Providing quality live entertainment for corporations, non-profits, public venues and private events. In business for 12 years, booking the best Jazz, Blues, Swing, R&B and Zydeco bands in the St. Louis Area.

Coffee Talk with Benet Schaeffer of Benet Schaeffer Agency

Benet Schaeffer has been a part of the St. Louis music scene since it began gaining momentum in the mid-70's. Beginning as a rock drummer in avant-garde bands like Wax Theatrics and Go Dog Go, he began to explore roots, blues, and R & B Styles while working with Billy Gayles, a master of blues drumming styles. With all this current success, Benet started a St. Louis booking agency dedicated to providing outstanding live musical entertainment talent to clubs, venues, and concert halls of all types, as well as corporate functions, wedding receptions, and many other events. Wedding-Club.com had the pleasure of interviewing Benet over coffee talk.

WC: After all your success as a musician, what prompted you to start your own live entertainment booking agency?

BS: After finishing college (BS, BA at SLU), I continued to perform. Many of my friends and associates who are musicians were struggling to get work. I thought that instead of pursuing a computer oriented career, I could do some good for the artist community in St. Louis. I think it is true that artists are rarely good business people only because they have dedicated so much time to being artists. In some cases, I found that the most dedicated artists would rather delegate the business side of things. This way I can use my business degree in support of artists in a service capacity.

WC: What genres of music do your entertainers represent?

BS: Generally, what is known as American Roots Music. That encompasses a wide range of styles: Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Swing, Rockabilly, Motown, Zydeco (New Orleans R & B) and Jazz. I work with a few artists who are proficient at playing Latin styles as well.

WC: For people not familiar with booking agents, can you briefly describe what you do?

BS: I am essentially providing a service for artists and the buyers of that art. I am a broker who can assist a client in covering more ground than they could by themselves.

WC: What are the benefits of going through a booking agent rather than trying to find a band yourself?

BS: As I mentioned, I can help a buyer cover a lot more ground, that is, introduce a prospective client to a lot more bands or different bands than if they were working alone. Since I personally still play in a band that works a lot, I have a ground level knowledge of many elements of the situation like the rooms where receptions take place, what the acoustics are like, what bands are getting good feedback, who is breaking-up, getting together, changing members, etc.

WC: Why do you think it has become so popular to hire live entertainment for weddings in the past few years?

BS: Well, a wedding is in part an opportunity to create an important positive memory for the families and friends of the bride and groom. Having quality live music at the reception not only gives the families and guests a point of reference, but the level of fun is higher. We have had couples who come out to hear us on their anniversary every year and bring the wedding part. It is a great way to "relive" the big day.

WC: Do your musicians have to fulfill certain requirements before you represent them?

BS: Yes. I try to avoid what I call "weekend warriors", bands who have no long-term commitment to music. I have long-standing relationships with the bands that I book now, but the things I look for in bands that I am unfamiliar with are, 1) do they have a CD rather than tape 2) do they have a high quality band photo and 3) an updated songlist.

I do not represent acts that book themselves in multiple locations on any given night. This is problematic because they work from a stable of players and the band that plays the Smith wedding can be totally different than the one at the Jones wedding, though they have the same band name. This takes something away from the uniqueness of the event.

WC: If someone was looking to hire an individual musician rather than a five piece band, would you be able to help out?

BS: Yes. I know many talented soloists. If someone insists on having a Harpist, for example, at the ceremony then they should be prepared to pay what the soloist is asking. Certain instrumentalists who specialize are rare and in demand so the price can be steep. Sometimes a band that is hired can be broken down, or a soloist from that band paid a small margin more to play the ceremony or cocktail reception. This can save money and be more efficient.

WC: What do you consider to be some of the hardest aspects of hiring a band for an event?

BS: For the bride and groom one aspect is probably selecting a band from tape/CD. Bands usually make a very different impression live versus studio. A couple planning from out-of-town can get the wrong idea of what a band is like. I always encourage people to see the band live and to keep in mind that the song selection that a band plays in a club will be different than at a reception. Another aspect involves the stabilty of the band. If you are planning a year advance, is the band still going to be around? The solution is to weed out bands that are not well established. Finally, no matter how well things are planned, changes to schedule will happen. Working with a band that is flexible makes the day a lot smoother. Also, be sure the band has no other job after the reception. If you run late and want to buy additional time, you don't want to lose them to another event. I often suggest that an option to buy additional time be written into the agreement. If the party is rockin' you may want to keep going.

WC: Who are some of your most popular bands for weddings?

BS: Hands down, I have booked Hudson and the Hoodoo Cats for more receptions than any of my bands. The reason is that Jump Swing/Swing and Rockabilly is music that all ages can enjoy. Hudson is also a very affable guy. He makes a lot of friends of people he plays for. He is flexible in scheduling and works the crowd based on response. If you want mellow, he's mellow. If you want to rock, he rocks! Chia Band is very popular because they can play so many different styles: Swing, Latin, Lounge, and Klezmer (Jewish Dance music). The players are all young guys who have a lot of energy and talent. Acoustic Internote is the sleeper of the St. Louis music scene right now. They play a combination of Latin/Gypsy/Flemenco/Jazz. All schooled players with a lot of talent. Though they are all instrumental, sometimes I book them for cocktail receptions and they go over great! The Mighty Big Band plays a variety of Soul, Motown, R & B, and Jazz and features both male and female vocals. The male singer, Larry Thurston, sang for the original Blues Brothers for years and has a fantastic voice. This is a classic 'dance' band.

WC: If there was any advice that you would pass along to a bride searching for live entertainment at her event, what would you tell her?

BS: Try not to be too concerned about everyone liking the band that you book. What is important is that YOU like the band. It's your day! If no one is dancing, drag 'em out onto the floor. The band will play better with dancers in front of them and those wallflowers will get off the wall.

 

Listings of bands Benet represents

The St. Louis Social Club
MUSIC & STYLE: Variety. From Blues/R and B to Funk/Dance to Traditional Jazz
LINE-UP: Six-Piece: Guitar, Bass, Keys, Harmonica, Horns and Drums, Vocals.
BAND DESCRIPTION:Twenty year veterans on the St. Louis scene. Known for excellent musicianship and outstanding vocal harmonies. Great party band.
PRICE RANGE: $500 per hour, 2hr minimum.
CONTACT: Benet Schaeffer Agency 314-776-8084

Gumbohead
MUSIC & STYLE: New Orleans Party Music
LINE-UP: Eight-Piece: Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keys/Accordion, Sax, Percussion, Horns and Vocals.
BAND DESCRIPTION: All New Orleans styles from Jazz to Zydeco. A great party band for Mardi Gras or any time of the year. Excellent Musicanship.
PRICE RANGE: $500 per hour, 2hr minimum.
CONTACT: Benet Schaeffer Agency 314-776-8084

Big Bamou
MUSIC & STYLE: Blues, R&B, Funk and Jazz. A wide variety of styles.
LINE-UP: Flexible: Keys, Bass, Horns, Vocals. Additional players can be added.
BAND DESCRIPTION: From light Jazz to Swing. Some of the best and most experienced players in the region.
PRICE RANGE: $400 per hour, 2hr minimum.
CONTACT: Benet Schaeffer Agency 314-776-8084

Farshid Etniko
MUSIC & STYLE: Latin Jazz and Eclectic World Music Styles
LINE-UP: Five-Piece: Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Harmonica, Drums and Percussion. Trio format also.
BAND DESCRIPTION: Blend of Gypsy, Latin, and Jazz. Also Popular Jazz and original compositions. Excellent Musicanship.
PRICE RANGE:$450 per hour, 2hr minimum.
CONTACT: Benet Schaeffer Agency 314-776-8084


Wild, Cool and Swingin’
MUSIC & STYLE:Everything Swing to Las Vegas Lounge. Salsa to Sinatra
LINE-UP: Six-Piece: Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keys, Trumpet, Trombone and Vocals.
BAND DESCRIPTION: Offers an eclectic song list and is a fun party band suitable for a wide range of occassions PRICE RANGE: $500 per hour, 2hr minimum.
CONTACT: Benet Schaeffer Agency 314-776-8084

Hudson & the Hoo Doo Cats
MUSIC & STYLE: Swing, Rockabilly, Jump Blues & Boogie
LINE-UP: Three-Piece: Guitar, Upright Bass, Drums, and Vocals
BAND DESCRIPTION: Acoustic or Full Production, Original and Covers. Delivers a wide variety of Music from the '40s and '50s. Enjoyed by a wide range of ages.
PRICE RANGE: $450 per hour, 2hr minimum.
CONTACT: Benet Schaeffer Agency 314-776-8084

Mighty Big Band
MUSIC & STYLE: Blues, R&B, Motown and Jazz. A wide variety of styles.
LINE-UP: Flexible: Can work as a quartet or up to eight pieces with horns.
BAND DESCRIPTION: From light Jazz to Swing. From classic Soul Ballads to the greatest Dance tunes. Male and Female Vocals
PRICE RANGE: $450 per hour, 2hr minimum.
CONTACT: Benet Schaeffer Agency 314-776-8084

 

Last updated: Friday, November 14, 2008