Orpheus and Aphrodite

Honing Our Skills

2011-06-09T10:48:00.000-07:00

by Kris Bayne June 9, 2011

Band of Gold Trio

Tuesday nights 7:00 - 10:00pm@Local Republic

One of the perks of being a professional musician is the occasional ability to break away from the "everyday" cover songs and play something bold and exciting. I can't think of a better way to hone a musician's skills than to throw him in a new environment with songs he has never even thought of playing before. The performance becomes a learning situation where musicians become better players and more importantly, better communicators with each other. Spontaneous, live performances create an excitement for the musician and, at the same time, the guests are uniquely entertained. I am fortunate to have this opportunity every Tuesday night with 2 of the greatest musicians I've ever performed with.

Local Republic, a new cool restaurant, bar, hang out spot in Historic Downtown Lawrenceville has brought something different to the Square. Locally crafted beers, incredible wines and great food are teamed with a laid back, friendly atmosphere and a top notch crew to create an excellent dining experience. The Band of Gold Trio (1/2 of the popular Atlanta wedding and special event band, Band of Gold) is there entertaining an enthusiastic audience on Tuesday nights from 7:00 - 10:00pm.

Band of Gold Trio
photo by Orpheus and Aphrodite

I can't think of a more appropriate place to showcase our trio. We are given absolute creative freedom to perform what we want - with only a couple of exceptions that are on the "banned forever" list. For example, Local Republic is not the kind of place to play Margaritaville and, as a rule, we don't play the overplayed. Instead, we choose to create nice classy jazz mixed with non-classy rock and pop. Guests never know what we'll play next. And neither do we.

We take requests. We play them if we know them, we fake it if we don't and most of the time, we get away with it. There's an amazing reward for that. It makes you feel like you can do anything. It also makes guests feel included. By communicating with the band and yelling requests through the open air THEY become the show. Afterall, in a restaurant that prides itself on being for the people, by the people, it IS about them. That's magic.

Band of Gold Trio at Local Republic in Lawrenceville

photo by Dave Morrison

We would love for you to stop by and try one of their tasty menu items and drinks. It's a great way to support your local community! Local Republic is at 225 W. Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.

Check out this great review by Gwen Morrison at http://goo.gl/qTsMM.

Beautiful e-session at Tribble Mill Park in Lawrenceville/Grayson with Alexa & Corey. They were aweseom in front of the camera--a joy to work with!

2011-04-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

A spring afternoon at Vines

2011-04-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

Had a great afternoon with Ashley & Marcus in the beautiful Vines Gardens in Loganville (pollen was uninvited, but necessary for the lovely flowers)!

Cara and Chris - The Atrium, March 4, 2011

2011-04-22T11:55:00.000-07:00

The Atrium wedding March 4, 2011. Great easy-going couple, Cara & Chris had so many fun elements in their wedding, including: a 6-boy security posse for the rings, complete with sunglasses & walkie-talkies, a groom who took my joke to get in weird positions like a headstand seriously, a photo booth with props for kids & guests and a matron of honor toast that culminated in 3 bridesmaids lifting their dresses to reveal soccer shorts in honor of the bride!

Spring Portraits

2011-04-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

Spring is a beautiful time for engagement, family, or senior portraits!

Visually striking new youtube commercial from O and A!

2011-03-25T05:27:00.000-07:00

Check out our latest youtube ad. Orpheus and Aphrodite captures those magic moments with beautiful and romantic images that make your wedding so special. Take a look and let your dreams begin with Orpheus and Aphrodite!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhA4zhHEgBw&fmt=37

Tell us what you think!

2011-03-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

Add your favorite song to our playlist and receive $200 credit for any BOG package over $1800!

You tell us your song choice and if we like it the most, you win!

Send your request to: kris@atlantabandofgold.com with the subject “Add A Song”.

The winner(s) will be chosen on April 1, 2011

Click the link here to make sure it's not already on our playlist.

Abernathy Wedding 1-28-11

2011-02-28T13:40:00.000-08:00

2011-02-01T08:43:00.001-08:00

Orpheus and Aphrodite Official Press Release

Atlanta, GA – February 1, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce
Orpheus and Aphrodite Music and Photography has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire
Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Photography and Music Services!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over
750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the
largest wedding review site in the nation.

Orpheus and Aphrodite stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community,
representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding
professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the
overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire
community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™
program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and
Canada. We applaud Orpheus and Aphrodite for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding
planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Orpheus and Aphrodite is among the very best photography, DJ, and band within the
WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project
Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice
Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at
http://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/orpheus-and-aphrodite-music-and-photography-lawrenceville/1d058c959ccabc48.html.

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire.com, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online
wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged
couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding
venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting
-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding
professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local
businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network
appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO),
ProjectWedding.com and Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers
family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).

Something Borrowed, Something Saved

2011-01-25T08:10:00.000-08:00

I know you probably already know this: weddings are expensive! There are so many details and nearly all of them cost money. The dress, the venue, the flowers, the pictures, the music, the lighting, the food - it can all add up to thousands of dollars. After the wedding, the money is gone but hopefully the memories carry on for a lifetime. I still look back on my wedding day with great affection. Of course, I wasn't the one footing the bill!

Saving money is always nice. It makes us feel good when we know we got a great deal. We already have an idea of where to spend the money we are saving! Maybe it's a trip to Hawaii or a down payment on a first home. Maybe it's a car or concert tickets.

No one wants their wedding day to appear thrifty. So how do you plan a wedding and cut costs without cheapening the biggest day of your life thus far? Here are 3 rules that can help you save a lot of cash:

Rule #1 - Write down your ideas. Come up with your theme and imagine the day in your mind. It's not hard especially for the bride who has been day dreaming her whole life about getting married! After writing down your thoughts, don't stray from them. Instead, find ways to make it happen. A little imagination goes a long way!

Rule #2 - Spend money in the right places. Know your capabilities and leave the rest to professionals. Make sure you get the pros for the projects you can't accomplish on your own. Sometimes you have to spend money for peace of mind and to free up time for your other tasks. Do you really think you can prepare the meal for 250 guests and create the bouquets for your bridesmaids the day before your wedding?

Friends can really come in handy too. If you have talented friends or family members, use them! Okay, that sounds bad. But they'll want you to return the favor on their big day! Be careful though to insure that your friends can deliver a quality product. Yes, Uncle Bob was a great DJ in the 70's but will he embarrass you by making it cheesy? If you want dancing, is your IPOD capable of reading the crowd and going with the flow? Is your little brother's band varied enough to entertain all of your guests?

There are many other do it yourself ways to save money. Choose a cheaper (or even used) dress. Rent the tuxedos. Use your dad's car as the going away vehicle. Have Aunt Mabel bake the cake. Elope!

Rule #3 - Pick your date wisely. The most expensive days for a wedding are holidays. If you have to have your wedding on New Year's Eve or the 4th of July, be prepared to pay for it! For non-holidays, the most costly days are Saturdays. The demand is just too high in most cases to get a price break on a Saturday. However, sometimes procrastination can save you big time! If your wedding is in the very near future (and the vendor is available) you can get a good deal. All vendors would rather be working and making money than not. Most businesses offer discounts for Fridays, Sundays, and especially weekdays. Don't be afraid to ask.

Your wedding can be the greatest day of your life but it doesn't have to be the most expensive. Follow these money saving ideas so you can spend it on each other and live happily ever after!

Kris Bayne

Band Of Gold - Band Leader

http://atlantabandofgold.com

Orpheus and Aphrodite Music and Photography - Owner/DJ

http://orpheusandaphrodite.com

Deminchina Wedding

2011-01-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

Pop/Rock Artists That Define Your Generation

2011-01-11T10:33:00.000-08:00

Every generation has songs that take them back in an instant with even stronger emotion than a movie an conjure. We have compiled a list of 175 influential artists to be added to our repertoire. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Have we missed anything? What artists/songs have a special place in your heart? Let us know and Band of Gold might add it to their play list!

Here's our list:

AC/DC

Aerosmith

Alice In Chains

Allman Brothers Band

The Animals

Aretha Franklin

The B-52's

The Beach Boys

The Beatles

The Bee Gees

Bill Haley and The Comets

Billy Idol

Billy Joel

The Black Crowes

Black Eyed Peas

Blondie

Bo Diddley

Bob Dylan

Bob Marley

Bob Seger

Bon Jovi

Britney Spears

Bruce Springsteen

Bryan Adams

The Byrds

Buddy Holly

Carl Perkins

Carole King

The Carpenters

The Cars

The Coasters

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Cheap Trick

Chicago

The Chiffons

Chubby Checker

Chuck Berry

Cindi Lauper

The Clash

The Coasters

Coldplay

The Commodores

Crosby, Stills, and Nash

The Crystals

Daryl Hall and John Oats

Dave Matthews Band

David Bowie

Def Leppard

Doc Watson

Doobie Brothers

The Doors

The Drifters

Duran Duran

The Eagles

Earth, Wind and Fire

Eddie Cochran

Elton John

Elvis Presley

Eric Clapton

Everly Borthers

Fats Domino

The Flamingos

Fleetwood Mac

The Four Tops

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons

Gene Vincent

Genesis

Gladys Knight and The Pips

The Grateful Dead

Green Day

The Guess Who

Guns N Roses

Howlin' Wolf

Huey Lewis

INXS

Jackson 5

James Brown

James Taylor

Janis Joplin

Jason Mraz

Jelly Roll Morton

Jefferson Airplane

Jerry Lee Lewis

Jim Croce

Jimi Hendrix

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts

Joe Cocker

John Mayer

Johnny Cash

Journey

KC and The Sunshine Band

Kenny Loggins

The Kingsmen

The Kinks

Kiss

Kool and The Gang

Led Zeppelin

Lenny Kravitz

Lesley Gore

Lionel Richie

Little Eva

Little Richard

Lynard Skynard

Madonna

The Mamas and The Papas

Marvin Gaye

Martha and The Vandelles

Metallica

Michael Jackson

The Monkees

Motley Crue

Muddy Waters

Neil Diamond

Neil Young

Nirvana

Norman Greenbaum

Otis Redding

Patsy Cline

Paul Simon

Pearl Jam

Percy Sledge

Peter Gabriel

Phil Collins

Pink Floyd

The Platters

Poison

The Police

Prince

Queen

R.E.M.

The Ramones

Ray Charles

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Ritchie Valenz

Rick James

Rick Springfield

The Righteous Brothers

Robert Palmer

Rod Stewart

The Rolling Stones

Roy Orbison

Rush

The Safaris

Sam Cooke

Sam The Sham and the Pharaohs

Santana

Sex Pistols

Simon and Garfunkel

Simple Minds

Sister Sledge

Sly and The Family Stone

Smashing Pumpkins

Smokey Robinson

Sonny and Cher

Steppenwolf

Steve Miller Band

Stevie Wonder

Stray Cats

Styx

The Supremes

Talking Heads

The Temptations

Tears For Fears

Three Dog Night

The Throggs

Tina Turner

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Tommy James and The Shondells

Twisted Sister

Van Halen

Van Morrison

The Violent Femmes

The Who

ZZ Top

---------------------------------------

Kris Bayne

Owner/DJ

Orpheus and Aphrodite Music and Photography

http://orpheusandaphrodite.com

kbayne@orpheusandaphrodite.com

Band of Gold

Band Leader

http://atlantabandofgold.com

kris@atlantabandofgold.com

Preferred Vendor Lists - Believe It Or Not?

2011-01-07T09:04:00.000-08:00

It is widely believed that the greatest form of advertising is word of mouth. When someone you trust informs you of a product or service, you are likely to choose it without hesitation. For this reason, when we first formed our music and photography business in 1999, we wanted to reach out to venue owners specifically to get on preferred vendor referral lists.

When visiting a wedding venue, you will probably receive a list of trusted vendors they have worked with in the past. Venues like to work with quality professionals who do a great job. It makes their job easier and it reflects very well on their business. This is why preferred vendor lists are such a integral part of the wedding business.

Lately, some wedding sites have been approaching their vendor referrals the wrong way in my opinion. Instead of placing a vendors name on the list because they do great work, they are actually charging their wedding professionals fees to appear on the list. In a sense, it is becoming a "pay to play" industry and if you don't pay them as high as 20% of your earnings per wedding, you don't work. That's right - 20%!

When we began, we were included on these lists as a trusted company - a company that worked very hard to deliver the best quality photographs and live music and DJ services to our clients. We got to know people and made many friendships with other professionals and clients. Now, at least to some venue operators, that doesn't seem to count. All that matters is whether of not they've made a cut of your service and your labor.

When visiting a venue, ask them how they assembled their preferred vendor list. Do they REALLY know the people they say they do? Have they seen their work? Would they choose them for their own wedding? Or have the vendors simply paid them to be there? It's your event and you have the right to know that you are getting the highest quality for the money. Let them know that you only want the best!

Kris Bayne

Band Of Gold - Band Leader

http://atlantabandofgold.com

Orpheus and Aphrodite Music and Photography - Owner/DJ

http://orpheusandaphrodite.com

Previte/Pixton Wedding

2011-01-07T08:53:00.000-08:00

What a great couple! What a fun crowd!

Baby Jacob

2011-01-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

I just love the sweetness of this family! Baby Jacob is beautiful!

Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring A Band

2011-01-04T13:31:00.000-08:00

When planning a wedding or other special event, there are TONS of details and all of them are important. The venue, catering, flowers and decor, photography, music. All of these have an important role in making your event a success. The following are questions you should ask before hiring your entertainment. These questions will help you determine if you are hiring a professional act or not.

Is the band independent or is it represented by an agency?

It's okay if the band is independent but there is a lot more security if the band is with an agency. Agencies are ultimately responsible for the band. If a band were to cancel, chances are a good agency can find a suitable replacement quickly. They are your contact should anything go wrong. If the band is independent, members of the band may not be responsible for mishaps.

Do I have to sign a contract?

Contracts protect not only the band or agency they protect you as well. A contract should include the engagement date, times and location; compensation; overtime policy; cancellation policy; client provisions; any additional fees associated with booking the band; and a refund or replacement clause should there be an unforeseeable circumstance and the band is unable to perform. Read your contract carefully to make sure you understand it. If you have questions, ASK! Always make sure everything is clear before signing the contract.

Are they licensed and insured for property and personal damages?

Professionals are licensed and insured. The pros account for anything that might happen. Music equipment can be very heavy and awkward. If a piece of band gear hits a wall, or even worse, a person, the band should be responsible. If the band isn't insured or isn't part of an agency that is insured, guess who is responsible? You are!

How many members are in the band?

Are the musicians full time professionals?

Professionals take their music very seriously. It is not only a passion, it's the way they provide for themselves and their families. Hobbyists "play" music. Professionals "perform" music. There is a big difference in attitude and quality. It's worth it to spend a little more for professional musicians.

What instruments do you offer?

Make sure the band is equipped to perform the music you want. A string quartet may not be able to perform a funk song and a rock band may not be able to perform big band jazz music. Make sure the band can perform the arrangements you want for your event.

Can you perform wedding ceremony music?

Some bands offer discounts for ceremony music if you have hired them for the reception and the locations are within close proximity to each other. Many musicians play multiple instruments so you can choose your own instrumentation.

Do you carry back up equipment?

ALL of your vendors need to have adequate back up equipment. Your event only happens once and there are no redo's. There is no room for error. Your band needs to reassure you that nothing will render your event musicless! The band needs professional quality instruments, amps and speakers and their back up equipment should be of the same quality.

How many events have you performed?

You want to make sure that your band is experienced. Experienced bands have better communication and a better stage presence. But not all experience is the same. Some bands are wedding experts. Other bands play mostly clubs. Make sure that your band is experienced with your type of event.

Can I see a song list?

Look at the list to see who the band's audience has been in the past. Is the list varied? Will all of your guests hear music they know? Does the band perform many genres of music for people of all ages?

Do you play special requests or learn songs that are not on the list?

A band should be willing to learn your most special songs. A wedding band should learn your 1st dance and parents' dances and anything else that is really important to you. Remember, it's YOUR day! Be practical though. It can be overwhelming for a band to get lots of requests with short notice. You want the band to perform the songs well so give them time to rehearse!

How many breaks do you take? How long are your sets?

Bands should perform at least 45 minutes/hour. There should be no more than 1 fifteen minute break per hour.

Do you offer music during the band breaks?

Some bands offer to DJ or play CDs for you and they will include this for no extra charge. That way, the fun doesn't have to stop when the band breaks!

Do you provide an emcee for making announcements?

Emcees can make or break a party. A good emcee can command the attention of the audience and help guide the event with or without a coordinator.

Do you work well with coordinators? Can you work without a coordinator?

Experienced event bands can work with or without coordinators. It only takes a good timeline and an experienced band leader to make the event function smoothly.

Are there any other expenses such as travel or vendor meals for the musicians?

Most bands require a meal if the event is 4 or more hours long. You don't have to go out of your way to provide elaborate meals and you don't have to include them with your expensive head count. Boxed lunches with sandwiches and chips will do just fine. It's common for bands to charge for travel if the event is outside their area. For most bands, several vehicles or trailers are use to transport equipment. Be sure to ask their fee and get it in writing on the contract.

What will you be wearing?

Make sure the band is dressed appropriately for your event. You don't want baggy jeans or ripped t-shirts at your wedding. Well, maybe you do but chances are, you don't!

How interactive are you with guests?

If you want a band that talks with the guests or leads group dances, tell them. Good event performers will do whatever it takes to make the party fun for everyone. Let them know if you want a band to just play music or if you want them to lead the Hokey Pokey - or anywhere in between!

Do you offer lighting for the band and dance floor?

Lighting changes everything. Good lighting can make your party feel like a night club and can make your guests lose their inhibitions. Guests feel more relaxed when there is good lighting and that allows them to dance the night away without the feeling they're being looked at!

How much space do you need?

Make sure there is enough space to accommodate the band members and their equipment. Is the area in the corner really big enough for that 10 piece band you just booked?

What are your power requirements?

Music and lighting equipment need lots of power. Make sure the band's area is adequately powered to avoid accidental fuse breaker issues!

How long does it take you to set up and break down?

All that equipment takes time to set up. Many pieces of music and lighting equipment have a lot of various cables that must be plugged in a particular order to operate. Setting up a band takes time. Bands also need time to perform a sound check before the 1st guest arrives. Make sure the venue will be open for the band at least 2 and 1/2 hours before the first guests are to arrive.

How much is your deposit?

For your protection, never pay more than 50% for your deposit. Non-professional bands sometimes need an incentive to actually show up on the day of your event! Always hold onto the balance until you are satisfied that the band is doing their job!

Do you have references or published reviews?

Always get a list of references and contact at least 3 of them. Find out if the band was on time.Were they courteous? Were they enjoyable to watch? Was the music everything you wanted it to be? Did they represent you well? Also, research the band online. You'd be surprised about what you'll find if you Google the band or company name. And read all the reviews you can find. Your entertainment is important enough to investigate!

With a little know how and careful planning, your event will be a success and you'll have the time of your life! Make sure that you know the professional you are hiring and that you trust them. This will help you relax and enjoy the planning process.

Kris Bayne

Band of Gold - Band Leader

http://atlantabandofgold.com
Orpheus and Aphrodite Music and Photography - Owner and DJ

http://orpheusandaphrodite.com