Today's entertainment needs require a variety of musical skills to fit the bill. No longer can any old band show up to perform at a wedding, reception, or corporate or variety event and expect to please the masses. In this age, the information age, and the age of the Internet, we have access to literally the entire world full of music.

What, then, should we expect from a musical performance to attempt to entertain such an enormous background of musical likes and dislikes? Well, if you are coordinating such an event, there are some questions you will want to ask yourself. Consider some of the following before interviewing any live music performers.

Firstly, the length of your reception will ultimately determine your musical choices. Live performers can only exert themselves for a maximum of around three to four hours or so before their performance declines distinctly (notice the lengths of most concerts). Good vocalists know this, and offer their services accordingly. If the event you are coordinating lasts much longer than that, you may consider more than one live act, or simply go with a DJ. Well trained professionals can also stretch this time by taking breaks or even rotating vocalists.

Next, let's consider the age group attending your event. In most situations, there are a variety of ages attending, necessitating a variety band. The range of ages will also be closely related to what era of music with which people will strongly associate. Currently, for most variety events, music from the 60's through the 90's is usually most recognized and most appealing. Music from the 50's or earlier is usually only appealing to a small portion of seniors (or true music nostalgia lovers!), and music popularized within the last decade is also only associated to by the 20 or 30-something's or younger in bulk, although these are not hard and fast rules. Very popular old and new songs can be especially entertaining if they are associated with modern media: movies, popular TV shows and advertisements.

Now you'll also want to keep in mind the mood you intend to set for your special occasion. In most cases, the mood will be anywhere from delighted and energetic to relaxed and content. To span the whole range you must consider a variety band. To specialize in mood and crowd control, you will want to interview groups to find those that can produce the results. For example at a wedding reception, you would want a variety band who can warm up the group after the meal (if there is one), provide a 1st dance ? more of a romantic mood, keep the group energized until the appropriate hour, at which time they can wind down the music to the more mellow, ?time to go home? music.

Lastly, consider if you have speeches, announcements, raffles or other prizes to broadcast. Organizers often forget this minor detail, but it can be an important one, as you will want your variety band to have enough equipment that you can quickly and easily access a spare microphone (as well as their sound system) to take care of business.

Whatever your event, interview carefully and go with ?your gut?. Keep in mind it is not as important as you might think to see a group live. Ironically the same characteristics that make a band a good bar-band are also what make a poor event variety-band. Bar bands are often young, charismatic, frequently egocentric and tend to play whatever THEY want. The professional variety band will be a well-oiled business focused on you and your guests. Don't be afraid to ask the pertinent questions and spend time covering the details of your event. The true professional will leave very little for you to manage, freeing you to focus on other details.