesville with his wife, Cynthia. Having
raised three daughters, they enjoy spending time with their
granddaughters Clair and Leolani.
For more information on how to book entertainment through
FIVE STAR and the partnership of Chris Wolski, please
contact FIVE STAR Speakers & Trainers at 913.648.6480 or
quickinterview@fivestarspeakers.com
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