Reel Ting performs at the Cheeca Lodge during Tropical Storm Bonnie!

On July 22nd, 2010, The Reel Ting braved the weather and performed during Tropical Storm Bonnie at the Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada, Florida Keys. The event was a Tropical Wedding with the Reel Ting Steel Drum performing the Ceremony Music, Cocktail Hour Music and at the Wedding Reception.

The prelude to the Ceremony began on the beach grounds at the Cheeca Lodge in their lush Gardens area, surrounded by the famous Crossing Palms. The ceremony included two, Steel Tenor Steel Drums/Pans and a Concert Flute. The guests were treated to a prelude concert featuring songs such as Yellow Bird, Island in the Sun and Day Oh’. As the processional bridal party arrived they we serenaded by songs like the “Cannon in D” and “Somewhere over the Rainbow”. The Ceremony recessional song included, “Could this Be Love” by Bob Marley. The
Ceremony ended with beautiful weather and sunshine.

The Cocktail Hour began shortly after the Ceremony with the instrumental sounds of the Reel Ting. The cocktail hour was located on the veranda deck overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The weather cooperated and the appetizers’ were served under the moon lit Ocean and a beautiful night seemed to be on tap for this gorgeous couple from Atlanta, Georgia.

As the cocktail hour matriculated into the wedding reception, the party got started as the Conga line formed and the guest were singing and dancing to the Caribbean sounds of Reel Ting. The children got involved in singing, dancing and playing George Pollis’s Steel Drum to their favorite song “Hot, Hot Hot”. As the Wedding reception was winding down, a 50 MPH wind gust presented itself and the Conga line was caught off guard. Suddenly the heavens opened up and rain began, however the bridal party remained dancing!!! Hats off to a wonderful celebration at the Cheeca Lodge!

Here’s what the Bride had to say about Reel Ting’s performance:

George,

Thanks so much to you and the band at our Cheeca Lodge wedding and
reception. It was wonderful. Our guests are still talking about it and the way that you all
interacted with them. It was perfect. I could not have asked for more.

My best to you,
~ Lindy Davis

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Reel Ting : History of Steel Drums

During the late 1800’s “Tamboo Bamboo’ band of Trinidad used pieces of bamboo to create music. Eventually, their bamboo instruments were replaced by metal one made of discarded biscuit cans, garbage can, paint cans and discarded oil drum left by American sailors during the second world war. After over 100 years of exploration and a lot of careful tuning they turned this discarded rubble into one of the world’s most soughs sounds, that of the Steel Drum.

Pan-Demonium

The instruments in a steel drum band are divided into three main groups: frontline pans, midrange pans and background pans. Frontline pans which often play the melody, include tenor, double tenor (two pans preformed at one time by one musician), and double second (two pans preformed at one time by one musician). Background pans, such as the tenor bass and six bass (Six pans or more played at one time by one musician) produce the root or bass line for the other instruments in the band
Winston Spree Simon is most famous for his spectacular performance at the 1946 Carnival, where he played his 15-note tenor pan. In 1946, Ulric Springer became one of the first pan players to use two sticks, now Master Pan Musician are using four sticks. In the early 1950’s Tony Williams created a pan with a 4th and 5th arrangement of notes in a spider –web pattern. Elliott Mannette is credited with giving the steel drum its current form. He was the first to create a pan with a concave face and one of the first to use a 55-gallon oil drum.

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On June 24 2010, The Reel Ting Steel Drum Band has introduced the first Steel Drum University and has named it “Pan University” to the general public. It’s curriculum was composed by Jimmy Jam Graham, Master Pan Musician from Jamaica, Studied and grew up with the late Bob Marley, Eric Ness, Master Pan Musician from Miami Beach, Pan designer, George Pollis, B.S West Chester University, founder member of Pan University and Reel Ting Steel Drum Band Manager, Walter Palmer, First Call Musician studied at the prestige’s Massbalm School of Music, Ernie Groom Studied at Berkley School of Music and several others.

The curriculum will be available on line @ http://www.reelting.com and on site in Palm Beach County Florida spring of 2011. The core studies will feature frontline pans and midrange pans. Graduate courses will be available to the professional fraternity spring of 2012. The course studies will take an average of four years to complete the Masters Program or six months to become a “Hummer and Strummer”. The goal of the school is to teach generally accepted music principals and Steel Drum ethics, and to have lots of fun while attending.

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….. It’s on its way to the Guinness World Book of Records!!!

Worlds Largest Steel Drum

On June 25, 2010, The Reel Ting Steel Drum Band introduced the Worlds Largest Steel Drum. The band performed with this new musical Steel drum instrument at a wedding event at the Premier Banquet Hall located in Miami Florida. The Steel Drum measures over 40 inches in diameter and has over five octave ranges. This incredible engineering innovation will revolutionize the way Steel Drums will be designed in the future. The sustained vibrancy, range, residence is triple that of a standard manufactured steel drum instrument.

George Pollis, Steel Drum Musician and Band Manager of Reel Ting Steel Drum Band along with Eric Ness, Master Pan Designer and Master Pan Musician, launched this new Steel Drum into the Steel Drum Community and Pan-Demonium has been re-found. This new Steel Drum covers the ranges from the front line pans, midrange pans and double second pans, double Guitars, double tenor pans and bass pans all in one steel drum. It is very easy to play and other Master Pan Musicians are waiting in line for the next Pan to be manufactured. More Photos’, Audio and Video clips of this new Steel Drum sounds can be found on our YouTube channel.

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Creating an enjoyable party has never been as easy as it is now that there are Caribbean bands available. If you desire to create one of the most enjoyable atmospheres you can possibly create for a party, you will definitely want to look into what a Caribbean band can do for your event. A steel drum band – 5 best parties for a Caribbean band ensemble today, can bring your party to life and make the entire event a smash.

If you want to get your party started as quickly as possible, you will definitely want to consider adding a Caribbean steel drum band to it as soon as you can. This type of addition will practically guarantee your entire party will be dancing as soon as the music starts. Many people like to hire bands like these for birthday parties, because the catchy sound of Caribbean music can easily liven the mood of any birthday party.

Anyone who is creating a corporate event is likely wondering what type of music they should have at their event. It can sometimes be difficult to choose the best musical entertainment available for this type of event, because you can count on many different tastes of music being present in the audience. A band from the Caribbean can make a great option though, because this kind of band is popular amongst many different types of people from all around the world.

Many people are starting to realize that this type of band can make a great addition to a wedding ceremony. Many people often choose the more traditional routes for their music entertainment, but many people are starting to understand that they can break tradition and still create a very pleasing wedding event. Not only can this type of band play the music for your ceremony, but they can also play the music you have at your reception as well, which can be very convenient.

Many couples have been married to the sweet sounds of Caribbean music, especially when the couple decided to bond together through the use of a beach wedding. For some reason, there just isn’t any other form of wedding music that can set the tone of a wedding celebration like Caribbean music can.

It does not matter the type of event you are orchestrating, due to the widely accepted nature of this type of music, you can be positive that everyone will love your band choice if you choose to have a Caribbean band play at your event. This is why large events, like fundraisers and corporate events, love to have this type of music playing in the background. Not only does this music lighten the mood of most events, but this type of music also fits the musical tastes of a diverse audience too.

Many people are even realizing that this type of band can be particularly perfect for a large variety of different events. Even if you are putting together a holiday party, you can still entertain your guests by using the rhythmic tunes provided by a Caribbean band. Even if you are creating a tropical Christmas party, it is likely that you will find the tunes provided by this type of band to be absolutely perfect for your event.

As you can see, from this list of steel drum band – 5 best parties for a Caribbean band, you can easily add a Caribbean band to just about any event to make the event feel alive and entertaining. If you add this type of band to these particular events though, you can be certain that your event will be a total smash.

If you are planning a wedding, you have many things to think about. You should plan the music carefully because it is very important. 3 things to know about a wedding musicians company are what genre of music they can play, what their rates are, and whether or not they can take requests.

Just like everything else at your wedding, the music is up to you. You can choose from countless options of musicians, bands, DJs, or anything else you can think of. Be sure to consider important factors like how much space you have, how loud you can have music, and what kind of music your guests will like the best.

The genre of music should be chosen carefully. Think about some acoustic or soft music to set the mood at the ceremony. For the reception, you will want something mellow during dinner, followed by some great dance music for later. If you are hiring live musicians, make sure they can play what you need.

Keep in mind that live musicians will cost more than a DJ. You will have to feed all the musicians, too. Most bands typically base rates on the number of musicians hired, the length of time they will play for, and possibly even how many guests will be in attendance.

If you have any special request songs, make sure that your musicians are given plenty of notice. Since most bands work from a song list of material they know, remember that special requests could cost you an additional fee.

The Internet is a wonderful resource for finding more information about wedding musicians. You have many options, so look around until you find something that works for you and your budget.

Planning a party takes lots of planning and research. You might want your even to be something special and even different than all the rest. For the best possible event that you could plan, think about using Steel Drum Bands – Island Sound for Your Party. They can make the party an amazing experience for you and your surprised party dwellers.

For a sound and beat that is unusual to most parties, you can try the steel made drum sound. This particular sound is so different that it will be pleasing to your guests ears as they enter the party. While most events have the same kind of bands or DJ’s, you will be the one that proves to be unique.

A good band will get your function moving and dancing to the island sound. Guests will love the sound of the drum and wonder how you found the group providing the music. You may have to hand out cards to people as they leave your party so that they have contact info for the band you selected.

Anytime you hear the drum beat from the islands, you might be reminded of a nice vacation you once had. It can bring back lots of memories and remind you of the summer. The sound is sure to reach every person at the party with its loud and vibrant sound.

The entertainment of your function will be taken care of, by the music sound and the band’s performance. Anyone who has a band that contain this type of instrument is sure to be a lively group with a personality to please any type of crowd. You and your guests will be spoiled by the rich sound and quality performance.

To find Steel Drum Bands – Island Sound for Your Party, you can find them through the internet or you can see if anyone has heard of a good group. Even if one is not listed local, you can ask if they have a higher price to have them sent in. Your event might be amazing and the guests attending will be sure to remember it for a long period.

Those of you who are looking for wedding music might be a little troubled as to what sort of music they are looking for, live wedding music – better than a dj. That’s all we have to say. Yet, you need to know what sort of live music is out here. There’s a ton of it out there. You just have to keep a few things in mind.

For starters, who doesn’t love to have some live entertainment. People who come to your wedding reception will have a much better time because they have will have entertainment that they can enjoy on a visual and auditory level. This all can help drastically to make the people at your reception have a lot better time.

Next, when you hire a live band you have a chance to choose the one type of music that you like. Normally bands will play things they created. They only play one style. For instance, you might get a rock band or things of that nature. This allows you to choose a theme as well.

A live wedding band is better than a DJ as it makes the day feel all that more personal. It’s people who are celebrating with you with live music. Live music is something that you deserve on that special day. Many don’t think of it this way. Yet, it’s something that some people who want people to have a different type of wedding reception should consider.

A wedding band makes it all the more celebration. It adds an atmosphere of elegance. It allows for music to stop and for other things to take place and you don’t have to worry about preparing a list except for what you want played during things such as the garter toss and such. Isn’t it nice to have the rest of it taken care of for you?

All of these reasons are something to consider. It’s something that many debate. So, if you want a great treat when you get married, put the money aside to be able to hire a real band. This can make the night so much more enjoyable. Trust us when it comes to this subject.

Couples from all over the world and even Miami Beach have headed to Key West for decades to enjoy everything this tropical paradise has to offer when it comes to unique weddings. Couples can contact one of the party planners or they can manage the entire process themselves with a few phone calls or some online research. Having a local wedding in Key West is definitely the right choice for many.

Key West enjoys incredible weather almost year round. Other than perhaps a hurricane scare or two during the summer months, weddings can usually go on without a hitch when it comes to surprise weather issues. Even a beach wedding rarely suffers from the occasional afternoon showers.

For an authentic tropical feel, get in touch with the Reel Ting Steel Drum Band. They can handle beach weddings or formal receptions.

Intimate restaurants and beachfront bars have been hosting weddings and receptions quite successfully for years. One of the favorite locals for a truly unique wedding is the historical Hemingway house, the author’s private residence which comes complete with its family of six toes cats, all descendents of his original pets.

Even last minute wedding cakes are no problem. A few local bakeries have become experts in turning standard cakes into beautiful wedding cakes with little notice. Experienced local party planners can even help with last minute hotel rooms – take advantage of the connections they have built up over the years.

Meals, desserts, and local dishes are never a problem to arrange. Between the local restaurants and caterers, there are many options to choose from that will coordinate with the theme you have chosen for your own wedding. Be sure to treat yourself to the local conch, a true seafood delicacy.

Getting to Key West is easy. Land at the small local airport, drive down from Miami, or arrive by boat. Of course, locals can just walk – everything is close by.

Many people dream about their wedding day. They dream of perfection, of every last detail. However they do not dream of ways to make sure that perfect day actually happens and goes according to plan.

If you always dreamed about having a wedding in Key West, you probably dreamed of perfection. In order to achieve this perfection easily you must follow five key secrets.

To begin with, you need to find the perfect beach in order to hold the perfect beach wedding. Ideally, your beach should have fine-grained sand and a calm wake. While many people are fans of big surf and huge waves, large crashing waves could prove to be too loud and distracting for a beach wedding. Also, fine-grained sand would be more comfortable to walk on barefoot after the reception than course, rough sand.

Once you have found a proper beach you must find a beachfront restaurant at which to host your reception. Once you have found this restaurant you should immediately find out the wait – if there is one – for wedding reservations. If you can manage to get a reservation in time for the big day, make sure the restaurant is both to your liking and within your budget and you should be set.

The third secret is to find out what kind of food is offered at the beachfront restaurant. Chances are, any and every beachfront restaurant offers many seafood dishes with a small choice of other dishes. These other dishes are what you will want to focus on, mainly, as not everyone likes seafood. If the restaurant can produce a non-seafood dish that is to your liking it is more than likely a good restaurant to choose.

The fourth secret to having the perfect Key West wedding is to determine what drinks will be offered. Of course you will need non-alcoholic beverages, but those are fairly easy to take care of. What you need to think about is what alcoholic beverages you wish to serve. One fun idea is to offer a signature drink for the men and women at the reception in addition to beer and wine.

The final touch to making your wedding a true dream is hiring a fun band like the Reel Ting Steel Drum Band to play at the reception. Live bands make the wedding reception more fun for both you and the guests, and bands like the Reel Ting Steel Drum Band are perfect for beach weddings due to their tropical nature. You can find more information about the Reel Ting Steel Drum Band at reelting.com, or you can call them at 561-215-7596. Their fee will be determined once you have called with information about the wedding.