Singing Telegrams

Singing telegrams? Yes! I will deliver personalized singing telegrams in Grand Forks, ND, East Grand Forks, MN, and the surrounding area. (I've driven as far as one-hundred fifty miles one way to deliver a singing telegram.) For your special person, I can sing a song of your choice with acoustic guitar accompaniment. For an extra fee I can compose a song specifically for the event, using your lyrics or mine, and perform it where and when you like. (By the way, I don't wear special costumes, just ordinary clothes - though there's a first time for everything!)

Prices

Cheaper than a dozen roses, the price starts around $35-$50 for a simple rendition of "Happy Birthday" or "Happy Anniversary" (the "Happy Birthday" song adapted for anniversaries). Extras, like special songs, originally-composed music, and other add-ons, cost more. There is a travel fee for "deliveries" outside of the metropolitan area. I will give you a written estimate ahead of time so you know how much it will cost, with payment due at the completion of the telegram. Payment in person in cash is preferable, but you can pay online.

Location

I prefer to deliver singing telegrams in private rather than at someone's workplace. I don't want to disrupt a business unless permission from the business owner has been granted, ideally in a room away from the public. However, I've done singing telegrams in public places such as restaurants, Wal-Mart, a medical school office, a law office, banks, and more, when permission was obtained. (I delivered a singing telegram right by the checkout registers at a Hugo's Grocery store once - with permission from Hugo's Grocery - but it was really odd singing while customers were waiting in line or getting their groceries rung up!)

My Expertise and Experience

I've been doing singing telegrams for many years, doing things like setting a special text to music composed specifically for the occasion, as well as special songs requested by clients. I'm a trained composer and professional musician, with performances numbering in the hundreds in the US, China, and Canada, so this sort of thing is right up my alley.

Contact

If you have an idea for a singing telegram, shoot me an email (jla@jlamusic.com) or text 701-215-8095, and we can discuss it. If you request a song I don't know, I prefer to have a few days to learn it, so please plan ahead. However, here's another option if you need something done soon: I'm not good at memorizing songs quickly, but I can perform music well by reading it on the spot, so to speed things up I can bring the sheet music and a music stand.

The following checklist includes the things required for the singing telegram to go smoothly. I will ask you to fill it out once you contact me and I can do the singing telegram for you.

Checklist

• Is this going to be a surprise or will the recipient know in advance?
• Recipient's name:
• Day, date, and time of the singing telegram:
• Reason for the singing telegram and detailed information so I can be sure to get everything right:
• Your phone number (texting capability preferred in addition to voice calling):
• Location of the singing telegram, including house, building, room number, etc.:
• Best way to get to the location and get prepared (without arousing suspicion if it's a surprise):
• Just in case, the name of an additional contact person at the event, along with their phone number (texting capability preferred in additional to voice calling):
• Song(s) to be sung:
• Special spoken message if desired. In general, I preface the singing telegram with who it's from, and conclude with a simple "Happy Birthday from [name]", unless something else is desired or additional spoken text is wanted:
• Include a "safe" contact email and phone so that I can make sure not to tip off your friend if it's a surprise:
• Any other special request:
• Dress (formal, informal):
• Photo of the recipient so I can recognize him/her easily:
• Has permission been obtained if it's a business or other public place? Include contact information if so:

Jeff Anvinson, owner/operator of JLA Music