As a booking agent for the past 24+ years, I researched each and every music venue. I reached out via email, on behalf of the artists I booked. However first I checked out the music venues websites, making sure the genre fit. Then I would check the calendars, to see if the dates I was requesting were available.
After the gig was booked sometimes, however not often, I would hear back from the person who handled sound for the venue. They would ask me for a stage plot and a list of instruments, the artists or bands would be using.
Remember me sharing in My Musical Journey, the importance of the sound person? A solo artist, along with the full band needs to communicate during sound check. Sound people are a Band's Best Friend. They can either make you or break you. They professionally enhance your sound.
Sound checks are SO important. Most premier music venues have their own sound person. Many of the artists and bands I worked with would bring their own sound person, who was familiar with the band. This was a guarantee the sound would be delivered and handled.
That’s what Cary Entertainment provides and more. I took the time recently to interview Barry and Sherry Cary, who own Cary Entertainment….
I first became aware of you on Facebook. I reached out to request a booking, for a few artists I represented. How did this service that you both provide, come about?
Barry & Sherry - We were providing sound for the venue when asked if we would like to start doing the bookings and production for shows at the New Hope Inn and Suites. The lounge is a great listening room and very intimate, great for singer/songwriters. New Hope is a wonderful town with a lot of charm.
Can you expand on the concept and exactly what you provide and to whom?
Sherry - We try to book different genres of music to satisfy a wide range of audiences. We provide a very intimate listening room, which is hard to find in our area and work one on one with the artist to make the show a success.
I’ve read that you have been doing this for over 40 years Barry. What made you get drawn into this process and how did it all begin?
Barry - I built my first PA system in high school. I started my career as a bass player, one of my friends recruited me as an audio engineer at the Taj Mahal where I spent 10 years of being mentored and mixing sound. I have worked at the Borgata in Atlantic City where I got introduced to the PBS music series and spent 10 years involved in that.
How and when did you both meet?
Barry & Sherry - We had a lot of mutual friends who are in the music industry. Barry was in a band and I enjoy dancing. While he was playing on gigs, he would come on the dance floor and dance with me while playing. We knew each other for a few years before dating. We moved in together less than a year later, got engaged in 2017 and married in 2022 in a hot air balloon.
Can you share an experience at an event you have handled, that still holds a memory for you both? Either the same or different memories.
Sherry - We have had a lot of great experiences at events, but I believe the one event that really stuck with me is a fundraiser we did for New Hope Celebrates. It was a lot of work on my part but the end results really warmed my heart, people were so kind and giving.
How do you both feel about tribute and cover bands versus original artists?
Barry & Sherry - We work with tribute bands and original artists. We enjoy both and I feel it really depends on the venue. We have been with Havana in New Hope for 12+ years where tribute bands and cover bands are mostly booked. We have been doing shows at the New Hope Inn and Suites for a year where we mostly do original artists. We enjoy the diversity of the two venues.
What do you look for when selecting who you decide to work with? Is there a criteria you stick with?
Sherry - When booking for the NHIS, I research artist and listen to their music before reaching out to them. Solos, duos and trios work very well in the venue, but I have booked 5 and 6 piece bands as long as they can be fitted on the stage. I look at the artist shows lined up as not to book them close to a date they ask for.
I have also been given singer/songwriters information from some of our past artists and that has worked out well.
Have you ever handled an event that ended up a disaster and why?
Sherry - Honestly, have only had one show that was a disappointment, I wouldn’t call it a disaster. It was a comedian, since then I have not had an interest in booking another.
Have you worked with a success story you would like to share?
Sherry - I think our success is how we have managed working two venues Thursday to Sunday without any issues. Plus being able to work our other business Monday through Wednesday. We have met some wonderful artists who we now consider friends. We have been able to take our love of music and make a career with it.
Moving into the future do you feel bands and venues will continue to reach towards the services you provide? And why?
Sherry - I believe when people want a place to listen to music without large crowds and a lot of noise we are the perfect venue for them. Our artists take the time to mingle with the audience after the shows, in some venues they can’t do that because they are being asked to clear off the stage right away.
How can someone get in touch with you if they have interest in what you provide?
Sherry - They can email me at sherry@caryav.com or through caryav.com.
Is there anything additional you would like to share with me as we wrap up this interview?
Sherry - We welcome artists to reach out to us if they believe they would be a nice fit in the room. We try to be very accommodating to the artists and always give them a listen.
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