Stan Wiest and Hank Lane...

For those of you with experiences with band agencies that DO NOT showcase (show videos) what do you think of them? I find it hard to believe I could get a good sense of a band just by seeing them on videotape. Please help me out with your thoughts.

Stan Wiest and Hank Lane...

You need to do what you''re comfortable with. We went to see Hank Lane and Steven Scott and both only allow you to hear a CD of the band and see a photo. They would not even show a video b/c they say the sound quality is very poor. We were not comfortable spending thousands of dollars to hire a band for our wedding day based solely on a professionaly done CD and photo. We ended up booking w/ True Blue from Faze 4 in Great Neck after seeing the band perform in their own studio. BTW...we also heard a CD of the band we booked and the sound was totally different than hearing them live. I would have never booked based on the CD but as soon as they sang the first song live we knew they were the band for us. Good Luck!

Stan Wiest and Hank Lane...

I personally felt more comfortable going with an independent band. I met with a few band agencies and learned that it was possible that I would not get to meet with the actual band leader - only with the salesperson who basically takes down my requests and hands them over to the band leader. THe band leader of the band that I hired actually came to our apartment, showed us a video and spent an hour with us discussing music and our style and what we wanted the mood of our wedding to be. It just made me feel very comfortable. Also, he's been wonderful on a personal level - my fiance's father was diagnosed with cancer a couple months ago, and he even calls us every few weeks to see how he's doing. Anyway, just my two cents :-)

Stan Wiest and Hank Lane...

Both of the bands that you have listed have great reputations. However, I was not comfortable booking a band that I could not hear live. I really wanted to meet the band leader and get a sense of his/her personality, because the band leader basically runs your wedding. I have been to weddings that have used Hank Lane and they have been great. But I really wanted to hear a band live before I booked them. Good Luck

Stan Wiest and Hank Lane...

Thanks for your help. Obviously I too feel uncomfortable. Lauren S: Do you remember which Hank Lane Bands you have heard before? Sara: What is the name of your band?

Stan Wiest and Hank Lane...

I hired Marc Elliot Music. 516-877-8001. I also really liked Kameleon - and they played my cousin's wedding & were wonderful.

Hank Lane...

This has been an on going topic on this board, and it all depends on you and your fiance. We viewed videos of many of the bands mentioned here, and was not impressed w/ any of them. We called the Carlyle twice and asked for some of their recommendations and we asked around.We finally booked with Jeff Lubin a Hank Lane band. We feel totally comfortable based on the recommendation from the Carlyle. Jeff Lubin does a lot of weddings there, he knows the staff and how they do things. We also looked at many other 'non-showcase' bands. The main thing is that you go with someone you both feel comfortable and confident with. Continued success!

Stan Wiest ....Don't do it!!!!!

We went all the way out to Fort Salonga to meet with Stan Wiest. I am shocked at how good his reputation was because we had such a freaky experience that it is the butt of many jokes between my fiance and myself. He was wacky and the music was horrible. His band is OK but his voice his horrible and he ruins it. It was such a waste of three hours. A lot of bands have showcases. We went to a few for LI Paramount and we were very happy with a couple of their bands. We also saw a few from Franklin Wayne and they were good. I also liked a band that we saw at a wedding Current Affair. We chose Arcadia from LI Paramount and we also loved Renegade but they were booked. Good Luck!!

Stan Wiest ....Don`t do it!!!!!

Does LI paramount have a website?

Stan Wiest ....Don`t do it!!!!!

The band from Hank Lane that I heard was Harris Lane. We ended up taking Renegade from LI Paramount. They have a website--I think it is www.liparamount.com

How much?

Do you mind sharing how much LIParamount charges for your band?

How much?

For Renegade on a Saturday night I think we are paying $7000. We also added on a trio for our ceremony for an additional $800. I don't know the prices for the other bands. Good Luck

How much?

All of the LIparamount bands are aleast $4000 and up and I now that the prices have gone up since we booked in 2000. The website has not been working too well, try them at (516)932-2263(band). They are very nice to deal with and have showcases every week. We went with Arcadia but Renegade is great also. Good Luck!

How much?

Thanks for the info! I called LI Paramount and found out that Renegade is 6700 (out of budget)and Arcadia is 5500. What did you like about Arcadia?

DO NOT BOOK HANK LANE

My sister is seeing a lawyer next week to take legal action against Hank Lane Music. The band that the booked for their wedding WAS NOT the same band that played at the wedding and the manager of the company said, 'well too bad, nothing we can do now.' they also took a dinner break which was clearly stated in the contract that they are a 'continous play' band. They are a horrible company to work w/ and do not have a great reputation. They do not allow you to view the band because they often switch bands on you. We have been in contact w/ 3 other brides that this has happened too and they are all taken legal action.

Stan Wiest

I have heard great things about this company. My friend is using them for her wedding in 2 weeks. I think the name of the band is Twilight Orchestra is something like that. I'll find out if you are interested!

Hank Lane - glad to hear people are taking action

I am so glad to hear that people are grouping together to get what they paid for. Even if it`s after the fact, so many brides get bad service and the attitude is: what are you going to do about it, the wedding is over. Which is disgusting. It wouldn`t happen in an other industry. I`m glad to hear your sister is standing up for herself. Good for her!

How much?

We liked so many things about them. We went to like two showcases for them and about 20 others. Renegade and Arcadia were the ones that we liked the best. Arcadia has three male singers and one female they all had a lot of energy and a great, different voices. She sang our wedding song which is a difficult song to sing and my eyes filled up with tears. they are having a showcase at the Westbury Manor on June 30th it would be worth your while to go. That way you can see for yourself. Everyone's opinion is different. But I really do not think that you will like Stan Wiest so do not waste your time taking the trip out there. Also try Current Affair they have a website...i think it is CurrentAffairmusic.com and they were very nice to deal with and were less expensive. We went to a wedding that had them and everyone raved about them! Good Luck!

How much?

Thanks to everyone for all the help! I will definetely stay away from Stan Wiest and Hank Lane. Thanks also for the Arcadia recommendation. Unless I find something sooner (Im going to see Timepiece next week) I am planning to go to the June 30 showcase.

By the way...

For anyone interested I went to a showcase of Off the Hook by Body Head productions last night. If anyone is interested, I'd be happy to share what I thought. Please email me at [email protected]