Big Ray and the Kool Kats provide customized entertainment services for many other events and occasions, ranging from Christmas specials to Fourth of July concerts, formal balls including 6 presidential inaugural balls, debutante balls, and more.
Matt has been named “Best Elvis in Las Vegas” by USA Today, and each holiday season Big Ray and the Kool Kats transforms into The Long Live the King Orchestra to tour the Southeast. We take you on a musical journey through the decades of the life of Elvis Presley, starting with the early years at Sun Records in Memphis and traveling through to the bright lights of the Las Vegas strip.
we play new years eve at the omni homestead resort
Every New Years Eve we play a big end of the year celebration at The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA. Guests from all over spend time with their family for the holiday and Big Ray and the Kool Kats put on a huge performance until the countdown.
We perform many special private events, such as school Fraternity Formals with parents in our hometown, Charlottesville, and debutante balls in Richmond, VA. Sometimes the crowd sings along and you can’t even hear BRKK.
we play fourth of july
4th of July is a super fun event for us to play at. We switch out our tuxes and formal dresses for some more casual red, white, and blue attire. We played a massive 4th of July celebration in Greene County, VA up until a spectacular fireworks show.
Big Ray and the Kool Kats has performed for many conferences over the years, one was for National League of Cities (NLC) at The Marriott Marquis in Washington D.C. NLC is an organization consisted of city, and town leaders dedicated to improving the quality of life for their current and future members. We played many of the official State songs for the various city and state representatives that were present.
You are lucky to be planning your wedding in Richmond, VA. There is no shortage of elegant venues to host your wedding or event. As one of America’s oldest cities, the culture, art, and history here are unmatched.
Richmond attracts many with its wide range of diverse entertainment and attractions, including the elegant, high end wedding venues. Richmond wedding venues are a vast array of romantic and picturesque indoor and outdoor spaces. From grandeur ballrooms to luxury hotels, Richmond wedding venues provide couples with all kinds of options to design their special day.
Big Ray and the Kool Kats is no stranger to the area and Richmond wedding venues. We have played at many of the wedding venues here in Richmond.Here are some of our favorite venues and a little bit about our experiences there.
Tradition and hospitality are always celebrated at The Commonwealth Club, a premier Richmond wedding venue. The grand architecture compliments any Southern styled wedding. The Club provides a traditional and timeless ballroom with elegant facilities and impeccable service. Big Ray and the Kool Kats is always blown away by the photographs taken at this spectacular venue. Both the weddings and the numerous debutante balls they’ve played there have been stunning events.
Family-oriented and social, The Country Club of Virginia is an excellent venue for weddings. The club is one of the largest and finest in America with top quality amenities and facilities. We have played there on many occasions for Richmond society weddings, political events, charity galas and member events.
Dover Hall is Virginia’s luxury wedding and event venue. The estate’s house was built with a lavish home fit for royalty in mind. Dover Hall flawlessly matches historic elegance with the sophisticated setting that provides an exceptional experience for you and your guests.
Big Ray and the Kool Kats has played at the Jefferson Hotel on many occasions. The Jefferson Hotel has many breathtaking spaces and great service. One of our favorite spaces is the Rotunda, it is a wonderful space for cocktails and when the couple makes their entrance, they do so in style on the Grand Staircase.
The John Marshall Ballrooms has hosted numerous great people, including Elvis Presley, Elizabeth taylor, and multiple presidents. Now the ballrooms host weddings and events for couples looking to have that perfect mix of elegance and extravagance. The ballrooms are adorned with crystal chandeliers and hand-crafted glass windows, perfect backdrops for photos and video. Big Ray and the Kool Kats has played in every ballroom for every occasion. They performed for the daughter of the Wedding & Event manager for the John Marshall Ballrooms and a charity gala with Tower of Power.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is an extraordinary venue for weddings. The museum boasts the perfect balance of refined elegance and unique culture. Enjoy world-class exhibits with the museum’s signature Italian pink marble walls and stunning architecture as the backdrop. And where else might your guests have a chance to see exhibits like The Faberge Eggs? Big Ray and the Kool Kats never miss a chance to see the current exhibit.
We know that we can deliver the party of a lifetime to your guests, but we hope that we’ve also made choosing a Richmond wedding venue for your wedding a little bit easier. If there are any additional questions about choosing a venue, or choosing a Richmond wedding band, please let us know.
There are three songs at your wedding that are undoubtedly the most important when thinking about music.
The Processional
Everyone knows that ancient organ tune, “Here Comes the Bride,” by Richard Wagner signifies that the bride is walking down the aisle and so forth. Nowadays, brides march to their own beat. Processional songs have varied from all types of genres, from traditional to classic, country to pop, and more. The important thing for YOU to decide is what song you want to walk the down the aisle to, what song you want to hear while making your grand entrance for all your guests to see. Some couples like to keep it traditional, some like to mix it up and make it fun, the most important part is that it is YOUR song and you are happy.
You are married now! Yay! Now you and yours get to walk down the aisle, officially married for the first time together and you will need a song to celebrate. There are no rules to picking a recessional, just as there are no rules to picking a processional, it’s YOUR and YOURS day. Your recessional can be funny, sweet, romantic, any song that is sentimental to you both.
The First dance
Your first appearance as a married couple! The first dance is for you and yours to have that unforgettable, special moment with each other. Do you want slow or fast? Romantic or casual? Serious or funny? Take time with your loved one to figure out what speaks to you, it will be a song that you both will love and cherish.
PLANNING THE LIVE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT PARTS OF YOUR WEDDING DAY IS VERY IMPORTANT.
Hiring your live music and entertainment is one of the most important parts of planning your wedding and should be the next thing in line after you’ve chosen your wedding venue, picked your caterers, and decided on a theme. Picture your wedding ceremony being over, you’ve taken your photographs, and now it’s time for your reception. Can you think of anything that is better than dancing to live music like the kind produced by live wedding bands?
Here at Big Ray and The Kool Kats, we know that couples need to have that kind of great live entertainment at their wedding. It’s why we take our entertainment at Charlottesville weddings seriously. We make sure our couples and their guests have the best kind of wedding entertainment available.
Live music is the kind of music that will create the perfect atmosphere at your wedding reception. Most live bands like ours are made up of talented instrumentalists and singers. They make great music that would make your wedding a memorable party.
If you’ve been looking into or considering a live band for Washington DC weddings, you’re on the right path. Here are some more reasons why having them at your wedding would be the right decision.
Live Music is Amazing
The presence of a live band can improve the atmosphere of any event. It’s the reason why concerts have stayed relevant over the years. Having such music at your wedding would be lovely. It’s sure to get even the most rigid person up on their feet and bursting a few shy moves. Combine this with the right emcee and the perfect song list and you’ll be well on your way to having a memorable wedding reception celebration.
Your Preferred Genre
Your wedding day is all about you. It’s a day set aside by your loved ones to celebrate you as a couple. If great music is what you love, then you should reach out to our live band. We’ll do justice to those lovely songs you have in mind. We make that we take the right energy to every
Your Guests will be Pleased
Like we mentioned before, live bands always have a way of connecting with guests at an event. They’ll encourage your guests to come out of their shells and get on the dance floor. Our band, in particular, has a way of reading a crowd and getting a feel of what your guests want.
That means we’ll know what to play and when to play it. But that’s not all. With live music, guests at Charlottesville weddings can easily send in song requests. This is sure to please your guests even more as they’ll get a chance to hear their favorite song at your celebration.
A Romantic First Dance
Picture yourself being serenaded with live music from our band for your first dance. You can’t deny how romantic that moment would be. If you want a great wedding, romance is a key factor to consider. So why not let a live wedding band bring it to your wedding? Need any ideas for a first dance song? Check out this awesome blog, How To Pick Your First Dance Song, for some helpful hints.
Bands can Play at Any Time, Even Your Wedding Ceremony
You don’t only have to hire a live band for your wedding reception! If your wedding ceremony venue is flexible, your band can play there too! Imagine walking down the aisle to beautiful live music played by your band. Bands can cater to your ceremony, reception, cocktail hour, dinner, and other parts of your wedding too. They are a favorite for Washington DC weddings.
Your wedding day is special and will always remain so in the memories of your loved ones. Adding a live band to the mix will take your wedding to a whole other level! Great food and entertainment are some of the things that make a wedding memorable. Add a live band and a great emcee to that and you’ll be guaranteeing that you all have the time of your lives. It will be completely worth it.
Do you need an amazing live band for your wedding in Charlottesville and Washington D.C.? You’re in the right place. Here at Big Ray and The Kool Kats, we believe that every wedding is a milestone that deserves celebration. So, we bring to your party an experienced and talented group of musicians ready to impress you and your guests. Why not contact us and let’s get started with helping you plan a memorable wedding entertainment. You won’t regret it.
Four Questions to Consider When Thinking about Your Wedding Band Cost
Will anybody remember what they had for dinner at my wedding?
Will anybody remember if the flowers were really exceptional or just nice?
Will anybody remember the custom linens I ordered from New York?
Will anybody remember if they sat on the chairs included with venue rental or I brought in custom chiavari?
You get the picture…there is always a place to spend a little more, make things a little more elegant, add those little touches that maybe only you will really notice. Now ask yourself this:
Will anybody (everybody!) remember a great party spearheaded by that band that knows exactly how to move the party along through the different phases of the evening, play with energy but not earsplitting volume, handle those special moments gracefully; first dance, father daughter, mother son, bridesmaid toasts, etc. and most importantly:
KEEP THE DANCE FLOOR FULL THROUGHOUT THE EVENING!
All your guests will remember that type of experience long after they remember if they had filet mignon or chicken.
I have played literally thousands of events of all kinds. Here’s what the most successful ones have in common and my Top 3 places to be sure you’ve utilized you budget wisely (and no the wedding band cost isn’t #1).
You need a top shelf, experienced planner to captain the ship that day. Not the caterer, not the venue’s person, certainly not a relative or friend, and definitely not the Mother of the Bride. Somebody to crack the whip when necessary, so you only have to worry if your champagne glass is full (and the right planner will be sure it is).
You need a first class photographer who understands your style. Remember, when the day is over, there is nothing left but the fabulous pictures and your memories.
Your band. The band with a leader who spends plenty of time with you in the planning process, the band that plays your first dance to perfection, the band that understands your musical tastes, but also your friends’ your parents friends’, and even grandparents. This is a celebration for all your guests. Read reviews of your band, especially recent ones. Ask the leader if the musicians for your special day are for the most part the same every gig or if he utilizes “pick up” musicians frequently, and most of all try and get a feel if the band really likes playing wedding receptions or do it just because that’s where the money is.
Of course Big Ray and the Kool Kats wants to be your wedding band. Of course we understand weddings are expensive. Of course we know hiring a wedding band or booking a band period only happens a couple of times a lifetime for most folks. Even if you don’t book us, read through this and feel free to utilize it, if you need tips, check our other post, How to Hire a Wedding Band or DJ. Or even give me a call and ask me anything you like about wedding band costs even if we’re not the right style or price for you. Really.
It all started with a Washington DC bride who got married at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. We were just a little nervous when we learned our Washington DC bride worked for Wedding Wire and The Knot, but it ended up being a great party. Many have heard of these sites because most brides do almost all of their wedding planning, look to for ideas, and reviews for their vendors with these sites. My favorite combination of elegance and get down partying! It was such a pleasure to be apart of such an amazing event.
I got a call shortly thereafter the epic party in Washington DC, hearing the family had so much fun, and they asked Big Ray and the Kool Kats to do it again, only this time oceanfront in Avalon, NJ at The Windrift Resort. This was going to be a big party with a 19 minute long Polish traditional money dance, which we played live and even sang (phonetically of course) in Polish!
The third time’s a charm wedding took BRKK to Pittsburgh, PA to celebrate with the same family and they made it so warm and easy for us to entertain them yet again. This time the family tradition of each guest bringing their family’s special dessert made #3 just as charming and unique as the first 2!
Big Ray and the Kool Kats is always honored to celebrate with each of our brides, but 3 from the same family made it even more special!
That’s all three brides onstage with us. What a memorable moment.
In her biography straight from Wikipedia they say, “She gained worldwide recognition as a founding member of The Supremes, the most successful Motown act of the 1960s and the best-charting female group in U.S. chart history,[2] as well as one of the best-selling girl groups of all-time. The trio reached number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 with 12 of their singles, ten of which feature Wilson on backing vocals.
Wilson remained with the group following the departures of the other two original members Florence Ballard (in 1967) and Diana Ross (in 1970). Though the trio disbanded following Wilson’s own departure in 1977. Wilson later became a New York Times best-selling author in 1986 with the release of her first autobiography, Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme. Her autobiography set records for sales in its genre, and later for the autobiography Supreme Faith: Someday We’ll Be Together.
Continuing a successful career as a concert performer in Las Vegas, Wilson also worked in activism, fighting to pass Truth in Music Advertising bills and donating to various charities. Wilson was inducted along with Ross and Ballard (as members of the Supremes) into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.”
Besides the obvious talent, beauty and history of her many years with one of America’s greatest musical treasures, The Supremes, Ms. Wilson is unusually generous to her musicians.
I recall her actually stopping the show at The University of Virginia, calling for a piece of paper with my 12 person horn section’s names on it, and explaining to the crowd that we were local musicians and how she wanted the audience to know and appreciate each of us.
We’ve worked with many dozens of national artists from Frank Sinatra to John Legend, but nobody appreciated us more than Mary Wilson.
HOW GREAT TO HAVE ONE OF OUR COUPLE’S WEDDINGS PICKED UP BY WASHINGTONIAN MAGAZINE.
Big Ray and the Kool Kats, one of Washington DC’s most popular wedding bands was delighted to celebrate with a couple who clearly loved their dog, Jolene.
A Parisian-styled wedding with the reception at the Army-Navy Country Club with its views of the city was special enough.
Big Ray always asks his couples for special selections, songs with special meaning, really anything musical Big Ray and the Kool Kats can do to make their wedding reception special.
When during a conversation they mentioned that their dog Jolene was a big part of their lives, we knew what we had to do.
Not in our everyday repertoire, but we love making musical moments. Jolene by Dolly Parton is a great song, and with an introduction so all the wedding guests understood, Big Ray and the Kool Kats launched into it. There was not a dry eye in the house, especially the bride and groom. Big Ray and the Kool Kats…we make memories.
SO I ALREADY KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING “HE’S JUST GOING TO PUSH BIG RAY AND THE KOOL KATS” AS A WEDDING BAND. NOPE, BUT LETS START FROM THE BEGINNING.
I believe the music and entertainment for your wedding is the #3 decision you need to make. Before food, before decor, before types of alcohol (or not), before flowers, etc.. Here’s are my top 3 decision points:
Venue and planner: Although not always the same vendor, they often are and will drive a lot of decisions down the line together
Photographer…when the entire event is over, only the photographer’s work lasts forever.
Music: Here we go. Nothing sets the tone of your event more than the music. Style, flexibility, VOLUME, I call it executing your musical vision. There are 3 very important songs you should think about, you processional, your recessional, and your first dance.
Here are 3 things to think about when it’s time to talk about the party.
Everybody is not your age. Often wedding guests span 3 generations, sometimes even 4. Be sure your bandleader/DJ understands this and is prepared to musically deal with it. Also, the point of the time in the reception should drive the songs being played; quieter earlier, more energetic later
Nothing is more musically important than what I call the “specials”, your dance with your new spouse, father/daughter and mother/son dances, really anything family related. Your band MUST commit to playing these songs flawlessly (easier for a DJ of course).
The song list itself. Give the bandleader/DJ SOME guidance here. I always ask for your 6 favorite songs and 6 you just really don’t want to hear, but let the professional you hired “read” the dance floor and make the selections that keep it full. It’s what we do.
And finally 3 more things to think about: (I like thinking in 3’s in case you haven’t noticed)
Reviews: Ask for reviews and recommendations. But don’t let the artist “cherry pick” them. Tell him you want the last 5 or so chronologically. Wedding Wire and the Knot are a great place to find reviews and they are generally pretty forthright. We have no ability to change a review there or even remove it.
Should I hire a wedding band or a DJ: If you don’t get anything else out of this post, remember this please: A really good DJ is almost always better than a mediocre band and about the same price. Nothing beats a great band with a lot of experience though.
Price: Certainly this is the hard part. I’ve played intimate weddings for 24 and events in Palm Beach, Bellagio Las Vegas, even Cabo San Lucas where folks have flown my entire band to provide what I call “entertainment insurance”…a first class party every single time. Obviously the budgets were very different, but one thing remains in common: your guests might not remember the food, almost certainly not the flowers or linens, but they’ll remember mediocre entertainment and they’ll REALLY remember how much fun they had with great entertainment.
Thanks for reading my very first blogpost, feel free to reach out with questions and of course especially if you need “entertainment insurance” for your event.
