The Great Imponderables

828-506-0011

Overall Rating:

4.9 out of 5.0

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5 reviews

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Categories: cashiers band Address: 931 Spring Forest Road
Cashiers, NC 28717
(map) Phone: 828-506-0011

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Reviews for The Great Imponderables

Taylor84
GUEST

Overall Rating:

4.7 out of 5.0

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09/11/2010

You can definitely tell them what songs you want to hear and what songs/bands you don't want played! If it's a song that they can't play they have an mp3 player to play in down times or we used for our father/daughter dance. Sometimes it took a little while to hear back from them and they did get booked pretty quickly at the beginning of the year so we did feel pressured to pick a wedding weekend fairly quickly. During the wedding season when they are more busy it is a little harder to get in touch with them but we were still glad to have them as our band and everyone at the wedding really enjoyed their music. We were supposed to provide pictures for a slide show but they didn't tell us when they wanted them by and we turned them in too late so he wasn't able to do it. Overall, that was a small glitch that we didn't feel like really mattered for us. Had we known a deadline though that would have been nice. We would definitely recommend them and would use them again for other get togethers.

Vendor response to review

Your wedding was great, as was the corwd. It's great to see so many people having a wonderful time. We truly apologize that we didn't get to do the slide presentation. However, we did give information as to what types of pictures were needed and when we needed them . Unfortunately, there were apparently other people involved in the wedding party that was supposed to get these to us in the format requested. Because they did not know our time constraints, they thought they could send these or have us do research and download ourselves. We simply do not have to time for such requests, thus the reason we ask for certain formats. Out of our years of service, this is the first instance we have not been able to accomodate. The good news is that none of the guests were really expecting it. As a result, no one missed it. Still, we were able to overcome other challenges with the venue and great time was had by all. We really enjoyed being a part of your event, and thanks for all your kindnesses.

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Rick S
GUEST

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5.0 out of 5.0

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07/17/2010

The Great Imponderables were fabulous and very easy to work with. We were planning our daughter's wedding from out of state and I really wanted a live band rather than a DJ. I picked TGI based on reviews on the web and hoped for the best! They were better than I could have imagined and I would not hesitate to recommend them. Just about everyone I spoke with commented how awesome the band was. They are truly professional and know how to get the crowd going building continuously throughout the evening. I seen friends dancing who I never witnessed going anywhere near the dance floor previously. They were instrumental in coordinating and scheduling the proceedings which was a tremendous help since we were out of state. They went above and beyond what I would expect especially since there was a mix up (my fault) with the photographs for the video and they managed to get it done. The video was exceptional and in fact I got several request for copies from family members. In summary, The Great Imponderables are exceptional, professional and most importantly they rock! I would enthusiastically endorse them and I promise it will be one less thing to worry or stress about.

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Meghan
GUEST

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5.0 out of 5.0

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09/19/2009

Rick, I can't believe you guy's!!! I was really concerned when we were first looking for a band. I told you that music was the main part of our lives and you assured me that you knew what you were doing. Of course, this being a wedding, I didn't just want any band, but since I have never booked bands before, I wasn't sure what all to ask. You were very kind in helping us to see what was needed for a band for our reception. I must admit, we did talk to other bands, and we found several that were much cheaper, but you made us "feel" more comfortable with you guy's. Then, at the reception, I couldn't believe it!!! You guy's rocked! I'm still jumping. You were right about having the right music for a wedding. I've seen some of my relatives dancing that I've never seen them do that before! It was so exciting from the first moment we stepped under the tent. You and the guy's were so much fun and helpful. I really appreciated the video you provided for everyone. I saw my parent and grandparents, as well as myself, with a few tears. You really are more than just a band. You're a great bunch of guy's that know how to make a wedding day so special. I don't think I could ever forget your band. BTW, some of our guests want to contact you for some of their parties. I hope it was OK to give them your information.

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ET
GUEST

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5.0 out of 5.0

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05/16/2009

We could not have asked for more. The band went above and beyond anything we could have hoped for. Rick was a little concerned about playing our first song, although he had plenty of time to let us know. When we came in and the band started to play it, I was so impressed. I honestly think they were as good, if not better than the original. Our guests are still talking about how awesome this band was. My husband and I listen to a lot of bands in Atlanta. We both agree that they are better than any band we've heard in the Atlanta area. When the band played the last song, I couldn't believe it was my all time favorite Journey song. They even allowed me and my husband to come up on the stage to sing it with them. Our guests were all over these guy's. It could not have been better. It was more than a dream come true. They were also great about setting things up for us at the reception so there was never a dull moment. In fact, we didn't even need a wedding planner for the reception. Rick and the guy's had everything under control and knew what they were doing. These guy's are beyond professionals. They are the ULTIMATE!!! Thanks so much to Rick and the guy's.

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phantom
GUEST

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11/23/2008

I know why this band is so popular. They are more than just a band. They kept everything at our wedding running smoothly. They also kept our guest involved throughout the whole process. We had one of our bridesmaids that is a professional singer herself. The band allowed her to participate and be a part of such a great night! Our guests are still asking where they can see these guy's play again! We spent a little more than we had budgeted for the band, but we're so glad that we did! It really pays to have a group of professionals like these guy's. Thanks Rick for you did! I will never forget you guy's!!

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Vendor recommendation from Elite Catering

This is truly a great bunch of guy's. They really know how to provide wedding entertainment. They have a live band that really knows how to get people dancing. They also provide a DJ for brides that can't afford a professional band. They know weddings and they know the crowd. Our staff loves their music as well. They play the right choices for weddings and knows what does and does not work. I have never heard any other wedding professionals that do the job of these guy's. They really can't be beat!

Photos for The Great Imponderables

About The Great Imponderables

The Great Imponderables were voted on by their brides and acheived the National "Creme de la Creme" Wedding Reception Band Award for 2008 by the Wedding MBA. Recognized as wedding professionals in the industry, they will make your expectation of your special day a reality. Your wedding reception will be a time of celebration where all of your guests will be on the dance floor, making your event a night that will be long remembered. Supplying the right music at the right time is the reason this band is so sought after. Their variety of music will have your little neices and nephews, brother, sisters, parents, friends, and grandparents enjoying your special day. Your guests will not want to leave your celebration. In fact, many brides have commented, they didn’t want to leave as well. The Great Imponderables are here for you. If you want a band that will treat your wedding with the special attention and concern that it deserves, you will want The Great Imponderables. 828-506-0011 Wedding Reception Band

FAQ for The Great Imponderables

Are you an agency or a band?

Band

What is the size of your band?

Medium (4-6 musicians)

What music genre does your band play?

50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, Acoustic, Blues, Classic Rock, Dance, Funk, Jazz, Motown, Oldies, Pop, Punk Rock, R&B, Rock, Soul, Swing

Do you have liability insurance?

Yes

What is your band's usual attire?

Weddings are black suits with ties. Sometimes we will wear a solid color shirt, just to differentiate the band from the rest of the guests.

Do you offer live sample performances or CDs?

We are a professional events band. As such, we are hired for private weddings and corporate events. Occasionally, we may have a live performance that is open to the public. For instance, we have played fund raisers for disaster victims to crowds of 4,000. We have also performed events for Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, and The National Endowment for the Arts. Still, the majority of our events are private. If you want to know how the band does with a live performance, we strongly encourage you to visit our official web site, read our comments, and contact those brides that have given us their information so that you can do just that. They will gladly tell you about the bands performance. NOTE: TGI was voted 2008's "Creme de la Creme" Wedding Reception Band by the Wedding MBA. This award was received from votes tallyed and comments made about all bands that were entered.

Are you willing to learn songs that you do not currently know?

Yes. However, with a wedding almost every weekend, you can see that these demands are extremely high. We will consider your request and consider our instrumentation and vocal range. If we feel that we can not do your song justice, we'll tell you just that. As an alternative, we will always play it on a CD, if requested. We have done this numerous times to the success of the event.

How much time do you usually need for setup?

Usually, at least 2 hours. Sure, some bands will say 30 minuts, but those are the bands that come carrying all their equipment through the middle of your guests, throw everything together, and then start blasting away. We route all of our cables and cover all unsightly cabling. We then run sound checks on all equipment and then balance your room for sound. You will not just get a lot of VOLUME, but a nice clean sound that can easily be heard.

How much space do you usually require?

The band should never be crowded. It does not look good for your event. WE usually ask a minimum of 12' X 14'. But here again, we have played in smaller areas. We will make it work for you, no matter what. This is a group of professionals and we know how to adapt to make things work.

Do you have a sign or banner that you use at events?

Sometimes, but not necessary.

What (if any) special equipment, such as disco balls or lighting, is offered with your service?

We have a licensed laserist in the band. However, in order for lasers to work, you must have fog. We have two fog machines; one for the dance floor and one for the air. We also have background lights, can lights for the band, a projector for both lighting and images, and a technician. We also provide special equipment for photo presentations.

Do you usually emcee the event, or talk between songs?

We do emcee your event to make sure that it never goes "dead". However, we usually don't talk between every song. We don't want to sound like a radio station. We want to keep the atmosphere as a wedding and not a night club or disco act. We introduce the bridal party, have a couple of games for all your guests, announce the cake cutting and any other special event you may be having, as well as make sure that all of your guests and participants are in the right place at the right time. We also work closely with your planner and photographer so they know what is going to happen, where, and when. That way, no one misses out on anything.

How would you motivate the crowd if no one is dancing?

We have never had "no one" dancing. However, we do have activities throughout the night that are designed to keep everyone involved. Some people don't dance, period. For those, you have to have something to keep them involved in your event. We do these activities during band breaks. This way, there's always something for everyone. No one is left out of your event.

What is your policy on taking breaks? If you need a meal break, do you require that the client provide your meal?

Meals are somewhat customary for the band. The reason is that the band will show up 2-3 hours before your event to set up all equipment and make sure everything is tucked away nice and neat. They then have to wait about an hour or longer after the ceremony before they are ready to play. When they begin playing, they then have about 4 hours of performance, then another 1 hour or more to break down and load all equipment. That's a total of at least 8 hours at your venue. The band NEVER eats with you and your guests. The band usually eats there meal in the kitchen or some othere out of the way location. However, the band must be fed before their performance begins. Once they start, they do not have enough time to stop for a meal. As a result, it is encouraged that the band be fed when the bridal party is fed. This way they have time to finish up and prepare for their performance for the rest of the evening.

Do you play recorded music during your break?

Absolutely! You're not just hiring a band, you are hiring professional entertainment directors to make sure your event goes as long as you want it to. Still, we usually play the recorded music during breaks a little lower than when the band is playing. This actually allows your guests time to mingle and talk. After all, that is a part of your wedding as well. No doubt, you will have friends and family that may not have seen one another in years. They will want some time to be able to converse and not have to shout over the music. Also, older guests appreciate a little softer music from time to time. That is another reason that we have such a variety of music in our play list. You will want something for them to be able to dance too so they can enjoy the evening with you. More importantly, we provide activities and help to arrange your timeline so that there are activities during such breaks. This is when we show videos, do the cake cutting, toasts are done, flower toss, etc. We know how to help you work all of these things together.

If one or more of the band members is unable to attend, what is your backup plan?

We have other professionals that can play with us from time to time. However, we are all professionals and know our responsibilities. NO band member "lays out" as it were. We also have other bands that we can call on in such an emergency. However, we have never had to do any of these in our years of performance. All members are professionals and knows our jobs are important.

What is your overtime rate?

$600/hour and any portion thereof. For instance, if you only wanted the band to play 1/2 hour, it is still $600. If we play an hour and 15 minutes, it will be $1,200 ($600 for the first hour + $600 for the 15 minute portion of the second hour). All of this is in our contract with you. We will gladly go over the contract and all the details of your event when you contact the band for your consultation.

Do you charge for travel expenses? If yes, how much do you charge?

WE incorporate those costs when we give you the price. If you want to save money, you need to let us know that you are supplying rooms. We WILL NOT discount a price after we give you a quote. If you are supplying rooms (we get 2 rooms with 2 double beds in each), you need to let us konw at the time of your request. Again, we WILL NOT discount our price after an offer has been made.

What is the required deposit to secure your services?

Deposit is based upon the size of the contract. Typical deposit is $400 and can go as high as $1,000. These are "booking" fee's and not deposits. This is to reserve your date. The balance of the contract is not due till closer to your requested date, usually a minimum of 14 days prior.

Additional Advice

How much does your band cost?

That's a loaded question. This is a professional band. We are not just a band, but your wedding and event party directors. We keep things moving. You can hire a band that can keep the music going, or you can hire a professional event band that knows how to keep your people going and your event alive! Professional event bands do cost more because they are made up of profesisonal musicians. Think about it, do you want a wedding photographer that is doing photography on the side to make some extra money, or do you want a professional that knows how to capture your shots. The same is true for bands. Most any band will play anything you ask. However, we consider the crowd and know what it takes to keep people involved. We also offer special wedding favors that no other band can offer. For pricing, you need to contact us directly at www.thegreatimponderables.com

Can I pick my own songs?

Many bands will have a list of about 400 songs for you to choose from. However, you will get no more than about 55 songs in a 4 hour performance. A singer MUST take breaks to protect his voice. That being said, with a list of 400+ songs, a band could not play all of them more that once every couple of months. How proficient do you think they would be at that? If you go to a concert, the performers play the same songs, night after night, week after week. That is why when you go to listen to them you say, "They were flawless." That is why we keep our list small and why we win awards. As professionals, we consider the age of a crowd at weddings and play appropriate songs for each age group, yet still familiar to all. The songs choices we use are those that will get people involved, singing and dancing. This way, your audience will feel a part of your event. No doubt, you will have a list a favorites. Still, your audience is extremely varied in background and tastes. That is why you hire a professional entertainer. We have literally seen events where individuals that are not trained in the entertainment industry "pick" music, only to see guests leave early and the party end early. You have to know how to read the energy level of the crowd and play the right music at the right time.

When considering a "budget" for a band, many brides don't know exactly how much they should spend. There is much information about this on our web site at www.thegreatimponderables.com/cost_to_hire_band.htm However, the biggest thing to remember is, what do you want people to remember? Is it the flowers, the food, or the celebration? That being said, whatever you decide, the larger portion of your budget should go to where you want to achieve the greatest success. You might want to cut back on some other items to make sure that you are getting what you want. See our survey at www.thegreatimponderables.com There you can take part of just view the results of what other brides felt was most important at their reception.

Deals for The Great Imponderables

Your Story Book Video

Deal does not expire

Send us photo's of both the bride and the groom on CD's. We will then put together a slide presentation to run during the nights event. Give us any details and we will add text to photo's to help describe the story. Photo's can be when both were very young and as they grew up through the years. This is a $500 value that is yours, if you mention you saw it on weddingwire.com