Learn to confidently book the right musician for your next private event with little or no experience.

Table of Contents

1. Should I hire a live musician?
2. What should I look for in a live musician?
3. How much does a private event musician cost?
4. What questions should I ask my event musician?
5. How to book the live musician I have selected?
6. What should I expect between booking a musician and my event?
7. How should I interact with the musician during my event?
8. What happens after?

March 18th, 2025 | by Frank Giovetti, Premium Event Musician & Entertainer, Frankgiovetti.com/PrivateEvents 

(12 min read)

1. Should I hire a live musician?

YES!

Ok, stated clearly… I am heavily biased, but it is my core belief that NOTHING breaks the ice like live music at private events.

• “I want gentle, warm, consistent conversation…” (ie rehearsal dinner, cocktail hour, corporate dinner)
  • Solo acoustic musician, Possible duo or small jazz band
• “I want a mixture of vibes and emotions…” (full wedding, awards show, holiday party)
  • Jack-of-all trades: Solo musician, or small band increasing energy or/then DJ
• “I want to party my a** off…” (wedding reception, birthday bash, block party)
  • Full band, DJ

If you have a budget for entertainment, your guests will thank you many times over for doing so. 

Kindly visit my reviews page (https://frankgiovetti.com/reviews) or that of any experienced professional to see the impact I would be honored to bring to your event.

2. What should I look for in a live musician?

The answer to this will vary based on a short-list of factors.

Rank the following in order of importance, relative to your event:

• Professionalism/Experience
• Peace of Mind
• Performer Prominence Relative to Event Happenings
• Budget

The ranking as listed above is customary for my clientele family: ability to trust their musician to deliver and to be flexible is worth the premium invested. 

Occasionally performer prominence/notoriety can top this list for this client archetype, in which case booking a nationally famous or celebrity act will provide more impact. However, there is often a trade-off here in terms of act flexibility worth monitoring.

If budget tops your list, there are still many quality acts who can provide a professional service. 

Keeping these four pillars top of mind can help you save yourself from being bailed on or unnecessarily surprised come event day. No matter the ranking, they are always relevant and in some ways inversely related.

4. How much does a private event musician cost?

Cost is understandably based in experience and availability and the spread in this space is vast.

Local, gigging musicians may have an hourly rate as low as $250, while high-profile, celebrity acts may range to upwards of $1M for an hour.

A baseline expectation of $500 per hour is a fair entertainment budget for a solo provider with $1000+ per hour reserved for experienced professionals.

*Also note, many times based on opportunity cost and demand, musicians may charge flat rates rather than hourly.

5. How to book the live musician I have selected?

Most professional, event-based musicians require some form of deposit and a contract.

50% total cost deposit is commonplace with the remainder due a day to seven days prior to your event. Most providers are flexible and should accomodate reasonable structuring so long  as payment is concluded by end of event.

Your player should provide all of your traditional and digital options: Cash, Check, Venmo, Zelle, Cashapp, and (most often for a fee) Credit.

*PRO TIP*

As you are able, I would highly recommend completing full payment in advance of your event.

Events are many times scattered and often stressful leaving little room for resolving business matters.

Having ends tied up in advance will allow you to fully immerse yourself in your event and prevent your act from persistent outreach in hopes of collection.

Note: This CERTAINLY applies best when working with seasoned, verifiably dependable providers and may come with risk when working with budget acts. NEVER pay in full in advance for a budget musician.

6. What should I expect between booking a musician and my event?

In short, not much. Trusted providers know how to prepare and execute even as details shift on the spot, day of.

Communication should be clear and response times will be consistent.

Experienced professionals will require far less instruction than you may anticipate, but are always happy to field questions and instructions leading up to your event.

7. How should I interact with the musician during my event?

We always love a check-in upon arrival whether with you or your planner! 

Confirming performance location and power source will most often be the extent of our needs, freeing you to make final preparations for your wedding, corporate event, or dinner party. This can also be done in advance as necessary. 

I've shown to many an event knowing where to go without in-person instruction and have experience in figuring out on the spot what needs to happen. If you have specific desires, communicate so freely while also being open to your performer's experience. Lean on their knowledge and collaborate to make your dreams a reality.

I love interacting with my host and guests throughout an event, however with as much is as going on usually (ie seeing family you have not seen in a while,  having a cocktail, interacting with other vendors) I'm always prepared to wallpaper (popular term for providing ambiance for your event, while not being the feature) or entertain.

*PRO TIP*

Knowing how your performer handles requests can be an important detail to note.

Some musicians are able to accomodate requests more readily than others with some performers FEATURING their ability to play most songs you request on the spot.

I provide clients with an extensive song-list in advance and have the option to provide general guidelines or pick songs specifically. Most opt for the former as it allows me the 

I also build into every contract a number of advanced requests (songs not on my list) I am happy to learn. 

Ask your musician's request policy in advance of booking!

8. What happens after?

Reviews are the life-blood of an event musician's business!

If you had a wonderful experience, always make time to say so.

As all payments are finalized, there's nothing to do but look forward to the next!

Frank Giovetti is a premium event musician from Nashville, TN with over 100 5-star reviews across the United States!

Join Frank's family of clients:

Frankgiovetti.com/privateevents