Charles Wells of Music Box (The Band)

Coffee Talk with Charles Wells of Music Box (The Band)

Charles Wells calls himself primarily a soul singer, but his vast repertoire includes "everything from Sinatra to Motown" and each show demonstrates that variety. While leading a number of musicians' ensembles, Charles established credentials that include performances at The Muny, Powell Symphony Hall, the Edward Jones Dome, as well as country clubs and casinos all over the Midwest, and as far removed as Arizona. He has also shared a stage with luminaries such as The Supremes' Mary Wilson, Bob Newhart, Ed McMahon, Bob Costas, and rising star Michael Buble.

WC: After your success as a musician, what prompted you to start Music Box the Band and how long have you been together?

CW: I started singing in church at age four and music has never left my heart or vocation. I also studied at UMSL as a voice major and I have been in countless singing groups and bands. However, I worked for another local special event entertainment company for ten years as one of their star male vocalists. But people were constantly requesting me to be the entertainer for their event. I knew that I couldn't be at two gigs at the same time. So I created Music Box in 1997. This way if you booked my band you were garanteed to get me and my chosen veterans.

WC: What genres of music is Music Box known for?

CW: Variety! Do you really want to hear one style of music all night? Hmmm, what a boring concept. We do everything from Sinatra to Motown! Classic Rock & Roll, Swing, Funk, Oldies, Motown, Rythmn & Blues, Jazz, Ethnic, and a even a couple Country Western tunes. :-) We aim to please! Music Box is just that! A live Music Box! And we rock it all! There is no other band like it!

WC: Why do you think it has become so popular to hire live entertainment for weddings in the past few years?

CW: Because if you have a first class band (that's us), people can interact with the entertainment as well as sit and be entertained. It's like a dance party and a concert! Some people like to sit and watch, while the others just can't stop their feet from moving! It's like the best of the old days when big bands were playing the dance halls, but only yesterday's and today's best music live. Live music has an energy that's all its own. Why else do people still go to concerts? Besides, most people will remember the band and the fact that they danced their hearts out! Not the decorations, not the food, not anything else, although those things are good and shouldn't be taken lightly. You see, with a good ambience in the room, good food, and a great band (that's us again), you will have yourselves a PARTY!

WC: What advice can you offer a bride looking to hire a band for her wedding?

CW: Be sure to shop for what she and her groom want. Every band and any band are not just for them. It helps to hear a band live. But if you can't, at least look for them to have a good track record in the wedding market. Every band can't play a variety of genres and play them well. It takes a great band for that (that's us ;-) ).

WC: What is the most common misconception brides tend to have regarding hiring a live band?

CW: Sometimes they tend to think that the band is playing a lot of public events. This isn't true of a private event band like Music Box. Although we do a few casinos and country clubs we don't do bars unless they are upscale. But for the most part we don't have time to do much of anything but private events. Because some of our company parties are recurring and the audiences at our weddings ask us for our future dates, we may ask the bride to come to one of our private events.

They also think that we are always the exact same people. I do have a primary band so for the most part we are. But some times a player can't make it and it's impossible due to the fact that life happens. :-) Sometimes players move on or get fired or just can't make the date in question. So I have to call a sub. It is my business to know and work with an ample amount of musicians in order to assure you that the show will go on regardless and with all the flare and fire that you have come to know and love from Music Box.

WC: How many musicians are part of Music Box the Band?

CW: Seven (7) and they are Magnificent!

WC: Does the number of the band ever change due to the venue and can the musicians be hired individually?

CW: Yes, we have had to change to accommodate the budget of a wedding or event. Everyone is not working with the same budget. We have scaled down to five and have grown to as many as 12. It depends on the event and the budget for that event. But for the most part the seven piece does a great job for everyone. Which is why we are regularly seven.

We each also hire out as a single performer for the ceremony as well, or we can arrange a jazz keyboard/guitar or trio for the cocktail hour.

WC: Do you strictly work in the St. Louis area?

CW: No. However, we are St. Louis Based and we do most of our gigs in St. Louis and the surrounding area of Missouri and Illinois. But we travel to other areas of the Midwest as well -- Chicago, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Nashville, Booneville, Columbia, Springfield, MO and IL, Branson, The Ozarks, California, (oops). We go anywhere our client wants and needs us to and we have performed in a few strange and very beautiful places.

Read other interviews at the Club Cafe.