SERENDIPITY!

After being cooped up since March 2020, NJ / NYC was my first trip out of state. It really started with my scheduling and helping organize my 30 year Saddle Brook High School Reunion in NJ for September 18th. As soon as I decided that I would visit NJ and attend my reunion, I received a call from my client asking if we would want to perform at the Rainbow Room and if we were available for September 26th. I mean … YES PLEASE! I was already going to be on the East Coast. How perfect!

HYBRID BAND

Our amazing repeat client chose to have us as their entertainment in NYC versus hiring a local band. Needless to say, it meant the world and we were honored that they wanted US!

As we know NY is chock full of amazing talent, so we created a hybrid LA / NY band. Sid and I (Veronica) fronted on guitars and vocals and we hired a local keyboardist, drummer, and bass player as our rhythm section. Matt King, Brian Delaney, and Greg Novick were nothing short of awesome. They knew most of our repertoire right off the bat, which made for an easy transition. Did we miss our LA music family? Of course we did! But these guys killed it and we look forward to working with them again in the near future whenever we are in the Tri-State area again.

SOUND TEAM

We searched high and low for the perfect sound team. The quotes we were getting in NYC were insanely high. I spoke with Greg (our NYC bass player) and asked if he could hip me to a wedding/corporate band company who also provides sound & lighting. He introduced me to Silver Pro Entertainment out of Whippany NJ. When I called David Silver, I felt like I was speaking with someone whom I’ve known forever. Low and behold, he mentions he’s from Fair Lawn, NJ (one town over from where I was raised). I mentioned two guys who used to hang with my older brothers (in the 80s) and asked if he knew them, and he did!

I immediately called my client and said, “I found the sound team”! Without question she hired them and trusted my recommendation. They were not only amazing engineers, but also just a great group of guys.

FRIENDS FROM THE START

The whole evening felt as if we were working with old friends. That’s the East Coast for you! The sound guys and our backing band were busting each other’s chops and cracking jokes while being super professional. Matt King (on keys) was our resident comedian and fellow graduate from my alma mater, William Paterson University (it was ‘College’ when we graduated). Greg Novick (on bass) was a zen sweetheart who loaned me his guitar so I wouldn’t have to fly with one from LA. Brian Delaney (on drums) was a buddy of mine for the last 15 years who has played with the NY Dolls and Melissa Etheridge. And my wonderful husband and partner Mike Holowatch was our manager and Music Director for the evening. Sid and I were in great hands and we felt it every step of the way.

DREAM COME TRUE

Growing up in NJ (just minutes from the Lincoln Tunnel and George Washington Bridge), I always dreamed of performing in NYC. I took dance lessons at Phil Black Dance Studio and Steps. I would audition in NYC and get close to getting work, but I was still too green at that time. Life took me from NJ to Miami to LA (after graduation). Honestly, I never thought I’d ever perform in NY. But I got there! I did it my way … with the help of a wonderful repeat client. I’m forever grateful and I will always remember that wonderful feeling of being on top of the world with my incredibly talented NYC music family.