“

If you want to have an unforgettable wedding reception with amazing music, a packed dance floor, and nonstop fun, then The Business is the band for you. We hired The Business to play our wedding reception near Knoxville, TN on 11/12/2022. We love live music and we were looking for a band that could play the classic "wedding songs" well, but also play some more original music that still works for a wedding reception. We discussed our musical preferences with Tom Leiner, the guitarist from The Business, on a call a few weeks ahead of the wedding and he was instantly on board. In fact, he offered up the idea of playing some live jazz music during our plated dinner service, rather than just piping in background music through the PA system (which of course they can do as well if preferred). We took him up on this offer and we are so glad we did, as they played an amazing instrumental jazz set throughout the whole dinner at a perfect level without overpowering the dinner service. Each musician showcased their individual talent throughout this set with tasteful and enjoyable solos, and the cohesiveness of the band as a unit was very impressive. I highly recommend this option if you book The Business as everyone enjoyed this portion of the show. The volume got turned up several notches (not too loud - perfect) to get the party started after the dinner jazz set. The male and female lead singers joined the rest of the band and had the dance floor packed in no time. The next couple hours were packed with so much great music, dancing, and fun - their promotional videos don't do justice to how great they sound and how much energy they bring to the stage. We had requested more of their Motown and funkier material from their song list on our call with Tom ahead of time, and the setlist they played fit our preferences to a T. Even family members who I had never seen on a dance floor before were getting their groove on and talking about how great The Business was for weeks after. We did request a couple songs on our call with Tom ahead of the wedding that were not already on their song list - "Never In My Wildest Dreams" by Dan Auerbach as our first dance song, and instrumental version of "Tennessee Waltz" for the father daughter dance. They played both songs beautifully and made both dances very special. On top of the incredible music and energy The Business bring to the table, they are extremely professional, very easy to work with, ran the emceeing duties flawlessly, and we had 0 issues at any point in the time leading up to, or during, the wedding. I cannot recommend them highly enough and you will not be disappointed if you book them for your big day!

-Brian-

Groom
RT Lodge
Maryville, TN
Nov 12, 2022

Hi! I just wanted to say thank you so much for helping our day be so special this weekend. The amount of people that came up or texted this weekend saying how amazing you all were was unreal and we wanted to share. Thank you guys for being so awesome! Have a great rest of the week.

-Katie-

Wedding
The Ruth
Charlotte, NC
Oct 19, 2022

You all are so amazing! We can’t thank you all enough for everything you’ve done for HCC! The music is second to none! Most of all your warm hearts and helpfulness is over the top! You make our event sell out every year. Be blessed!

-High Country Caregivers-

Chetola Resort
Blowing Rock, NC
Sep 15, 2022

The Business is the most wonderful, flexible band I have ever worked with, and it's not the first time. I love when my clients choose to work with this awesome group. They are so happy to make the client's event everything they wish for it to be. And, they work so well with other musicians who may be playing at the same event.

-Sara Beth-

Vineyard's at Betty's Creek
Slyva, NC
Aug 27, 2022

People have not stopped talking about the band. They were so good and so much fun. Thanks so much!

-Alice S.-

Country Club of Sapphire
Sapphire, NC
Aug 20, 2022

Excellent concert like always. Love having you guys at Greystone!

-Camp-

Tuxedo, NC
Jul 17, 2022

INCREDIBLY talented musicians with a knack for upgrading the classic wedding hits with their own spin and genius. We had a fantastic time dancing at our wedding and received SO many compliments on the bands' energy. Love it!!

-Noni H.-

Jun 11, 2022

Everything was wonderful! The Business were so much fun and really made it an unforgettable experience. They were awesome!

-Alex O.-

Asheville, NC
Jun 03, 2022

They were absolutely AMAZING! Our guests cannot stop talking about them and we enjoyed every minute!

-Emily Boaz & Harrison Bowen-

Wedding
Omni Grove Park Inn - Country Club
Asheville, NC
Apr 03, 2022

What can we say, it was our good fortune having The Business play at our wedding at Summerfield Farms this past weekend! When Hank told us the band we were interested in was booked for our wedding date, we were extremely disappointed. Hank, who was very easy to work with and very responsive, sent us a list of options. The Business really impressed us when reviewing their demo....we sent a few of the demos Hank provided to our kids, and they were also wowed! Again, we made the best choice. Thank you Hank! Although we did not have much communication prior to the event, Tom made everything so easy. He was very professional and a delight to speak with. He was very wiling to work with me on the music for the ceremony. The cocktail hour worked out beautifully as well. We requested the classics as background music and it was just what we envisioned....allowing our guests to chat and socialize. Where the band really hit their stride was after dinner. Once they started playing just about everyone hit the dance floor and everyone was impressed by the quality of the band and their music. One of our guests stated, ""It was like a concert with cake!"". Ok, I think I heard the best rendition of Tennessee Whiskey I have ever heard!! Thank you for that memory! Our guests are still calling to say how awesome ""our"" band was. We are only hoping we can enjoy these phenomenal entertainers again! Thanks for making our celebration so unforgettable for all of the right reasons! Total entertainers...

-Linda & Richard -

Wedding
Summerfield Farms
Nov 07, 2021

Chelsey and I and every one of our guests were absolutely blown away by The Business. The dance floor was packed from the moment they started playing (in fact, there was a big crew of guests that started dancing off to the side during our first dances, they were so excited to jump on the dance floor!). The Business's groovy, joyful energy was infectious, and everyone was blown away by their musicianship and singing (so impressive!). On top of all that, they were all a delight to work with, super relaxed, professional, and accommodating. We couldn't be happier with them, and will definitely be recommending them to all our friends who are planning weddings or events.

-Ian & Chelsey-

Black Mountain, NC
Oct 30, 2021

The Business was electric and we had everyone at the brunch party the following morning describing how awesome they were. They really brought the house down with Superstition and Hold on I'm Coming. They set the exact mood we were looking for and the dance floor was packed the entire night.

-Guy and Thananya -

Wedding
Athens , GA
Oct 23, 2021

The Business absolutely brought the house down! They sounded amazing, had so much energy, and kept the party going all night long. 10000/10 would recommend to anyone looking for a wedding band- especially for those to love to dance. Thank you all for the most perfect night!

-Olivia -

Wedding
Nashville , North Carolina
Sep 25, 2021

What a wonderful job you all did! From the bottom of our hearts we appreciate your presence and performance. Your warmth and heart for the children of HCC was felt in your generosity and the music. We had so many compliments about the band and the music! We all want you all back next year! Due in part to your generosity the event was a great success and raised over $75,000.00 for the children of HCC! The vocals and instrumentals were as amazing as your generosity!

-Jacob W.-

Sep 14, 2021

The business goes above and beyond. We knew the band was a critical part of our reception. We basically told them that we’ll be the crowd at your performance. So have fun and do your thing. And they sure did!! I think 99% of the party was on their feet the entire time. The 1% we’re taking a break eating s’mores :). We asked for a couple of special songs which they crushed. They were so nice and truly amazing!! Everyone kept coming up saying how this was the greatest wedding band they’ve ever seen. I can’t speak highly enough about the entire band. There’s no weak spot. I’d hire again and again! Thank you The Business for making our wedding night truly the greatest!

-Ben H.-

Jul 30, 2021

The Business was AMAZING. They far exceeded our expectations and our guests are still talking about them.

-Ellen Q.-

Jul 24, 2021

The Business KILLED it on Saturday - From my side I can’t tell you how much I appreciated them When they showed up it was POURING absolutely just coming down SO SO hard. And their stage setup was less than ideal. It was one of those moments where we all were like “crap, is this going to be able to happen??” Because with the rain it just wasn’t safe for them to setup at that time. But they were all very calm, and we just all got together and put a plan together to make it work. They were professional, flexible and gracious. They also murdered the evening, seriously, the Edgers who live on property poked their heads in the tent to see them because they said they were the best band they had ever heard play on property. Alex was also so so helpful - having The Business on our event made my life as a planner easier. They have always been one of my favorite bands but I haven’t had the chance to work with them often and I can say without any hesitation that I would recommend them in a heartbeat.

-Sarah Murray - Verge Events-

Wedding Planner
Jul 24, 2021

We had a WONDERFUL time with the Business last night - they did an amazing job, and we were very impressed! Very happy with the concert and the band.

-Sarah - Camp Greystone -

Jul 18, 2021

The Business did a great job. Each musician and singer was excellent and together as a group their performance was awesome. Alex was great to work with for my wedding and Pam and Blake did a wonderful job singing. Everyone was terrific - thanks !

-Kathleen & David-

Jun 19, 2021

10/10!!!! Alex, Blake, Pam, and everyone in the band was excellent. Truly phenomenal performance and everyone was dancing the entire night. It was so fun - seriously everyone keeps raving about how great our band was. I am so happy with The Business and recommend them to anyone looking for a wedding band.

-Kathleen B. -

Jun 19, 2021

10/10!!!! Alex, Blake, Pam, and everyone in the band was excellent. Truly phenomenal performance and everyone was dancing the entire night. It was so fun - seriously everyone keeps raving about how great our band was. I am so happy with The Business and recommend them to anyone looking for a wedding band.

-Kathleen & David -

Jun 19, 2021

We cannot thank the band enough for making our wedding so phenomenal. Every single guest just raved about them and I’m sure we will be continuing to hear about it for weeks and months to come. They are so talented and gave the exact energy we were hoping for for our wedding. Their rendition of our first dance song was truly amazing. I’m pretty sure I might like it more than the actual original song. Please tell them how much we appreciate it. I’ve already left an excellent review on wedding wire for you all! Thank you thank you thank you!

-Allison S.-

Bride
Jun 12, 2021

The Business was absolutely incredible. Seriously words couldn’t describe how amazing they were. Every single guest was on the dance floor at some point and commented on how awesome the band was. They made our day perfect start to finish! Thank you again for all of your help.

-Morgan R.-

Bride
Jun 06, 2021

We had an absolutely fantastic experience with The Business at our wedding on 5/15/21. They perfected all three first dance songs...I had even asked the band to customize the tempo of one of the songs which they did flawlessly. Once the party music started, everyone hit the dance floor and didn't leave until the very end! The band even skipped their usual break time in order to fit in a couple of extra songs since we were behind schedule - that did not go unnoticed and was very appreciated! They interacted with the crowd and kept energy levels high the whole time. They even allowed me and my groom on stage which was very nice of them - we had the best time! I had multiple people come up to me and my parents asking for the band's contact information so that they could look into booking them for future events. That says it all! Thank you for helping to make our wedding day the most fun day of our lives!

-Alicia K. -

May 22, 2021

The Business was AMAZING! We have gotten so many compliments on the band and really enjoyed them. I’ll definitely pass along your information to friends needing entertainment and am happy to review you guys anywhere you’d like.

-Kate-

Oct 03, 2020

We were all absolutely blown away by The Business. They are incredible musicians and complete professionals- we couldn't have been more thrilled with their performance at our wedding. We are grateful to Jim and the rest of the band for their hard work and energy throughout the afternoon and evening. They had everyone dancing, singing along, and smiling- the praise from our guests keeps on coming! They made our wedding the special, joy-filled event that it was. Thank you!

-Alice & Pete-

Bride & Groom
Jul 06, 2019

Jim You guys were INCREDIBLE! Absolutely everything and more that we were envisioning. I can't tell you how many people came up to us raving about your performance. Thank you for being so kind and easy throughout this whole process! Thank you so much!!

-Hailey & Bryan-

Bride & Groom
Jun 08, 2019

Absolutely five star - the band is fantastic and they gave an awesome performance. The dance floor was full all night and they are a good, tight band! Really fun and enjoyed them too!

-Eileen S.-

Wedding
Jun 01, 2019

First off, thank you! You and your band were the life of the party and needless to say, our guests were blown away by your energy, talent, and professionalism. I still have guests texting me asking for your name and the band's name- and I wouldn't be surprised if you received a few inquiries for future weddings/events! You & the Business brought a level of swag and fun to our special day that no one else could have. Without exaggeration, it was the best day of our lives and you helped make it so. We will look back for the rest of our lives with extremely fond memories of all of our closest friends & family dancing to your music on our wedding day. And for that, we cannot thank you enough, Jim. Please make sure the rest of your band mates get this message as well. We will be sure to follow up with a rave review on your wedding website. If there is anything else we can do to help promote you & the Business, please let us know! From start to finish, you were simply the best.

-Kevin & Sarina S.-

Bride & Groom
Nov 03, 2018

Jim Arrendell & The Business provided the best live music & entertainment imaginable for our big day. They brought an energy and swagger to our reception that could not have been replicated by anyone else. Not only are the members of the Business incredible musicians, but Jim Arrendell is the consummate professional and totally put us at ease during the planning process. He and his band were very transparent about the song selections and performed each one to perfection. Guests of all ages and musical tastes were out on the dance floor cutting it up to the amazing horns, the blistering guitar solos, the funky keys & bass, the snappy drums, and, of course, Jim's soaring vocals. We are truly honored & grateful to have had such a bad ass band play at our wedding. If you're looking for high energy, highly- talented musicians to play your wedding, look no further than The Business!

-Kevin S.-

Wedding
Nov 03, 2018

You guys really made our wedding awesome! Great customer service, great music, and overall great experience. Thanks for everything. The night would have not been the same without you!

-Seth S.-

Wedding
Oct 13, 2018

Thank you for your kind e-mail and your great performance Saturday night! It is always a pleasure to work with you and your band. Your seemingly unwavering energy is such a crowd-pleaser! We had so many compliments from students and faculty alike. That's no small feat! Hope we'll get our schedules aligned again soon!

-Frazier A.-

School Dance
Sep 22, 2018

Thank you so much for the great performance. Everyone has been saying how great you all were and how much fun they had on the dance floor. You guys were great and thank you again. You exceeded expectations on all fronts. Thanks

-Justin B.-

Wedding
Sep 15, 2018

We can’t thank you enough for making our wedding night so much fun. From the surprise recessional to an amazing set during the reception, you guys made our night. We’re still getting messages from friends and family about how much they loved you guys and how fun the reception was. You can guarantee we will keep recommending you guys to anyone and everyone we can. Thank you again! Cheers

-Hobbs & Mary Frances -

Bride & Groom
Sep 02, 2018

Thanks for a phenomenal show, Jim! The Business is so easy to work with and our crowd LOVED them. Their music choices were perfect and they kept people dancing all night. Jim is such a professional and just so kind and funny - the girls loved him! We always love having the Business and hope to have y'all again in the future!

-Anonymous-

Camp Greystone
Jul 11, 2018

The Business exceeded expectations! I had great guidance from Barry as our first choice, wasn’t available. Honestly, I think The Business was a better fit for us and they were just fantastic. I am having a big party spring of 2020 and I will definitely book them for that. They were so professional!! We were on a tight schedule and they were great at getting the crowd to settle down when needed. Also, their rendition of Hootie and The Blowfish for the bride and groom's first dance was amazing! It just got better and better and true to their words, the dance floor was packed the entire night!

-Anne E.-

Wedding
Apr 28, 2018

I just want to personally thank you for creating such an amazing event on Saturday night. You all truly made the party! Jim, you are incredible and the band is just unreal all together. We look forward to working with you all in the near future!

-Hillary P.-

Event Planner
Apr 14, 2018

They were AWESOME!! Thank you so much. They exceeded all expectations!

-Jennifer T.-

Wedding
Mar 24, 2018

The Business was amazing! We loved all of their songs! Thank you so much! :)

-Aubrey C.-

American Heart Assoc Ball
Mar 03, 2018

We will certainly rate The Business as the best band in the world! They were absolutely incredible, and we could not have imagined a more perfect bunch. Jim was such a joy to work with. They certainly made it the most memorable night of our lives, and I don't think we're the only ones still in awe of their performance. Thank you so much for everything!

-Morgan G.-

Wedding
Sep 30, 2017

We cannot begin to tell you how thankful we are that our paths crossed many, many moons ago. We feel incredibly lucky and absolutley priviledged to have had you and The Business totally rock our wedding!!! It was a night to remember for sure, and that is all thanks to you guys. I don't think there was a soul sitting down and, from what I remember, the dance floor was packed all night! Just know that you have received many a compliment in the days since, and everyone is abuzz with just how fabulous you were. Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your hard work and delightful genuineness when it came to playing such an important role in our big day. From the day we chose The Business to the Let's Get It On finale, it was our joy and pleasure to work with you. Thanks again for an absolutley perfect night! Let us know if you guys quit the wedding business and starting gigging! The Graceys be first in line!! 😁

-Morgan & Mike G.-

Bride & Groom
Sep 30, 2017

We've just arrived in Cabo for our honeymoon, and I don't think we've gone more than an hour or two without rehashing the AMAZING time we had Saturday night! My sore muscles and bruises are still reminding me of how much we really tore it up with y'all :) The Business exceeded our expectations in every way, and we've had countless guests tell us that y'all are the best band they've ever had the pleasure of listening to (and were talking ALL BANDS, not "wedding bands"). Cheers to you and the guys for inviting us and our rowdy friends on stage! Several guests said that was the best part of the night, and it certainly was for me and Ben! It was hands down the absolute best night of our lives, and y'all played a major role in making that happen. We knew after watching The Business YouTube videos (probably a thousand times!) that we would be in for a treat, but y'all really brought down the house even more than we could have imagined. Y'all have such a range in energy, and it was truly perfect for each moment of the evening-- from the smooth jazz to the sweat-inducing Motown jams that guests of all ages could enjoy. We couldn't believe how packed the dance floor was, even at the very end! Even several of our "mature guests" said they couldn't help but stay until the end because y'all were just THAT good. Thank you again, and we are looking forward to seeing y'all perform again next time we're in the Asheville area! Please send the rest of the group our regards, every one of you are seriously top notch. Countless thank yous!!

-Shelly & Ben-

Bride & Groom
Sep 23, 2017

I don’t think there is anything that could have been better! Those guys were more than awesome, the guests were pleased and the clients (planners) were tickled pink. When their guests were boarding the coaches to go back to the hotel everyone said to the planners “that was a great band!” (as opposed to saying, “that was a great event”)… particularly the ones who made it until the end. But really everything was great, the food, the venue, the service, the weather, etc. I was there the entire event and I really enjoyed listening to the band myself (even though I can’t and don’t dance). Jim was even nice enough to let their “token” Elvis impersonator get up and do a tune (and by the way, he was not too shabby and was a great dancer too). I know bands cringe when people come up like that, so I give Jim a lot of credit for allowing that. I have booked hundreds of bands in my time (and I’m in three bands myself), but I don’t think I’ve ever booked a band that really could deliver on that “exceeds expectations” motto. The Business was great, but what’s even better is that they really did exceed the group’s expectations. Thanks so much

-Michael R.-

Event Planner
Sep 15, 2017

We cannot express our gratitude to the band enough. Y'all made the reception so much fun. We truly had so many people come up and ask us who the band was and how to find you guys. Jeff today said he wanted to crash the next event y'all are playing. We had the time of our lives dancing-especially shout at the end. Thanks again

-Gracie K.-

Bride
Sep 09, 2017

Thank you so much for playing at our wedding. We had an absolute BLAST. As we told at least one of the band members, you guys were THE top priority on our list. The date wasn't set until we knew you were available! Thank you for a great time. Can't wait until we can see the video and relive it! Our best

-Molly & Jeff-

Bride & Groom
Sep 02, 2017

Rob and I were extremely pleased with The Business! They did a great job, made the night a fun and memorable experience. So many people commented on them, asked us who they were and how we found them. Of course we told them about ECE and finding them through your website. Molly and Tyler and all their friends had a great time dancing and partying together. We couldn't be more pleased with The Business and would highly recommend them to others. Please let Jim and his band members know what a wonderful job they did and that we couldn't have been more pleased. Thank you for all your help through this process.

-Becky G.-

The Business
Aug 12, 2017

All we can say is wow! The Business FAR exceeded any expectations we had. They were one of, if not the biggest highlight at our wedding. They were so professional, fun and kind, and we simply do not have enough words to describe how grateful we are to them and to you. We will most definitely recommend ECE and The Business to anyone we know planning a wedding in the area. Thank YOU for keeping us on track and always being available/promptly responding to emails. We are still on cloud 9 thanks in large part to all of the hard work you and the band put into it.

-Lainie & Warren-

Bride & Groom
Jul 15, 2017

We could not have been more thrilled with THE BUSINESS, which made the party on Saturday memorable and extra special. Our guests are still talking about the quality of the band, and how beautifully you geared the entire evening to the "feel" of the event and the tastes/preferences of the guests. Look forward to working with you again in the future!

-Denise-

Appalachian State Univ. Event
Jul 01, 2017

We were absolutely BLOWN AWAY by The Business!!! Our wedding reception was a total dream and so much of that is thanks to the incredible fun and feel good that you guys brought to the night. We received so many compliments from our friends and family on both your jazz sets and party playlists, and I just wish that we could attend your events every weekend. I have a feeling The Business may be getting a bit more business from those that saw you on Saturday night, and we're crossing out fingers that we make the guest lists. :) Thanks again for everything! You guys are quite literally the BEST.

-Natalie & Jeremie-

Bride & Groom
Jun 17, 2017

Bottom line they were amazing!! And the best part of our wedding other than actually getting married! :) You all went well above and beyond and gave us and all of our friends a fantastic time! Having you play the extra 30 mins was a big ask and I can't even explain how much we appreciate you all making that happen! As you saw from my dancing, Proud Mary (Ike and Tina version) is one of my college friends' and my favorite songs to dance to (since we went to school in Memphis) so that alone made my night. I've gotten so many compliments on your music and you did such a lovely job. We are nothing less than overjoyed with you and the rest of the band's performance, professionalism, etc. I almost wish I could get married again just so I can enjoy dancing to your music (just kidding)! Please let me know if there is anyway we can be of any help to you all in terms of writing reviews or anything in that respect. Also I've given your contact information to a few friends so I hope that's ok. Thank you so much for everything, Jim. You truly made our wedding the best dance party I had dreamed of all my life.

-Jane M.-

Bride
Jun 10, 2017

We were beyond happy with The Business. We received SO many complements on how awesome they were and guests kept saying the dance floor was always full! We will definitely recommend them in the future!

-Kathryn N.-

Wedding
Jun 03, 2017

The Business exceeded EVERYONE"S expectations! If I've heard it once, I've heard it 1000 times "BEST BAND EVER." We have friends getting married in New Orleans that are sad they already booked their band for their reception because they said there is no way they could be any better! Also what a true pleasure to work with Jim! I met several of the other band members and they were just as great!

-Emily B.-

Bride
May 19, 2017

It was definitely our pleasure having you all on the farm again! Your band is even better than I remembered. When the day didn't go exactly as we had planned and dreamed of I was feeling a wee bit disappointed for Jackson and Danielle and then you and your guys started playing, bringing your own brand of Happy to the party! I just can't thank you enough for such a fun dance party finish to their wedding day! Not only for being flexible and moving your entire set up to a totally different area in the drizzling rain; but, doing it with such a great attitude. Your infectious smile and ability to read the crowd, bringing exactly the right song at the right time is nothing short of magical:) I personally had a wonderful time and enjoyed an evening of love and laughter with family and friends that won't soon be forgotten. Thank you again for your part in making it such an unforgettable day!

-Nan-

Wedding
May 06, 2017

Thank you so much for making Saturday night so much fun!! It seemed to me that the dance floor was packed from the moment it opened through the last song, and that people were having the time of their lives. Thank you so much for learning our first dance song, it was even better than I imagined, and so much fun to dance to. It made the dances funny, memorable, and you guys rolled with it without missing a beat!

-Clementine-

Wedding
Feb 18, 2017

The Business was WONDERFUL! We have nothing but positive things to say about them. All of our friends and family can't stop talking about what a great celebration it was on Saturday, and the biggest thing they highlight is the band.

Please tell Jim, Alex, and the other 5 musicians that we are so incredibly happy with how everything turned out, and we'd happily recommend The Business to friends and family in the future.

-Kate-

Wedding
Oct 08, 2016

The Business was so AWESOME!! We really loved them so much. Everyone was asking about them!! I thought they were great to work with and our venue made a point to tell us they felt the same way. They are really unique and do not feel like just another wedding band at all. Jim's voice is unbelievable They are so talented and they killed it!! They definitely made our night.

-Patterson-

Groom
Aug 20, 2016

I cannot begin to tell you how INCREDIBLE the band was at our wedding on April 23.  They were absolutely fabulous and exceeded my expectations by far!  Jim was professional, personable, and an exceptionally talented singer.  Every guest raved about their performance, many saying that it was the best wedding they have ever been. Deepest thanks for an unforgettable night!

-Angela-

Bride
Charlotte, North Carolina
Apr 23, 2016

Hi Ellie – Everything was fantastic.  The Business was the perfect band for this party and certainly exceeded our expectations.  We will not hesitate to recommend you and The Business for future events.  We look forward to working with you again in the future.

-Reed-

Private Party
Biltmore
Asheville, North Carolina
Feb 13, 2016

They were AMAZING!!!

I love working with Jim and his band. They look great sound great and do such a great job!!

-Margaret-

Wedding Planner
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Oct 24, 2015

Aria and I wanted to let you know how much we appreciate the Business being part of our wedding celebration!  We were so incredibly impressed with your professionalism and most importantly, your amazing musical talent and energetic performance!  Thanks for making the trip all the way from Murphy, now you truly know the meaning of that phrase, from Murphy to Manteo!  Our crowd loves to party, and your band really knew how to keep us on the dancefloor all night.  Everyone was raving about how awesome you guys were!!  The jazz at the beginning was perfect to set the mood and we really appreciate you working with our timeline so we could incorporate the persian ceremony. The fact that people of all ages and all backgrounds were flocking to the dancefloor really speaks volumes to how well the band reads the crowd and can elevate the party atmosphere. The nonstop set was phenomenal, I think everyone was soaked with sweat from dancing their hearts out! You guys are the complete package and I would highly, highly recommend your band to anyone looking for a group to really take their party to the next level.

-Aaron-

Groom
Manteo, North Carolina
Sep 12, 2015

THEY WERE AMAZING!!! Everyone danced until the very last song, and even chanted for an encore....and so they came back on and performed one last song for us. Ive never seen that at a wedding before!!! We overheard so many people saying it was the best band they've ever heard at a wedding too. Excellent crowd pleaser and made the wedding so absolutely perfect. Thank you for checking in and being so thorough with everything. I could not be happier with everything.

-Jane-

Bride
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Aug 15, 2015

The Band was out standing. They were so cute with the flower girls and the dancing fool of a ring bearer during their set up.  The music was OUTSTANDING.  We had the wedding of the year all because of the band. (I will send you the video of the dancing fool in a minute.)  The bride and groom danced almost every dance (except while eating) so did I.  I am going to send a shout out to the band on Facebook later today.  Is the official name The Business Band?  It was fantastic.

-Ann-

Wedding
Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Jun 20, 2015

I cannot say enough good things about Business!  We were absolutely thrilled with their performance, not to mention their professionalism, kindness, and sincerity on the day of and leading up to our wedding.  The bridesmaids and I arrived around 4:15pm to the venue (45 minutes before the ceremony start-time) and I immediately heard the band warming up and finalizing their sound check.  They sounded so amazing that I ran downstairs and out into the main room (where the bride is allegedly not supposed to be, everyone could see me!) and I just clapped and danced while the band warmed up with a joy that couldn't be contained.  It doesn’t sound like much, but just hearing a few chords from them got me so happy, excited, and ready to celebrate--they sounded so good!!  It was such a delight to hear them and remember that this was a celebration, not something to be nervous about.

They played an absolutely lovely jazz set during dinner. My husband said he hardly ate just because he wanted to focus on the music.  They did a wonderful cover of my husband and I’s first dance song (a song by Sam Cooke), and then kicked off the party in style.  All of our guests had the most fantastic time and kept asking, “Where did you find them!???” One of my best friends called me the next day (she was a college swimmer) and said that she had never been so sore in her life; they made her dance so hard.   My mom danced so hard that she literally couldn't walk the next day.  Although I feel bad for my mom, she and I both agreed that for a band, THAT IS AMAZING.  Everyone (including my husband and I) had the time of their lives.

A few friends and I have already made plans to drive to Asheville and catch them on a Friday night when they play at Isis (the wedding was five days ago, so we did quick work on our plans to see them again)!  If it is a private event, we will likely just crash it.  We have to see them again!  Jim and the band were also so accommodating--we had multiple requests (song dedications, shout-outs, specific songs to play at certain times, etc.) and they made it all seem to fluid and easy.  My husband’s father is a huge Elvis fan, and the band played a song dedicated to my husband's father.  He came up to me after the song ended and said, “Thank you so much for that,” and gave me a huge hug.  That is just one of the special moments that I'll take away from our wedding, and the Business band made so many moments like that one happen.

I actually can’t say enough good things about this band.  They are incredible musicians (we were blown away by the trumpet player!), kind people, wonderful professionals, and so much fun together.  Tell me where you would like for me to sing their praises publicly and I will be happy to do it!  They truly made our night.  We can't imagine any other band possibly doing for our reception what the Business band did.  My father was blown away and even went back to individually

-Jenna & Keith-

Bride & Groom
Saxapahaw, North Carolina
May 24, 2015

Hi Ted,

This is Alice, but I think I can speak for everyone when I say the Business was wonderful at our reception. I had so many compliments from our guests about how amazing they were. They kept the momentum going the entire time and so many people were dancing we were wishing we had gotten a larger dance floor (people were dancing in the grass).

They were awesome and we would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a wedding band.

-Alice-

Bride
Cashiers, North Carolina
May 02, 2015

Hi Ellie- 

The Business was WONDERFUL.  The music was great and everyone was dancing all night long.  I’ve received lots of compliments from friends about how good the band was. Everyone enjoyed the band.

And you and everyone else were absolutely correct in that they were a pleasure to deal with.  Extremely nice and did everything we asked of them. I can’t say enough nice things about. Thank you so much for suggesting them and thank you for all your help with the planning.  Everything was perfect.

-Ginger-

Mother of the Bride
Weversville, North Carolina
Apr 18, 2015

Hi Ellie,

Our event went extremely well! As I remembered from our last encounter, Jim and the band were very courteous, professional and were absolutely fantastic! We received rave reviews from our guests concerning all aspects of our party, but specifically the band. We don’t have much of a dancing crowd but they were able to coax them out on the dance floor and I really believe our people would have stayed out there even longer if given the opportunity.  I would highly recommend and certainly would book The Business again in the future. It is a pleasure to work with you as well as Jim. 

It has been a little crazy around here this week so I have not been able to express my gratitude to Jim for their exceptional performance for us. Would you mind to pass this along? 

I hope we can work together again for the event next year. Thank you for checking in.

-Susan-

Hospital Fundraiser
Abingdon, Virginia
Mar 06, 2015

Jim and the Business were so Amazing and professional on Sunday night. They are all so friendly and the members were very impressed! 

We hope to have them back again. 

Thank you!

-Kim-

River Course Club
Kiawah, South Carolina
Feb 15, 2015

We hired The Business to play at our daughter's wedding reception on January 3rd and our guests are still talking about them! The Business made the night so much fun! I can't say enough good things about this group of musicians. They're professional, super talented, easy to work with, and they played everything we requested. Anything we had requested that they didn't normally play they put on a playlist for breaks which worked out great. There was never a single song where people weren't dancing. They maintained a fun happy energy throughout the entire event, and were good with the mic too. We loved their sound! Honestly, we were so pleased and would highly recommend, and would definitely hire them again, should the opportunity arise. Five stars!!

-Joyce-

Fantastic!
Certus Loft, South Carolina
Jan 03, 2015

They were great!  Professional, and nice guys too.  Showed up on time, and were ready to go when we needed them.  Jim was very accommodating of last minute changes to the agenda.  Every comment I’ve received about them from attendees has been complimentary, and they played a big part in making the event a great success.  

Thank you for helping us find them, we’ll be back next year!!

-Dan-

Corporate Holiday Party
Dec 05, 2014

There are not enough positive words to describe our experience. Jim and his band were fabulous - flexible and professional to the very end. We enjoyed Tom playing during or ceremony all the way to Shout as the very last song of the evening. There was never a moment when the dance floor was empty - Jim and the Business put on a great show and we couldn't have asked for a better band! I'm hoping they get more business from the evening - many people raved about them and asked for contact information. 

Thank you for your help securing an important part to our lifetime of memories from the wedding weekend!

-Tyson-

Wedding
Oct 04, 2014

Ellie,

I cannot say enough nice things about The Business.  Not only did they provide us with amazing entertainment and music at our wedding, but Jim was extremely responsive and professional throughout the entire wedding planning process.  Jim really went above and beyond to give us the wedding of our dreams, learning additional songs for our first dances and attending vendor meetings in which he was not required to attend, but he took the time out of his day to make sure he was there.  He also checked in with both my Dad and I midway through the night of our wedding to make sure we were pleased with the energy and entertainment he and his band were providing.  Jim is an absolute class act and a pleasure to work with.  His soulful sound and love for music made for an unforgettable night of entertainment and dancing...

Thank you - EastCoast Entertainment and The Business for making our wedding so special.  You guys rock!!!

-Shannon-

Bride
Sep 06, 2014

They were great and so professional.  They more than most of my vendors went out of their way to get to know my preferences ahead of time so they could get to know me and deliver what we hoped for on our wedding day.

I am so grateful to Jim.  I ended up with a day of wedding planner did not take charge.  I was so relieved to see Jim when I arrived at the reception.  He found me ran the list and just got the party started.

I have gotten so many compliments on the band.  Keary and I had so much fun dancing.  They are the right balance of class without being too uptight and just being really fun.  Our band was the best part of our wedding.

-Laura Beth-

Bride
Jul 26, 2014

It was a sincere pleasure to work with Jim and your company.  The entire experience was professional, but the follow up was (and continues to be) personal.  The Business was quite simply the best live band we've encountered (and we get to be around lots of bands)--they were accommodating, thoughtful, incredibly musical.  They were perfect for listening while we dined, and brought energy through the rest of the evening until we were really made to leave!  Jim worked with Clint on his sweet presentation and dance with Rebecca, a moment that all our friends and family will remember for a long, long time.  Most people don't necessarily comment on a band, but we had numerous comments about how much the music and dancing was enjoyed, even by folks who "don't dance".  Cory and Rebecca started the time of their life with this band, and what a great start!

The Thumbpickers were exactly what we envisioned for the cocktail hour.  I wish I'd had more time to just stand near them and enjoy the music.  Their bluegrass style was a perfect segue from the ceremony toward the celebration, and the brought the real deal to the night.

Thank you for the suggestions, and for helping to make this night surpass our dreams.

-Colleen-

Event Planner
Jul 04, 2014

The band was incredible! They had everyone on the dance floor for four hours straight, I think the crowd even asked for an encore! We had countless guests commenting to us on how amazing the band was; we are hoping some of our friends will book them in the future so we can hear them play live again. They were very professional, and we would recommend them to anyone. They really helped make our day amazing.

Thanks for all your help, and if you ever need a formal recommendation for The Business you can contact me and my wife anytime.

-August-

Groom
Jun 15, 2014

Show was amazing; the members are raving, and I sure appreciate your talent! Looking forward to the next time we have opportunity to work together again. Please send our 'thank you's' to your band.  

-Christine-

Social Club Event, Kiawah Island
Kiawah Island, SC
Feb 16, 2014

Jim and The Business shined at our fundraiser. Jim connects with the energy of the audience and had the crowd dancing all evening. Everyone commented that they really enjoyed the music, the talent of the musicians and Jim's exuberance and soulful voice.

-Ed & Sue-

Corporate Event - Non Profit Fundraiser
Nov 02, 2013

The Business was really great. They went out of their way for us to make sure everything was just perfect. We really enjoyed working with Jim- he's such a sweetheart!

-Noa-

Bride
Oct 27, 2013

We were beyond pleased with the reception. We had so much fun, and I know everyone else did as well. You guys kept the dance floor packed the whole night, which is exactly what we were hoping for. Growing up, I never gave much thought to what I wanted my wedding to be like. Never thought about the dress or the flowers or anything like that. But I did always hope that it would be a joyous occasion that would bring together all my (and my future spouse's) friends and family. Now that it's over, I can say that that dream was achieved, and your band played a big role in making the night unforgettable. So, thank you!

I've had countless guests write or call to tell us how good the band was. I have given them your name & directed them to the East Coast website. If there is any place I could leave a testimonial or write a review, I would gladly welcome the opportunity. Just let me know.

Also, I would like to thank you for your CD. We listened to it last night, and it was great!

All the best to you & the rest of the band. Thank you again.

-Rosanne-

Bride
Sep 21, 2013

You guys were great! We heard nothing but good comments. One person said that he thought you guys were the best band our association has ever hired! You guys play with energy and tons of skill across the board. I personally appreciated how professional and responsive you were. That was very comforting to a rookie doing this.
We had a great time in Asheville. It was one of the best conventions we have ever had.

Thanks for being a part of it. Hope to catch you guys again somewhere soon. Others might feel the same because they were asking how far you guys travel for shows.

Best of luck to you and the band!

-Neil-

Corporate Event
Aug 17, 2013

Our expectations were blown away! We are so happy that The Business could perform at our wedding reception and will recommend you all to anyone and everyone. Thank you so much for being professional, energetic and fun. We have received many, many complements on the music at the reception - all thanks to you! You kept our friends and family dancing and having a great time during the entire reception and you were so good at "reading" the crowd and playing the right music! We cannot imagine our wedding weekend without you. We can't thank you enough!

-Annie-

Bride
Jun 29, 2013

Thanks so much for this message. If there were enough words to describe how amazing Business Band was, then I would do it! Seriously, they were incredible. SO easy to work with, no divas, followed the song list we wanted, had incredible talent, very engaging, and literally made the event what it was. We had so many friends and family ask for their names and information. Our venue loved working with them - said they were the easiest band they've worked with. Truly, it was one of the best decision we made during the planning process. Thanks so much for your help and patience with me as we worked through the different options. Please let me know if I can ever endorse them again!

-Mary-

Wedding
Mar 23, 2013

You guys were incredible. Best experience yet for myself and I know that the family was MORE than thrilled. I cannot wait to have you guys back at one of our events...AMAZING!

-Morgan-

Wedding Planner
Savannah, GA
Mar 09, 2013

I want to send a big THANK YOU to each of you for helping to make our Medical Staff event on Friday a success. I really can't thank you both enough for your hard work. Jim, The Business was amazing! The professionalism and courtesy you showed was impressive and greatly appreciated. The fact that you tailored the set list to our crowd, took the time to walk around the venue during the first few songs to check the acoustics in the room and make sure the music wasn't too overbearing, was a really nice touch. While our crowd was a bit more reserved than I had hoped, as far as dancing goes, they LOVED the music. I had numerous compliments on your band and your amazing talent. I wouldn't hesitate to book The Business for any future events and I will certainly pass on a glowing recommendation to anyone looking for a fun, energetic, crowd pleasing band. Again, I appreciate your hard work and taking the time to travel to our event. You guys were awesome and a joy to work with.

-Susan-

Johnston Memorial Hospital - Medical Staff Event
Feb 08, 2013

The Business was great. They even sent a thank you note for booking them which was a nice added touch. We got lots of great compliments on both the event and the band.

-Lyn-

Event for North Carolina Governor
Asheville, NC
Jan 01, 2013

We had a fantastic weekend and your band helped make it unforgettable. Your group is so talented and you are wonderful to work with. I am sure you will have lots of continued success. We are so thankful that you were available to play at our rehearsal dinner. thanks again! We are there frequently and will try to come to the White Horse when you are performing there one night. we'll bring the newlyweds! 

-Jan-

Rehearsal Dinner
Jan 01, 2013

The Business, are true professionals who make a direct connection with audience members from the moment they hit the stage. In the world of live music as in theatre, a proverbial "fourth wall" commonly separates the performers from their audience, but that wall is destroyed by The Business who create an experience where audience members are participants in the celebration as opposed to being mere consumers. I've been privileged to watch The Business perform on numerous occasions. Their shows are characterized by diversity of material, superior musicianship, and danceable rhythms. The blend of familiar songs from the sixties through the eighties never fails to produce smiles, celebratory shouts, and dance floors filled with satisfied celebrants. Audience members always feel like they've gotten more than their monies worth and leave feeling like they've participated in a celebratory experience as opposed to just attending a concert. In any field of endeavor, excellence and professionalism lead to success. The Business have demonstrated that they know how to please an audience and have developed a loyal fanbase who follow them from venue to venue to experience good times and good vibrations. I recommend them highly.

Don Talley
The Black Mountain Music Scene

-Anonymous-

Great Band
Jan 01, 2013

We didn't know where to begin when trying to book a band for the reception. We wanted a group that could do music that our generation and our parents (and grandparents!) could dance to, which seemed like a tall order. When my cousin (who is himself a musician in Asheville) called me to tell me that he normally hates wedding bands but saw The Business recently and thought they were great, we booked them on the spot. Jim and his team were nothing short of fantastic. They played a mix of 60s/motown, big band era, and wedding classics. We started dancing as soon as we arrived at the reception at 6ish, and danced all night long. EVERYONE was on the dance floor and had the best time. They were also extremely accommodating of our requests. They send you a list with their repertoire well in advance, and you can tell them what you absolutely want (and don't want) played. We ended up putting the same song on both lists, and when a guest specifically requested it, Jim quickly took me aside to make sure it was ok before he played it. :-) We played an iPod with country and contemporary songs during their two breaks, and they also agree to learn one new song for your event. In my case, they not only learned the song but agreed to let me sing it to my hubby. It was a highlight! Ellie, their agent at EastCoast Entertainment, handled all the administrative details leading up to the wedding with the utmost professionalism and ensured that everything went smoothly. We can't say enough nice things about The Business. Booking them was the best decision we made, and we made some good ones!

-Cheryl-

Bride
Dec 01, 2012

Thank you all SO much for coming out for the Lenovo & Microsoft Windows 8 event on 10/25 in Morrisville NC. The event was very well attended and you guys put on an amazing performance!! I enjoyed chatting with you while you set up. Please know that I will refer you frequently!! 

-Amy-

Corporate Party
Morrisville, NC
Oct 25, 2012

I cannot say thank you enough for being the most amazing band EVER! You guys made Rad and I's wedding night. It was simply perfection! Classy jazz into the dance party of the year...everyone is still singing your praises. You guys rocked the house, or should I say lawn... it was simply a night we will never forget. Thank you, thank you, thank you! PS. be sure to send us the album, we can't wait! PPS. You've got a family of friends in NYC and Charleston, let us know if you're ever visiting!!! 

-Megan & Rad-

Bride & Groom
Charleston, SC
Oct 20, 2012

Please pass on to Jim Arrendell with The Business our many thanks for a fabulous wedding reception. The music was unbelievably good, and we loved the selections. So many of our guests wanted to know about the band, and could not say enough good things about them. I never thought I would see my wife up on the stage with a band, but Jim was able to get the two mothers to join in. Guests from NYC to Montgomery have made inquiries about The Business. And I especially appreciated their adding some more Carolina beach music selections!

Coincidentally, I received a call Tuesday from a lady in Birmingham wanting to know if I could recommend the band for her daughter's reception. Despite the distance to Birmingham, I told her she would not be disappointed with The Business.

I still have an unmarried 25 year old daughter, so I will be needing your services again in the future, but hopefully not too soon!

Thank you for assisting us with the entire process.

-Patterson-

Mother of the Bride
Oct 06, 2012

You guys are so incredible. Thank you so much a thousand times over for the show your band put on and the experience you created. We couldn't have been happier and our vision for the night surpassed our wildest expectations. People danced, you danced, and all of you guys rocked. We will talk about last night for the rest of our lives and when we do, we will always talk about how great you guys were. Thank you.

We look forward to seeing you again and will drop sometime at the Grove Park. Until then, be well.

-Dana and Jess -

Bride & Groom
Jul 28, 2012

I just wanted to say thank you so much for making Melissa & Brad's wedding reception so much fun for them! You and your band members always do such an incredible job!

It is always such a pleasure to work with all of you! We look forward to working more with you in the future!

Again, Thank you!

-Mark-

Event Planner
Jun 23, 2012

I'm Just getting back to the real world after our honeymoon in California! I want you to know we absolutely LOVED this band. Every aspect of the evening was done perfectly, and I cannot tell you how many people have raved about them to us over the past few weeks. They were so professional and talented, and even hung around a bit chatting with my family afterwards. I loved their music, FANTASTIC, and they really made the reception. I don't think we stopped dancing at all. I have recommended East Coast, as well as the Business via EastCoast, several times and will continue to do so. Lots of engagements lately!

Thank you for making this process so completely easy and enjoyable, the band was one of my favorite parts of the entire experience. I appreciate you taking the time to help me find exactly what we were looking for, I couldn't have been happier!

-Laura-

Bride
May 12, 2012

Great band, amazing communication, and wonderful performance. I loved talking with both Jim and Tom and will use this company (and band) again in the future.

-Heidi Perrone-

Planner
The Capital Club
Asheville, NC