References / Testimonials  

July 18, Aug. 15, 2008
Wagner Vineyards Pub Nights Summer 2008

The Backtalk Band played twice this summer at Wagner Vineyards Pub Nights and I can honestly say they were the best sounding band all summer. Each member of the band performed exceptionally in every song. The big crowds that showed up for the performances were dancing, singing, and having a great time. I had many people coming up to me asking for them to return next summer for Pub Nights in 2009. I look forward to booking the band for future performances. Thanks again for the two great nights of live music,

Kevin Lee   <k.lee@wagnervineyards.com>
Manager
Wagner Vineyards Retail Sales  

July 31, 2008
Don Barber for Senate Campaign Event

Jim - Backtalk is always a great group to bring out a happy, relaxed feeling in a crowd.  You did it again!  Thank you and your team - so very much!
Don Barber (for State Senate)

and ....

Hi Jim,

It's hard to believe a week has gone by since the event. My heartfelt thanks for making it such an incredible success. You guys sounded terrific and everyone had such a wonderful time.  It was terrific seeing you, and Don and I think the world of you.
In friendship,
Rita              barber.rita@gmail.com
Rita Rosenberg-Barber
Barber for Senate
Campaign Scheduler

Jan. 26, 2008
Retirement Party - City Planner of Ithaca, NY
Jim and fellow players,
Thanks so much for your wonderful playing last night. Many people asked me who the band was, and, of course, I told them. I hope at
least a few have the opportunity to hire you all for something.
You made the party really sparkle. I truly appreciate your musicianship and the fun you brought to the occasion.
Warm regards,  Beth
Beth and Thys <pvc@twcny.rr.com>

Oct. 7, 2007
Wedding - Aurora Inn, Aurora, NY
Dear Backtalk Band,
Jeff and I would like to thank you profusely for your performance at our Oct. 7, 2007 wedding!  We just received our wedding video a few weeks ago and were so excited to see your sets, both during the cocktail hour and during the reception.  Our guests were up and dancing all night - and truly enjoying themselves - which is all that we could have ever hoped for!  We had a great time and you guys far exceeded our expectations and wishes!  In fact, one of our guests (getting married in CA) are using you guys as their "wedding music inspiration"!  Thank you!  Thank you!
Elizabeth and Jeff Marshall

Sept. 15, 2007
Wedding - Fontainebleau Inn, Alpine, NY
Dear Jim & The Backtalk Band,
We can't thank you enough for everything you did to make our wedding day so special.  The music was perfect!  
We had so much fun and our guests are still commenting on my father's new dance moves - no one has ever
seen him move like that!  Thanks again!  All the best,

Angela & Scott Braun   (bride and groom)   <angvitale1@aol.com>

Sept. 1, 2007
Wedding - Traditions at the Glen, Endicott, NY
Dear Backtalk Band,  Just wanted to thank you all for a wonderful performance at my wedding reception on 9/1.  As somebody who appreciates music, I was so impressed.  All my guests thought you were fabulous and wanted to know who you were.  Thanks for making my event a huge success.

Liza & Todd Szelkowski <electra18424@cox.net>

June 7, 2007
Cornell University Class of 1962 - Reunion Weekend
You were the star of our dinner dance! The music of the '50s and '60s was just what classmates wanted along with the selection of more current music. The Backtalk Band made it possible to reconnect with our classmates through music and dance. "Book that band for our 50th!" was heard more than once. Thank you for your part in making memories!

Ruth Bleyler <ruth.bleyler@valley.net>

Cornell University Service Awards Banquet
June 5, 2007

Dear Jim,
We just wanted to thank you, and the Backtalk Band, for providing wonderful musical entertainemnt at the June 5th Service Recognition event.  The feedback that we received was overwhemingly positive - attendees thoroughly enjoyed your music.  Again, thank you!
Nancy Doolittle (Co-Chair, Service Awards)  <njd3@cornell.edu>
Betsy Shrier (Co-Chair, Service Awards)  <eas6@cornell.edu>

Wedding, June 1, 2007
Belhurst Castle, Geneva, NY

Thank You for a great time! We all had a blast and me and my father could not have danced to livelier band. Everyone thought you all were fantastic!

Clare & Pete (bride & groom)

<clareann79@hotmail.com>, <pcrowley@rockbottom.com>

Wedding, Oct. 21, 2006
Fontainebleau Inn, Alpine, NY

Dear Jim (and the band) -

We want to thank you for your amazing performance at our wedding on Oct. 21. The whole night is a blur, but how much fun we and our friends had dancing is very clear. Of all the comments we've received from our guests, the top one is how great our band was. You played exactly the right mix of music for everyone at the the wedding. Thank you helping make our day so special - please share our thanks with the rest of the band.

Cassie & Eric Larson (bride & groom)
<cassandra.coffman@gmail.com>, <eslarson@rcn.com>

Wedding, August 5, 2006
Lincklaen House in Cazenovia, NY

Dear Backtalk Band,

We can't thank you enough for the wonderful job you did at our wedding! The music was truly outstanding, from the cocktail hour jazz all the way to the end of the reception. The songs were perfect and we had everyone of all ages out on the dance floor! We had wanted a small, intimate wedding but also a joyful celebration, and the music just sparked the party. We were thrilled! We have received so many compliments from our family and friends who also loved the band! Mary Margaret at the Linklaen House was impressed with your professionalism, and we appreciate all the effort in coordinating setup and taking that off our shoulders too! Also, my parents couldn't have been happier with our band choice and would love to be a referral for the band, if ever needed. Again, many many thanks! The entertainment was perfect and we won't forget all the joy you brought to our wedding day. All the best,

Emily & Eric Walker
 "Eric Walker" <eric.walker@uconn.edu>  "Emily Taylor" <emily223@gmail.com>
Emily's parents: 315-449-9470

Wedding Sat. Dec. 3, 2005 -  Statler Hotel Ballroom

When you are preparing to throw a wedding for 250 family and friends, you want all the details ironed out well in advance, with as little fuss as possible, so that you can focus on your daughter and on the celebration. That's what you want. As a veteran of three daughters' weddings--the last, on December 3, 2005--I can tell you that often, "little fuss" is not what you get. Let's take bands and DJ's for example. Some think it's their party, not yours. They wear what they want, and play what they want, not what you have requested, or play poorly, or look disinterested or bored with the proceedings, or have breaks longer than their sets, or use equipment that takes constant, obvious fiddling to operate, or have a limited repertoire of what they can produce with any quality.

Want to avoid all these hassles at your next event? Hire Backtalk, the band that made our reception a smashing success! From the earliest contact, Backtalk was easy to deal with. Their website made it easy for our west coast daughter to hear samples of their work, while her east coast parents sat back and let her make musical choices for the event. Because the band's repertoire includes over 2000 songs, Kate had no trouble filling out her evening's playlist. The guys showed up in their best bib and tucker, and were set up and ready to go when we needed them. No muss, no fuss, no bother. This versatile group played soft jazz and big-band numbers during the dinner, "tuned to the room," so that guests were easily able to converse at their tables. I liked that they had anticipated that such an accompaniment to the dinner would add to our experience.

With dinner over and 250 people ready to party, the band lit up the room with selections from the '60's on up, from Motown to Liverpool to Nashville to CBGB's, their sets a closely woven medley of one song seamlessly blending into another. Throughout the evening, the band were clearly enjoying doing their work! Their breaks were brief, with CD's supporting those who danced non-stop until the wee hours of the morning. The band handled numerous requests with grace and ease, as long as the tunes were consistent with what the bride had requested. My daughter and her new husband were delighted with their special evening, and with the Backtalk band who "stirred the drink." Margaret and I, as host and hostess for the party, could not have been happier with our choice of the Backtalk Band! And I was so glad that I had booked them almost a year to the day before the big event. They stay busy because they are the best at what they do. Want to guarantee that the musical note of your big day is a hit? Book Backtalk!

Richard Steinacher (Father of the Bride) steinachers@earthlink.net

Wedding
Sept. 17, 2005
Traditions at the Glen / Johnson City, NY
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the members of "The Backtalk Band" for the wonderful performance at our wedding reception. You were above and beyond our expectations. Everyone, right down to the youngest enjoyed the music. We are still getting asked who the band was.   Rob and I would definitely recommend "The Backtalk Band" to anyone and if we ever need a band for any future occasions, we will surely call upon your group.Thanks again for a great performance and being a part of our special evening.  What a great end to a very special evening for Rob and I. 

Take care,  Tammy & Rob Beck
TBeck@smlny.com

Wedding
Aug. 6, 2005
Fontainebleau Inn
Dear Backtalk Band,
Lisa and I wanted to thank you for an absolutely fabulous evening of dancing thanks to your outstanding performance at our wedding. Not only was your playing marvelously arranged and technically flawless - it was sincerely energetic and fun, which we and our friends and family could feel as we danced the night away. You were also impeccably dressed and professional throughout, providing introductions, microphones and background music when appropriate. Basically, you guys were perfect and we couldn't have asked for a better band. If you ever need a reference, please don't hesitate to ask, as we will provide a glowing recommendation. Again, thanks for a terrific evening!

All the best,
Jon Slemmer (& Lisa)

Keegan/Leonard Wedding
Fontainebleau Inn
June 26, 2005
"If your gang likes to dance, then this is the Band for you! The Backtalk Band played for our daughter's wedding reception this summer and the dance music was non-stop. The dance floor was overflowing with everyone singing and dancing to one favorite after another.
We were so impressed with The Backtalk Band and very thankful for the added dynamic they brought to the reception, making a night to remember even more special!  Thank you to the boys in The Backtalk Band!"

Kevin and Holly Keegan     keegan@epix.net

Gala Ball Fundraiser / Dec. 4, 2004
Wayne County Hospital Group, Newark, NY
"We had a great time. . . I love your music. We got very good feedback from the crowd. I think the fact that the dance floor was full all night, right til goodnight, is evidence that everyone enjoyed themselves. I will not hesitate to pass your name on to others. I hope we have a chance to spend the evening together again."  
Karen Kehoe   AndreSis@aol.com

and

The Backtalk Band was a great success!  People are still talking about how the music was a key element to the upbeat party and gemultlicht of the occasion. The band members are so very accomplished that I hope to hear the other formats someday. You worked well with the committee and with the guests.
Malcolm O'Malley  Malcolm.O'Malley@viahealth.org
Newark-Wayne Community Hospital and DeMay Living Center

Wedding Oct. 15, 2004
Springside Inn
Dawn (Sister of the bride) west@dreamscape.com
Just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know that your band did a great job Friday evening. Everyone had a great time and you keep them all dancing all night. Many of the guests came up to me and wanted to know who the band was because they enjoyed the music. Thanks Again, Dawn

Wedding Oct. 2, 2004
Red Newt Winery
Elizabeth and Aaron Dirlam
I'm delighted to tell you how much I enjoyed your music at the Wedding I attended on October 4, 2004 At the Red Newt. I was very very impressed. I must admit that I had been told what a great band you were. But coming from Chicago and being involved in the music scene here, I wasn't expecting much from "out in the country".   Boy was I wrong! Your selections – and volume- were perfect for dinner. When the dancing started, you showed a remarkable versatility and built the mix, the volume and the pace to get the whole group up on their feet.  I humbly admit my big city prejudices were unfounded. Thanks for a great evening.
Karen Morby (mother of bride) karen@christywebber.com  312-829-2926

Wedding Sept. 25, 2004
Aurora Inn (Aurora, NY)
Amy & Matt Stevens  
We received so many compliments from our guests and wedding party on your performance. It was wonderful, and we were so thrilled we selected Backtalk to perform at the cocktail hour and reception. Thank you and your team for making our night so memorable!
Best,
Amy (bride)  amy.l@sterlingbrands.com
Matt (groom) mstevens@fwcse.com

Wedding Sept. 11, 2004
Mark & Holly Meuisse   mmeurisse@palisade.com
LakeWatch, Ithaca, NY
"Holly and I really appreciated your performance at our wedding, your band did an excellent job! We both got great feedback from our guests, and your participation really contributed to great evening for us with a nice touch of class. Thanks for your participation.  Regards, Mark"
"Just wanted to send a note saying how much we enjoyed your band at Holly and Marks' wedding reception at Lakewatch in Ithaca Sept. 11. It was so much fun dancing to the music I love played with such enthusiasm and professionalism. Many comments on how great the band was and I enthusiastically agreed.  Thanks for helping make the reception a happy and memorable experience. "   Diane Axtell, Dimmitt, TX

Ithaca Yacht Club Commodore's Ball Aug. 28, 2004:
"I received numerous very enthusiastic comments on the music and the band members: " The band was the best we've had in a long time..." The band played great music... and the musicians were friendly; they seemed to enjoy playing and interacting with the crowd..." "Can we get the same band again next year?" The band really made the party.... magic..." "What a successful evening... the people, the food, the band..."

Robin M. Rogers, Commodore
Ithaca Yacht Club

Wedding Jan. 2, 2004
Tinneli's Hathaway House in Solon, NY   
Sarah Daniels / bride:  sarahdaniels04@yahoo.com
David Daniels (bride's father):  dcd3@cornell.edu
My daughter Sarah was married this past January (2004) and we just had a great time at both the wedding and reception. But if you ask me what made the reception truly great, it was the Backtalk Band. They were the difference. A wedding reception should be fun, and they made it that. They have an incredible variety of music that they can play - jazz, blues, pop, rock & roll, etc., etc., etc. - and everything they do is more than excellent. We had many positive comments about the band for weeks afterwards (including one today, which is May 6) - everyone really enjoyed what Backtalk did.  We debated on whether to save a few bucks and hire a DJ to play CD's. I am so glad that we had a live band. More than that, I am so glad that we had the Backtalk Band. If you are looking for a good local band - there are a lot of them out there, but if you want the best local band - then you'll have to get the guys from Backtalk. I promise you, you won't regret it.
Pastor David Daniels
of Elmira and Groton, New York

Peter & Kelli Bronski wedding
Nov. 8, 2003
Trillium at Cornell University
Peter Bronski (groom) peterbronski@hotmail.com
"Dear Backtalk Band,
Thank you so much for making our reception an extra special and highly entertaining night to remember!  We sincerely appreciate your flexibility and hard work to make our reception exactly what we'd hope it would be.  It was a pleasure and a joy to have you perform and we're sure all our guests would agree.  Thanks again for a great performance!
With warmest regards,
Pete & Kell"

Jennifer Messmer & Shane Sharp wedding Sept. 6, 2003
Sheldrake Point Winery, Ovid, NY
Jennifer (bride): jennifer.messmer@cbre.com
Karl Messmer (father of bride): kmessmer@zoom-dsl.com
Karl writes: "They were EXCELLENT! Very versatile in their music. Very professional looking (they wear tuxes) and sounding. Did an excellent job of introducing the wedding party etc. They take minimal breaks and had everyone at the reception dancing and having fun. Many of our guests later asked where I found such a good band. I would hire them again in a heartbeat. Did you listen to their music on their website? If not, then do so..it's a good representation of their sound and versatility. They played light jazz/pop music while we ate and later rock & roll, blues etc to dance to. Slow stuff and faster stuff."

Wagner's Vineyards
Carol Voorhees
Eric Sievers
wagwine@yahoo.com
Public Wagner's gig July 12, 2002

Ted Love (groom)
tlove@serviceweb.net
Wedding - July 13, 2002
Ginny Lee Cafe

Will Raphael (groom)
raphaelw@cvm.msu.edu
Wedding
Brewster Inn, Cazenovia, NY
June 15, 2002

Wedding
Wagner Vineyards, Ginny Lee Cafe
June 8, 2002
"We have gotten so many wonderful remarks about the reception and the quality of music you provided. I would certainly provide a reference and feel free to have future couples email me. You all are very talented, play an array of music for everyone, and present as very professional which added to the wedding. I did not want it to end. Thank you again for helping make the day a success."
Judith Johnson  (Mother of the Bride)
jbjohnson@tompkins-co.org

Krissy Barber (Bride)
karisma6877@yahoo.com

June 7, 2002
Cornell Reunion Class of 1962 Party
Trillium Cafe, Cornell University
"All of my classmates thoroughly enjoyed the Backtalk Band, as witnessed by the dancing that most everyone participated in! Several folks commented on how you were able to zero in on the musical style that our class seemed to want to hear. The music for the reception was absolutely on target as well. I, for one, was impressed with everyone's musicianship and personality. The entire evening was a success--assisted by the music! Thanks again,

Ruth Bleyler '62   "
Ruth.Z.Bleyler@VALLEY.NET

"I just wanted to send you a quick note to thank you for such a great performance at our reception on September 29th. We just got our pictures back, and there is not one shot from the reception where someone isn't dancing. All anyone could talk about that night was how great the music was and how well you read the crowd. I always knew my family was a dancing bunch, but that night they even surprised me. Please feel free to use Roger and I as a reference--we can't sing your praises enough.All the best, and I hope I get to see you guys in action again! "   Cynthia and Roger Rumsey

"Backtalk is the talk of the town after its performance at the Hangar Theater's annual gala. The band combines the playing of some of the best solo musicians in town with a great ensemble feel to rock the house! "This band can play anything!" was the shared sentiment from the exhausted but very happy dancers at the gala. Backtalk is a Hangar gala tradition, one that keeps getting better every year. From standards to 20-minute rock and roll medleys (not for the faint of heart!) Backtalk is a band to talk about!"

Mary Kane
President, CSI
607 272-1206 Phone
http://www.conceptsystems.com
(Hangar Theater Gala 2000 Ball)