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Big Ray and the Kool Kats is a 12-piece wedding band located in Charlottesville, Virginia and regularly serves all couples throughout the country, such as Richmond, VA, Texas, Maryland, Tennessee, Washington D.C., and many more. Founded by longtime professional musician Ray Caddell, they have performed at countless wedding receptions since the group's inception over 25 years ago. Ray and his talented team of musicians strive to provide first-rate wedding entertainment services to each couple as they celebrate their special day.

Services Offered

The team at Big Ray and the Kool Kats offer a number of services for your upcoming milestone celebration. Ray begins the planning process with an in-depth consultation to discuss event style, size, and budget. From there, he and the team will carefully curate a personalized setlist that authentically reflects your personality and style. Big Ray and the Kool Kats musical range is extensive and they can play a wide range of genres, from Motown to classic rock. They also wholeheartedly welcome any personal requests you have. The group can provide professional dance floor lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system for your big day celebrations. Additional services include the use of microphones and a professional MC, along with musical accompaniment during breaks in reception speeches.

FAQ

Which of the following are included in your wedding reception music package?

Cocktail Hour Music
Learning New Songs
Lighting
MC
Music During Breaks
Reception Music
Sound/PA System
Travel Expenses

Which of the following are included in your popular wedding package?

Ceremony Music
Cocktail Hour Music
Learning New Songs
Lighting
MC
Music During Breaks
Reception Music
Sound/PA System
Travel Expenses

Are you an agency or a band?

Band

How many musicians are in your band(s)?

7+

What genres of music does (do) your band(s) play?

Big Band
Classic Rock
Country
Dance
Funk
Jazz
Latin
Motown
Orchestra
Pop
R&B / Soul
Rock
Swing

What music services do you provide?

Instrumentals
Ceremony Music
Cocktail Hour Music
Learning New Songs
MC
Reception Music
Music During Breaks
Vocals
Liability Insurance
Willing to Travel

What items are available?

Lighting
Microphones
Sound/PA System

Still have questions?

Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!

Wedding couple

Reviews of Big Ray & the Kool Kats

This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

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Big Ray and the Kool Kats are highly praised for being an exceptional wedding band, with multiple reviewers raving about their talent, professionalism, and ability to keep guests entertained and on the dance floor all night long. The band, led by Ray, is commended for their inclusivity, attention to detail, and accommodation of special requests, making the wedding planning process stress-free and enjoyable. Reviewers consistently describe the band as the highlight of their wedding day, recommending them as the best choice for a lively and memorable event.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Big Ray and the Kool Kats are highly praised for being an exceptional wedding band, with multiple reviewers raving about their talent, professionalism, and ability to keep guests entertained and on the dance floor all night long. The band, led by Ray, is commended for their inclusivity, attention to detail, and accommodation of special requests, making the wedding planning process stress-free and enjoyable. Reviewers consistently describe the band as the highlight of their wedding day, recommending them as the best choice for a lively and memorable event.

Amy
Amy Sent on 07/02/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect night with Big Ray and the Kool Kats

Big Ray and the Kool Kats were absolutely amazing and had our guests on the dance floor from the beginning of the night until the last dance! Everyone loved them! Ray could not be easier to work with and managed ALL of my daughter's special request... they even learned a song from Hamilton for the father daughter first dance! It was perfect! He worked with us all year during the planning of the wedding to make sure he delivered the vibe that the wedding couple wanted! We couldn't have asked for more!
Dalton
Dalton Sent on 06/02/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Welcoming, Professional & Exceptional

Big Ray and the Kool Kats were an absolute highlight of our wedding day. The band was phenomenal—musically, professionally, and personally. As a same-sex couple, we deeply appreciated how welcoming and affirming Ray was throughout the entire process. It meant a lot and made working with him all the more special.

From the very beginning, Ray went above and beyond to ensure the music truly reflected us. When I mentioned wanting a cello for our first dance, he made it happen without hesitation. He even treated us to coffee, during which he went over every note and question we had—which really speaks to his client-first approach.

The band made the evening. At one point, a guest actually thought a live performance of "Pink Pony Club" was a recording because it sounded that good. Their energy, musicianship, and the way Ray interacted just the right amount with the audience kept the night fun and flowing.

We’ve been to a lot of weddings, and this was hands down the best wedding band we’ve ever heard. We’re so grateful to have had them as part of our day!
E
Ellie Sent on 04/18/2025
5 out of 5 rating

A Total Gem — Best Wedding Band Ever!!!!!!!!

Big Ray and the Kool Kats were unbelievably amazing — we feel so lucky to have gotten the chance to work with Ray and his team. We got married recently at Castle Hill Cider, and Ray knew more about the ins and outs of the venue than we did, which was incredibly helpful coming from out of town. They also really do it all — from first rate ceremony music (supplying all the equipment for an outdoor ceremony like mics etc) to cocktail hour jazz to an all time dance floor party. All of our guests are still raving about how awesome our wedding band was — numerous people have told us it was the best wedding band they’ve ever seen. The dance floor was packed all night long. Ray also took the time to learn my now husband’s alma matter fight song (Notre Dame, crowd push ups subsequently occurred!) as well as organized an incredible Second Line (a nod to the groom’s New Orleans upbringing) which was a total blast. All of this aside, Ray is also just an incredibly kind person — wedding planning can be stressful and Ray consistently made us feel at ease regarding everything band related. He was accommodating of special requests as well as an excellent emcee. This band is truly the best of the best — do not hesitate to book!!!!!!!! You won’t regret it :)
Ellen
Ellen Sent on 11/19/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Best Band EVER!!

Big Ray and the Kool Kats are simple the BEST band ever! HIRE THEM NOW! Everyone couldn’t stop raving about how amazing and talented the band was….even a few weeks later people are still talking about how much fun the band was!

They handle all the music from the ceremony to the cocktail hour to the reception. Ray was wonderful to work with from start to finish. And he is an AMAZING MC…he’s entertaining, personable, and got all our guests out on the dancefloor.

Hiring Big Ray and the Kools Kats was the greatest and easiest wedding decision we made! I hope I get to see them again…might have to crash their next event 😊
G
Gabriela Sent on 11/06/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Big Ray and the Kool Kats are Outstanding

This is the best band for a wedding or other large event !
Ray is a great guy and his group is fantastic.
We give our strongest possible recommendation for Big Ray and the Kool Kats.
Brianna
Brianna Sent on 10/22/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible band!!! 10 out of 5 stars!!!!

Big Ray and the Kool Kats played at my wedding and I couldn’t have chosen a better band. They did a phenomenal job! They learned our first dance song and other songs we wanted played at our wedding. I had SOOOO many guests say how great they were and even some of my friends decided they want them to play at their wedding one day. They kept guests of all ages on the floor and brought so much energy! Ray was also amazing as he would update me throughout the night on what was next on their agenda and if I was enjoying everything. Don’t hesitate on booking them because I promise they will be everything you want and more for your event!
T
Terri Sent on 10/03/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Even better than the 5 star reviews!

HIRE THIS BAND!!! Big Ray and the Kool Kats made my wedding a PARTY!!!! My husband and I knew we wanted a band instead of a DJ right away, and did a lot of research to find one that sounded good and wasn't too overpriced. Boy, did BRKK deliver on that (and then some).

Ray was responsive and helpful the entire process, taking Zoom calls whenever we had questions and asking thoughtful questions about the timeline. The band learned EVERY song we requested (including Jump Around!) and they all sounded spectacular and like they'd known them for years. Whatever you don't see on their song list, they will learn and play to perfection.

The rate for the band is extremely fair, considering it includes ceremony music and cocktail hour music (you usually have to pay more for that!).

Ray emceed the event with humor and personalized touches; so many guests came up to us to compliment him specifically. The rest of the guests RAVED about how good the band sounded (the guitarist was shredding away!!!) and how much fun it was to dance. Ray checked in with us before the reception to make sure his notes and song requests were all in order.

Thank you to Big Ray and the whole band for making our wedding the best night of our lives. Worth every penny (and then some!)
J
Jerry Sent on 06/10/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible and Exceptional

Big Ray and the Kool Kats were awesome and incredible. Everyone at the wedding weekend raved about them… from dance music, Frank Sinatra impersonator, oldies, etc… top shelf… and Big Ray was great to work with, and overall a great guy and a real gentleman. When I reviewed their YouTube promotional video before deciding to work with them, they were even better in person… which is usually just the opposite. I could not recommend them more…
Caroline
Caroline Sent on 06/10/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Wine Bar Wedding

Big Ray and the Kool Kats exceeded our expectations for our wedding at Crushpad Wines on the Downtown mall this past weekend. They were professional, fun, and ensured a smooth timeline of the evening. We were so happy! Would highly recommend. We got so many compliments from our guests regarding how much they loved our band. Thank you Big Ray and the Kool Kats!!!
M
Michelle Sent on 05/19/2024
5 out of 5 rating

The best wedding band ever!

Big Ray and the Kool Kats did an incredible job for my wedding!! Their talent is unmatched. Everyone couldn't stop talking about how great the band was! Big Ray and his team are also so kind, helping to make sure everything was running smoothly. They brought such a fun atmosphere to the party. If you're even considering using Big Ray and his team, you must do it! You won't regret it for a second!!
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Awards

170
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2025 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2024 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner
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Are you interested?

Real Weddings

Caitlin & Justin
28 photos · 10/03/2020
Deidre & Eric
53 photos · 06/01/2019

Professional Network & Endorsements

Donovan-Groves Events Donovan-Groves Events Wedding Planners

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!

Blue Ridge Event Production Blue Ridge Event Production Wedding Decor & Lighting

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.

Barb Wired Barb Wired Wedding Planners

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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