Ringing Out 2016 with Dancebands.com

Take a look back at some of the fantastic events we played in 2016!

Dancebands.com had an awesome 2016. It was a record breaking year for our company as we played and produced hundred of events across the country. We asked some of our talented artists to share some of their favorite moments from the year. Here are some of the highlights.

At the beginning of 2016 we put together a new band, Mimi Valentine and the Gentlemen’s Club. This exciting new group brings vintage style to events with their Postmodern Jukebox inspired spin on contemporary hits. They’ve been incredibly popular and are shaping up to be a real powerhouse group for Dancebands.com. Lead singer for the group, Jen Tarasevich, said about the year, “What a whirlwind of adventure and exciting performance opportunities in 2016… which took me everywhere from Whitefish, Montana, to  Jackson Hole, Wyoming and from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to New York City, New York. It was just one incredible gig after another—and 2017 looks to be shaping up the same.”

In February, we sent bands to help set the mood at Valentine’s celebrations. Kate Plewe from 6 Miles Ahead shared her memories of that night. “The decor and ambiance of Thanksgiving Point's Valentine's Dinner made for a beautiful night of dancing with the ladies of 6 Miles Ahead. There's nothing like an impromptu serenade during a surprise proposal to add the cherry to the top of a super romantic night!” 

Enthusiasm for the Star Wars movies has made May the Fourth a top event date for dancebands.com. Last year, we threw a mega celebration for the ng-conf going on in Salt Lake City. General Manager, Stephen Tobian, described it as a truly memorable gig from the year. “We provided a ton of entertainment including a record number of casino dealers and tables, karoake DJ, dueling pianos, a Star Wars Cantina band, dozens of Star Wars characters/impersonators, a foam pit, sign holders, a replica Cantina bar, sound systems, etc. Needless to say it was quite the set-up—but so worth it!”

Summertime is a season for weddings and, as usual, our bands were in high demand in 2016. Each event is memorable in its own way, but for Jordan Kamalu, keyboard player for the Groove Merchants, one mid-western wedding is one he’ll never forget. “My most memorable gig was a big wedding in Indiana. I left the stage in the middle of a song in order to go learn the IU fight song being requested by the groom. I remember pulling it up on YouTube and hoping it was the right one and trying so hard to hear the harmonies through my tiny iPhone speaker with the sound of the band going on in the next room. When I could hum the melody confidently from memory I went back in and we played it successfully.”

Owner and CEO Mike Tobian’s favorite event of the year was a Rat Pack tribute he produced in August. “To fill out the Rat Pack themed show, we hired great tribute artists out of Los Angeles and then we used some of [our] best musicians to back them up. Our impersonators included some top talent. The Frank Sinatra impersonator had been a comedy writer for Sinatra himself back in the day. Our Dean Martin impersonator was the main Dean Martin tribute hired by hotels in Vegas. The Sammy Davis Jr. was spot-on as well. It was just a really great show with fantastic musicians backing it. It was a pleasure to be a part of such a well executed night of entertainment.”

In the fall, one of our bands, Drive, played a gig in New York City that gave the band members some new experiences in the Big Apple. Mike Fjerstad remembers it this way, “We flew in, got up the next morning, and drove (yes, we DROVE) into midtown Manhattan—something I thought I would never do. Michael T. kept his cool behind the wheel though and it was an adventure!  After a great brunch in Central Park and several other NYC adventures, we went and played a killer show. What could be better?”

For Jefferson Tuke, vocalist for several bands, 2016 will be a year he’ll always remember because he got to sing with the lead singer of Journey, Steven Augeri. In describing that event he said, “Playing all over the world with amazing musicians is one thing but every once in a while we get to cross something off the old bucket list. Playing some of Journey's most memorable songs with the former lead singer of the band, Steve Augeri, was UNREAL! Couldn't wipe the smile off our faces if you tried.”

As we head into 2017 dancebands.com is excited to see what new memories we make, what new adventures we take, and new friends we meet! Happy New Year!