The Great Entertainer

Elzy Kolb

	It Is Unusual

It's no secret that parties have become more elaborate.

A catered dinner and a bakery cake won't cut it anymore for marking the special events in our lives, and for some, a DJ or cover band won't either.

But couples still want to dance to the romantic tune they fell in love to; boomers hitting their 50th want to rock out to the music of enduring icons.

And youngsters coming of age want to hear the songs they've downloaded on their iPods and cell phones.

To keep the quality of the entertainment in scale with the other elements of the celebration, there's an increasing demand for renowned entertainers -- the original hit makers -- to provide live music for milestone fetes.

The Beat Goes On

It's common for musicians to stop doing parties and weddings as soon as they can afford not to -- the crowds can be inattentive and sometimes downright disrespectful.

Some guests won't stop schmoozing just because the performance begins; others might leave the room if the act isn't to their taste.

As Bob Grabow, CEO of the Grabow Agency, points out: "Well-known artists [usually] play to people who can sing every word of every song, but at private events, they're not playing to their fans."

Entertainers who rarely do a private gig might be willing to squeeze one in if they have a few free days in the middle of a tour, if there's something unusual about the job that piques their interest -- or if the perks make it seem worthwhile

If you want a big name at your event, "Offer a private plane, another night of lodging in a nice place or a generous per diem allowance for all the people on staff," Grabow says. "That shows that [you are] inclined to take care of the act and crew."

Among those who have played at private events -- and the fees some of them are said to command -- are Billy Joel (around $1 million); Michael Buble ($400,000); Elton John ($900,000-$5 million, much of it donated to his AIDS charity); Sheryl Crow; Jimmy Buffett; Wyclef Jean; Earth, Wind and Fire; Stevie Nicks; Tony Bennett (another million-dollar club member); and the Rolling Stones (the sky's the limit).

Grabow says Dave Matthews asks for more than $1 million, Norah Jones' fee would be "in excess of $250,000" and Harry Connick Jr.'s is at roughly at that same level.

Not surprisingly, "The more popular they are, the more money they'll command," says Erik Marshall, a partner in Hank Lane Productions. "For an entertainer with hits on the charts right now, the fee will be well into six figures."

Party planner David Tutera reminds that "the $250,000 for services doesn't include the lighting, sound system and staging. The expense for the performer is just the beginning; the prices escalate quickly."

Howard Weiner, executive vice president of event design and production firm Two Downtown, says, "Travel and overnight expenses will be commensurate with their level of popularity. For Tony Bennett, think a suite at the Four Seasons. Others want first class flights or private jets."

The host is responsible for salaries for crew members, too, which can be sizable for a band like the Eagles -- they tour with 72 support people, according to Grabow.

He says the expenses and extras can cost as much as the performer's fee.

On the Bill

Once they've agreed to do a private party, the majority of acts will deliver a scaled-down version of their regular show, since it's unlikely the party venue could accommodate a stadium-size presentation.

The performance should include songs from the band's standard repertoire, including the hits, and typically lasts 45-75 minutes. Bands that play for dance parties may do 90 minutes to two hours.

In general, most top-flight entertainers won't take requests, and their contracts often say that they have the right to choose the material.

However, it never hurts to ask politely.

Performers reluctant to delve into their older material may be accommodating if approached properly. "I love it when you sing such-and-such" often works, Weiner says.

Some stars will accommodate a request to sing something special for the guest of honor. Tutera reports that K.C., of K.C. and the Sunshine Band, recently sang "Happy Birthday" for a private client. Grabow says Paul Anka has been known to write and sing a custom song for the honoree.

Weiner says it's rare for stars to mix and mingle with the crowd, though they may agree to visit with the guest of honor in their dressing rooms.

If it's important to the host that the guests have a chance to shake hands with a star, include a request for a meet-and-greet in the contract.

However, "It won't be an hour-long photo and autograph session," Marshall warns; 15 minutes after the show will be more likely.

Leave It to the Pros

It's best to work with a party planner or booking agent to hire the band of your dreams. "A consumer can't go directly to a talent agency," Tutera says. "It's not possible for novices to do this at all. They wouldn't know where to begin."

Part of the process entails reading and agreeing to the requirements in the contract rider, which can be 30 to 50 pages long.

Even if the host were able to wade through the paperwork, he or she isn't likely to have the time, skill or inclination to produce a show with professional lighting, sound and staging.

And an amateur would almost certainly be out of his league when it comes to awareness of permits, liability, safety issues and sound ordinances. "It's not as easy as dialing and hiring," Marshall explains.

Sour Notes

Strange as it seems, there are drawbacks to scheduling a killer act for your event.

If several generations will be present, it's hard to accommodate all tastes. And a concert-style performance is going to cut into the amount of time guests have to visit with one another. "You're not going to hire a band of this caliber to perform for 15 minutes," Tutera says. "An hour-long show is a big percentage of ... a party."

Further, famous performers may shift the focus from guest of honor and become the main attraction.

That may not be a big deal to 50-year-old birthday boy dancing to the Beach Boys. But the usual star of a wedding, bat or bar mitzvah, or sweet 16 may feel as if they're playing second fiddle, and the meaning of day could get lost in the excitement over the entertainment.

Be aware that many contracts include a 30-day out clause, which gives the entertainer cancellation privileges. A Grammy win, a prominent film role or even a juicy scandal can boost a star's income above the amount agreed to in the contract.

"Someone may ask for $50,000 now, but their price doubles in six months if their career takes off," Weiner explains. "With a 30-day out clause, if a better offer comes up, they can cancel."

	A Party to Remember

Ask that the clause be deleted or modified to give you greater protection. If this causes your first choice to turn down the offer, that's too bad. But it could keep you from having to scramble for a substitute at the last minute.

Practically everything about hiring a star for a private event is up in the air: There's no guarantee that those who have performed at private events in the past will still be available, or that the remuneration settled upon earlier will continue to be adequate.

But for hosts seeking to create unforgettable memories and astound and delight their guests, there ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby.

---

Enjoy the Good Life? Email us with what you'd like to see in future articles.

---