When I do a gig for kids, here's how I approach it.... When my son was in pre-school, his teachers knew I was a musician, and asked me to sing & play for their classes. We've all seen & heard lots of "children's music performers"... I've always felt that many of them are disrespectful to the kid's intelligence...  I treat them like little adults, and don't talk down to them...

I play contemporary songs, most of which these kids already know, songs that have lyrics that teach, inspire, & help them learn.... Songs about friendship, family, playful fun, and good decision-making... They don't know they're learning,
they're just having fun. I encourage kids to sing along.  We laugh & have a blast.

Song examples include Toy Story's "You've Got A Friend In Me", by Randy Newman, Tarzan's "You'll Be In My Heart"
by Phil Collins, "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz, "Time Of Your Life" by Green Day, "House On Pooh Corner"
by Kenny Loggins, "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts, "Black Horse & Cherry Tree" by KT Tunstall,
"Blackbird" by The Beatles, "You've Got A Friend" by James Taylor...

I've played many types of events for kids, including Los Angeles City-Sponsored Summer concerts for kids, elementary schools, nursery schools, benefits for "Autism Speaks", & fund-raising events for schools of all kinds. I've played at Baby Showers, Birthday parties from 1 to Sweet 16, High School Graduation parties. Every event requires a different song list and approach, appropriate for the ages of the guests...

I love to do this kind of work. It's especially satisfying to inspire the creative spark in a child.  It's important for me to show these little people big respect, and show the magic of creating something from nothing...

Here's a note from a 2nd Grade teacher at Welby Way Elementary School...

"Thank you so much for coming in and singing with my class today. It was truly great.
They love singing with you. You are amazing. Thank You !!"

Weddings are different from any other type of event.... It's the most important day in two people's lives, and it requires special preparation, and perfect execution.... We only get one chance to do it right....

I've played music for over 500 weddings in the last 12 years, so I've learned a few things.....

In early 2020, I became ordained to perform Wedding Ceremonies in California. It's a deeply satisfying thing to be able to help a couple create their ultimate Wedding Ceremony. I learn from the Bride & Groom their visions & ideas for this special day. Together we assemble the words to tell their story, to incorporate everything that's important into the ceremony. I would love to help you with this, whether or not I'll be playing music for you.

As for the music, here are a few ideas....

If you envision a classic, elegant wedding ceremony, I'll be glad to play a traditional acoustic guitar instrumental version of "Here Comes The Bride" and "Pachelbel's Canon in D".... or.....get creative.... Close your eyes, choose songs & music that perfectly underscore your feelings for each other. Let me play & sing them for you. I can learn most any pop song....

Each wedding is unique, but they all share a few things - Please take a few minutes to read the next couple of paragraphs. This will tell you what you need to think about as you decide on the musical ingredients of your ceremony....

You'll definitely need 3 pieces of music....

#1 = The music to be played as your "Bridal Party" walks down the aisle - This means your Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, ring bearer & flower girls - Everyone except the Bride...

#2 = The music to be played as The Bride walks down the aisle

#3 = The music to be played at the end of the ceremony. as everybody walks back down the aisle...

In general terms, the first 2 pieces of music can either be vocal or instrumental, depending on the Bride's preferences. These pieces of music should be meaningful to the couple, & should either be a beautiful melody or a beautiful lyric... Any great love song, new or older, should work perfectly here.... I'm not overly concerned if it's a well-known song or not - If it's meaningful to you two, then it's appropriate for the occasion....

At the end of the ceremony, it's such a joyful moment, everyone will be clapping & smiling... It's great when the music can reflect this happy, playful feeling.

I can certainly give you plenty of examples for each of these 3 musical moments, but it's always great when the Bride has an idea of what songs she'd like, or a general vision of how it might sound... I'll do my very best to help you get there....

Don't worry about the timing of the ceremony music - I'll adjust the length of each song according to the number of people in your Bridal Party & how far a distance you need to walk... I can also re-arrange & edit song lyrics, if necessary.

I'll start song #1 on a cue from your wedding coordinator - I'll finish playing song #1 as the flower girl reaches the front...

I'll pause for 3 seconds & start playing song #2 for The Bride. When The Bride reaches the front, I'll finish the song immediately.

When the officiant has said their last words of the ceremony, I'll start song #3 & continue playing
until all members of the Bridal Party have reached the back of the venue...

I'll continue playing happy music until all guests have moved toward the reception area....

For a Bride, I'll play just about anything....

Here's a few examples of songs I've learned for recent Weddings.... Ed Sheeran "Thinking Out Loud" & "Tenarife Sea".... "All Of Me" by John Legend.... Adele "My One & Only".... Ray LaMontagne "You Are The Best Thing".... Coldplay "Kingdom Come".... Clint Black "It's Something That We Do".... Stevie Wonder "Ribbon In The Sky".... Yes "Your Move".... Jason Mraz "I Won't Give Up".... Jeff Healey "Angel Eyes".... Dave Matthews "Steady As We Go".... An All-Beatles Wedding, "Here Comes The Sun"....  Jason Mraz "I'm Yours"... Pearl Jam "Just Breathe" ... Dave Matthews "Two Step"... Train "Hey Soul Sister".... Stain'd "Tangled Up In You".... Beatles "I Will".... Tom Petty "Here Comes My Girl".... Peter Gabriel "Book Of Love".... Led Zeppelin "Over The Hills & Far Away"... Brad Paisley "Then"... Alan Jackson "Remember When".... U 2 "All I Want Is You".... Jason Mraz/Colbie Calliet "Lucky"... Beatles "Two Of Us"..... Rascal Flatts "Bless The Broken Road".... Peter Gabriel "In Your Eyes"..... Cat Stevens "The Wind"..... Garth Brooks "Wrapped Up In You"........ "Over The Rainbow" - Instrumental, or "Hawaiian" vocal style..... "What A Wonderful World" .....
Use your imagination..

I'm available to play for your Wedding Ceremony, Cocktail Hour and Reception...

Just so you know, I always bring two of everything, a "back-up" set of equipment, just in case the venue isn't organized
or prepared - I always arrive early, to prevent any set-up glitches . You've got too many other things to deal with,
you won't need to worry about the music...

Weddings, F.A.Q. & Kids.....

Vocals  and  Guitars 

Christopher Wooley