Sample Repertoire
Testimonials
Listen to Recordings

The Gypsy Pickers have a solid reputation as a top live band for weddings and events. They have years of experience performing for functions in NZ, Australia and USA, and tour regularly throughout New Zealand. The Gypsy Pickers have an extensive repertoire of well loved hits from the 60's to the present and a diverse mix of jazz, blues, roots, reggae, rock, latin, soul, bluegrass, kiwi classics, originals and fun novelty tunes to suit the occasion.

This is a high energy multi-instrument duo who sound like way more than two people - without using any backing tracks. The Gypsy Pickers' show can move from a quality dining or concert experience to floor shaking evocative dance music, consistently pleasing crowds of all ages.

"Each wedding is unique with it's own flavour. We see our job as working in with the occasion, to help bring everyone together in celebration with the bride and groom.
We provide music for all age groups, with some slow love songs to choose from for the wedding couples first dance and with plenty of lively dance music. We're open to requests if we know them."

We provide a full PA Sound System, including the PA set up and pack up. We also provide a CD player for background music when we take a short break or for if there's a special song on CD you'd like to play as part of the celebrations.

Besides the reception, we can also provide acoustic music for the wedding ceremony. This needs to be organised separately to the wedding reception. We have a mix of gently uplifting classical and fingerstyle instrumentals and songs to flow with the ceremony.

Visit our biography page to read more about the Gypsy Pickers. You can also listen to recordings of our music here on our website. Take into account that our original recordings are often a little different to the material and styles performed live.

Both Ron Valente and Lindy Valente are also available as solo performers for small functions and wedding celebrations.

Testimonials

"Thankyou so much for your amazing music at our wedding. You were absolutely amazing and knew how to get the guests up and moving. We will definitely recommend you in the future!"

- Newly-wed couples' thankyou letter

"Thank you so much for playing at our wedding. We had so many comments on how great you guys were and everyone loved it. We can not thank you enough as the music adds a huge part to the day, so a big THANK YOU. We will not be hesitating in recommending you to friends."

- Newly-wed couples' thankyou letter

"We were at the Wine & Food festival yesterday and we got such a buzz listening to your music! You sounded great and we can't wait for you to play at our wedding!"

- Wedding planner and Event Marketing Manager

"I just wanted to say thanks again for such a fantastic night. Everyone has commented on how awesome you guys were. You have amazing energy and incredible talent."

- Event co-ordinator

"Thank you so much for helping make Saturday night so much fun, I've had nothing but positive feedback and everyone loved your music - even people I've never seen dance before were up there going for it. Thanks again, we had so much fun!"

- Newly-wed thankyou letter

"We had a really awesome time, everyone especially enjoyed the hoe-down. You really know how to bring the best out of people, hit the nail on the head every song."

- Newly-wed couples' thankyou letter

"Ron and Lindy, we wanted to thank you very much for the fantastic music you played for us at our wedding. Our guests are still talking about it!"

- Newly-wed couples' thankyou letter

"Just wanted to give you both a very big thank you for Saturday night... You were fantastic, we had lots of great comments and I would highly recommend you."

- Event co-ordinator

"It was a great night! Perfect for the audience and great to see everyone dancing. Thanks again for your awesome music."

- Event co-ordinator

"Lot's of people have asked who the band is and we've had some great comments when we've mentioned your name. Can't wait!"

- Wedding planner

"I want to say thanks for a great night, you guys were great, everyone was up dancing at one stage or another!"

- Newly-wed couples' thankyou letter

"THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC, FOR GIVING IT TO ME!" on my birthday! What a FABULOUS night we had. I think it was my best birthday ever. We all LOVED your music"

- Birthday event planner's thankyou letter

"We just thought, "We have to have the Gypsy Pickers!"

- Happy wedding planner

"Thank you for your lovely music and the great energy you contributed to our wedding. The dance floor was always packed which speaks for everyones enjoyment!"

- Newly-wed couples' thankyou letter

"The Gypsy Pickers (Valentes) are experienced entertainers who play and sing with a light-hearted vitality. Years of touring internationally and with various well received recordings to their credit, make them a sure crowd pleaser for your wedding."

- The Nelson Mail (Weddings feature)

"High spirited, good time, foot stomping music with the power of soul!"
- Queenstown Mountain Scene.

"The Gypsy Pickers really are a treat to see."
- The Mountain Guide - Salida, Colorado

"When local duo the Gypsy Pickers play here, the place bursts its macrocarpa seams."
- Gerard Hindmarsh on Golden Bay, Grace magazine

"Ron and Lindy Valente must be very happy with this new CD...it's an absolute gem."
-Steve Cochrane

"The Gypsy Pickers have opted to put on ice an offer to tour Europe from a promoter who handles Sting, Jethro Tull and other mega-concert acts, to remain in Far Northern Queensland at least until October. That's good news for Port Douglas music-lovers, who have taken the acoustic duo to their hearts."
-Cairns Barfly Magazine

"Finger-picking good!"
- Cairns Barfly Magazine

"Gypsy Pickers - I love your enthusiasm!"

"Michael Gabour's Court House Hotel at Port Douglas has been named Queensland's 'Best Entertainment Venue' in the 1996 Australian Hotels Association American Express National Awards for Excellence. ...This week's entertainment at the Court House comprises ...the Gypsy Pickers."
-Port Douglas and Mossman Gazette

"The harmonies are so beautiful the two voices are like one big voice."

"The Gypsy Pickers are an acoustic duo who love live perfomance and it shows as the verve and vigour they play with is guaranteed to get people up and dancing.
...at a Gypsy Pickers concert (you can) expect to hear their own originals plus covers of everything from rock to reggae, blues to bluegrass, cajun to calypso - all given the treatment by the pair which can sometimes lead to floor-shaking spontaneous jams."
- The Mirror, Queenstown

"The way they play their instruments, and their energy on stage, they really complement each other."

"Ron...who has been playing since the age of nine, handles guitar and mandolin and sings.
Lindy, who boasts a big beautiful voice, also plays guitar plus banjo.
...You can catch the Gypsy Pickers, who thoroughly deserve their reputation as a great live act at ...Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wanaka."
- Martin Chamberlain, The Mirror

"The Gypsy Pickers are great, great, GREAT!"
- Happy wedding planner

"Interested in getting a great band for your entertainment? I can recommend the Gypsy Pickers for a fun night!"
- Events co-ordinator

"The Gypsy Pickers are coming. They are playing here this Friday the 21st. Get ready to be amazed. They are playing from 8.30 so get here early to get a good spot. ."
-Plan B

"... was hearing The Gypsy Pickers which was such an amazingly energetic performance and a good choice of songs to get everyone going. Seeing you both perform was a great way to spend our evening. We will have to keep checking your website to see when you might be performing up this way again!! "
- Auckland concert goers

Here's a sample repertoire of songs that we perform, besides our popular originals and depending on what's suitable for the occasion.

Some of the artists covered in our repertoire:

Van Morrison, Jason Mraz, Ben Harper, The Police, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, Janis Joplin, Ray Charles, Joss Stone, Johny Cash, The Pogues, The Eagles, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Simon and Garfunkle, Bob Marley, Tiki Tane, Eva Cassidy, CCR, Old Crow Medicine Show, Lauryn Hill, Norah Jones, Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, Lead Belly, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Earl, and many more.

Getting Married?
Click hereto join our
FREEOnline Bridal Club

All material on this site is copyright and may not be copied without prior permission from Gypsy Pickers (aka Valentes). All Original Content copyright © and (p) 2001 Gypsy Pickers (aka Valentes). All rights reserved.