Is anyone using a Hank Lane band called Jeff Allen or a Steven Scott band called Peter Damian? What have you heard about either? Have you seen them play?
sept20yay!
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One of my best friends is using Jeff Allen by Hank Lane in her October wedding in the Carlyle... I am sure they are wonderful.... I am more of a Steven Scott fan myself--- for sooo many reasons. One of the most obvious is Hank Lane's sales tactics... I was so turned off by the fact that I get solcitation calls from them once a week at least to see if I 'had chosen a band yet?' That's not really the class level I would expect out of such an expensive band.... Steven Scott I have only heard wonderful things from and went to a wedding with them (Central Park)- was blown away!!!
Annieb
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I am thinking of going with Hank Lane's 'Chuck Compo' Band...I met with Chuck himself and he was fantastic! Also, it made me feel better to know that I was getting a 'set band' and that I had met with the lead singer/band leader right from the start. Although this is not Hank Lane's typical method, I know Chuck will meet with anyone who wants to.
Otherwise, I worry about Hank Lane and Steven Scott. I know for a fact that a majority of the bands at BOTH companies are a hodgepodge of musicians that happen to be available on the night of your wedding. Don't trust the photos..or cd's ...very often you are not hearing/seeing the band you thinkthat you are.
If anyone has any commentary on chuck compo...let me know!!! At this point, I recommend him wholeheartedly EMO1:
Valenia
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I used the Steven Scott band mentioned by Sept20yay! above -- Central Park. They were fabulous.
In the end, both organizations have very good reputations, and have made many brides very happy. I am sorry that I don't know about the particular bands you've asked about!!
Annieb - When I met with Hank Lane they also sent a band leader to meet with me -- although in my case it was Jeff Lubin. (Heather who posts on this board used them if you would like to know more about that band as well, she was very happy.)
Rob-luvs-me
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I should mention Annieb that no matter who you book you are never guaranteed those performers. If -we hope never happens- a band member gets into a car accident on the way to the wedding or has to have emergency surgery or for that matter anything that makes it impossible for them to be there they will be replaced with someone else. I recommend you find out the method and the person that your band will be replaced with if anything like that were to happen. This is just out of our control- even at the metropolitan opera house there are understudies just for this reason.
octobergirl
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Hank Lane and Steven Scott both have excellent reputations as far as their music. As others have said though, some of the sales tactics can be pretty bad. I went with Steven Scott (a different band though--Anthony Mills) and was very happy. They did an amazing job at my wedding.
balilove
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FH and I looked into both of these agents--they have several bands/orchestras that they use. A couple of things we found were: there is a significant price difference between Hank Lane and Steven Scott---at least $1500 when we spoke with them; some groups are cheaper and they have less members i.e., 5 instead of 8 or 9. I'm a COTG bride and both these vendors were recc'd. Sure I know they are giving COTG some kind of kick back but, I can tell you they were not that negotiable on price and depending on the size of your reception site,the number of guests and the types of music you want there are a lot of other bands/orchestras out there. We booked The Paul Rich Orchestra. I am thrilled with them and believe me I saw and listened to a lot of music. FM me if you want info on them. I wish you the best of luck, picking a band was tough. I would also do a search on this site to read the reviews I found it very helpful.LOL
Annieb
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I met with Steven Scott and Hank Lane...their prices for an eight piece 'mid-priced' band were virtually identical...except that steven scott was willing to throw in the cocktail music for free...making them cheaper!
balilove
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hey, the more power to you annieb if they had almost the identical prices but that was not the case with us. Maybe it has something to do with the time of year..I'm August you are October, either way I'm glad you are happy with your choice, it is a big part of the day.
Annieb
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I didn't make my choice yet...i wish i did...this is so hard However, as for the prices i don't think it was the time of year...august and october are both considered peak times for most places...it is late october and nov. that start in the cheaper range. my wedding is on a sunday night however and that may make a difference. Also, i know ss was the recc. vendor for oheka and claimed they gave us a discount because of that. which band did you find more expensive?
stately
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Any band that does not have a video or showcase is suspect in my mind. I know what some of you are thinking. They don't need to. They have a great reputation. But so does everybody who I am dealing with and many of the bands who do have a great reputation have videos or showcases. When we went to see Hank Lane they were pushy, beyond the point of not listening to our side of the story. I liked the fact that one CD from a different company sounded great. When we went to see that band live at a showcase, they sounded great also. However seeing what we saw on stage made me realize the CD is not enough to truly examine and critic the band. There were things that went on on stage that appalled me. And I would be really upset if their on stage antics happened at my wedding. Out of respect I don't want to mention that band but I do want to mention to you girls who book off CD's. Watch out for things you can't see. Oh and as far as prices go who cares? If prices were that important why didn't all of us book the cheapest caterer instead of spending the sick amount of money we are all spending. What I found out in my band searching is a more expensive band is in more demand which means to me they do a better party.
kerijoy
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I booked Hank Lane's Jeff Allen band for my wedding in May 03. I have never herd of them before... has anyone seen them live? Any advice you can give me would really help.
cg511
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My FBIL had a Hank Lane band at his wedding and it was the best I have ever seen (and I have been to many weddings). His cousin, on the other hand, saw their band at a showcase, loved them, and then ended up being very disappointed in that band.
I am having the steve delisi band (Hank Lane) at my wedding and have full confidence in them.
Good luck to everyone.
Emily7
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I just booked Jeff Allen (Hank Lane) too! I think they will be great - I spoke to a woman who had them at here wedding and she said they were fun, high-energy, classy and just all-around great. I also spoke to Jeff (the band leader) and he was fantastic! He said all the right things that I wanted to hear. I'm so excited that we booked them!
cg511
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You won't regret it. They are not the house band for the Waldorf and Pierre, etc. for no reason. I do see why people would be put off by the fact that you can't see them in person, but don't worry they'll be great.
Emily7
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Thanks cg511 - I'm really excited about it.
Rob-luvs-me
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Call and check references though if they are reputation only (but be careful - a band that has had problems will not give you a reference of someone they had a problem with so EXPECT that their recommendation will be excellent). JMO - A friend of our family used a very popular band that plays at the plaza and other very reputable places on LI and in NYC and they do not showcase. They showed up 2 1/2 hours late to her wedding with 2 different singers than contracted with- and the guests were so sloshed that they could barely eat and dance by the time the band showed. Also they were not nearly as good as the cd. Although this could happen to ANYONE - at least when you hear a band live you can tell what they truely sound like. A number of friends are musicians and they told me to make sure that I see my band live because many doctor their audio recordings And Emily7 congrats it must feel good to have something else off of your list of to do's!
DancnLori
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I used to work as a catering manager at a NY hotel and hank lane bands played there all the time. I probably have seen 10 different bands of theirs over the 2 years i was there and each one was always very professional. They do have different kinds of bands for different kinds of weddings tho, so my advise is to be detailed as to what music styles are most important to you when you talk to them. frankly i dont know a band with a better reputation and i have seen alot of bands.
i was never a fan of steven scott bands not that they werent reputable, i just never felt they were as polished.
I'm using the steve delisi band from hank lane (i'm no longer in the business,,,went back to law school)
