We’ve all been there. Craning our necks around the person at the end of the aisle to catch a glimpse of the white dress. The ceremony that you couldn’t hear a word of (you’re sure it was lovely). And, of course, the never-ending line extending from the buffet. Weddings are a part of life, but thankfully – with the right band – so is the party.
Wedding receptions and wedding bands have been parodied by the likes of Adam Sandler, Vince Vaughn and Kristen Wiig; there is even a new TV show dedicated to the art. But, in reality, the amount of energy required to hype up a crowd of guests ranging from children to octogenarians on the same dance floor is truly a talent. “If you don’t already have that energy, you can’t fake it,” says drummer and vocalist Cheryl Porter from Chattanooga’s perennial party favorite “You have to love what you do; from that you are able to express and create fully.”
According to Valitus Edwards, Love, Peace and Happiness can play up to 300 songs on demand. This living and breathing jukebox lists the top 10 reception song requests as:”The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra”What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong”You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling” by the Righteous Brothers”Moondance” by Van Morrison”Brick House” by the Commodores”My Girl” by the Temptations”Shout” by the Isley Brothers”Billy Jean” by Michael Jackson”Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond”At Last” by Etta JamesFor more information visit their page at gigsalad.com.
That energy and love of performing drives Porter as well as the other five members of Love, Peace and Happiness as they fuel the party of not only wedding receptions but fundraisers, proms and other events. The band began its reign in 1975 when ML King Boulevard resembled something closer to a cultural center like Bourbon Street, according to original LP&H member Valitus Edwards. Life eventually sent the band members in various directions, but in the 1990s, life – or, in this case, Allied Arts – brought them back together to perform in Chattanooga again. “It was an accident we got back into music,” Edwards laughs. “Our fans won’t let us stop.”
In fact, Edwards says that it is not uncommon for some brides-to-be to pick their band before they even pick their man. And with good reason. Every girl dreams of her big day, and the best brides know that while the ceremony is for the happy couple, the reception is meant to show the guests a good time. Whether you measure that good time by the length of the conga line or the number of tipsy bridesmaids making their way to dance on stage, the band strikes the balance that moves the moment from a formal function to a rocking good time.