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
Connor · Married on 09/22/2018
I cannot say enough good things about Big Ray and the Kool Kats. Not only did they do all of the standard "great wedding band stuff" (i.e., play all upbeat songs in genres we requested, played music that both grandparents and millennial yuppies liked, kept everyone dancing all night, took a very short break, etc. etc.).. these guys went truly above and beyond!! For example:
Sent on 10/10/2018
- Ray coordinated all of the audio equipment for the ceremony for almost no extra cost
- Ray added in a keyboardist to our ceremony FOR NO EXTRA COST after we told him we wanted our recessional to be "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" b/c as Ray put it, "it'll just sound so much better with a keyboard and guitarist"
- BRKK played a first dance song from the Broadway musical Hamilton PERFECTLY even though they had never played the song before, and I sent him the request to play the song after the original request deadline
- After the ceremony, Big Ray saw that my wife and I hadn't been served a beverage yet, so he took our drink orders, presumably skipped the whole line for drinks at the bar, and brought us back cocktails within 2 minutes. It was incredible.
- Ray acted as a professional MC for the whole evening, and made everything seamless. He cracked jokes, kept the party moving, and strictly adhered to the timeline set out by our wedding planner. The only person more excited than you for booking Big Ray will be all of your vendors, who dream of working with these guys.
Look, kids. There are only 3 things that matter at a wedding to all of your guests (which raises the issue of why you're spending so much money on this in the first place, but that's a separate issue). #1 - do you actually like the couple getting married? Presumably people like you guys. #2- Unfettered access to alcohol -- pretty straightforward. And #3 - A GREAT BAND. BRKK is the best band out there, full stop. Do yourself a favor, book BRKK for your wedding, and take care of priority #3.
XOXO
Big Ray & the Kool Kats's reply:
Katheryn M. · Married on 11/17/2018
Best of the best! Brought down the house!
Big Ray brought down the house, and was amazing to work with - across the board. He was incredibly flexible with the playlist - and had everyone on the dancefloor the entire night. Would 10/10 recommend!
Sent on 11/27/2018
Big Ray & the Kool Kats's reply:
Patricia Lemon · Married on 11/10/2018
A Gift for All
What could be more glorious at a daughter's wedding than seeing young and old, family and friends singing, dancing, swaying, clapping, tapping, and smiling? Thanks to Big Ray and the Kool Kats we had all this and more! The ballroom brimmed with wedding flowers; happiness embraced us all; and Ray's music brought such a perfect aura to the room. Guests I had not known before this wedding day marveled at how much they could enjoy this band: they didn't over power; they played something for everyone; they are SO talented; the witty commentary was delightful. In other words, the band accomplished what music strives for . . . it brought people together with joy! In addition, the band learned the couple's university fight songs which brought people to their feet with surprise and cheers. How fun that was!! I already have been approached by 2 families who want all of Ray's contact information, and I'm putting in a request to my family for Big Ray to usher in my next milestone birthday! Fingers crossed! Thank you, BR and KK; what a gift you shared!
Sent on 11/14/2018
Big Ray & the Kool Kats's reply:
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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