Hank Lane Music

I thought it was imperative that I share my experience with this company. I met with this company and I must say that there marketing approach is almost genius. This company will sit you down and start the conversation basically by asking you how much you would like to spend. Then they will try and impress you with all the celebrity events they have done and how they are recommended by all the exclusive hotels or venues. I must say that their wealthy clients will love the fact that they market themselves to lead people to believe that their bands are above doing showcases or live performances. This approach they feel is much differant then the competition which will allow them to state that any band that does a show case or performs on a video is a few notches below their bands. Listen I'm a person who makes a good living and could afford any of their bands so this post has nothing to do with money and everything to do with honesty. If I was to tell someone that I designed clothes for Versace and I could sell you a suit , but I only had a picture of it and that you could not try it on, but many celebrities purchased my clothes, would you purchase it. This is nothing better then an eloborate marketing campaign. The reason they don't showcase or have a live performance is because then people could use their own eyes and ears to decide if their bands were the best. Then they could not convince people that their bands were superior because they perform at all the high end venues. Listen I'm not saying that there bands are not good. You have to be good to perform for high end clients. So to sum it up my experiance I will just say that if your willing to book a band by listening to a few songs in an office the Hank lane is the company for you. If you want to tell all your friends that you booked a band that has played for celebrities then they are the company for you. Listen a band may be great , but may not match your style. To spend from $7000.00 to $25,000 for a band that you never seen I think is completely rediculous. I feel a good example would be how I have a pair of Ferragamo shoes. They are so comfortable and I love the style. Ferragamo is one of the most expensive shoes you could buy. This is one pair that I like, Most of the other ferragamo shoes I tried on I did not like and thought the style was horrible. Just because they cost $450.00 and the name is Ferragamo would never cause me to purchase sight unseen. So if you are willing to purchase by name only then this company is the one for you. Listen they are arrogant and even thought this would bother most people, I just want to make sure that you understand this has nothing to do with how I feel. It is just an insult on my intelligence how they try to portray a band who is willing to perform live as a second class band. There bands are good, but the only reason they don't play live is because other bands are comparible and the hype of Hank Lane would be diminished. This is only my opinion and usually I would keep it to myself, but i just had to get it out there.

Re: Hank Lane Music

I didn't have this type of experience with them. The only way I could tell that they had celebrity clients was by the pictures on the wall. It was never mentioned as a selling point. We were never asked how much we wanted to spend either. Actually, my mom had mentioned that she had heard great things about Harris Lane, the most expensive one. After listening to what we wanted out of a band, the salesperson told us Harris Lane was available, but he had another band that he thought would be better suited to what we wanted. They could have made twice as much money if they booked Harris with us, but chose not to. I found the company to be very professional and not arrogant at all. Their demos were superior to others we had listened to. Our salesperson continued to email us demos that we had requested. My experience was that the salesperson listened to what we wanted, matched us with a great band, and didn't push us to spend money or brag about their accomplishments. I'm not saying you didn't have a negative experience with them, but I don't think you can make any conclusions about the company, seeing that my experience was totally different.

Re: Hank Lane Music

One thing you did not add is that none of their bands are set bands. They have a set bandleader and most of the times free lance musicians that make up the band. Many of their musicians have not performed together in a band and have just met. The reason they do not showcase is because they have no real bands, the bands are created the day of your wedding. I too got the used car salesmen pitch and was totally turned off. However they have been in business for more than 30 years, and have a great reputation. My parents had Hank Lane himself at their wedding. IMO their bands are par with many of the LI bands. Many of the LI bands I saw were better than Hank Lane bands and $3,000 less.

Re: Hank Lane Music

mpasquar81 - did you book them? If not, who did book?

Re: Hank Lane Music

Yes I did book them and they guaranteed that I was getting the exact band we listened to, all members included. I also booked a string quartet and harp for ceremony/cocktail hour music through them. I've been very happy with the company so far.

Re: Hank Lane Music

That is why at the end I included that this is only my opinion. You are entitled to your opinion as well. This is what we call freedom of speech.
I apologyze If I insulted your choice of a band. I'm glad that the band worked out for you.

Re: Hank Lane Music

No worries I wasn't insulted. Everyone has different experiences with different vendors, some good some not so good. I just wanted to tell people about my experience if they were worried about this company. I can't guarantee a good experience for everyone, but I can just offer a different opinion for other brides to consider. It doesn't hurt to meet with vendors. If their presentation turns you off, then they're not for you. It seems like we got different presentations, which is why I was happy and you weren't. I was completely turned off by a bragging, pushy videographer we met with, so I understand why that would make you dislike the company. They just didn't do that with me.

Re: Hank Lane Music

I actually just booked Hank Lane. I agree, it's easy to be skeptical by a band that isn't willing to showcase. Both of my sisters used them at their weddings, and I think they were just as incredible in person as they were on their CD that they played for us in the office. If it wasn't for me actually seeing them at a wedding, I may have thought twice about booking them. If anyone is considering them, I would highly recommend them based on my family's experience.

Re: Hank Lane Music

I used a Hank Lane band and they were FANTASTIC! I have had friends who had different Hank Lane bands that were fantastic. I agree their approach is a little strange but I didn't find them to be arrogant. I guess it all depends on who you talk to. My experience was great. They were the best wedding band I have ever heard!

Re: Hank Lane Music

Has anyone heard of (or just heard) the Hank Lane Band leader Michael Herman? If so, any thoughts or comments?

How about the Times Square Orchestra?

Thanks for your help.

Re: Hank Lane Music

I tried contacting Hank Lane but they never returned my inquiries. So I decided to go with Heart & Soul. They play in showcases monthly on the island.

Re: Hank Lane Music

I booked hank lane and never thought of asking for demos...Who did you work with if you don't mind me asking? We working with Ian b/c he was a friend of a friend and he was great! I would like to reacquaint myself with the band considering it's been a few months...any suggestions?

Re: Hank Lane Music

My uncle had Hank Lane for his wedding, they were UNREAL! So rest assured, they're amazing!