A multi-talented wedding band in Charlottesville, Virginia, Big Ray and the Kool Kats is the perfect choice for newly engaged couples looking to appeal to a variety of styles and tastes. Specializing in everything from Motown to classic rock, the 11-piece ensemble has been blowing couples away since 1996. Founded by longtime professional musician Ray Caddell, Big Ray and the Kool Kats knows exactly how to make your affair one to remember!
Experience
Big Ray and the Kool Kats has won five WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards! They were named one of the best wedding bands in America by Modern Bride Magazine. Ray Caddell has appeared and recorded with Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra, among others. With credits like these, you can't go wrong with this wedding band!
Services Offered
Big Ray and the Kool Kats’ large ensemble of professional musicians leaves nothing to chance in order to ensure the smooth success of your event. In addition to their extensive set list, their services include:
Areas Covered
Big Ray and the Kool Kats is more than happy to assist couples in an array of locations. In addition to the Charlottesville area, the band also services D.C., Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.
Recommended by 100% of couples
9 User photos
Lee Morck · Married on 07/06/2019
Incredible and unforgettable! Book big ray!
WOW.
Sent on 07/22/2019
For 5 years, I worked for one of the largest wedding agencies in America booking wedding bands out of Richmond all over the country. In fact, I personally booked Big Ray more times than I can count for past clients. I feel I have this incredibly unique perspective of being an ex agent, but also being the Groom now.
I've seen/booked a million wedding bands, but very few stick out like BRKK. Where do I even begin? His ability to have a double digit member band with incredible horn section and multiple leads and vocals? Rays organization as a band leader? The amazing communication throughout your entire event from start to finish? His ability to see your day of schedule and based on his incredibly deep experience, offer advice that no one has thought of yet? The energy they bring as soon as they step on stage? The talent of the band? The classy look? It's all 5 STAR. Ray is worth every single penny and then some.
Do not slack on your music in your budget, it makes the event. People forget so many details about weddings they've attended, but guess the one thing they always talk about years later? THE BAND! Most people want to sit down and talk with band leaders about what specifically they want to hear etc. As an agent, we always advised against getting into specific artists or when to play what, but keeping it more "no this or that, but we love this". The bands entire job is to keep everyone dancing and happy, but part of that is letting them do their thing in terms of tempo and how they structure the set. Once they've got you up, they want to keep you up and dancing. When my wife and I talked with Ray about music, he already knew I was a funk/motown/classic kind of guy. I literally said, "do what you do. Our families loves the funk". I didn't have to say another word. There was no, "I don't like this artist or that artist", just "do what you do". They're so talented that they're able to take this amazing road of feeling out the crowd in an instant and going right off that. They never stopped playing it seemed like! I danced so hard and for so long, that I had to change into a second dress shirt halfway through because I looked like I had been caught in a torrential down pour of rain. Over 2 weeks later and I am still getting emails and text messages specifically about how amazing the band was and how much fun everyone had because of BRKK.
If you want a band, go book a random act online. If you want a customized EXPERIENCE that you will never, ever forget, trust in Ray. He will take care of you and your family as his own!
Ray, you're the man!
Sheryl Schwartz · Married on 09/01/2019
Mother and Father of The Bride
Big Ray & The Kool Kats, Thank you for a spectacular night of dancing and music at Rachel & Ben’s Wedding! You had our guests dancing all night long! We loved Tommy- the Country singer you hired since Ben also loves Country music. Ray is not only a great Band Leader he is a great person!! Thanks again, Sheryl & Barry Schwartz
Sent on 09/11/2019
Ashley · Married on 07/06/2019
Talented, Organized, Genuine...a must have!
Where do I begin?! Big Ray and the Kool Kats was our wedding band just over a month ago and our guests are STILL talking about them and how awesome our band was! They are so incredibly talented. They played motown/funk , pop,...exactly what we asked for! They really can do anything you want, though. When Big Ray and the Kool Kat's plays a song, it isn't played like just any other band. There's something about them that brings the crowd alive and there's this sudden energy in the room. They kept everyone out on the dance floor and knew exactly how to read the crowd. My husband danced so hard he had to change dress shirts and I changed into a short white fun dress, and they even let my bridesmaids and I up on the stage! In addition, Ray as a band leader is incredibly organized. He has everything planned and needs very little information. You can tell he's a pro from the moment you first talk with him. He worked seamlessly with our planners and photographer, making the whole event go off without a hitch. So they have the versatility, talent, and organization, but there's something else that makes Big Ray and the Kool Kats stand out. Ray is incredibly genuine and charismatic. He makes a bride feel special and a couple feel loved throughout the whole process. He, for example, even played our hymn in a different key so that one of my best friends could sing it as a solo for us, and practiced with her before she sang it. Another example is how he recognized our fur baby, dog. Our dog had been in our ceremony and worn a "I Loved Her First" sign down the aisle, and Ray even picked up on it and commented to the crowd, playing that song later. The single most important thing I can say about Big Ray and the Kool Kats is that every year when we look back on our wedding at the time of our anniversary, we'll think fondly of our memories of fun, laughter, and joy, thanks to them, and we'll be reminded each day to smile, laugh, and find joy, just how we started our marriage.
Sent on 08/08/2019
3 Endorsements
We love working with Big Ray & the Kool Kats! They are a great band, not just a great wedding bad! Easy to work with, flexible and keeps the guests dancing! We love working with Big Ray, as do our clients!
We have worked more than a few times with Big Ray and his Kool Kats and crowd pleasing and entertaining are always the words heard after the event. It has always been a real pleasure to work with them. They are grade A professional and extremely easy to work with. If a live band is your entertainment choice, you can't loose with Big Ray & the Kool Kats.
If you want the best time EVER for your wedding or special event, you need this band! It is important to me as a wedding professional for all to work together as a team. Big Ray does it right and is a joy to work with.
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