Here are some of the questions we get asked a lot as well as other information about booking us for an event and more about what we do.
If there’s anything that’s not covered here or you have any inquires, then don’t hesitate to Get In Touch!
Are you an events company or a band?
We are a band who puts together a themed show, tailored for each event, so we are more than just a band, but we are not a full production or event company.
We perform just as a band regularly- around 50 times each year- and if you just need a band, then TheTailGators will perform and do the show and fit in with your event manager, production company, or your in-house team who are organising your conference, staff party or team building activity.
If you need advice on how to make the evening a success- theming, venues, catering, additional suppliers etc.- then we are able to advise you directly and/or work actively with your production team.
And if you are looking for someone to arrange the entire night from soup to beans (because nuts are allergens!) then we can make that happen aswell through some select event companies who know what we do & vice-versa.
Who are some of the clients you have done events for?
Here you go…
What’s in The TailGators’ repertoire?
The repertoire can be best described as “American Roadhouse & Country” music. It includes songs from artists such as Johhny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, John Mellancamp, Tom Petty, Juice Newton, Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, Billy Ray Cyrus, Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Thoroughgood and The Georgia Satellites.
The repertoire also includes songs from iconic Australian artists such as Paul Kelly, Cold Chisel, Hunters and Collectors, AC/DC but performed in a style that suits the themed country atmosphere and there are also contemporary rock&pop songs from artists such as Adele, Bryan Adams, The Black Keys, Bon Jovi and a dash of ABBA.
Lastly, the called dances are a variety of line dances, barn dances, square dances and bush dances that are taught and called on the night.
We work with you prior to the event to tailor the repertoire to suit your night.
Will people get up and dance?
People get up and dance without fail. We’ve been doing it for years and we have a variety of tools and techniques to help make it happen. We get a lot of feedback from clients along the lines of: “Even the non-dancers were on the dance floor!”. So yes- people will get up and dance!
Do you always do the called dances?
No. We do a lot of events where clients just want the band playing familiar songs to fit the theme. Other clients, want nothing but the called dances. Most though have a mix of the called dancing and other songs spread over the course of the night.
What size groups have you worked with?
We’ve played for groups of well over 1,000 people and as small as 20. The majority of the events we do are for groups of between 100-250 people.
How long does the band play for?
Every event we do is different and the playing times are tailored for each event. For most events the band will perform two sets after dinner; one of 30-45mins, and a second of 45mins-1hour.
Can we see you perform?
Most of our events are for private functions and so outside guests are normally not permitted. Unfortunately our video footage is quite limited for the same reason however I can put you in touch with clients we have played for previously so you can contact them directly to get an independent review. We also have many many references beyond what you see on the site here which I can send to you. Having said all that, if there is an appropriate event where the client is happy for you to attend I will do my best to arrange it and we have been able to do this in the past.
How much do you charge?
Every event is priced separately to take into account call out times, level of production, number of performers in the band, travel times and any overnight accomodation requirements for events outside of Sydney metropolitan area.
Team Building? What’s with that?
The called dancing is a fantastic- and surprisingly good- team building activity and it works because of a few things.
Firstly, when your team comes to the event- they are coming because it’s an American Country & Western style party as opposed to coming to a team building activity per se. They arrive in a positive frame of mind.
Secondly, when the called dancing starts- your team won’t even realise it’s building their team dynamics until after the whole night has finished because while it’s happening they’re having too much fun and they are caught in the moment.
And thirdly, the called dancing differs from most typical team building activities: it’s not competitive; it doesn’t single people out; it doesn’t let natural leaders dominate; it allows everyone to participate equally and on the same terms; it doesn’t give people with prior knowledge any advantage; it’s not even goal oriented. Instead, it’s people dancing with each other- yep, physical contact- and for the dances to work, the whole team needs to be in harmony and working with each other. When you see it happen and when you hear your team talking about it for months to come- you’ll know what I mean. It really brings people together in a way they least expect.
We did one event where a Top20 ASX company was introducing their new CEO, who hadn’t even started yet, and there was the entire senior management team and other key employees dancing with him. You may pick up your dropped jaw now. It’s a great leveller and leaves other activities for dead in terms of getting people interacting & working together.