Let's Dance!
Grandma probably doesn’t know the words to “C’mon Ride the Train” or the
“Macarena,” two songs voted most likely to be heard at a wedding
reception anywhere.
Making the choice for a musician or DJ to set the night to music should
be about creating an environment that can be enjoyable for the wide
range of ages and tastes, from the young to the young-at-heart.
Jelly Roll Blues Band is one long-time Northern Michigan group with a
repertoire that can cover the generations span.
“If people hire us to play their wedding, they hire us because they know
the band and the type of music we do,” said drummer Bill Riesenbeck,
who with 17 years in the band is the “new guy.”
Jelly Roll has been together for 27 years and includes John Povolo on
guitar, Bob Crosser on bass and Craig Stadtmiller on keyboard.
Don’t expect the “Chicken Dance” out of this group, either. “We’re just a
fun party band,” Riesenbeck said. “Generally we’ll do a light cocktail
set, with light jazz and swing music from the ’40s, and then during
dinner we’ll put a CD on in the background. Then we crank it up and do
our regular routine.”
Depending on the venue, the band generally is on-site for about six
hours, performing mainly cover songs of tunes so guests can sing along
and dance the night away.
“For dance settings, people tend to prefer songs they recognize,”
Riesenbeck said. “We’ll throw an occasional one of ours in. We play to
the crowd and see what they’re up for.”
He characterized the band’s sound as blues, rock ‘n’ roll and “old swing
stuff — and not a lot of rap,” he added with a laugh. “People hire us
to have fun at the party, and we do our best to accommodate them.”
For more info or to book Jelly Roll, check in at least six months to a
year in advance to reserve the date. Visit www.jellyrollbluesband.com
for details, or check them out during regular winter-time gigs at Boyne
Highlands Resort.
Blues, live: Charlie’s Root Fusion
Another local crowd-pleaser is Charlie’s Root Fusion, a Charlevoix-based
foursome with a growing reputation for its fusion of different roots
style music: high-energy Texas and Chicago blues, rockabilly, ’50s and
’60s rock and originals. They’ve gained national attention for their
unique sounds, notably as a semifinalist at the 2007 International Blues
Challenge held annually in Memphis, Tenn.
The four-piece blues band is Charlie Witthoeft, band leader,
harmonica/vocals, of Charlevoix; Jeremy Biggerstaff, guitar and vocals,
of Charlevoix; Jeff Boss, drums and vocals, also of Charlevoix; and Eric
Jaqua, bass guitar and vocals, of East Jordan.
Additionally, Witthoeft, a master of the amplified harmonica, has shared
the stage over the years with BB King, Koko Taylor, Rod Piazza &
The Mighty Flyers, Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Kenny
Wayne Shepperd.
“We play artists from Elvis to Tom Petty, Bob Dylan to CCR,” said
Witthoeft. “We have a set, but if the couple asks we can show them a
list of what we can play, and if they have any special requests, we will
learn them.”
The band provides the PA, sound system and music to run between dinner
and dancing. They also enjoy playing special requests for the evening’s
events, like a recent reception where the bride requested “Knocking on
Heaven’s Door” for the father-daughter dance.
“We played a longer version of it and by the end of it, the whole
wedding party was out there dancing,” Witthoeft said.
Depending on duration of play and travel time, Charlie’s Root Fusion’s
rates vary between $600-1,000, and they will perform throughout the
region.
And, Witthoeft added that the variety of music will keep all guests
entertained throughout the evening.
“That’s probably what sets us apart,” he said. “We appeal to the older
generation as well as the younger generation.”
For info on the group, visit www.charliesrootfusion.com
or call (231) 675-4480. He suggests six months to a year advanced
booking as well.
The first dance
The top 10 most-often requested first-dance songs:
10. By Your Side, Sade
9. Faithfully, Journey
8. I Believe in You and Me, Whitney Houston
7. What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong
6. Always and Forever, Heatwave
5. You Belong to Me, The Duprees
4. This Year’s Love, David Grey
3. From This Moment, Shania Twain
2. Endless Love, Mariah Carey & Luther Vandross
1. At Last, Eta James
Source: Party Perfect in NYC
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