What is "party band?"

[Parzival]

I'm so glad you asked that question, 51PRI. My name is Candido Bretto, and I’ve been a bass player since 1971. I attended Berklee College of Music in Boston for five semesters starting in 1975, where I was part of the work-study program. Working at the Mass Ave Front Desk, I met some incredible musicians while signing students into practice rooms alongside a redhead named Christy.

In 1978, I began gigging all over New England. The money was tight—just enough to scrape by. But the band was tight too. We lived together, rehearsed constantly, and enjoyed life on the road. Eventually, our keyboard player said, “I can’t keep doing this unless we make more money. The only way is to play private parties, weddings, and corporate events.”

So, in 1984, we became a "party band," and it changed my life. We started earning enough to upgrade our lifestyles. I bought a nice car, and eventually, a house where I built my own recording studio—something I’d always dreamed of.

To me, being in a party band was a way to improve my quality of life as a musician, and it worked.

Now, at 67, I’m still playing weddings with incredible talent, including Michelle Brooks-Thompson, a finalist on NBC’s The Voice. This year, she’s been nominated for a Grammy in the Blues category for her work on Antonio Vergara’s album The Fury. Michelle is phenomenal!!


Drawing from my experience, I’ve created something new: PartyBands.com. Built by a bass playerView attachment 7101376, for musicians and event planners, it’s my way of helping others achieve the American Dream through live music. It’s a work in progress, and I’d love your input to make it better.

Visit PartyBands.com to learn more about what a party band can be, and feel free to reach out with your advice. Together, we can empower musicians to thrive.

There are other established web sites that do exactly this. What differentiates your site from the other established ones? If you are gonna come here to sell me, then sell me.

 

[HelpImaRock]

A party band plays gigs I avoid like the plague.

 

[Pocket Dave]

Leave it to a someone pitching a for-fee service to bring back a thread that pretty much said it all first time around.

 

[richntiff]

A party band plays gigs I avoid like the plague.

I agree. Getting paid SUCKS.

 

[pepj]

Yup, seamless transitions between songs with matched tempos is a must. I've never been in a band that has figured out how to do this effectively.

I prefer to match up the event with what we want to do. Of course, you need to recognise if you aren't compatible...but thats beyond many people who see no further than its a gig with money.
If you book a party band for an audience who want to meet and chat...as in a reunion, for example, party bands can be a royal pita.

A large reportiore and a BL who can read the crowd is good but ideally you could have discussed all this at the booking.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I agree. Getting paid SUCKS.

If I never hear those songs again, it will be too soon.

 

[jerry]

If I never hear those songs again, it will be too soon.

Why even enter a thread for music you don't care for?

 

[HelpImaRock]

Why even enter a thread for music you don't care for?

Spite.