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Favorite Web Sites
Houston Arts Alliance
"Our mission is to encourage excellence in all disciplines of the arts. We showcase local talents, provide interactive creative arts opportunities for all ages, host quality professional appearances, and conduct outreach programs for the traditionally underserved population by partnering with arts organizations, businesses, educational and governmental agencies."
An ongoing project dedicated to Bands; to Jazz and to Swing History, and to the music now known to the world as "American Popular Song". This site is a "work in progress" and we hope that you will enjoy your visit here, and will return often to see what's new. For our part, we shall strive to make "The Big Bands Database Plus" the greatest source of Popular Music information on the World Wide Web.
Macon Arts
Macon Arts is the single organization that works to support all of the arts groups in the Middle Georgia area. Macon Arts is charged with the responsibility for planning the community’s cultural growth and development, serving as a catalyst and the public designee for the arts, artists and arts organizations.
Learn to Dance!
Informative website to improve your dancing skills or to learn a new dance.
Favorite Sites: Georgia Musicians
Johnny Mercer
While Johnny Mercer had the talent, Georgia provided the inspiration that made him one
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| Johnny Mercer |
of America's most popular and successful songwriters of the twentieth century.
Joe Williams
Joe Williams is still considered by many to be the quintessential male jazz vocalist. Best known for his smooth baritone delivery as the singer for Count Basie's band from 1954 to 1961, the Georgia native also sang with Coleman Hawkins, Lionel Hampton, and Earl Hines, and had a successful solo career.
Corporate event planning help - wedding planning, DJs, bands, entertainers, event planners, caterers nationwide.
EventPlanners-Directory
The WedAlert Reception Site Locator; the perfect location for your wedding reception!
If you are planning a large corporate event, visit All Time Favorites
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Wedding Ideas and Planning Tips    
Wedding Planning with Dress Up Your Wedding!
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Bios of the Georgia Big Band members:
First of all, I'd like to thank all the folks that have at one time been members of the Dublin Jazz Band/Georgia Big Band for their contributions to the band. Your contributions brought us down the path we are on today. We continuously improve and build upon what we have-John.
John Cornacchione, lead Trombonist, is the Band Superintendent for the Band of the USAF Reserve, Robins AFB, GA. John’s 7 assignments include overseas duty at Clark AB, Philippines, Yokota AB, Japan, and Naples, Italy. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and hails from Bel Air, MD. John has performed with many Jazz artists to include Ernie Watts, Mike Smith, Marvin Stamm, Michael Abene, Jon Faddis, Mike Price, Rich Matteson and Mike Vax. He also worked with The Miracles, country artists Crystal Gayle, Lari White, Mila Mason, Lee Greenwood, Ricochet, and Restless Heart. John is also a member of another popular local band; Celebration.
Marty Cain plays lead alto saxophone in the Georgia Big Band. Influenced by Pete Fountain, he began playing clarinet at the age of 9 and later picked up tenor saxophone after hearing Boots Randolph. Growing up in Stevenson, Washington he was in an exceptional high school music program. Marty’s talents were recognized by the Air Force Band in Tacoma Washington and there his Air Force career began in 1978. Marty retired in 1999 from the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, Robins AFB, GA.
Gene Salyer retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1979 after serving 22 years. Fourteen of those years was with the Air Force Academy Band, a special duty band, where where he performed with the Falconaires Dance Orchestra as lead alto saxophone. Gene also led the "Moods In Blue" show band as a unit of the AF Academy Band. Gene also plays flute, clarinet and tenor saxophone and has performed with Bob Hope, Sammy Davis, Jr., "Doc" Seversin, and Victor Borge. He has also recorded with artists such as Rosemary Clooney, Gisele MacKenzie and Anna Marie Alberghetti. Gene and his wife Betty relocated to Perry, GA in 2005.
Keith Munn, saxophonist and a native of Toledo, Ohio has performed professionally for over 37 years and is also a retired Air Force musician of 21 years. His assignments include Barksdale AFB, LA, Einsiedlerhof AS, Germany, Clark Air Base, Philippines, Yokota Air Base, Japan and Robins AFB, GA. Keith has had the privilege of performing with artists to include Bobby Shew, Jon Faddis, Restless Heart, Gary Morris, Mike Price, Lou Marini, Steve Smith, Tom Coster, Frank Gambale, Gabe Baltezar, Grover Washington, Jr., and Bob Hope.
Demetrice "Dee" Lyles, tenor saxophone.
William “Bill” Blunk has been playing saxophone professionally for over 37 years and is our baritone saxophonist. He retired after 20 years of performing in Air Force Bands, joining just after completing high school. His assignments include Yokota AB, Japan and Robins AFB, GA. Bill has performed with Rob McConnell, Bobby Shew, Bob Hope, Mike Price, Mike Smith, Gabe Baltazar, and Jon Faddis. Bill originally hails from Barberton, Ohio and is currently a full-time student studying Information Technology at Macon State College in Macon, GA.
Ray Lawrence, lead trumpet, taught music for 10 years and initiated the band program at St. Joseph's Catholic School in Macon. He is the co-founder of Colony IV Brass Quintet in 1992. Ray has held the principle chairs in the Fort Dodge Symphony in Iowa and the Anchorage Symphony in Alaska. Ray is a former Air Force Bandsman with assignments to Chanute AFB, IL, and has performed with the Karl King Band. Ray is the owner/operator of a successful business in Macon, Green Leaf Garden Center.
Tom Turner, trumpet, has performed for over 41 years. Besides his one enlistment with the 98th Army Band, he has performed in a variety of musical settings including Christian, Jazz, Pop/Rock, Polka, Country, Rhythm & Blues, and Dixieland. Tom was the featured soloist with Billy Graham Crusades and has recorded three solo albums. Prior to moving to Georgia, Tom was a member of the Tallahassee Brass Quintet. Tom holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University and now resides in Dublin, GA.
Rick Kimmel has played trumpet for 47 years. He was the Band Director at Bleckley County High School for 19 years. He has also taught in Fitzgerald and Valdosta for a total teaching career of 34 years. Rick was born and raised in Panama City, FL where he graduated from Bay County High School. He earned a Bachelor Of Music Education Degree from Troy State University. Mr. Kimmel began playing professionally while still in high school and continues to perform all styles of music from jazz to orchestral.
Jimmy Verrelli trumpet
Mark Greenfield started playing trombone professionally in 1973 at the age of 16 with "Tears of Joy," a Top 40 group on Melbourne, FL. He received a music performance scholarship to attend the University of Florida from 1974-1978 where he studied under Richard Bowles. While at University of Florida, Mark was the lead trombonist in the #1 Jazz Band for 3 years. Mark has performed with Jazz greats including Clark Terry, Bill Watrous, Louie Bellson, and Bob Hope. After his move to Macon in 1996, Mark joined the Dublin Jazz Band, later becoming the Georgia Big Band. Mark holds a Bachelor of Building Construction fro the University of Florida and is currently employed by International City Builders in Warner Robins and resides in Forsyth, GA.
Stephen Hoy has been the Band Director at Tabor Middle School, Warner Robins, since 1999 and is also the trombonist in Colony IV Brass Quintet and orchestra director at the 1st Assembly of God in Warner Robins. He has served over 9 years in the Air Force as a trombonist. Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from Lebanon Valley College, Bachelor of Music Education from Mercer University and is working towards a Masters in Music Education at Valdosta State University.
Jonathan Baker, bass trombonist is currently the band director at Weaver Middle School in Macon. He has studied with world renown bass trombonists Douglas Yeo, John Rojak, Donald Harwood, Charles Vernon and Edward Kleinhammer. Prior to coming to Macon, Jonathan performed with several New York and New England ensembles including the Hartford Symphony, Rhode Island Philharmonic, Boston Ballet, the Albany Symphony Orchestra, and traveled two years with the Broadway National tour of The Music Man. Jonathan holds a Master of Music degree from New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music degree from Chicago Musical College.
Donnie C. Nicholson, pianist, teaches music at Centerville Elementary School in Centerville, GA. Donnie holds a B.S. in Music, an M. S. in Middle Grade Education, and an Educational Specialist degree from Fort Valley State University and Troy State University. Donnie currently serves as musical director and pianist for Shiloh Baptist Church and Cool Springs Baptist Church in Fort Valley. In 1996, Donnie produced, composed, and recorded his own CD, “My Music.” In 1997, he also produced, directed, and co-composed the music for the gospel CD “While You have Time” by Rev. Morris Hillsman & the Shiloh Community Choir." Donnie has performed with gospel great Dorothy Norwood of the legendary Gospel Caravans. Bob Barnette, bass, is a native of Macon and a retired educator with 30 years of service. He graduated from University of Georgia where he studied trumpet and double bass. Bob has performed/toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Ray McKinley, Yank Lawson and the World's Greatest Jazz Band, Paula Kelly and the Modernaires, the Buddy Morrow Orchestra, the Walt Disney Orchestra, Ed Shaunessy, and the Georgia Jazz Educators Director's All-Star Big Band. He has also led numerous Jazz groups of his own performing and directing concerts throughout the U.S and Europe to include the Montreaux Jazz Festival. Currently he is bassist with the Macon Symphony Orchestra and performs with Atlanta's Tara Winds, Gainesville's North Winds, and remains active as clinician, adjudicator, and soloist.
David McArel began playing drums at the age of 3 inspired by his late father, also a drummer. Dave's early influences were Big Band legends such as Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. Dave served 20 years in the U. S. Air Force Band career field retiring in July of 2001. His assignments include McGuire AFB, NJ, Clark AB, Republic of the Philippines, Robins AFB, GA, Scott AFB, IL, Einsiedlerhof Air Station, Germany, and Lackland AFB, TX. Some artists that David has performed with are Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart, Nick Brignola, Brooke Shields, Glen Campbell, and Sammy Kershaw. David continues to serve the Air Force as a civilian on Robins AFB and is also the percussionist for another popular local group; The Wall. Rob Walker guitar. Sharron Wilhelm, vocalist. Jay Willis, vocalist.
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