http://kurtscobie.com/privateevents.cfm Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:26:48 GMT http://bandzoogle.com http://kurtscobie.com/privateevents.cfm?feature=1460164&postid=324657 You would think that we would have this communication thing down. We have phones, Facebook, Twitter, email, text messaging, instant messaging, picture messaging, Skype and tons of other time-wasting ways to connect with each other. Yet, we don't take advantage of these opportunities to communicate. We resort to... mind reading? Here's a quick tidbit that I've learned when it comes to sharing the VISION you have for your event! When I first started performing for weddings I had a good set of questions (so I thought) to ask the bride and groom. However, as the wedding would get closer, I realized that I didn't really have a clear understanding of what the VISION was for the event. I really didn't know what the whole thing was going to look like. I realized that I needed more than just answers to questions. I needed to sit and listen to their story and allow them to paint a (verbal) picture of what they wanted their day to be. Now, I still have my list of questions, but bigger than that, I encourage the couple to tell me all they can about what they want. I encourage communication and OVER-communication. Communicate and OVER-communicate. and OVER-communicate. and OVER-communicate. and OVER-communicate. and OVER-communicate. Have a great party! Kurt --- Kurt Scobie Singer/Songwriter/Pianist <a target="_new" href="./home.cfm">www.KurtScobie.com
When I first started performing for weddings I had a good set of questions (so I thought) to ask the bride and groom. However, as the wedding would get closer, I realized that I didn't really have a clear understanding of what the VISION was for the event. I really didn't know what the whole thing was going to look like. I realized that I needed more than just answers to questions. I needed to sit and listen to their story and allow them to paint a (verbal) picture of what they wanted their day to be. Now, I still have my list of questions, but bigger than that, I encourage the couple to tell me all they can about what they want. I encourage communication and OVER-communication.

Communicate and OVER-communicate.
and OVER-communicate.
and OVER-communicate.
and OVER-communicate.
and OVER-communicate.

Have a great party!
Kurt

---
Kurt Scobie
Singer/Songwriter/Pianist
www.KurtScobie.com

]]> Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:26:48 GMT 2675676EA499170A6456149EBF310327 http://kurtscobie.com/privateevents.cfm?feature=1460164&postid=308582 The music isn't that important to you, huh? You just want a little something in the background? Here are my top 5 reasons you should go with a talented pro over copping out with canned music... FIVE: Enjoyability. Face it. Live music from a talented professional is just better. Your iPod can't smile. You can't talk to your iPod... well... you can (if this is you, you need to be getting help from another blog). Having that musician there, providing high quality entertainment, is just more pleasant. FOUR: Eventfulness. This is not a chill evening at home. This is an EVENT. And nothing says &quot;This is an EVENT&quot; better than live music! Whether its a wedding, private party or whatever, it needs LIFE! That musician can really make your event lively. THREE: Extravagance. It's GOOD to go over the top sometimes, especially for those important occasions. You may think &quot;oh, that's just too much money&quot; but really, you can find competitive rates for all kinds of entertainment. Try Gigmasters.com for starters. You can get a reasonable price and look like you went all out. Go ahead. Make it extravagant! TWO: Entertainment. Think about all of the jokes, fun/funny songs, and laughter that you can't get out of your mp3 player. Think about that really talented singer THERE... at YOUR event! Don't tell me you'd be more entertained from a digital jukebox. Do you think your entertainer's song list wont be that extensive? Think again. I've heard a few people refer to themselves as the &quot;Human iPod&quot;. You might be surprised... (NOTE: some of us [shameless plug] can take requests and learn ANY songs you want). ONE: Energy. Steve Jobs may be improving battery life in his devices, but why not employ an energy-GIVING human being! Hiring a pro who knows how to maintain the energy level, is the difference between a nice canned-background music get-together and a memorable, high-energy event. You DO want your event to be memorable, don't you? It's a simple fact that when there is a high amount of energy, people remember better the fun they had at your event! So, for an enjoyable, eventful, extravagant, entertaining, and energetic party, hire that LIVE musician! Your event deserves better than that iPod. Kurt Scobie
FIVE: Enjoyability. Face it. Live music from a talented professional is just better. Your iPod can't smile. You can't talk to your iPod... well... you can (if this is you, you need to be getting help from another blog). Having that musician there, providing high quality entertainment, is just more pleasant.

FOUR: Eventfulness. This is not a chill evening at home. This is an EVENT. And nothing says "This is an EVENT" better than live music! Whether its a wedding, private party or whatever, it needs LIFE! That musician can really make your event lively.

THREE: Extravagance. It's GOOD to go over the top sometimes, especially for those important occasions. You may think "oh, that's just too much money" but really, you can find competitive rates for all kinds of entertainment. Try Gigmasters.com for starters. You can get a reasonable price and look like you went all out. Go ahead. Make it extravagant!

TWO: Entertainment. Think about all of the jokes, fun/funny songs, and laughter that you can't get out of your mp3 player. Think about that really talented singer THERE... at YOUR event! Don't tell me you'd be more entertained from a digital jukebox. Do you think your entertainer's song list wont be that extensive? Think again. I've heard a few people refer to themselves as the "Human iPod". You might be surprised... (NOTE: some of us [shameless plug] can take requests and learn ANY songs you want).

ONE: Energy. Steve Jobs may be improving battery life in his devices, but why not employ an energy-GIVING human being! Hiring a pro who knows how to maintain the energy level, is the difference between a nice canned-background music get-together and a memorable, high-energy event. You DO want your event to be memorable, don't you? It's a simple fact that when there is a high amount of energy, people remember better the fun they had at your event!

So, for an enjoyable, eventful, extravagant, entertaining, and energetic party, hire that LIVE musician! Your event deserves better than that iPod.


Kurt Scobie

]]> Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:20:00 GMT 51A41C4125C783475B6CAFA8D13F8FEA http://kurtscobie.com/privateevents.cfm?feature=1460164&postid=300265 Are you ready to plan the music for your wedding or event? Do you have every detail figured out? Do you have just a few ideas? Are you completely lost? Planning music for your event can be overwhelming, but it can also be a lot of fun! Here's what I suggest to get started: 1. Dream. Go ahead. Dream big! Think about the most amazing party and write it all down. Brainstorm. See what you can come up with. Need some help? There are plenty of resources out there. Ask your friends/family for first-hand experiences. Write it down. Use your friend, <a target="_new" href="http://www.google.com">Google. I like to use the <a target="_new" href="http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&amp;tab=wi">Images search so that I can SEE it! There is no such thing as a bad idea at this point. Just go with it. 2. Research. You should have a good bit of ideas to go from. Now begin digging around for more info. Collect as much data, pictures, notes, advice and blogs as possible! &nbsp;A great resource and booking website is <a target="_new" href="http://www.gigmasters.com">Gigmasters.com&nbsp;(visit my <a target="_new" href="http://www.gigmasters.com/piano/kurtscobie">profile while you're there!). They provide a lot of information regarding music for different events. Look into different musicians, bands and DJs you think might fit into your vision. Each act usually has a website with photos, reviews, videos, mp3s and more that should help you. 3. Organize. You've now got this huge mess of info. Begin to put ideas together, throw them out, or set them aside to organize later. Think about what you want most. When my wife and I got married, we had some tough decisions to make. We had to organize our lists of what we wanted by how bad we wanted each item (priorities). Not good at organization? Get some help from that super-organized somewhat-nerdy friend of yours (don't tell them I said that). Once you've got all of this information organized, you're really on a roll toward having great music for your event! From here you can make some phone calls and send some emails! Remember, there are infinite possibilities. By dreaming big, doing your research, and getting organized, you can have a great event with stellar music. AND you can have fun in the process! Have a great party! Kurt --- Kurt Scobie Singer/Songwriter/Pianist <a target="_new" href="./home.cfm">www.KurtScobie.com --- Feel free to share your comments, thoughts and questions below!
1. Dream. Go ahead. Dream big! Think about the most amazing party and write it all down. Brainstorm. See what you can come up with. Need some help? There are plenty of resources out there. Ask your friends/family for first-hand experiences. Write it down. Use your friend, Google. I like to use the Images search so that I can SEE it! There is no such thing as a bad idea at this point. Just go with it.

2. Research. You should have a good bit of ideas to go from. Now begin digging around for more info. Collect as much data, pictures, notes, advice and blogs as possible!  A great resource and booking website is Gigmasters.com (visit my profile while you're there!). They provide a lot of information regarding music for different events. Look into different musicians, bands and DJs you think might fit into your vision. Each act usually has a website with photos, reviews, videos, mp3s and more that should help you.

3. Organize. You've now got this huge mess of info. Begin to put ideas together, throw them out, or set them aside to organize later. Think about what you want most. When my wife and I got married, we had some tough decisions to make. We had to organize our lists of what we wanted by how bad we wanted each item (priorities). Not good at organization? Get some help from that super-organized somewhat-nerdy friend of yours (don't tell them I said that).

Once you've got all of this information organized, you're really on a roll toward having great music for your event! From here you can make some phone calls and send some emails! Remember, there are infinite possibilities. By dreaming big, doing your research, and getting organized, you can have a great event with stellar music. AND you can have fun in the process!

Have a great party!
Kurt

---
Kurt Scobie
Singer/Songwriter/Pianist
www.KurtScobie.com
---

Feel free to share your comments, thoughts and questions below!
]]> Wed, 26 May 2010 01:02:21 GMT E5612776C3839A0AE32C6768FE459455