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FOR YOUR
PROMOTIONAL NEEDS, YOU CAN DOWNLOAD A HIGH RESOLUTION PICTURE
OF THE CWB AT www.craigwoolard.com/promo.htm.
THE
CRAIG WOOLARD BAND
THE REAL THING
With
the classic style of Ray Charles, the dynamics of Marvin Gaye and
Rod Stewart, the Soul of James Brown, the vocal prowess of Steve Perry
of Journey, combined with the passion of Sam Cook and Michael McDonald,
you have “The Soul Man of Beach Music”, Craig Woolard.
As
the ambassador of Beach Music, Woolard has enjoyed a stellar career
as the front man of one of Carolina’s premiere bands, the Embers.
After 27 years with his former group. Woolard has taken on a new persona
in what is claimed to be the South’s number one Beach Music,
R&B, Top 40, Motown, 70’s & 80’s, and Rock &
Roll Party Band….Craig Woolard is The Real Thing!
The
Craig Woolard Band wows their audience with one of the most diverse
repertoires and original crowd participation shows in the industry.
It is no wonder they have become one of the most highly recommended
and sought after bands for weddings, private and corporate events,
concerts, and festivals in the southeastern United States.
Woolard’s
classy and riveting stage presence offers audiences non -stop entertainment.
With his distinctive vocal style, he continually delivers the tunes
just the way the crowd loves them. And what soul!!! You WILL be amazed
at this man!
As
for Woolard’s new band, The Craig Woolard Band, they are the
“hottest band this side of the Mississippi! Their first year
out in 2005, they were honored as ‘GROUP OF THE YEAR”
, while Craig walked away with Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist,
Best Smoothie Song, and Song of the Year. Their arrangements are exciting
and ever so danceable. And of course, one may think “The Shag”
and “Beach Music’ were invented just for them. (The band
does a variety of music so all ages and styles can be covered –
“What you WANT is what you GET with The Craig Woolard Band”).
But
what really separates The CWB from other Carolina-based "beach"
groups? The phenomenal front man, Craig Woolard, that’s what!
Craig is, without a doubt, recognized as one of the finest singer-entertainers
to ever hit the stage. Craig constantly works the crowd with his witty
personality and powerful voice. And now he can bring his incredible
showmanship to YOUR event!
As
a hit maker, Craig Woolard has several signature tunes. “ What
You Do To Me”, and “Georgia”, to name a few. He
has had FOUR #1 songs – more than any group in this industry.
Their new CD, “Making Waves” went to #1 within weeks of
its release. Their # 1 Hit Song “I’ve Got A Feeling”
won SONG OF THE YEAR in 2006. His music and performances continuously
amaze the crowds.
As
a highlight in his career, Craig was invited to sing the National
Anthem at the Darlington 500 in front of 120,000 NASCAR fans; it was
aired on Foxx TV for millions. Comments from promoters were, “
it was the most soulful, best rendition of the National Anthem I have
ever heard”; “It gave me chills!” “ It brought
tears to my eyes”.
If
you want a band with high energy, charisma, a variety of music, and
unsurpassed showmanship, then it’s simple - you want
The
Craig Woolard Band
The
Birth of The Band
The year 2004 was a year of changes. After playing with his former
band, The Embers, for almost his entire adult life, Craig suddenly
became “band-less”. Fortunately for him, however, he was
blessed to be surrounded by good people- really good friends who were
there for him, giving him the very much needed support and encouragement
during this unexpected crossroads in his life.
Literally, having no means of income, friends and colleagues offered
a hand-Bands offered to let Craig sit in with them, giving him the
opportunity to find his way. Their support, both financial and emotional,
is what gave us our strength and faith, that this too, would pass.
It is true-“what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”.
Then,
one day in February, a fellow musician called our house. He too, was
now a “free agent”, and always had enormous respect and
admiration for Craig –for both Craig’s talent and for
him as a person. A couple of years previously, Craig had tried to
make it right when this guy’s band was bumped off a major concert
to give more time to Craig’s former band. At that moment, this
particular musician/singer knew that this was a man whom he hoped
one day to be fortunate enough to share the stage with. So, literally,
day after day….after day… after day….this person
called our house. And even though Craig could not offer him anything,
because he, too, was struggling to figure out how he was going to
pay the bills, send his son to college, and so forth. Putting himself
and his problems aside for a while, Craig began doing what he could
to spread the word about this singer.
But what this musician really wanted was to be in a band with Craig.
He remembered what his daddy had said….“Son, keep on trying
for what you want until you know the door is closed.” Once again,
this person called our house and said, “Craig, I want so much
to work with you that another “x-man” guitar player and
I have gotten a group of guys together who feel the same as we do-
we want to prove to you that we ought to be your new band. Ironically,
his timing couldn’t have been better because Craig was starting
to get some bookings-even though he didn’t even have a band.
Wow! Talk about people having faith in you and believing in you. It’s
been absolutely amazing.
Plus, to add to the mix, Craig’s son, “little Craig”,
or Craig Michael, was having a fundraiser at his fraternity at UNCW.
They needed entertainment, and of course, had no money. This group
of guys offered to play for them for free, hoping to convince Craig
they should be his new band. Craig was flabbergasted. These guys even
contacted Fred Rouse, and said, "Fred, we need a place to play
to prove to Craig that we are his new band”. Fred got behind
it, promoted it on his radio show, and booked them at Joel’s
Place in Wilmington. Hence, the birth of . . .
The
Craig Woolard Band
T.G. Rich of the ever-so-popular Triangle Beach Music Festival, had
also booked Craig on blind faith and his reputation. He graciously
allowed the band to make their triumphant debut at the biggest and
baddest beachmusic concert of them all this past April, and has already
booked them for next year. Way to go guys!
It’s been difficult. But we are doing it, “with a little
help from our friends…!”
It
gives me great pleasure to present to you the ever-so talented members
of
The Craig Woolard Band
(click on the band
member that you would like to know more about)
What
has impressed me the most about these guys is the enormous respect
and mutual admiration these guys have for one another, both musically
and personally. From the very first moment, there has been a kind
of magic—like these guys were meant to play together. Their
personalities, their love for music, their talent—it just clicks.
Playing
music to these guys is not work—they love what they do and it
shows the minute they hit the stage. It’s a union that was meant
to be. We truly believe that fate (on one night in particular) put
us, and the band, together. You know the saying, “When God closes
one door, he opens another”. Sometimes, “circumstances
of life” lead to “opportunities of life” that fit
into His perfect plan. Thank you, God, for opening this door.
In closing,
I want to say THANK YOU to all of you who prayed a prayer, sent a
card, made a phone call, held our hand, and played the music. I have
really learned what friendship is all about. You know who you are,
and we will never forget you.
CW
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Sam
Bryant
Drums
Sam started playing drums at the age of 11 and turned professional
by the age of 17. His influences in drummers range from Art Blakey,
Jeff Porcarro, Steve Gadd, Dennis Chambers, and Harvey Mason….just
to name a few. To make a long story short, he played and recorded
with Kenny Wayne Shepherd for a better part of six years, and
toured with some of the most famous bands and artist in America.
Sam has also been blessed to do a variety of television shows,
as noted below: |
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Television Shows: (DATES ARE APPROX.)
BET Jazz Show 11/2000
Craig Kilborn Show 10/99
Late Night With- Cynthia Garrett 11/99
VH1’s Hard Rock Live w/ Lynnyrd Skynnyrd & KWS 3/98
Conan O' Brian 2 /98
David Letterman 12/97
Austin City Limits 10/96
National tours: (1st-last) ( With KWS) Bob
Dylan G3 (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson) G3
(Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, KWS)-Hollywood Bowl Lynard
Skynard KWS & Paul Rogers/ KWS- TOUR OF Australia-
Perth, Melbourne, Sidney, Gold Coast KWS HEADLINING W/ INDIGENOUS/
BB KING TOUR W/T.O.P & KWS/ BB KING W/ Robert Cray
& KWS/ Van Halen Tour / Aerosmith (support act
KWS) Rolling Stones TWA Dome St.Louis Mo./ Jimmy Page-Black
Crowes w/KWS (support act)/ Santana, Buddy
Guy, & KWS Jarpena Finland/ KWS & Keb MO' North
Sea Jazz Festival/ Montreux Jazz Festival Switzerland/ PRESIDENT
CLINTON'S IGNAUGURATION W/ Jr. Brown. (Dates with Mark Selby)
Jr. Brown & Mark Selby/ Robert Cray & Mark Selby/
Mark Selby (Tour of Germany)
Note: these are just some of the most memorable dates Sam could
think of off hand!
Endorsements: Paiste; Promark; Premier; Aquarian
Man!
The brother has been around!
From
his many years of performing with our fellow band, the renowned
Coastline Band, Sam has Motown, R&B, and Beach Music in
his bones. His “rhythmic soul” and bluesy beat brings
The CWB to the next level.
It
is no wonder that Blues Revue has proclaimed him “A top
player in the industry”.
Enjoy
the show and watch the man play – he can beat the heck
out of those drums! As named by Craig from the first time he
witnessed Sam’s drumming skills, Sam will be forever known
as “The Monster”.
In
2007, The CWB was blessed to have Sam Bryant, the left-handed
drummer, become a part of our family.
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Keith
Stone
Trumpet, Valve Trombone, Flugelhorn, Vocals
Keith began playing trumpet when he was nine
years old. He attended Davie High School where his band director
was Robert Patillo. (Greg Watson's, our bass player, father-in-law!
The CWB really is a tight family band!) Robert really got the
fire going in his students musically by regularly taking them
to hear live concerts, such as Chuck Mangione, Maynard Ferguson
and the Charlotte Symphony. While still in high school, Keith
studied privately at the N.C. School of the Arts, and in the
summers he attended the Elon Brass Clinic and Cannon Music Camp.
A graduate of Appalachian State University,
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Keith earned his music degree and studied
trumpet under Joe Phelps. While in college, Keith played in
many Jazz, Fusion, Rock and Experimental Jam bands. After leaving
ASU, Keith attended Indiana University. Here, he studied trumpet
under Bill Adam, whose students include Chris Botti, Randy Brecker,
and Jerry Hey.
Having enough of school, Keith broke loose and
moved to Orlando, Florida where he played at Disney World and
freelanced in the Orlando area. After working for the "mouse"
for a while, it was time to move back to North Carolina where
they play great music – Beach Music! Keith accepted a
job with the Fabulous Kays, and was with them for thirteen years.
Other bands include Shakers, East Coast Party Band, and The
Entertainers. As well as one heck of a live musician, Keith
is an accomplished studio recording artist. Although you can
hear Keith’s horns on recordings by many beach music bands
in this area, you can also recognize his sound on Access Hollywood,
Fox Sports, Access NFL, The Bernie Mac Show and TNN.
Keith is very excited to be with the Craig Woolard
Band. "It is the best band I've ever worked with. Every
player is a MONSTER MUSCIAN!" Keith recently moved from
the Charlotte area, and lives in Carolina Beach with his wife
Katie and his 8-year old beautiful little daughter, Maggie.
Keith brings energy, fun, and expert musicianship
to The Craig Woolard Band. His addition to the brass section
really completes the band’s already unsurpassed and dynamic
sound. We are blessed to add him to The CWB family.
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Andy
King
Trumpet, Trombone, Keys, & Vocals
Andy
started making music at age 5 and was making money at
it by age 12. Andy had a passion for gospel music and
spent most of his time working in churches and in regional
gospel groups. In college, he studied various genres of
music and applied them to his own music while touring
throughout the Southeastern US.
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After receiving his degree in music, Andy worked extensively in the
theater industry. He was also the lead singer for the legendary Catalinas,
as well as the piano player for JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet (who
were backup singers for Elvis Presley in the late 60’s and 70’s).
Andy also played vital roles as a pianist, vocalist, trumpeter and
percussionist in several beach bands throughout the Southeast.
Andy
has worked on cruise ships and has toured throughout the United States,
Great Britain, Europe, Japan, and Southeast Asia. He has worked with
Slide Hampton, Dominic Spera, Michael Twitty, Ronnie McDowell, GC
Cameron, Eddie Miles and many others.
When
not on the road, Andy works with his business partner at their plantation
shutter manufacturing plant. His nights are often spent in his recording
studio. Whether song writing, arranging, playing or producing, Andy
couldn't imagine a day without music in his life.
Andy
absolutely loves cars. He has often been accused of trading them when
they run out of gas. He loves old, new, large, small and everything
in between. Without music, he would certainly be in the automobile
industry. Andy also enjoys grilling out, fishing and restoring a 1964
Hatteras sport fishing boat.
He
credits the love and support of his mother and the patience of his
father, who worked swing shifts when Andy was growing up, to the success
he has enjoyed in the music industry.
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Alan
Wentz
KILLER Sound man for The CWB |
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Greg
Watson
Bass and Vocals
Greg was born in 1968 into a very musical family. He cut his
teeth on Bluegrass, Southern Gospel and of course Elvis Presley.
His mother, Peggy, had him singing harmony not long after he
learned to talk. His father, Jim, taught him to play bass when
he was six. They spent countless hours with Greg singing and
playing, building a solid musical foundation. He spent the next
several years honing his skills in church and playing Bluegrass
with his Mom and Dad, cousins, and Uncle Doug. His dream as
a child was to one day (in the words of a five year old) “run
off and join up with Elvis.” In 1976, part of Greg’s
dream came true – his dad took him to see Elvis. It was
all over after that – Greg knew that he desperately wanted
to pursue a career in music, and Jerry Scheff (Elvis’s
bass player) quickly became his idol. At age 12, Greg got his
first taste of the road with The Turner Family, a Southern Gospel
family group. He spent the next 3 years touring the east coast,
sharing the stage with some of the greatest names in Gospel
music. A family move at age
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introduced him to his high school band director and future father-in-law,
Robert Patillo, who continued to mold and shape his abilities.
This is where it ends for a while. He chose a different path
after high school only playing occasionally.
That would all change in 1995 when a series of events that seemed
to be the end actually turned out only to be the beginning.
Since then, Greg has continued his dream. He has worked for
or played with Helen Cornelius, Jim Ed Brown, Ray Cummings CGP,
Jeff Cook, GC Cameron (Spinners & Temptations), Bill Pinckney,
Michael Twitty, Dave Rowland, Eddie Miles, Rick Alviti, Keith
Henderson, JD Sumner and The Stamps Quartet, The Jordanaires,
members of The Sweet Inspirations, Charlie Hodge, Ed Enoch and
Golden Covenant, Archie Bell, Detra Farr and the Catalinas.
He has shared the stage with artists such as Billy Currington,
Ronnie McDowell, Nantucket, Exile, Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits),
Delbert McClinton, etc. His dream has taken him literally around
the world performing in foreign countries and cruise ships in
the Caribbean.
An accomplished studio musician, his work can be heard on some
of the best selling CD's and #1 hits in Beach music, as well
as numerous Country and Gospel CD's, commercial jingles, and
live recordings. His TV credits include TNN-The Crook &
Chase Show, CNN, and CNN Headline News. In 1998, his dream of
playing with Elvis technically came true. He went to Camden,
New Jersey on an invite from JD Sumner to see an "Elvis
- The Concert" performance and to meet the TCB band. It
was here (although ever, ever so briefly) that he played with
Glen D. Hardin, James Burton and Ronnie Tutt to Elvis’s
vocal during a sound check. In Greg’s own words, “Thank
you JD Sumner and Jerry Scheff. You will always be my heroes.”
Greg currently performs and records with the Craig Woolard Band
out of Wilmington, NC, playing dates covering the entire eastern
coast, Illinois, and the Caribbean. His path to THE CWB was
one of faith, he believes. Along with his exceptionally beautiful
wife. (as he is told almost daily), Greg is also raising 2 more
dreams, his 2 little girls (Both of which love to sing with
him on stage at every opportunity they get! ) “THANK YOU
JESUS!” For without Him, none of this would have been
possible.
The CWB is blessed to have such a great family of talented and
good, down to earth musicians. |
LADY
SOUL
Originally
known as "Johnnie's Girls", the three beautiful sisters
singing back up with the CWB are Katha, Sal, and Mattie. (We
call
them"sisters", not only because of their soulful song,
but because they
truly are sisters!). "Lady Soul" lyrical exposure
spans from 1950's Doo-Wop era to today’s Neo-soul. Born
in Northeastern North Carolina, they grew up singing in the
church choir with their mother as lead vocalist. When their
voices matured to produce seemingly effortless four part harmony,
They began showcasing their talent on the road during their
fathers preaching engagements. Years |
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later,
Inspired, encouraged and then promoted by other gospel music
performers, the girls formed their own group. By the mid 1980's,
they opened the stage for
such legendary gospel greats as The Gospel Keynotes, The Pilgrim
Jubilee, Reverend F.C. Barnes ( and sons), and Jackson Southernaires.Suffering
the tragic death of the fourth sister, the group disbanded in
1988, chosing to return to their singing roots–their home
church choirs. In recent years, they have performed as a group
only by special request, often providing background vocals for
other touring artists. Invited by the band's bass player, they
provided backup for Percy Sledge, as part of Craig Woolards
house band at The 2004 Concert of Legends this past September.
They accompanied Craig and the band at
SOS Fall Migration Fun Monday, also lending vocal support to
Clifford Curry, Casey York, and Roy Roberts .
Their raw vocal styling combined with a universal look and classy
stage presence enticed the ear while creating an exceptional
backdrop for the eye during each performance. Since then,they
have charmed and dazzled the crowds during various appearances
with The CWB, including the bands trip to The Route 66 MotherRoad
Festival in Springfield Illionois and the recent Cammy Awards
Weekend shows at the OD Beach Resort and Alabama Theatre in
Myrtle Beach. . Johnnie’s Girls are proud to be part of
The CWB family and Thank the Beach Music Community for such
a warm welcome. (special love to Frank for the remembering in
the past and to Craig for believing in a future).
At
2001 this fall, after the incredible concert at FUN MONDAY,
Craig
was so overwhelmed by the music, he changed the name of the
girls to
"LADY SOUL" ! We are proud and blessed to add "LADY
SOUL" to the CWB family! |
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