Tag: upstate

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Band Bar Club Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Music Musicians Upstate Venue

Want a band for your next party but cannot afford it?

Here’s a common issue…  Someone wants a band for their 40th birthday party and they can’t afford it. Bummer! And an iPod just won’t cut it!

The cost of the band isn’t the only issue either! Besides paying the band for their appearance, there may be other expenses, such as renting a venue, sound and/or lighting. If the band is a popular act, they may have a rider that covers everything from transportation, accommodations, refreshments and assistants. They could require a particular size stage, union stagehands and more.

So maybe booking a band of that caliber is a bit much. Even a local band can set you back a grand, and you still have to have a place that is large enough, has enough power to provide for their audio and lighting gear, and keeps them warm / cool and dry. And, all without the neighbors calling the police for loud noise.

Here’s a suggestion – work with a local band to find a venue who might subsidize your party!

How would that work? Simply put, your party will only last a couple hours, right? A bar, club or restaurant has live music starting around 8 or 9 in the evening generally, and some as late as 10pm start times.

You might be able to work with the band and venue to secure the facility for your party from  6 to 8, or 7 to 9. The venue pays half the band’s fees and you pay half and you both get exactly what you want! You get a party at a great location, with a band all to yourself, or at least mostly to yourself, and then the bar or club gets the benefit of the band playing until they close.

The band may charge slightly more for this, as their play time is increased, but they are getting two gigs and only moving gear once.

The venue may be more than happy to entertain this idea as you are bringing 50 of your closest friends to their place, and providing them with some sales. You can probably secure a deal where they let your party have discounted booze, or a drink special.

If this sounds like something you are interested in and you are in the Upstate or Greenville SC area, give us a call and let’s talk! You might just end up with a band for 25-30% off AND have a great location for your party!

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Band Event Fun Greenville John M. Hoyt Live Entertainment Reception Wedding

Have you booked a band for your Greenville wedding reception yet?

It’s already March, and so many weddings are planned, right down the last detail. The dresses have been purchased months in advance, the cake and catering have been finalized, and even the groomsmen have been fitted for their tuxes.

But have you picked a band yet? You’re not using an iPod on shuffle are you? Or some DJ who was suggested by a friend of a friend?

If you have decided that prerecorded music is for you, at least insure you have a great sound system. Rent one from one of the reputable places around the Upstate that has a subwoofer to make the bass actually something you feel, instead of just hear. That will be certain to help a little.

However, nothing, absolutely nothing, takes the place of a live entertainment! A band brings the energy level up! Especially a group that has a wide variety of styles that will appeal to a broad majority of your attendees.

Hot As A Pepper is such a band! We play a fun and funky mix of dance and rock, with some good old Carolina Beach, country, and even a reggae tune thrown in for good measure.

Our upbeat rock from the past and present is sure to move the younger crowd, while disco, beach and funk will get just about everyone else. For those who prefer country, yes, we can do a couple tunes for them too.

If you would like more information about how Hot As A Pepper can spice up your wedding reception, please give us a call at 864-979-1224 or use the contact form on our website!

Our rates are affordable, our show is exactly what you are looking for, that is, if you want something unique and fun!

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Band Bar Club Corporate Event Event Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Party Upstate Venue

Everybody, let’s rock!

Do you love dancing?  I mean, do you REALLY love dancing?

Here’s someone who loves dancing:

If you love dancing as much as this young man, then please consider Hot As A Pepper for your next function! There’s nothing we like better than providing the groove for you to get down to!

We cover many styles of music in a show, most of the songs are familiar and perfect for you to dance to, whether it is a shag or a slow dance, and maybe even a line dance.

At our last gig, we had an actual Hell’s Angel member busting a move most of the night with us! If we can get big burly bikers up dancing, we can move your feet too!

Call us today and book a party, corporate event, wedding, or hire us for your venue because we play bars and clubs too! We mostly play the Upstate because we are Greenville, SC based, but we will travel to you if the gig is right!

864-979-1224 or use the booking info contact link above!

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Band Event Fun Function Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Live Entertainment Music Musicians Party

The Clemson fraternity semi-formal event we were hired to play in Pendleton SC was fun!

A Clemson University fraternity hired Hot As A Pepper to play their semi-formal event last weekend at the beautiful and historic Woodburn House in Pendleton SC.

There was food (prepared by a fraternity member), lovely young ladies and dancing. LOTS of dancing!

You can find a couple of the videos under our Videos link.

Is your fraternity or sorority planning a fun event where live music entertainment may be of interest? If so, our band wants to play it!  Please give us a call at 864-979-1224 or use our contact form to request a quote.

Wherever your college / university is within a couple hours of The Upstate, we will go to you and bring party fun with us!

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Band Bar Charity Club Corporate Event Event Festival Fun Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Live Entertainment Music Party Reception Simpsonville Upstate Wedding

We’re booking gigs all around the Upstate – Greer, Simpsonville, Clemson, Greenville, Piedmont!

Our calendar is filling quickly thanks to good friends spreading the word about a band that wants to bring fun and funky live music entertainment to your Upstate SC gig!

We have several tentative bookings, but as it stands, here are the current confirmed performances:

Sept. 22 – Woodburn House / Ashtabula Plantation semi-formal – Private Event
Sept. 29 – Sippin’ In Simpsonville – Oktoberfest (ROCKTOBERFEST!) – Public Event / $15 in advance, $20 day of.
Oct. 5 – Private event at the Embassy in Greenville
Oct. 13 – Quaker Steak & Lube in Greenville for “Guard Your Life” event – Public Event
Nov. 3 – Poker run charity fundraiser at Pop A Top in Piedmont, SC – Public Event
Dec. 8 – Rhythm & Brews in Greer, SC – Public Event

We’ll work on getting our calendar up to date and possibly change the format of it so it is easier to see at a glance, as well as get notifications.  Facebook events will be added for all public events.

Would you like to hire Hot As A Pepper to provide music for your festival, dance, graduation, reunion, wedding reception or rehearsal, engagement party or some other reason? Please call us at 864.979.1224 for more information!

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Band Bar Club Corporate Event Event Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Live Entertainment Music Party Upstate Wedding

Come check out a Hot As A Pepper band rehearsal in Greenville, SC

Want to see what Hot As A Pepper is all about?   Join us as we work up new material, clean up existing tunes and cut up during our weekly rehearsals.

This is a great opportunity to “audition” us for your wedding reception, high school reunion, birthday party, prom, corporate event, bar, club or just about any other HAAPpening you might be planning that would be well served by a band performing live music here in the Greenville SC area or even in North Carolina, Tennessee or Georgia.

All we ask is that you make prior arrangements with us. You can use the contact form or call to get more information and get added to the list.

They typically in full swing at 7pm and last until 9pm (or later) on a Thursday evening, but that is subject to change.

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Band Corporate Event Event Function Greenville Hot As A Pepper Music Musicians Simpsonville Upstate Venue

How to book a great band like Hot As A Pepper for your corporate function or event in Greenville / Upstate SC

Let’s assume you have decided to book a professional band for your upcoming corporate function or corporate event here in Greenville, Anderson, Simpsonville, Spartanburg or anywhere within a couple hours of Upstate SC.

Let’s even go as far as to assume you possess impeccable taste in music and have decided that the band you want to hire for your event is Hot As A Pepper!   Thanks! We’re honored!

What’s the next step?

You want to insure the day of the event comes off flawless, or at the very least APPEARS to come off without a hitch, so planning as far ahead in advance is of the utmost importance.

Before contacting the band, you need to know some information in order for an accurate quote to be given.

  • Date your corporate event will be held on
  • When do we start, when do we stop, when can we setup?
  • How long will you require music for (2 hours? 3 hours?)
  • Venue where event will take place
  • Type of event (Grand opening, customer appreciation, picnic, etc)
  • Approximate attendance
  • Will the event be held indoors or outdoors?
  • Is there a stage, and if so, how large?
  • If outdoors, is the stage covered?
  • Is there at least 30 amps of power present?
  • What is the dress requirements (Casual, formal, beach, etc)
  • Will a PA system be provided at the venue?
  • If there is a PA, is there an audio engineer running it?
  • Are stage lights provided, if required, or will we need our own?
  • Will an emcee (MC, M.C.) be required or provided?

Goodness gracious that’s a lot of information to provide! But rest assured, the more information you have, the easier it is for the band to determine if it is the right gig for us, if we are available and how much to charge.

If we have to provide a stage, sound system, stage lighting, and the personnel required, obviously, the cost is going to go up, but by how much comes down to just how large of a gig, as larger venues and larger crowds, require a more robust PA system.

Likewise, if formal-wear is required, we will have to take into account additional time to setup, then change into the proper clothing.

Communication is key to any great relationship, and it is no different when hiring a band. We want to get as much information as possible so that we do not overlook a thing.

Once we have a quote prepared, if it is acceptable to you, we will ask to meet for and go over a contract. The contract will protect you and us, and you should be sure to include any specifics in the notes of that contract. Since we are blocking off a date on our calendar for your event, we ask for a 25% deposit at that time. The balance is due at completion of the gig. Cash is always nice, however, checks are acceptable, as are credit cards.

Our contract covers the date and the hours of music you would like to be played, however, if you determine your function is going well and may run longer, we will be happy to extend our time for a reasonable overtime charge. We can talk during a break.

Tips are acceptable and customary if you feel the musicians lived up to your expectations! Many times we have received a tip of 20%, 30% or even more!

If your function features food, it is also nice to extend that to the performers and crew.

What if the band is not doing what you hoped for? What if they are too loud, or maybe they are playing music that is too heavy for the crowd.

We want this to be perfect for you, so at a convenient time during the performance (not during a song), communicate with the sound / lighting person regarding audio or slip a note, written in large letters onto the stage near the vocalist. As professionals, we generally read a crowd very well, however, you are IN that crowd, so let us know.

In the days leading up to the function, one of our band members will likely want to see the venue if they are not familiar with it. They will also wan to discuss the timing of any events taking place, such as a ribbon cutting, news media videoing, etc, so we can coordinate breaks.

That’s it, give us a call and get the ball rolling!  864-979-1224 or use the contact link from the menu above!

 

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Band Bar Club Corporate Event Event

Book a professional band for your Greenville / Upstate bar, club, party or corporate event

Hot As A Pepper should be your first choice if you are looking to book / hire a professional band for your Greenville / Upstate SC bar, club, party, wedding or corporate event.

Why? Because we will work hard to ensure your occasion is perfect! We will bring seasoned professional musicians, quality audio and lighting, and a great selection of music taylored to the event.

Call us today at 864-979-1224 and let’s talk about it!

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Band Corporate Event Event Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Music Party Upstate

Hot As A Pepper is playing a block party on July 20th and you are invited!

In a couple weeks, we will be playing a block party and everyone is invited. Okay, so it isn’t Friday Night Music on Main in Downtown Greenville, but it IS a gig, and we’ll take it!

Michelle Black at Social Butterfly has decided that it would be a good idea to have an evening where people who drive by or live near her business in the Augusta Pointe shopping center can stop in, listen to some live music, check out her boutique, visit Grape & Grains (they sell beer and wine making supplies) or have an authentic Thai dinner at Royal Thai. I tend to agree with her, so Hot As A Pepper has volunteered to help make it as fun as possible.

We’ll start after it begins cooling down, after 6pm.  So come on by 104 Mauldin Rd in Greenville, between Augusta and Pleasantburg!  Bring a lawn chair, or stand around, just stop in!

If the temperature is anything like today, Hot As A Pepper will honestly be the HOTTEST BAND IN THE UPSTATE!

We’ll be playing a couple sets, or until one of us passes out, or until the authorities shut us down, which ever comes first.

Maybe we can get Latia Harris to stop by and sing a song or two with us.

If you are looking for a band for your block party, business promotional event or for any reason, please call us at 864.979.1224!

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Band Fun Function Party Upstate

Our second official rehearsal resulted in zero deaths or injuries

Last night, we had our second official rehearsal and while there were some rough moments, I am happy to report that deaths and injuries were somehow avoided, and a lot of fun was had by all.

The previous song list posted is what we worked around, not adding anything new, but instead focusing on what needs the most work.

We also had a keyboard player sit in with us that was located on Craigslist. At some point, we would love to add a keys player or rhythm guitarist if we can locate the right person.

One thing is for sure, when we show up at the next practice session, we should be nailing a number of the tunes, and be closer to booking! With that being said, if you are considering hiring a band for your Upstate function or event in or after July, please give us a call, or use that booking / contact link up at the top…

Rock on party people!