George Suhon and Silver Sky: FAQ's

What makes live entertainment better than DJ services?

Live entertainment creates an atmosphere that establishes a bond between the artist or band and the audience. It is more interactive in that the person or persons on stage are not simply providing the entertainment, they ARE the entertainment. The nostalgia of the age gone by when live entertainment was the only entertainment can be revisited when you have live entertainers performing for your special day.

Perhaps the best way to describe the difference is to ask those who have had good live entertainment. Live entertainment always wins, hands down, over someone playing CD's all night long.

DJ only services attempt to overcome their inabilities as entertainment providers by substituting light shows and fog machines. But in the end, DJ's are simply unable to provide real entertainment and are trying to pass off a poor brand of what they call "entertainment".

The clincher is that with George Suhon, whether SOLO or DUO, you get the best of both worlds. You not only get the spontaneity and energy of live entertainment, but you also get DJ Services during intermissions so the music continues non-stop throughout the evening.

Will you learn special songs in advance of the engagement date?

I will program(record the backing track) and learn any song as long as enough time is given prior to the engagement. Typically, 2 months is sufficient time to properly learn the song.

What type of attire will you wear?

A tuxedo is standard dress at wedding receptions and some private affairs.

How long will it take you to set up your equipment?

In most circumstance setup can be completed in an hour or less. This is the case for normal setup. In situations where it is necessary to access the bandstand or stage via elevator or stairwell more time may be required.

Can you explain the entertainment at a typical wedding reception?

Unless otherwise informed I will expect to announce and M.C. most all of the activities.

Normal arrival & setup: I will arrive approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours ahead of scheduled start time. This will allow plenty of time to unload, setup and change clothes (if necessary). (Special arrangements may be made to setup early. Price quoted includes normal arrival time and setup).

Arrival of the Bridge & Groom and Bridal Party: Generally, the entrance of the Bride and Groom into the reception hall will be announced before the festivities begin. (This may or may not apply to your situation.)

Dinner Music: Dinner music can be played during cocktails and/or dinner. This can be in addition to or included in the 3 or 4 hour scheduled time or be included in it.

Bridal Dance/Bridal Party Dance: This is usually (but not always) the first "dance" of the evening. (Sometimes people will dance during cocktails or dinner.) This dance can be for the Bride and Groom alone or for the members of the bridal party as well and can also include parents, grandparents, etc. The names of the couples in the bridal party are announced as they approach the dance floor. The song played is usually a special one that the Bride and Groom have selected.

General Dancing: A variety of songs will be played in groups by genre. (A group of fast songs, slow songs, polkas, etc. The audience response to the songs generally determines how much of that genre will be played over the course of the evening. Also, specialty songs such as the "Hokey Pokey", "The Chicken Dance", etc. will be played. I will take a short break or two during the engagement. During breaks DJ services will be provided so that there is no break in the music unless you request it.

Cutting the Wedding Cake: This event can take place at any time during the evening, but is usually done immediately before or after dinner so that the cake can be served as dessert.

Throwing (Toss) of the Bouquet & Garter: This event is held just prior to the Money Dance (if you are having one).

Bridal (Money) Dance: The Money Dance is performed in one of two genres. The first is with the traditional slow ballad. The second is with the polka (for those who's ethnicity lends itself to such). The Money Dance continues until everyone has danced with the Bride (and the Groom in some cases). It is highly recommended (especially for larger weddings) that someone be in control of the flow of this dance (i.e. how long each person dances with the Bride. see "money dance tips" on the wedding tips page. I have seen Money Dances linger on for over an hour which can completely exhaust the Bride. After the Money Dance it is customary for the Bride and Groom to leave the reception hall. This was a very common practice in the past though today it does not take place quite as much.

Special Songs or Activities: Special songs can be requested such as "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" or "Daddy's Little Girl" which usually take place after the Money Dance.

Dancing Finishes the Evening: Dancing will complete the evening. Sometimes the Bride and Groom request a special song to be played for them alone to dance to.

Note: There is no such thing as a wedding reception rule book (though some people would like you to believe there is). Since this is your wedding reception and your special day, you make the decisions on the order and type of events you want. The above questions represent only a guide to assist you in making decisions. If any questions come to mind that you do not find on this page, please feel free to call or e-mail me. I will make every effort to help.

Will you play overtime if needed?

Yes. To keep the party going and to make your special night a complete success I would be glad to play overtime. Pricing for overtime can be discussed prior to the date of the engagement.

Why are wedding price different(more expensive) from other venues?

Prices are higher for weddings. This is simply because there is more work involved in planning for a wedding reception. There are generally many phone calls and E-mails with brides and grooms, sometimes brides maids, parents, wedding coordinators, etc. The charges for wedding receptions don't begin at the start of the wedding reception but long before. There is the correspondence with the bride (or wedding planners) for special songs and dances, special itinerary, last minute changes, early arrival and set up, special announcements, etc., purchasing CD's of special songs and all the leg work involved in making the wedding reception a unique and special experience. None of these things are involved in a regular performance say, for instance, at a night club or other public venue.

Also, night clubs and other public venues very often re-book, which means it is repeat business which reoccurs over long periods of time; sort of like getting a better price because you buy in bulk. At these venues we show up and play, then leave. There is no special preparation from one venue to another, no repeated correspondence with club owners six months before the date of the event, etc.

Wedding receptions are special events that take place once (hopefully) in a lifetime and in order to make it that special unique event much more work is involved. So, one cannot compare the price charged at a public venue with that of a wedding reception because the situations are not even remotely close to parallel. Most people want their weddings to be treated with uniqueness and special care and not like the average performance.

What are the advantages of live entertainment?

What's the difference between live music and a DJ? Isn't a DJ better since he has every type of music available? Isn't a DJ cheaper? Isn't a DJ just as good (or better) than live entertainment?

These questions are legitimate. There was a time when live entertainment was the only entertainment at wedding receptions. However, live bands eventually priced themselves out of work. Also, when many in the music field saw a few dollars could be made they quickly jumped into the "wedding scene" without thought, experience or concern for anyone involved but themselves. This led to really "bad bands". These "bad bands" gave all bands a bad rap. DJ's came on the scene offering a comparatively low price and huge song selections. DJ's soon became the standard form of music at wedding receptions.

Though there are still a few good bands around, their costs have exceeded what most can afford for a wedding reception. And then there's the hesitation in wondering if they can fulfill ALL the needs of the job at hand (Most bands specialize in certain types of music and do not play all genres equally well.) As a result, DJ's have become the only choice for most people. That is, until now!

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO

If you have ever experienced quality live entertainment you know what I'm talking about. They do not have DJ's entertaining people in Las Vegas. When people want entertained they want live music. Many people still remember dancing to live bands. There is a sort of nostalgia attached to live entertainment. Live music gives people a visual as well as an audible focus. DJ's have seen the need for such visual focus and have tried to accommodate by bringing in light shows, fog machines, sirens, police lights, etc. But, to many, there is still that missing element that DJ's will never be able to fill. Live music is not just "playing records", it is "MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT"!

SOLO/DUO WITH A LIVE BAND SOUND (for those of you interested in how it's done)

How is it that you sound like a live band with only one or two people?

All songs are performed using background tracks. But, these are not just any background tracks! They are certainly not karaoke tracks! Karaoke and store bought background tracks have a tendency to sound dead. They are like listening to a DJ. The music is "over-studio-ized". It is over-compressed and sounds flat. I record all my own backing tracks. I record them to my own specifications in my own studio. Everything you hear is me. All the instruments, all the backing vocals.....everything. Very little, if any, compression is used in recording so it sounds LIVE rather than like a recording. I use an elaborate computer based recording system. In a nutshell here's how it is done:

In my studio I plan out the each song's unique structure
I record each instrument individually usually beginning with the drums.
Instruments we will be playing during the song are left out.
Vocals performed live are also left out.
After each track is recorded they are mixed down to 2 track stereo.

It is very time consuming. Some songs can take up to a week or more to complete.

With years of entertaining experience in the band arena I have found what works and I know what does not. I know the sound of a live band and my goal is to give that sound when I perform.

SONG SELECTION

Sounding like a live band is not enough. If the song selection isn't right then all you are is a live band that no one wants to hear! Age groups at weddings generally range from the very young to the not so young. Catering to just one group while leaving out the others is simply not acceptable. Experience is the key. A DJ can have a wide variety of songs but if he plays only one or two styles all night long, his wide selection means nothing. Tools are wonderful things but if you can't use them correctly they are worthless. I have been "reading" crowds for many years. I have the experience necessary to make the correct decisions in musical attire. I am also open to and encourage requests from you and your guests.

THE FINAL TEST

The final test is to hear us live. You must see and hear to appreciate. Check out the schedule page to find an appropriate date. Remember, the solo and duo acts perform at a wide variety of functions so you'll want to come to a performance that's appropriate for your needs. Drop me a line and let me know you're coming and we will do our best to do the songs you want to hear.