Planning the music for Steph & Alex’s July 11th wedding reception at the Park Savoy was a true “family affair”. Steph’s mother Dottie originally found the Smokin’ Section on the ‘net and sent our website address to the bride to be to check out. Shortly afterward, Dottie, her husband Louis, Steph and the groom to be, Alex all came to one of our live showcases in North Jersey. When our singer Tommie sang Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” at the showcase, Steph turned to her family and told them she wanted us for her wedding reception and “Let’s Stay Together” as her first dance with Alex.
When the big day finally came, the weather outside was hot, but not humid as it had been earlier that week. During the intros, the bridal party walked on to Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel”, a special request. After Steph and Alex walked in the room came our singer Tommie’s version of ”Let’s Stay Together”…. naturally! Immediately following, Steph danced with her father to our version of Heartland’s “I Loved Her First” and then Alex followed with his mom to our singers Rhonda and Mikey duetting on the Everly Brothers “Devoted To You” (a special request the Smokin’ Section learned for this party).
We started things mellow in the first set with Sinatra’s ”Just The Way You Look Tonight” and Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E”, sung by our vocalist Rhonda Bennett
Steph’s parents on the dance floor
“Johnny B Goode” (video clip)
Later on in the first set, the floor packed up for ’50s-’60s uptempo rock ‘n roll medley featuring Mikey singing “ I Saw Her Standing There”, Tommie doing Little Richard’s”Tutti Frutti”, Mikey again featured on guitar and vocals on “Johnny B Goode” by Chuck Berry and climaxing with Tommie’s lead on the Contours’ early Motown classic “Do You Love Me”? (later revived for the movie “Dirty Dancing”). When our 2nd set finished, the matron of honor and best man gave a nice joint toast (just before entrée was served).
“Play That Funky Music” (video clip)
After dinner the dancers really got into our medley of “Sexy Back”, “Please Don’t Stop The Music, “Crazy In Love”, ”Play That Funky Music” (during which our guitarist Mikey mixed it up a bit with the dancers out in the dance floor during his guitar solo) and ending with Gnarls Barkley’s ”Crazy” (sung by Tommie). A special request of “Sweet Home Alabama” built things into a climax with the crowd going nuts.
“Sweet Home Alabama” (video clip)
It was fun for the band to work across from Allan Reider and his crack staff of photographers and videographers. After mellowing things out a bit for “You Are My Shining Star” and “Shakedown Street” (which got the Grateful Dead fans going) we brought up the energy again for an uptempo ’80s medley featuring our guitarist/vocalist Mikey Del on “What I Like About You” and ”867-5309″ (“Jennie Jennie”).
“What A Wonderful World” (video clip)
The evening’s finale was “What A Wonderful World”
Videography and Photographs above courtesy of Allan Reider Studio 908-688-8808
Reception site: The Park Savoy 973-377-7100