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More than a wedding band

Waterbury Republican-American
By Kellie Lambert

  WATERBURY-Very few people plan weddings for Friday the 13th.

So the band RIO put aside its tuxedos and played for the public on Oct. 13 at Rockin’ Robin.  The night went so well that the band will return to the club Saturday for another public show.

The band has been performing at weddings and private parties for more than 17 years and rarely gets the chance to play at clubs.  Now that the members have the opportunity, vocalist Gina of Waterbury said it's a great way to meet new people and promote the band to the public.

“For 17 years we will very rarely get a weekend night off,” she said.  “We have to have understanding mates, but it is rewarding because we are making someone’s day very special.”

  The band usually plays two to three weddings per weekend, and sometimes even four: one show on Friday night, two on Saturday and one on Sunday.

  The band also includes keyboardist Robert McIldowie, guitarist Ed Aureli, drummer Mark DePaola, all of Waterbury, and bassist Mike McCartney of Bristol.

Performing in a wedding band is not the only talent these musicians have.

“Everyone has side projects.  Both Rob and Mike have original music.  Rob had a song on Roger Clinton’s album,” said Gina, referring to President Clinton's brother.  “It’s exciting for us because he finally got a song somewhere on a national label.  And Ed is a guitar teacher during the week.”

Gina said that despite members’ other musical commitments, RIO always comes first.

“We pride ourselves on the fact that all the guys in the band are all full-time musicians and this (our band job) is our main concern,” she said. “In the wedding industry it seems like a lot of the bands that get together, music is not as high quality because they are not full-time musicians. Everyone in the band is really a seasoned musician.” Gina said tonight’s show will be different from the private parties RIO usually plays.  First, there will be more current music - usually the band plays hits from the 1940’s through the ‘90s.  Second, members trade their black-tie finery for more casual dress.

Gina said that after more than a decade of being with this band, everything seems to be going well. “In the 17 years together, currently there is an excellent team effort that we have that we’ve never had before.  When you're in a band with people for 17 years, it's a rough thing. It’s like a marriage.  It’s difficult to get a good chemistry, and now we have that.  There's not really one boss, we all communicate together.”