Category: Musicians

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Band Bar Club Event Fun Gear Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Live Entertainment Music Musicians

Oh noes! Our mixing console has no knobs or sliders!

Our trusty Allen and Heath ZED22FX mixer was working so well that we decided to replace it… With this:

Mackie DL1608
Mackie DL1608 16 channel, stereo, 6 aux mixing console with iPad for control

Sometimes you just have to mix it up (pun intended) and try something new and there’s not much newer that we can afford than the Mackie DL1608.

The DL1608 is not your typical mixer. They have removed 90% of the knobs, sliders and meters, leaving you with a box that is rather small, with 16 XLR inputs, 6 1/4″ TRS, a pair of XLR outputs, and a headphone jack. The only knobs are the input trim knobs and the headphone level knob.

There are two switches. Do you need any more than that? There is one to turn it on and off and one to shoot some voltage onto the inputs for your phantom powered devices.

EVERY THING ELSE is controlled from your iPad. The entire control surface is gone from the mixer and moved to an app.

You are not locked into just one iPad though. You can keep one docked if you wish, and that iPad can control the thing, as well as record two channels of mix audio (unfortunately, you cannot record all 16 channels like you can on the Presonus or the Behringer digital mixers). Using an inexpensive wireless router, you can plug the Mackie into that, and use several other iPads / iPhones to control the thing.

Here’s our plan:

DL1608 on stage, will reside on my bass amp’s road case. All stage wiring from mics and to speakers will run to the mixer. NO SNAKE running across the floor to pose a health and safety issue to dancers.

An iPad will remain docked in the DL1608 at all times and we will record two channels to that docked iPad.  This iPad will be used to control the stage monitor mixes (remember those 6 aux outs? We can have 6 different feeds).

An 802.11n wireless router (Currently a very inexpensive Asus model) will plug into the Mackie and be velcro’d inside my road case.

My wife is our audio engineer who has been doing both front of house and monitor mixes for me for a couple years.  She will now use her own iPad to control the Mackie from anywhere around the venue she chooses!   NO CONSOLE TAKING UP A TABLE in the middle of the room. No Snake. No chance of someone spilling a beer in it.

Our guitarist and drummer probably want a different mix….   I’ll let them associate their own iPad or iPod to the Mackie and give them permission to affect ONLY their mix.

Should we add in ear monitors at some point, this system will be perfect for that too.

Shakedown cruise is coming this Friday at Rhythm & Brews in Greer, SC.  I’ll try to reply or post a new blog post with the results.  Oh, and we will be taking the old ZED with us, just in case!

John M. Hoyt – Bass guitarist on a mission

 

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Band Bar Club Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Music Musicians Upstate Venue

Want a band for your next party but cannot afford it?

Here’s a common issue…  Someone wants a band for their 40th birthday party and they can’t afford it. Bummer! And an iPod just won’t cut it!

The cost of the band isn’t the only issue either! Besides paying the band for their appearance, there may be other expenses, such as renting a venue, sound and/or lighting. If the band is a popular act, they may have a rider that covers everything from transportation, accommodations, refreshments and assistants. They could require a particular size stage, union stagehands and more.

So maybe booking a band of that caliber is a bit much. Even a local band can set you back a grand, and you still have to have a place that is large enough, has enough power to provide for their audio and lighting gear, and keeps them warm / cool and dry. And, all without the neighbors calling the police for loud noise.

Here’s a suggestion – work with a local band to find a venue who might subsidize your party!

How would that work? Simply put, your party will only last a couple hours, right? A bar, club or restaurant has live music starting around 8 or 9 in the evening generally, and some as late as 10pm start times.

You might be able to work with the band and venue to secure the facility for your party from  6 to 8, or 7 to 9. The venue pays half the band’s fees and you pay half and you both get exactly what you want! You get a party at a great location, with a band all to yourself, or at least mostly to yourself, and then the bar or club gets the benefit of the band playing until they close.

The band may charge slightly more for this, as their play time is increased, but they are getting two gigs and only moving gear once.

The venue may be more than happy to entertain this idea as you are bringing 50 of your closest friends to their place, and providing them with some sales. You can probably secure a deal where they let your party have discounted booze, or a drink special.

If this sounds like something you are interested in and you are in the Upstate or Greenville SC area, give us a call and let’s talk! You might just end up with a band for 25-30% off AND have a great location for your party!

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Band Chris Eller Drums Fun Greenville Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Music Musicians Spartanburg

Hot As A Pepper was once again on the Wild Wing Spartanburg stage

Hey everyone, it’s been a while since we posted anything here, and I apologize because I know you have been hanging around, hitting REFRESH over and over wondering why there was nothing new!

Last night HAAP played again on the Wild Wing Cafe Spartanburg stage. What a blast that was!  We were pleasantly surprised to see a couple dozen of our friends make it in from Greenville, Easley, Powdersville, Piedmont, Simpsonville and other parts unknown.

What can I say? We’re honored that someone would go out on a cold and rainy night just to see us!

We made some new friends last night too, got a few new “likes” on our facebook page, and even a gig inquiry.  And very important to us, the management and staff seemed to like us and not only paid us, but I think we will be playing there again in 2013!

We’ve brought on board a new drummer, Chris Eller, who made his debut at last night’s gig. Chris is a pretty alright guy who knows his chops and seems to play well with others.

You can read more about him on our member profile page!

Next up – New Year’s Eve at The Lighthouse on Keowee in Seneca.  We will be helping to ring in the new year there!  Come on out!

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Band Corporate Event Event Fun Function Guitar Hot As A Pepper Live Entertainment Music Musicians

Hot As A Pepper vs DJ for your event

HOT AS A PEPPER vs  DJ

What’s the advantage of hiring “Hot As A Pepper” over a DJ?

1. UNIQUE – there’s nothing unique in the music you already have on your iPod or CD. The artistry and talent that world class musicians bring to their performance is priceless, and becoming more rare all the time. Live solos on guitar, keyboards, bass and drums won’t happen with a DJ. Not to mention the Vocal interaction of a Front man during a song getting everyone involved with the song!

2. CREATIVE FLEXIBILITY – in real time, when they have to, live bands can extend, shorten, re-arrange, vamp, transpose pitch, modify tempo, and alter lyrics of songs to fit requests and respond to “spur of the moment” dance situations. Sometimes these tools literally save the day. DJ’s can’t do these things.

3. MEMORABILITY – a phenomenal, live performance will be talked about for many years, especially when they keep an entire audience engaged for hours. But who will remember a DJ after a month?

4. ENERGY & EXCITEMENT – most people rarely, if ever get to experience the raw energy and excitement of a sizzling, live performance up close and personal and when they do, they hit the dance floor with passion from the get go. But the DJ; standing at the table, rarely moves

5. ENTERTAINMENT VALUE – how entertaining is it to watch someone wearing headphones and pushing buttons?

6. COST – a DJ may save you money, or will he/she?  You will likely spend $200-$750 for a DJ – But that’s just for one or two persons.  A reputable live band will run $500-$1,500, but that’s for 4-5 talented musicians and a show! Comparatively, that’s a very good value.

7. REPERTOIRE – the Hot As A Pepper song list is adaptable –  it allows us to pace the crowd and engage the crowd with relatable songs for the moment! A live band is not necessarily limited in what they can play. Everything we play, we make our own. If that means staying true to the original – we do that… but if it means dressing it up for fun, we can do that!

8. COMPLETE PACKAGE – if there’s any song(s) the band doesn’t currently do that you want, You can request it us to play on mp3/CD.  So with our live band, you have absolutely everything!

Edited & re-used by permission from  MBBand / LA & Michael Benson

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Band Galen Fowler Greenville Guitar Hot As A Pepper Instruments Musicians

Introducing Hot As A Pepper’s newest band member…

Galen Fowler – Keyboardist

It is with great excitement that we make this announcement…

After a long search, we have finally located the missing member of our band…  No, he wasn’t lost, we just had not found what we were looking for until now; A keyboardist who can sing, play guitar and chew gum at the same time!

We would like to welcome Galen Fowler, who has been playing professionally since 1980.  He was the front man for The Majestics in the 90’s and more recently he was with Flashback The Party Band from Charlotte NC.  His specialty is the keyboard, however HAAP might be able to put up with him playing guitar from time to time.  Galen works in industrial sales.  He has a beautiful wife Barbara and three children, Raleigh, Andrew, and Jennifer.  Galen is also a huge fan of the South Carolina Gamecocks.  He will be a great addition to Hot As A Pepper.

Galen also opens the door for Hot As A Pepper to be Cool As A Cucumber for more laid back and intimate performances, such as dinner before the big event, and without question, he brings with him a large repertoire of music we could not have performed previously!

Please come out and see him in his debut performance this coming Saturday, November 3rd at Pop A Top in Piedmont where HAAP will be playing a benefit for the Charles Stokes family… We start at 6:00 PM….

John – Hot As A Pepper bassist

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Band Corporate Event Curtis Butler Event Fun Function Greenville Hot As A Pepper Live Entertainment Music Musicians Party Upstate

It’s Party Time! Book a band – TODAY!

It's Party Time!
It’s Party Time!

IT’S PARTY TIME!

This is the time of year where parties abound! Whether it be for the occasion of a Family reunion of some sort, a sports team’s important game or the three biggest holidays of the year; there are more than your fair share of reasons to host an event that will certainly uplift everybody’s spirits and enhance the mood for all.

Now, I can’t begin to tell you what kind of food to serve as each type of soirée is suited best by a different type of menu. I can’t tell you who to invite because lets face it… only you know who you want there.

Neither can I tell you where you should have it. Do you have your own party barn? Back 40? Favorite watering hole? Perhaps you’d consider renting out a site.

Is this thing gonna be formal? Themed? What’s it’s purpose? Do we bring Dates or will cousins suffice?

I gotta tell you… You sure have stirred a lot of questions and I’ve only got one answer: Hot As A Pepper is the band you need to call! Between the professionalism of the musicians and the experience there isn’t anything this group of guys hasn’t seen. We can play it… Make it FUN… AND ensure that the poor soul that decides to miss your event will be sorry!

Contact us for the times and dates you have in mind before someone else does!! ….namely that person whom you weren’t going to invite – you think they’d invite you to their’s???

We play parties in the Greenville South Carolina area and all over the Upstate. If your event is big enough, we’ll travel to you!

Curtis Butler – Percussionist

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Band Event Fun Function Hot As A Pepper John M. Hoyt Live Entertainment Music Musicians Party

The Clemson fraternity semi-formal event we were hired to play in Pendleton SC was fun!

A Clemson University fraternity hired Hot As A Pepper to play their semi-formal event last weekend at the beautiful and historic Woodburn House in Pendleton SC.

There was food (prepared by a fraternity member), lovely young ladies and dancing. LOTS of dancing!

You can find a couple of the videos under our Videos link.

Is your fraternity or sorority planning a fun event where live music entertainment may be of interest? If so, our band wants to play it!  Please give us a call at 864-979-1224 or use our contact form to request a quote.

Wherever your college / university is within a couple hours of The Upstate, we will go to you and bring party fun with us!

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Band Corporate Event Event Function Greenville Hot As A Pepper Music Musicians Simpsonville Upstate Venue

How to book a great band like Hot As A Pepper for your corporate function or event in Greenville / Upstate SC

Let’s assume you have decided to book a professional band for your upcoming corporate function or corporate event here in Greenville, Anderson, Simpsonville, Spartanburg or anywhere within a couple hours of Upstate SC.

Let’s even go as far as to assume you possess impeccable taste in music and have decided that the band you want to hire for your event is Hot As A Pepper!   Thanks! We’re honored!

What’s the next step?

You want to insure the day of the event comes off flawless, or at the very least APPEARS to come off without a hitch, so planning as far ahead in advance is of the utmost importance.

Before contacting the band, you need to know some information in order for an accurate quote to be given.

  • Date your corporate event will be held on
  • When do we start, when do we stop, when can we setup?
  • How long will you require music for (2 hours? 3 hours?)
  • Venue where event will take place
  • Type of event (Grand opening, customer appreciation, picnic, etc)
  • Approximate attendance
  • Will the event be held indoors or outdoors?
  • Is there a stage, and if so, how large?
  • If outdoors, is the stage covered?
  • Is there at least 30 amps of power present?
  • What is the dress requirements (Casual, formal, beach, etc)
  • Will a PA system be provided at the venue?
  • If there is a PA, is there an audio engineer running it?
  • Are stage lights provided, if required, or will we need our own?
  • Will an emcee (MC, M.C.) be required or provided?

Goodness gracious that’s a lot of information to provide! But rest assured, the more information you have, the easier it is for the band to determine if it is the right gig for us, if we are available and how much to charge.

If we have to provide a stage, sound system, stage lighting, and the personnel required, obviously, the cost is going to go up, but by how much comes down to just how large of a gig, as larger venues and larger crowds, require a more robust PA system.

Likewise, if formal-wear is required, we will have to take into account additional time to setup, then change into the proper clothing.

Communication is key to any great relationship, and it is no different when hiring a band. We want to get as much information as possible so that we do not overlook a thing.

Once we have a quote prepared, if it is acceptable to you, we will ask to meet for and go over a contract. The contract will protect you and us, and you should be sure to include any specifics in the notes of that contract. Since we are blocking off a date on our calendar for your event, we ask for a 25% deposit at that time. The balance is due at completion of the gig. Cash is always nice, however, checks are acceptable, as are credit cards.

Our contract covers the date and the hours of music you would like to be played, however, if you determine your function is going well and may run longer, we will be happy to extend our time for a reasonable overtime charge. We can talk during a break.

Tips are acceptable and customary if you feel the musicians lived up to your expectations! Many times we have received a tip of 20%, 30% or even more!

If your function features food, it is also nice to extend that to the performers and crew.

What if the band is not doing what you hoped for? What if they are too loud, or maybe they are playing music that is too heavy for the crowd.

We want this to be perfect for you, so at a convenient time during the performance (not during a song), communicate with the sound / lighting person regarding audio or slip a note, written in large letters onto the stage near the vocalist. As professionals, we generally read a crowd very well, however, you are IN that crowd, so let us know.

In the days leading up to the function, one of our band members will likely want to see the venue if they are not familiar with it. They will also wan to discuss the timing of any events taking place, such as a ribbon cutting, news media videoing, etc, so we can coordinate breaks.

That’s it, give us a call and get the ball rolling!  864-979-1224 or use the contact link from the menu above!