Review Fix chats with Marcus Vess of Weekend Getaway, who discusses the band’s upcoming CD, as well as how their unique style is a combination of all of the music the seven-piece group grew up with.
About Weekend Getaway:
Weekend Getaway is a seven-piece band that brings together the warm combination of R&B, Carolina beach music, Soul and Jazz.  Their classic sound makes them a hit wherever they play.  Centered around rich harmony vocals, upbeat instrumentation, and a kickin’ horn section, their music has universal appeal.
The members of WG are all great friends and their camaraderie and “get the good times going†attitude shines through on-stage.  They have been filling dance floors and festival venues through-out the Southeast with their crowd favorite hits like “Here Tonightâ€, Let’s Shag On The Beach†and “Having A Good Timeâ€.  It’s always summer somewhere with the Weekend Getaway Band.
For more on the band, click here.
Review Fix: How would you describe Carolina beach music?
Marcus Vess: Carolina beach music is sand in your shoes, the spray of salt in the air, and fun in the summer sun.  It’s a smooth blend of R&B and “sweet soul†with roots dating back to the 60’s and 70’s.  Loved by beachgoers along the Southeast Atlantic coast, Carolina beach music has a sound all of its own defining a cultural lifestyle centered around the good times of summer vacations and new romance.  With warm melodic grooves and silky vocal harmonies, beach music is to Myrtle Beach what Motown is to Detroit.
The popularity of Carolina beach music (and its accompanying dance “the shagâ€) exploded in the mid 40’s following the return of G.I.’s from WWII.  Dance halls and juke joints all along the east coast were packed with couples dancing to beach music of the day.  Today’s “New Beach†[music] is enjoying a strong resurgence with songs like “Here Tonightâ€.  We’re delighted to have found such a tremendous following of like-minded nostalgic romantics who share our love for this classic sound.
Review Fix: What do you think makes the band special?
Vess: It has to be our strong friendships and respect for each other.  We (Weekend Getaway) have an awesome time together.  Whether we’re playing music or just kibitzing around; it’s always a laugh a minute (especially when Ollie [sax] and Gil [trombone] start poking at each other).
The other aspect has to be the music.  It’s certainly out of the mainstream of today’s popular trends and we’re more than o.k. with that.  We all share a passion and love for our music and enjoy sharing it with our fans.  It’s deeply rooted in our souls.
Review Fix: How did the band get together?
Vess: It’s really quite amazing.  It began with an initial idea from co-founders (and first cousins) Marcus Vess and Gary McKinney.  The two began writing together which led to the need for a “hip and happenin†band to bring their songs to life.  Vess authored a three-page vision statement describing goals for the band.  The statement outlined the specific objectives for the musical direction as well as the attitudes, personality and “heart†we were looking for in each member of the band.  Within only a few weeks of sharing the vision statement with several carefully selected, highly capable musicians, Weekend Getaway was formed with Allen Cook on keys and lead vocals, Gary McKinney on guitar and vocals, Felton Dunn on bass and vocals, Marcus Vess on drums and vocals, Ollie Patterson on saxophone, David Klausman on trumpet, and Gil Estes on trombone.
Review Fix: How was “Here Tonight†written?  What inspired it?
Vess: “Here Tonight†was written by the songwriting duo; Vess and McKinney.  The horns which are integral to establishing the emotion and classic feel of the song were arranged by Ollie Patterson.  The basic concept emerged from fond memories of those magical moments that we’ve all experienced dancing and being close to our true love.  Our goal was to try and capture the feeling of those special times (like when dancing at a wedding reception or outdoor party, under the moonlight) when we come to the realization of how blessed we are to have found that “someone†with whom to love and spend our life together.
Review Fix: What are your goals for 2016?
Vess: We plan to continue writing, playing and having a great time all while keeping our lives in a healthy balance.
We feel so blessed and are grateful for the overwhelmingly positive response we’ve received from fans to our music and performances.  When we started this venture, we knew that we all loved the music and thought that there might be others out there who would enjoy it as well.  It turns out that there are a lot of folks who connect with and sincerely appreciate our music and the positive, wholesome messages contained in our songs.  The response has been tremendous.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Vess: We’re nearing completion of a CD project (which includes the title track “Here Tonightâ€) to be released this Spring (2016).  From there, it’s a summer full of touring and playing concerts, outdoor festivals and dance clubs.
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