Brian Megilligan Music

Planning live music for a corporate or country club event often raises practical questions about booking, sound, and flexibility. Below are answers to the most common questions I receive when performing at country clubs in Raleigh and the Triangle.

What is the process for booking you?

After you make contact with me, and we agree on availability and fit, I will send a contract that specifies the date, begin and end times, location address, and fee. If it’s my first engagement with you, I may request that you reserve the date by sending a deposit (usually of 50% of our agreed upon fee). If needed, I can include an invoice.

What can we expect when we book you to play?

You can expect great communication ahead of the event, an early arrival of at least 30 minutes (unless otherwise specified) for equipment set up, friendly and professional demeanor and appearance, check-ins during performance breaks to make sure the music volume, style, and expectations are being met. When the agreed-upon time is over, I’ll break down my equipment and check in with you before departing. I often provide the opportunity to stay longer and play if needed and my schedule allows.

How much will you charge to play?

I work on an hourly rate. There are a number of factors that figure into the rate: total time needed, day of the week, time of the year, holiday, driving distance, equipment needed, etc. For one-off typical-day events, I start at $300 for two hours or less and go from there. Contact me and we can discuss the details of your needs.

What is the usual duration of country club engagements?

I have played from one hour to five hours.

What if we have a program that only requires music at the beginning and in the middle?

I am flexible with the playing arrangement. I have played events where I play for 30 minutes as guests arrive, pause for 30 minutes for remarks, resume for 45 minutes during dinner, pause again for a program, and play again while people socialize before dismissal. 

Do you expect to be fed at our event?

I do not presume that you should feed me. I would not turn down a meal, however! Regardless, inclusion of a meal does not change my fee.

Are you available for weekly or monthly engagements?

Yes, provided we can work the details, I would welcome an opportunity to be a “regular.”

Will guests be able to hold a conversation while you play?

I am very aware of the context of an engagement. I always seek to be just under the din of conversation from a volume perspective. If people have to raise their voice because of me, I’m too loud. I not only adjust the volume, but the style as well: lighter touch when the crowd is thin, more up-tempo and swinging when the room is full.

We have a grand piano. Will you still bring your keyboard?

I would love to play on your piano! There is nothing better than the acoustic sound and elegant look of a real piano. If your piano is available, and if it is well-maintained, it would be great to use it. I will not bring a PA if I play on your piano.

We need you to play in our ballroom, will people be able to hear you in the back?

One of the challenges of playing for a large room is making sure the volume is dispersed as evenly as possible so that the people closest to you aren’t blown away while those in the back can hear. I work with a flexible PA system that I can mount on speaker stands to project or keep low for a more intimate sound and less imposing look for smaller rooms.

Can you bring other musicians? Who else do you work with?

The musical network in Raleigh among musicians is very fluid and friendly. I work with an array of musicians from vocalists to bassists to horn players. I have put together large ensembles for events and enjoy playing with just one other musician as a duo. I have a lot of experience planning events and selecting musicians to suit a variety of needs, let me know how I can help!

Listen to some selections from live music at  the North Ridge Country Club