Shotgun Wedding is Dennis DelGaudio, guitar/vocals/bandleader; Wade Preston, piano/ vocals; Catherine Porter, vocals; Andy Cichon, bass/vocals; and Chuck Burgi, drums (photo provided).
On Saturday, October 8, New York City band Shotgun Wedding brings their five piece “alt country” outfit to the Center for the Arts in Homer, New York. Members of the band have appeared on tour with Billy Joel, played for the President of the United States, and have appeared on Broadway.
Shotgun Wedding draws from a wellspring of country, Americana, alt-country, rock n’ roll, and the boogie-and-stride piano tradition. With reverent intentions and restless creativity, the five-piece band has boldly settled its own authentic homestead.
The group boasts four very individual and accomplished songwriters and lead vocalists, and sumptuous four-voice harmony passages. Shotgun Wedding has garnered favorable comparisons to Asleep At The Wheel, Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks, Little Feat, Zac Brown Band, and Shooter Jennings. The band cites influences as diverse as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Speckled Red, Professor Longhair, AC/DC, Jim Campilongo, and Karen Carpenter.
The quintet has the rare distinction of being full time acclaimed musicians with impressive resumes pursuing a passion project out of sheer love of the music, their chemistry as a creative unit, and the deep bond of friendship they share.
Ticket prices range from $21 to $23, though the show is free for Center for the Arts Members, veterans and active military and children under 18. Call 877-749-ARTS to purchase tickets or go to center4art.org
Dennis DelGaudio, guitar/vocals/bandleader
Founding member Dennis DelGaudio held guitar duties for the entire run of the Broadway smash hit Movin’ Out, was the musical director for it’s London production, and had the rare distinction of being tapped to play Billy Joel’s historic “Last Play at Shea concerts.” After those epic nights, he became a touring member of Billy Joel’s band.
Wade Preston, piano/ vocals
Masterful pianist/vocalist Wade Preston starred on Broadway as the piano man in Movin’ Out. Billy Joel was so impressed with Wade’s performances that he asked him stand in for Joel during the months of rehearsals needed for the “Last Play at Shea” concerts. Wade has also had the honor of performing at the PA Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C. for President Obama and PA Governor Rendell.
Catherine Porter, vocals
Sultry co-lead vocalist Catherine Porter can conjure mountainous emotion, down home sass, and slow-burn subtlety. She’s toured and performed with Brian May (supporting Guns-n-Roses), Queen, Chaka Khan, Sam Moore, Mel B and Kiki Dee, among others. Catherine starred opposite Michael Crawford in the Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Hugh Jackman in Sunset Boulevard. and was the lead in Tony Award-winner Next to Normal.
Andy Cichon, bass/vocals
Steady rolling bassist Andy Cichon has held down the low end for such diverse and respected artists as Rose Tattoo, Five For Fighting, Shania Twain, and over the past decade for Billy Joel, sharing the stage with the likes of Paul McCartney, Roger Daltrey, and Steven Tyler.
Chuck Burgi, drums
Drummer Chuck Burgi brings a deep pocket and Swiss Army Knife-like versatility to the quintet. In addition to being Billy Joel’s current drummer, other highlights on his resume include Hall & Oates, Michael Bolton, Diana Ross, replacing Phil Collins in Brand X, Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf, Enrique Iglesias, and Movin’ Out on Broadway.
