FAQ

First and foremost, you can expect professionalism.  I arrive early, I use professional-grade equipment, and maintain it to always sound my best.  

I am responsive and communicative with my clients.  My goal is to make the music a worry-free part of your event or venue, so you can concentrate on more important things, such as enjoying yourself!

We will discuss your expectations to make sure I'm the right fit for your needs, and talk about the nature of your party or event, and any special requests you might have, as well as fees and deposits. 

On the day of your event, I'll usually arrive between 30 and 45 minutes ahead of time to be sure everything is ready to go, and to have time to handle any last-minute issues that may arise.

After that, it's all about good music and good times!

I play a wide range of music, with a focus on classic rock and pop selections, but not always the "standard" songs you'd expect from a solo acoustic performer.  I'm not too big on the slower, folk-y music of the past, but rather the upbeat, fun music of the 70's, 80's, and 90's.  My use of live-looping really lets me expand my repertoire into more energetic and interesting territory, and this is what sets me apart from the "guy/gal on a stool" acoustic act.  

I'm not big on country music, though I do know a few, and I'm willing to learn (Please see section "Will you learn songs for me?" in this FAQ).

I'm always interested in learning new music, so don't hesitate to ask if there's something you'd like to hear in the future!

Live looping uses technology to create a "one-man-band" style of performance.  Many people point to Ed Sheeran as an example of a well-known loop artist.

I have an array of equipment on a pedalboard in front of me that allows me to record and instantly play back my guitar and/or voice in almost limitless ways and layers.  I often start by recording a beat or percussion loop, and add more layers and "tracks" as the song progresses.

Some players choose to use drum machines and/or pre-recorded backing tracks as part of their live-looping setup.  I do not.  Every single sound you hear at one of my shows is created, recorded, and "looped" on-the-spot.  It's a challenging way to perform; drum machines and backing tracks don't make mistakes, but I can (and do)!  However, the spontaneity of this kind of live show creates an undeniable energy, as well as more of a "show"; when people know I'm doing it all 100% live, they find it more interesting to watch as I build parts and songs on-the-fly.

The short answer is:  It depends on the type of event, the location, and the length of performance time.

If you can send me the details of your event, I'll quickly get back to you with a quote!

All the time!  Email me, or call/text to (480) 773-9946 to discuss your needs.

It's a good idea to check my calendar to see if your desired date is open, but even if it looks booked, please feel free to reach out anyway.  I work with amazing regular clients, and can sometimes move my schedule around to accommodate additional bookings.  It never hurts to ask!

I accept all major digital platforms (Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, CashApp), as well as credit/debit cards, checks, and of course cash.

For private events, I usually do ask for a deposit of between 1/4 and 1/2 of the total fee to secure the date.

Deposits are 100% refundable before the specified window.

Normally, this is a 14-day window; if you cancel more than 14 days from the date of the event, your deposit is refunded. 

Under certain circumstances (such as cancellations due to rain), kept deposits can be held for a future booking or rescheduled event.

This largely depends on the request, but most times the answer is yes!  But sometimes I will charge a fee to learn specific music, and here's why:

It's important to realize that preparing a song for live performance can take many hours of study and repetitive practice.  I don't ever want to give a half-baked version of a requested song (especially something important like a first-dance, or walk-down-the-aisle song!) so I will spend as much time as necessary to get the song as close to perfect as possible.  So therefore, I do charge a fee for learning additional music when applicable.  

Fees generally start at $50 per song, however if the song is really simple and/or something I'm already somewhat familiar with, I can often waive the fee.  And I usually give a "first song free" for weddings and similar celebrations*.

*Some songs simply don't translate well to guitar.  Even with live looping, it's not always possible to create a recognizable or enjoyable version of certain songs (for example, some synthesizer and techno-based songs just don't work for guitar).  So it's important to talk to me about your selection(s) ahead of time and have some alternate songs in mind just in case!

My current list has over 450 songs.  And let's be honest:  I don't remember how to play them all!  It never fails that if I give out a list, someone is going to choose songs that I simply forgot how to play, leading to disappointment.  So I usually do not "publish" my song list.

Of course I do still take requests and do my best to fulfill them - just ask!

While we are lucky to have such amazing weather here in the Phoenix area, rain can happen.  And just as you'll likely have alternate plans for your guests, it's advisable to have an alternate space for me.

Covered outdoor areas are fine if the weather gets rainy, as long as there is no chance of me or my equipment getting wet from splashing or blowing rain or runoff.

I'm happy to perform inside or out!

Deposits are not refundable for unexpected weather, with limited exceptions, but can usually be applied toward a rescheduled date or future booking.  If inclement weather is expected, I will communicate with you in advance to figure out an appropriate plan.

Sure!  I'm not bothered by the heat, but we will absolutely have to find a shaded spot for both me and my equipment.  I have no problem being outside in summer, but I can't put myself nor my equipment in direct sunlight when it's crazy hot outside.

At this time, I do not carry a portable canopy or cover, so the client will need to a provide a shaded area for me to perform.

My setup is quite compact, and I can perform in an area as small as about 6 feet wide and 3 feet deep.

Please be aware of other considerations, such as wet areas, severely sloped or uneven ground, or overly dirty/dusty terrain when choosing a spot for me to set up and perform.  Wet areas also include spots near swimming pools that are actively being used and might splash water onto my electronic equipment.

All I need is a single, reliable power outlet within about 100 feet of the performance area.

I have a number of different setups to meet the requirements of a wide range of events and venues.  Most often, I will be using a Bose L1 Model II line-array PA system.  This system is extremely flexible, and sounds fantastic at any volume level, and I have a pair of these if I really need to bring some power.

More info about my gear can be found here.