FOR YOUR PROMOTIONAL NEEDS, YOU CAN DOWNLOAD A HIGH RESOLUTION PICTURE
OF THE CWB AT www.craigwoolard.com/promo.htm.


Craig Woolard, Craig Michael (CJ) Woolard, and Keith Stone

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 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)

	Greg Watson - Bass and Vocals		Russ Whitman- Drums
	Keith Stone - Trumpet, valve trombone, and flugelhorn		Don Jordan - Guitar & Vocals
	Alan Wentz - Sound Technician		Andy Swindell - Keyboards and Acoustic Guitar
	Craig Woolard - Lead Vocals and Sax (Tenor, Soprano and Bari); Flute and Keys

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


I'd rather be Cruisin' with THE CRAIG WOOLARD BAND!" 3rd Annual Making Waves Cruise -
THE CRAIG WOOLARD BAND rocks the house at Senor Frogs, Bahamas.

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, 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.

DONALD JORDAN: GUITAR DON WAS BORN IN 1963. HE BEGAN TO PLAY GUITAR AT THE AGE OF 13 AND FROM DAY ONE HE KNEW IT WAS SOMETHING HE WOULD DO FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. HE FIRST STARTED OUT BY PLAYING BLUEGRASS AND COUNTRY. “REAL COUNTRY” AS DON WOULD SAY. HE THEN PLAYED SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC FOR A WHILE IN A QUARTET THAT HIS FATHER SANG IN.  THEN AS HIGH SCHOOL APPROACHED, HE WAS GIVEN AN ELECTRIC GUITAR AND OF COURSE ROCK SOON FOLLOWED. AFTER HIGH SCHOOL HE WAS OLD ENOUGH TO GET INTO CLUBS AND THAT WAS WHEN DON GOT HIS FIRST TASTE OF “CAROLINA BEACH MUSIC”. HE WAS A REGULAR AT THE BEACH CLUBS IN THE EARLY 80s WATCHING WHAT THE BANDS WOULD DO AND” SOAKING IT UP LIKE A SPONGE”.

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

15 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. Alan Wentz KILLER Sound man for The CWB

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 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.