Hi! Thanks for your interest in Spectrum Band. If you end up booking the band, I will be your main point of contact from your initial inquiry through the last note of the evening. Since we'll be working together, here is a little bit about me.
I've been playing bass (electric and upright bass) since 1989 and started playing professionally in 1991. I earned my music degree in composition and music theory in 1994 at Mizzou. My career highlights include several professional musical theatre productions, performing in Branson, MO, and on cruise ships. I've played in more than my share of bars and clubs playing in both original band and cover bands. For two years in the 90's, I played in the The Kansas City Street Band (based in Columbia MO), performing all over Missouri (Columbia, Lake of the Ozarks, St. Louis and other towns), throughout Illinois, Nebraska (Lincoln, Grand Island, and Omaha), and Des Moines Iowa.
In 1999, after a short audition, I found myself flying to San Juan Puerto Rico to start my first cruise ship contract as an Orchestra bassist with Carnival Cruise Lines. I eventually switched to Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and was the main Orchestra bassist on the Voyager of the Seas (at that time it was the largest ship in the world) and also spent time on the Rhapsody of the Seas. During my cruise ship days, I worked 54 cruises on 4 ships, and performed with celebrities like John Davidson, Fred Travelina, Charo, and The Osmond Brothers. After performing with The Osmond Brothers on a cruise ship near the end of a long contract, I was hired by Jimmy Osmond to perform at The Osmond Family Theater in Branson, MO in 2001, where I performed 12 shows a week for nearly an entire year.
Throughout my career, I've mostly been a bassist for hire, playing in multiple professional bands performing for weddings and corporate parties, jazz groups, big bands, latin American bands, and country bands. One band I was in prior to joining Spectrum Band, Nonstop Classic Rock, was a very talented horn band that played music by Chicago, Steely Dan, Blood Sweat and Tears, and music from other classic rock bands. A highlight for Nonstop were two concert appearances at Branson Landing in front of the waters fountains and giant fire cannons, performing for crowds of thousands of people.
In 2011, I was asked to audition with Spectrum Band, which at that time was already the top private event and wedding band in the St. Louis area. I passed my audition and was offered the full time bass chair for Spectrum Band. That is how my career with Spectrum Band started.
During my first 10 years with Spectrum Band, performing nearly 400+ wedding receptions, I worked closely with the band's leader and founder, Tim Calihan. I'd always been interested in the production side of the band, and song selection. After a couple of years in the band, I was asked to be the "song caller". Spectrum Band uses an intricate system of calling songs on the fly to literally "create a set list" in real time based on the crowd, our clients' song requests, and on our experience of playing hundreds of wedding receptions. I use a talkback mic to speak to the band members and direct them from song to song to keep the party going and to give our clients the vibe and the feel that they had communicated to us that they wanted. I've now been the "song caller" for easily over 500 wedding receptions in my career, which is a valuable skillset that I bring to every wedding reception we play. I believe there is an art to it, to know when to increase the energy, when to insert a well placed ballad, and how to work a crowd with song calling to achieve the type of party that our clients expect from us.
In December of 2020, Spectrum Band's leader, Tim Calihan, and I had an eventful lunch. 2020 was obviously a tough year for the entire wedding industry where nearly all of our jobs had been postponed due to the pandemic. Tim had been suffering from an ongoing wrist injury, which for a drummer was not good at all. He was hoping that a year off would help him heal, but his injured wrist was threatening his playing career, and after 20+ years of drumming and handling the business side of Spectrum Band, Tim was ready to retire. We discussed all sorts of potential outcomes for Spectrum Band; from retiring the band to what the band would look like under new leadership. Ultimately, the result of that conversation led me to the role I'm in today, as the owner of Spectrum Band LLC and the Booking/Business manager of the band (and also the bassist, emcee, & song caller).
Since officially taking over the business end of the band in 2021, we've had three retirements of long time band members. It was my job to find their replacements. I'm so happy that the 3 musicians that I wanted more than anyone else in the St. Louis music scene all said yes to joining the band, and in 2022 we rolled out this current Spectrum Band line up, which is an impressive line up of musicians and people indeed. The throughline of musicians that have joined this band has always been on an upward trajectory, and that remains true with this Spectrum Band line up. I can honestly say that the musicians I get to play with inspire me and it never gets old performing with them.
Over the course of working with hundreds of clients, I've learned to embrace the entire arc of working with our couples from the date they book us to one of the most important days of their lives. During the weeks leading up to their big day, I take their questions in stride and answer them quickly and effectively because I know that they have a thousand other things going on in their heads and their hearts leading up to their day. I try to be a calming force and I share in their excitement, but I also have to be an honest broker between perception and reality. By the time we've reached the day of their reception, I've made sure that all of my questions are answered, from logistics, to timelines, to song requests, to learning songs, and knowing what is expected of me and the band. All of that goes into a feeling of confidence that we're going to have a great night and a great party. I find so much enjoyment in the entire process with the reception being the apex of that process. I enjoy watching not only the newly married couple having a wonderful time, but their parents, and grandparents, family and friends. The look on their faces tells the story for me. And when we play our last note, and I come out to say thank you to folks that started as clients, but eventually become our friends, that circle is complete. It truly is satisfying being part of so many great celebrations.
It is an honor to get to do what I do. Yes, I'm very experienced at this, and I very work hard and take what I do seriously, because the stakes are super high! My collective experience both as a bassist, a manager, and professional musician in so many different roles allows me to be very confident when I tell our clients that "We're gonna have a great time!". We always do! In my entire 14 years with Spectrum Band, over the course of hundreds of weddings, we have never let anybody down, and we never will!
Outside of Spectrum Band, I'm happily married (married 18 years, together for 25 years) with a brilliant 17 year old son, and 2 rescue dogs! I work remotely from my home office for Sweetwater (the nation's largest online music retailer) working with school music programs and helping young kids get involved in music and supporting music education, which is another passion of mine that has been my "day gig" career for 24 years. For fun, I've always loved to travel. Back in 2019, I became a teardrop camper owner and love camping and spending time in nature. While I love to get out as much as I can, mostly dispersed camping, my favorite thing to do is visit our country's amazing National Parks. I also enjoy riding my bike, visting with friends, and going to see other musicians play.
Ok, that's enough about me. I hope you've learned a little more about me. Thanks for reading!
Sean
