Choosing a Group

Make your event memorable.  Choose a "live" band for your entertainment.  Whether it is for listening or dancing, there is something exciting about hearing a live band perform.  The musicians performing create an energy that is contagious and draws people in.  Each year millions of people pay large amounts of money to attend concerts of their favorite performers, because they want to feel that energy.  Social events are about human interaction.  The live musicians react to each other and their audience, creating a "give and take" that naturally engages the audience's participation.  Your guests will prefer the live music.  In fact, the music is usually the most memorable part of most events.

The Rod Pierson Big Band, featuring Craig Boche

For whatever the event, there is no substitute for the class and excitement that the Big Band can create.  The arrangements are authentic and selected from the libraries of America's most popular Artists.  The Rod Pierson Big Band has a history of over 35 years performing for audiences at a variety of public and private events throughout the Midwest.  Many of the band members have been involved from the beginning... a point that should not be easily missed when considering a match to you unique musical needs.  Add to this Craig Boche's vocal delivery and style at the mic, and you'll enjoy a dynamic and entertaining presentation, ranging from Martin & Sinatra's Classics through Buble & Connick Jr.'s fresh approach to Big Band today.

The Rod Pierson "Not So" Big Band

The "Not So" Big Band plays a variety of music, including Big Band, Jump Swing, Latin, Jazz standards, Dixie, Blues and Rock.  Vocalist Craig Boche performs a number of hits spanning decades of America's most popular singers.  The smaller band size (7) allows for a bit more flexibility in programming.  The arrangements are written specifically for vocal, sax, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass and drums.  The "Not So" Big Band is a great choice for your wedding reception, private party or corporate event, providing the Big sound at a lower scale for cost and space considerations.  This group really entertains!

How can I check your schedule and secure your group to perform?

Just check our website for the most up to date information regarding where we’re playing. Please email pierson.rod@gmail.com or call 319-530-0479 with the date, location and approximate timing for your event. Rod is now scheduling Jazz education clinics and workshops along with other individual performance commitments on the same calendar, but will get right back to you with their availability.

Once you have discussed your specific needs and associated fees, we will mail you two copies of an agreement (contract) asking you to sign both copies, keeping one for yourself, and return the other copy back with a non-refundable deposit to secure the date. The remaining balance is due at the time of performance.

How much do you charge?

A number of variables are considered when answering this question...location, size of the event, travel distance to the engagement, duration of the performance, additional musical needs (i.e. requests or Jazz quartet) - all contribute to the overall fee. Live music will pay for itself time and time again as you reflect on the all costs related to hosting events of any size. Let us know your requirements and we can accommodate both your needs and your budget.

How long are your performances, and do you take scheduled breaks?

The length of performance is really up to you...we typically play 4 hours with 3 short (15min) breaks spread throughout the night, while providing CD background music during the breaks. Consider using the breaks for speech giving, video presentations, toasts, OR provide your own CD with your own choice of tunes.

What are your equipment and space requirements?

Very little is required to meet our needs. We provide a complete sound system, cables, lights and stands but do ask for the following to be made available per group:

Big Band

• • Access to 2 separate standard 110-volt wall outlets
• • 12 solid (non folding) chairs w/ no arms
• • An average stage area space of 24 ft. wide X 15 ft. deep

"Not So" Big Band

• • An average stage area space of 15 ft. wide X 12 ft. deep.
• • Access to 2 separate standard 110-volt wall outlets

Can you provide music in addition to the "Main event"?

Yes, we can...consider the jazz quartet for supporting the ambience of your cocktail or dinner hour. The size and function of this group is meant to support conversation and socializing without demanding a lot of attention. Repertoire for this group is primarily Easy Listening, '70's Pop, Jazz and Latin standards. The instrumentation is sax, piano, bass and drums.

How do you select music for our event?

We perform all arrangements in both libraries regularly and, as such, are ready for just about any situation. That said, we won’t misrepresent what we’re able to do, nor will we promise anything we’re not comfortable delivering. If you’re looking for "Cat Scratch Fever" or " Meatloaf'’s Greatest Hits" medley... you may want a different group. Upon request, a song list can be supplied for you to either highlight "must have" titles, and almost equally important, note any specific songs or styles you choose to avoid. Trust our 35 years of experience to custom fit a backdrop to your satisfaction.

Do you handle special requests?

We can accommodate a number of inquiries for special requests. Pricing is commensurate to the complexity, instrumentation, and length of the song(s). We have developed a library to accommodate just about every musical taste, but we’re glad to discuss this additional Premium service.

What do you wear at the performance?

We wear attire appropriate for the function. Examples are; black tux with long black tie for weddings, concerts and formal events - dark coat and tie for receptions and private parties - black dress slacks with solid colored casual dress shirts for outdoor festivals and parties.

How long does it take for you to set up?

Much depends on the facility we will be performing in... generally we arrive 1-1/2 hours before any guests arrive. This allows for a more pleasant experience for everyone involved and ensures that all the larger equipment is set and ready when needed. Note--- facilities in cities such as downtown Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha or Minneapolis often require a longer load in period as access is more restricted and finding parking may be problematic.

Preparing for a Wedding Engagement

There are a number details that come to mind when hosting a wedding receiption.  Since every wedding is different, we will need information for your specificevent.  Considering the following questions now makes for a much more enjoyable experience.  In other words... when you arrive at the "Big Day", it's all about you!

1.  When will your guest arrive?
2.  When will the wedding party members arrive?
3.  Will there be a schedule for receiption, i.e. time of wedding, arrival times, cocktail hour, dinner time, cake cutting, first dance, etc.?
4.  Will you want additional music during the social periods of the party?
5.  Will there be an introduction of the wedding party?  We recommend this be handled by either a member of the wedding party planning group or be a family member, as this provides a more personal touch.  We can handle this at your request, but will ask for phonetic pronunciations in advance for the more difficult names.
6.  Will there be a separate father/daughter and/or mother/son dance, or possibly one dance to accommodate both?
7.  What is the song/style of song you'd like to have performed for your "first dance"?
8.  At what time of the evening would you like the first dance to occur?
9.  Do you want to announce the cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter toss, and if so, when?
10.  Any specific times you wish to schedule toasts, greetings and thank you's?