Frequently Asked Questions

COST

What is your deposit?

  • 35%-45%

When is the balance due?

  • Two weeks prior to your event date.

Are there any hidden or extra fees?

  • No. Each band's price is the only cost you incur.

Does your price include cocktail hour?

  • Generally, our price includes a soloist or duo for cocktails.

Do you have insurance?

  • $2,000,000. This is what most venues require.

Can I see your contract terms?

  • Scroll to the bottom of this page.

How much does it cost to have the band play past four hours?

  • Any overtime would be prorated based on the band's four hour price.

How much to have cocktail hour for 1 ½ hours?

  • Generally, if this is because the site offers an additional ½ package, we do not charge an additional fee.

Will you "pencil us in" for our wedding date?

  • We have too many inquiries to put a date on hold. We have a first come, first serve policy.

OUR TALENT

What services do you offer?

  • CTO Artists produces amazing bands, DJs, & Ensembles, including string quartets. Our productions include lighting for our artists. We specialize in and have mastered the art of what we do, and limit our services to the above.

How many people in each band?

  • Generally, our bands consist of 8-10 musicians.

Can I reduce the number of musicians?

  • On some occasions, yes, but it depends on several factors, which we can discuss.

Can I mix the singers from one band with another?

  • Unfortunately, we don't offer this option.

What is the process of hiring a Band/DJ/Strings?

  • Watch our videos, speak with us, choose your act, then sign a contract with us.

Does CTO bring a sound system?

  • Yes. In most cases, all of our acts are self-contained. Exceptions are events over 300 people and travel dates.

Who does the introductions?

  • Every band has a designated MC who will pronounce every name perfectly for you.

Do you provide cocktail music?

  • Yes. Anywhere from strings to a full jazz quartet.

Do you provide ceremony music?

  • Yes. We offer a variety of options for your ceremony.

Can I plan my event with you?

  • We notify you to fill out the event form on our site two months prior to your event. Your bandleader would then contact you to plan your event.

Will we have a problem with volume?

  • We have a sound tech with each band and the most up-to-date sound equipment to ensure we are at the perfect volume at all times.

Will you learn some songs for us?

  • Generally, we know most current songs and all popular hits from all eras. However, we will learn up to two specific songs just for you!

Number of musicians?

  • That depends on the band. Most bands are between 6-11 people.

How many breaks do you take?

  • Breaks? Huh? We do continuous music! That means there is always someone on stage playing appropriately for the right mood. If you're eating, then you'll have piano music or an acoustic guitar. As soon as your guests are finished, the party gets underway. Our goal is to always keep you and your guests dancing and engaged when they are not eating.

How far do you travel?

  • We've been as far away from the USA as Argentina!

Do I have to feed the band?

  • As per our agreement, we ask for a minimum of a deli tray with soft drinks and coffee. We ask that this is available prior to the performance so that we can have our focus during the event on you.

Does the band drink alcohol?

  • Absolutely NOT! We are there as a service provider to you.

How long does the band play?

  • Our performance prices are based on a full band performing over a four hour period.

OTHER SERVICES

Do you have lights?

  • Each band has accent lighting.

Do you offer room lighting or draping?

  • This is a sticky question for many in our industry. We offer you suggested professionals who do lighting and draping. We are an entertainment company, and we focus on our core competency, which is providing talent. We think it's best to utilize professionals who stick to their core competency and caution you against one-stop shops.

TECHNICAL NEEDS

How much space do you need?

  • A 20x8 space is ideal. More is better, but a little less is doable.

How much power do you need?

  • Generally speaking, two 20-amp dedicated outlets. We always recommend a generator for tented events.

CONTRACT TERMS

1. IF Purchaser, is signing on behalf of an organization or other entity warrants that he/she has the authority to do so and agrees to be personally liable for payment here under if such organization/entity refuses to pay. In the event of a default, PRODUCER shall be entitled to cost of collection including attorney’s fees, interest and court costs.

2. PAYMENTS: All checks are to be made payable to CTO ARTISTS or World Entertainment Inc., herein referred to as “Producer”.

3. BALANCE: is due fourteen (14) days prior to service date. A Five (5%) percent convenience fee will apply to all credit card payments with the exception to the initial deposit. If final payment is not received 14 days prior event, Producer is authorized to charge credit card. If transaction is declined then this agreement considered canceled by Purchaser.

4. DEPOSIT: is refundable as per Cancellation Clause in paragraph #5.

5. CANCELLATION: If Purchaser cancels agreement before one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the event date, the deposit will be nonrefundable unless an event of equal value can be secured. PRODUCER will make every attempt in good faith to secure a replacement event. In the event that a replacement event is secured of equal value, signer will be entitled to a refund of all monies paid minus twenty-five (25%) percent of the deposit called an administration fee. If Agreement is canceled by Purchaser within one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the event, the remaining balance due on Agreement will be due unless producer secures a performance of equal or greater value for that same date and time. Purchaser will be responsible for the difference in Agreement prices if the value of the new agreement is less than the original, plus twenty-five (25%) percent of initial deposit administration fee. If Producer cancels Purchaser will receive a full refund of all monies paid.

6. FORCE MAJEURE (ACTS OF GOD):In the event that either party hereto is prevented from fulfilling any of its obligations under this Agreement for a reason beyond their control and which could not be avoided by exercise or due care, (a "FORCE MAJEURE EVENT"), such party shall not, by reason of being so prevented, be in breach of this Agreement.

7. PERFORMANCE: Producer Defines the composition of all Services/Productions. Producer reserves the right to change the composition of the Productions in a particular performing group if said Production(s) no longer meets Producer’s high standards. Performers and their performance shall be provided shelter from rain & direct sunlight. Additional performance time “Overtime” beyond agreement will be prorated at total agreement price based on 4 hours.

8. ELECTRICITY: In no instance shall Producer be responsible for electricity or it's cost. Purchaser is solely responsible to provide and make all arrangements for adequate electricity.

9. INSURANCE: Producer maintains all necessary liability insurance for Producer’s agents. Purchaser will accept cost to add anyone as “additionally insured” on producer’s policy . (In past examples, the cost has amounted to $150.00.)

10. TRAVEL DATES: If travel rider attached purchaser must Sign Rider in addition to this Agreement.

11. MEAL: Sandwiches if not hot meals & soft beverages will be provided for all performers and crew on service date prior to scheduled service time.

12. Purchaser will not seek to hire any Producer's subcontractors or employees who fulfill this Agreement unless PRODUCTION are secured thru Producer for a period of three (3) years from date of event.

13. Rider (IF) Rider Attached Hereto Then Hereby Made a Part Hereof

14. SET UP CHARGES: Setup will begin two (2) hours prior to beginning of event. If setup is required more than two (2) hours in advance Three Hundred ($300.00) Dollars per hour for each and every hour will be charged.

15. Act will learn up to to 2 special songs provided that Purchaser notifies World Entertainment 2 months prior.

16. PARKING: Purchaser will assume all parking expenses at venue for musicians and crew related to the production of this performance.

17. Union: add any union dues at venue will be incurred by purchaser

If event is outside of Florida:

18. JURISDICTION: The laws of the State of Pennsylvania shall govern this Agreement. Any legal action brought by either AB or Producer relative to this Contract shall be brought in Philadelphia County. The parties hereto agree to submit to only the jurisdiction of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

If event is within State of Florida:

18. JURISDICTION: The laws of the State of Florida shall govern this Agreement. Any legal action brought by either AB or Producer relative to this Contract shall be brought in Collier County. The parties hereto agree to submit to only the jurisdiction of Collier County, Florida.

19. CHANGES TO AGREEMENT: ALL REQUESTS FOR CHANGES, ADDENDUM, CANCELLATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY Purchaser by e-mail to info@CTO.com or certified letter. The e-mail address MUST be the exact e-mail address stated by this agreement for Purchaser. Purchaser is responsible for notifying info@cto.com of any change of e-mail address. Any unilateral change to agreement terms by "Purchaser, without the acceptance of "Producer" and producers initialed acceptance, will not be considered a contractual change, and therefore producer will have no obligation to provide services according to any unilateral change.

OTHER

Do you do ethnic weddings?

  • We have performed at many Jewish weddings, but also have done Indian, Greek, Spanish and Italian weddings.

DJ Chelsea Lee®

 

 

DJ Mason

 

 

CTO Fifth Avenue Video®

 

 

What People say Regarding CTO Fifth Avenue® Dance Band

 

We had a wonderful night and the band was GREAT. In fact, we received photos yesterday and were talking about how many people were on the dance floor and how much fun they were having. I sent the following note to Ramona after the big day.

"You guys knocked it out of the park. Thank you thank you thank you! We had a blast, as did all of our guests. We knew you would put on a great show and you didn’t disappoint. If we could do it all over again we would not change a thing. Thank you again for lending your talent and flare on our special day. It was unforgettable."

Thanks for all of your help, we'll be sure to suggest CTO Fifth Avenue to anyone looking for live music that everyone will love.

- Geiger Smith

CTO PARK CENTRAL®

 


What People say Regarding CTO Park Central® Live Band?

 

We had such a great experience with CTO Artists® and with our Band CTO Park Central® ! They were very responsive, addressed all of our questions and specific song requests. Our guests absolutely LOVED them! Thank you for such an amazing night that we will never forget!

- Stephanie McGuire


CTO Park Central® is THE hottest wedding band in Philadelphia. Hired them for our wedding reception and they were AMAZING! We danced and sang with them all night long!

- Melissa Nassar


My wife and I hired CTO Park Central® to play our wedding, and it was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding.

The dance floor was packed as soon as they started, and it stayed that way the entire night. The band leader Gloria worked really closely with us to build the program we wanted, and they not only accommodated all of our special requests, but they played incredible versions of their entire set list and kept the energy going all the way through their last song. Strongly recommended.

Aris Tzouflas


We were thrilled with CTO Park Central® at our daughter Sam's wedding. Gloria was soooo helpful and organized before and during the wedding.

Everyone present asked where we got the band from and of course, we told them about CTO. We would recommend them very highly.

We were really happy, they made the party a blast, kept the energy high and just knew exactly what they were doing.

Debra Feldman


The dance floor was packed as soon as they started, and it stayed that way the entire night. The band leader Gloria worked really closely with us to build the program we wanted, and they not only accommodated all of our special requests, but they played incredible versions of their entire set list and kept the energy going all the way through their last song. Strongly recommended.

- Susan Narcross


Used CTO Park Central for our son's wedding and we could not have been more thrilled. From start to finish the band was professional, musical and probably the finest players and singers I have ever heard assembled for a wedding band. They were also perfectly balanced in terms of sound. Not too loud at really any time for anyone. Kudos to the sound man that was included with the band.

- Mark Zettler


I have only WONDERFUL things to say about the incredible CTO Park Central® band from CTO. They were absolutely INCREDIBLE and completely exceeded my expectations. I've heard them twice prior (once at my sister's wedding in 2014, and again at a friend's wedding in 2015), and they are even better in 2018! Gloria is a superstar - and the band is the best I've ever heard. Their song selections were perfect, as were the vocalist associated with our entrance songs, and first dance, and father/daughter and mother/son dances.

Their energy is infectious and contagious and they make you not only want to dance but make you want to stand there and watch them perform like you're at a concert! We received basically 100 compliments about them throughout the evening and afterward, and as the bride and groom, we could not have been happier.

Thank you SO much and a huge thank you again to CTO for making our wedding dream come true. 🙂

- Jen Ingallas

CTO Grand Central®

 

What People are saying Regarding CTO Grand Central® Wedding Band?

 

CTO was so much fun to witness! The band was upbeat and lively. Sang wonderfully, and had the crowd on their feet all night!

- Talya Hailey McCaulley

CTO Midtown Express®

 



What People say Regarding CTO Midtown Express® Wedding Band

 

Virgil and the rest of CTO Midtown Express® are incredibly talented musicians who know how to keep the energy of the party going. They read our wedding crowd really well and kept the dance floor packed all night. Even though The Barnes Foundation where we held our wedding forbids subwoofers and requires the volume to be a bit lower to protect the artwork, we honestly could not tell because the band sounded so great. Our friends and family cannot stop talking about our phenomenal band - one person even asked if Midtown Express recorded a CD that she could buy! The band also did a great job at learning two new songs for us. There is absolutely nothing that we would change about our experience with Midtown Express® because their talent, professionalism, and responsiveness was incredible from start to finish.

- Anne Martinez


CTO Midtown Express® was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding! The band leader, singers, and band members were all amazing and extremely accommodating. They brought so much energy and fun to our wedding.

- Mellisa Pohling


CTO Midtown Express® is fantastic!!! Not only are they great musicians and entertainers, they are great people who do their best to make your day magical. And do they ever! Our dance floor was packed from the first song to the very last. Thank you so much to CTO Midtown Express® for making the soundtrack to our wedding unforgettable!

- Rachel Broder

CTO High Voltage®

 

What People say Regarding CTO High Voltage® Wedding Band?

 

I always look forward to dancing at Naples Beach Hotel in winter with CTO High Voltage!

- Mike Story


Absolute one of the best bands I have seen in a. A very long time. They play a 4-hour concert at Altamonte Springs, Fl.

- Pierre R. Brault


This band is energetic and fun with incredible musicians and vocals! They have a vast repertoire and a fantastic sound. I would recommend them for any event.

- Stacey Allison Guerra reviewed High Voltage Band


It is always a good time when High Voltage is in the house. Be ready to dance.

- Michael Howard reviewed High Voltage Band

CTO Tribeca®

 



What People say Regarding CTO Tribeca® Party Band

 

We had CTO Tribeca for our wedding band on New Years Eve and couldn't have better things to say about them! They were a fantastic band, sounded great, interacted with our guests fantastically, and helped make it a night we'll never forget!
- Jarad Marx


Great company and the band Tribeca was better than we could have ever expected. Highly recommend for any function, but if you are looking for a wedding band to blow your guests away definitely check out CTO Tribeca.
- Meghan Graham


We are thrilled to have CTO Tribeca as our wedding band. I will add a review of the day after the wedding but have no doubt they will meet and exceed our expectations. Working with Angie and Carmen has been effortless! From our initial call to the showcase through contracting, they have been great partners. Angie really understands how to meet couple's needs and is extremely experienced in the market. I feel so lucky that leading up to our wedding day, I do not have a doubt about our band. The level of their performers is truly the best in class. Check out a showcase and see for yourself!
- Christina Morelli


CTO Tribeca is amazing!! We had CTO Tribeca at our wedding, and they are absolutely incredible! They put on a non-stop show for the entire wedding, and never ever take breaks. We had a wedding with 300 guests and all of them were dancing all night long! The dance floor was packed from start to the last second, and that is because of Tribeca. There was barely any room left on the floor, and that is exactly what we wanted. They are the best wedding band in Philly! All of our guests have been calling and texting us to comment on how fantastic CTO was. Maylyn, the band leader, is so wonderful and great to work with. She helped us to plan everything perfectly. The entire process with CTO was very organized and easy - which is exactly what a bride needs. I can't thank CTO enough for the party they threw at our wedding! I can only hope I'll be a guest at a Tribeca wedding one day!! THANK YOU!
- Elena Piperno

Philly Soul Collective

 


The Plumes

 


CTO PopShop

 

 

CTO Good Karma

 

CTO Blind Date Band

 

CTO Philadelphia String Band

 

DJ Chelsea Marie®

 

 

 

 

 

What people say about DJ Chelsea Marie®

 

We had DJ Chelsea Marie for our wedding DJ and couldn't have better things to say about her! She was fantastic, sounded great, had high energy, interacted with our guests fantastically, and helped make it a night we'll never forget!

- Matthew


Great company and DJ Chelsea Marie was better than we could have ever expected! I highly recommend her for any function, but if you are looking for a wedding DJ to blow your guests away and give a high energy performance definitely check out DJ Chelsea Marie..

- Sarah

DJ Pure Fusion®

 

What people say about DJ Pure Fusion®

 

We had DJ Pure Fusion for our wedding DJ and couldn't have better things to say about him! He was fantastic, sounded great, had high energy, interacted with our guests fantastically, and helped make it a night we'll never forget!

- Amanda


Great company and DJ Pure Fusion was better than we could have ever expected! I highly recommend him and his dancers for any function, but if you are looking for a wedding DJ to blow your guests away and give a high energy performance definitely check out DJ Pure Fusion.

- Zach

DJ Joe®

 

What people say about DJ Joe®

 

Joe was incredible. He kept everyone moving and was a great emcee. My wife and I have attended a few events in the past where Joe was the DJ, so we booked him for our wedding and basically let him run with it. The dance floor was packed all night! We've received numerous compliments about how great he was. One of the best around.

- Christopher Moore


Joe was so awesome! He met with my husband a couple of times before the big day and went over everything with us to be sure we got what we wanted. He offered great suggestions when I had no idea what I wanted and the night of the wedding everything was perfect! Music wasn’t too loud but he knew how to get everyone up and dancing! Couldn’t have asked for a better person to DJ our wedding! Thank you!!

- Stefanie Davis


We are so glad that we hired Joe for our wedding! He had previously been the DJ for our friends' wedding last year, so once we got engaged we booked him as soon as we picked a date for our special day. Joe was always professional, quick to respond, and detail-oriented throughout the planning process. He did the music for both our ceremony and reception, and we received many complements on how great the party atmosphere was during the reception--mostly thanks to Joe!
We highly recommend his services to anyone in the area looking for a quality DJ for their wedding day!

- Megan & Miles, 07.21.18


Joe is the best. He coordinated the music for our ceremony, cocktail hour and most importantly, he made our dance party everything we dreamed of. I cannot tell you how many guests told us he was the best wedding DJ they have ever heard. His online music database were you can literally choose every song you want him to play (and not play) kept the party going nonstop all night. He knows how to read the crowed, play toward the audience and mood of the room. He gets what kind of vibe the couple wants. He is not your typical wedding MC who gets on the michrophone all night and stands in the middle of the dance floor. He Gets on the mic only when necessary.
Seriously, he is the best.

- Melissa


See more of DJ Joe®reviews on his Facebook page!

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