Reunion Band

Reunion News

Reunion drummer Tommy was Da Bomb (well, actually the photo bomb) when Andrew was getting his picture taken with Chirs Layton, right, Double Trouble founder and drummer to Stevie Ray Vaughan. The gathering of great percussive minds was courtesy a San Antonio wedding the legendary musician was attending.

4/15/14

The 20th annual 3M Half Marathon brought out the runners, the band, and a brand new disco ball, displayed here by trumpeter Sam at the big race.

1/19/14

Mike Carrell, right, makes his rocking Reunion Band debut at the Oasis on Lake Travis in September. His dad, band founder/keyboardist John Carrell, is at left. A third Carrell, Matt, has played drums with the band on many occasions. Rock on, Mike! 9/2/12

We agree...

8/31/12

About a fourth of a large Austin McCallum HS class -- the class that spawned Reunion -- returned to town for a big summer get-together. Here, Reunion trombonist Kelly Hodge, center, chats with classmates Bob Schacherl, VP for global sales at Vari-Lite, one of the world's most influential entertainment lighting companies, and Martha Root Middleton, whom the band has the pleasure of seeing annually at the 3M Half-Marathon. if you missed the big Mac too-do, don't worry: you have a second chance to join the fun. On Sept. 1, 2012, Reunion plays for the 2012 McCallum Anderson Lanier Mid-'70s Annual Reunion at The Oasis, an event which gets bigger and better every year. Reunion looks forward to another fun-filled Knight Night! 7/22/12

The day after Reunion played a wedding at the UT Golf Team's home course, the Horns won their first national championship in 40 years. It gave us cause to look up the band's record as it relates to playing major Texas sports events. We wish we'd been this good on our recent group lottery purchase:

Nov. 13, 2004, DKR Memorial Stadium, Austin. Reunion plays a pre-kickoff party before Texas overwhelms Oklahoma State 56-35.
Nov. 12, 2005, DKR Memorial Stadium, Austin. This year's bash precedes Vince Young and Texas' 66-14 rout of Kansas en route to a National Championship.
Nov. 4, 2006, DKR Memorial Stadium, Austin. Another Reunion party, another Horn win over Oklahoma State, 36-10.
Oct. 24, 2011, World Series Game 5, The Ballpark in Arlington. The Rangers win 4-2 over the St. Louis Cardinals before Reunion plays the post-party at the stadium.
June 2, 2012, Wedding, UT Golf Club, Austin. Next day the Home Team claims the national crown at Riviera.

If you're keeping score at home, Reunion is batting 1.000 for the current millennium.

Full Disclosure: The band's record in the previous millennium is less impressive. The McCallum High School team made valiant efforts but usually lost and in 1972 Reunion played a presidential campaign rally for George McGovern, left. In the election, Richard Nixon eked out an 18-million-vote victory. 6/3/12

Some Reunion band members still recall drummer Tommy Taylor's words while driving back late one night from a gig in the mid-1970s: "I'm going to play with Chris," he said. Chris, it turned out, was Christopher Cross, the Austin band that made Grammy history in 1980. With Tommy on drums and harmonies, songs such as "Sailing" and "Ride Like the Wind" defined the musical era. In March, on the 32nd anniversary of the band's multi-platinum debut album, The 2012 South by Southwest Austin Music Awards recognized Tommy, at left in the photo above, and Christopher Cross's remarkable achievement with Hall of Fame recognition. The reunited band played a few songs and then Bruce Springsteen took the stage. Quite a night, we'd say. Congratulations, Tommy! And remember: Tommy's still Reunion's drummer which means you get a Hall of Fame show every time Reunion is in the house! 3/19/12

Another year, another milestone. Last year marked 40 years since Reunion played its first downbeat at a small party in Central Austin. Things were decidedly low tech back then, as can be seen in many points along the band timeline here. Then came the internet and Reunion jumped on board with this website. Soon after the calendar flipped to 2012 this reunionband.com website welcomed its 50,000th visitor. We could say we've played for that many people over the years, but undoubtedly the number is much, much higher. And the figure will continue to grow in 2012 as the year kicks off with the band at the Texas Rangers Awards Show and Fan Fest in Arlington as well as the sold out 3M Austin Half Marathon, all in January. It looks like a good year is brewing and for that we offer fifty-thousand thanks. Oh, and Happy New Year! 1/06/12

When Reunion was in its formative years, one of our prime formers was Charlie Hatchett, the ubiquitous talent agent who sent us to gigs around the state. Totally deserving of being celebrated, "Hatch" will be feted on the evening of Oct. 2 at Threadgill's South. He's also featured in the Austin Chronicle. Congrats Charlie -- you da man! 9/29/11

Lorrie is a woman of many talents. Aside from being Reunion's singer, she's quite the impressionistic photographer, too. Her shot of two revelers paints the essence of a Reunion show ala Renoir. "We don't have anything like this in Kansas," they said. 7/9/11

We don't usually put Facebook stuff here, because you can find it here. But a recent performance with the Beatles-esque No. 9 Orchestra by Reunion's Sam Jeffrey elicited this online comment from longtime ensemble member: "Sam absolutely NAILED the piccolo trumpet solo on 'Penny Lane'...NO ONE on earth has ever played it better live since the original recording...absolutely breath removing." Sam has provided countless thrilling moments in Reunion; for sure, he did it again -- and to the biggest ovation of the evening -- as lead trumpet with the No. 9 Orchestra's Magical Mystery Horns at Austin's iconic Threadgill's World HQ. 5/9/11

Give the band a few days off and they scatter. It just so happens that drummer Tommy and singer Lorrie scattered -- and then met up -- in the same locale, saying "bonjour" from atop Paris' Arc de Triomphe. C'est si bon, y'all!!! 4/16/11

In April, the National Recording Preservation Board of the Library of Congress added 25 historic recordings to its registry. Among them were Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" and Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man." Reunion agrees and likes those songs so much that they're part of the band's regular repertoire. Hearing Andrew emulate Al and Lorrie channel Tammy is thrilling to say the least. Listen for them the next time you hear Reunion live! 4/6/11

Three Austin icons are celebrating 40th anniversaries this year. This spring Masters champion Ben Crenshaw marks his 40th consecutive appearance amidst the azaleas of Georgia. Successful local ad agency GSD&M turns two-score in the summer, concurrent with the time that Reunion marks the same milestone. And everyone looks good as they still swing with power and sophistication. That's what living the good life in Austin will do for you. 4/4/11

As noted above, 40 years ago, in 1971, Reunion played its first downbeat. Since then the band has played more than a thousand parties from San Francisco to Shreveport -- but mostly in the great state of Texas. As part of the celebration reunionband.com presents a 1971-2011 Timeline, tracing the band from its humble-but-rocking roots to today. Check out the quips and quotes, photos and recollections here. 3/2/11

One of the great things about being based in

the Live Music Capital of the World is, obviously, the wealth of talent around. Reunion has had its share of quality musicians sit in, as was the case at a recent gig when Bradley Kopp, whose extensive musical credits range from the Tonight Show to Bob Dylan, joined the band for a full set. Thanks, Brad. That was fun! 1/5/11

Scissors, rock, Hook-Em? Peace, power, rock 'n' roll? No, just the Reunion Horns signing in to 2011. Joining Kelly, Sam and Stephen for a festive CenTex New Year's Eve were the Reunion Singers, Andrew and Lorrie, who livened things up with their distinctive vocal stylings, and the Reunion Rhythm Section, Dave, Paul, Tommy, John and Paul, who always rock the house. And this time the 'house' was actually a house! There are more photos from the event here. Thanks, Alicia, for the photos. Reunion wishes you and yours a healthy, happy and prosperous 2011. But may you still party like it's 1999. And speaking of parties, go here for Reunion's 2011 event schedule. 1/2/11

December brought the band to downtown San Antonio, among other locales, to celebrate the season. Above, Andrew puts his own special touch on Feliz Navidad. Reunion wishes you and yours Happy Holidays! 12/20/10

Lovely Lorrie was in fabulous voice, form and

fashion as she knocked 'em down at an early October performance in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. The top-drawer event at the de Young Art Museum included fine food, great

camaraderie, and, of course, Reunion's rockin' repertoire. Oh...and hundreds of millions of dollars' worth world-class art for attendee viewing. Among the works -- Van Gogh's famous self-portrait. Though the band found the city fit, fun and fascinating, don't worry: their hearts are still in Central Texas. 10/6/10

R.I.P.
Willie Coy
c. 1995-Sept. 15, 2010

Faithful companion to Reunion lead singer Andrew Coy.

The Last Will...of an Extremely Distinguished Dog by Eugene O'Neill

9/16/10

It's been noted here before that the Austin McCallum and Anderson classes of the mid-1970s party hearty (and regularly) with the band. Now the classes of the early '70s are getting involved. A recent Oasis gig brought several members of Sam, Paul and Kelly's graduating class out for merriment. In the photo, Sam joins classmate Paul Buford -- Facebooker extraordinaire and coordinator of the Mac gathering -- after the set. Thanks for your efforts, Paul; it was great seeing everyone! 9/3/10

First Dance: "At Last." Father-Daughter Dance: "The Way You Look Tonight." Those, according to reports, were the tunes Chelsea Clinton selected for her special dances following her much-anticipated wedding July 31 in New York. Those very same songs frequently find their way to the top of Reunion's reception repertoire, too. Brides love both the music and message of those classics. Lone Star wedding parties, particularly, are thrilled when Andrew applies his classy vocal interpretations to both tunes as the bride takes to the dance floor with her main men. She may not sport a Vera Wang dress ala the former first daughter but, with Reunion, she can have the very same featured songs that Chelsea had. And when it's a Best of Weddings band involved, she'll have as much fun. Best Wishes Chelsea and Marc for fantastic life together! 8/2/10

You think time travel isn't possible? A recent Reunion booking may prove otherwise. This summer Reunion returns to Austin's famed Sixth Street for partying like it's 1989. The band plays three big shows, Aug. 14, Sept. 18, and Oct. 16 at Maggie Mae's, which will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary. Few clubs accomplish such longevity, especially along Sixth. But Reunion was there when it opened in the mid-80s and will be there in 2010 to help the club celebrate its milestone. Congratulations MM! Now let's party. 7/22/10

Update: We've partied. Sixth Street remains packed, just like the Maggie's dance floor. In the photo, Tommy, Paul, Andrew, Sam, Stephen and Paul manage to rock back through the worm hole to 1987. There was even a Clinton (the band's original keyboardist) sighting. All in all a successful back-to-the-future event. 8/16/10

What's everybody lookin' at? Though Reunion powers The Oasis' party-on-the-lake atmosphere, there's no question who the big star is -- it's, well, a big star. El Sol sets every summer evening during the band's break drawing cameras and lots of oohs and ahhs. The revelers you see above danced to a world-class show band and then witnessed a world-class sunset. Then they danced some more. That's entertainment! 7/18/10

It's social networking time. Become a Reunion Facebook fan before the crowd arrives and get updates on the band and its performances. Go here so we can be friends.

As has been observed here before, the talent level among Reunion members is impressive, indeed. The latest chronicle of that is Reunion vocalist Lorrie Singer's new website. A songstress and narrator of renown, Lorrie always has several projects on the front burner. We're pleased that Reunion is one of them. Check out what Lorrie has been up to here and enjoy her live with Reunion in venues across Texas. 6/23/10

Photo by Selena Quintanilla-Perez

The things that turn up! Buried amongst papers in one band member's house was this previously unpublished, one-of-a-kind photo of a Miami chat between Latin music icons Celia Cruz, left, and Gloria Estefan. So who would have had access to preserve this moment from the 1990s? None other than budding superstar Selena herself. 6/04/10

Austin is awash in way-talented musicians. In the Live Music Capital of the World it's not always enough to be great on one instrument; sometimes local mastery extends across a range of axes. A recent outing in Salado displayed the considerable chops of one Reunion sideman. When band keyboardist John (himself an accomplished multi-instrumentalist) had to miss a recent outing, the band called on Woot Talley, who usually sits in on bass, to man the keyboard. He sang as well. He didn't play guitar...but he could have. And he did it all while looking quite dapper in his tuxedo. 5/11/10

Tommy was environmentally stylish when he strolled into the room for a recent San Antonio society event. His talented beat-keeping feet were shod in blue faux-ostrich leather, a material that drew plenty of attention and Lorrie's iPhone lens. Talk about your boogie shoes! 4/11/10

Sometimes there's just no excuse for brain lapses. Your humble webmaster has erred. Within this site, Scotty Crooks is referred to as Reunion's first guitarist. In fact, our dear friend Scotty was second chronologically. The dubious honor of being first goes to Jim Brauer, a sizzling guitarist now based in Albuquerque. Jim and his lovely lady joined the band recently at The Oasis and set the Reunion webmaster straight. The facts: Jim was there at the band's very formation, naming, and initial downbeat, pictured at right. Indeed, without him, there may be no Reunion. So yes, Jim, of course: you're No. 1! And we couldn't be happier about it. Thanks for the opportunity to correct this inadvertent rewriting of history, best wishes in your exceptional musical endeavors, and Go Isotopes! 3/19/10

Prestigious bridal guide The Knot has released its Best of Weddings list for 2010. Reunion won in the Wedding Band category. Our clients have long told us how they felt, now they're telling The Knot, too. The publication "asked thousands of recent Austin brides what they really thought about their vendors" and listed Reunion among vendors who "came out on top." Thanks, to all the Austin brides and their moms who made this happen. You can add your wedding to Reunion's calendar here and know that it'll be a Top Knot, err...Top Notch event! 3/9/10

Another retouched reproduction of the First Photograph.

Among the treasures of UT-Austin is the first photograph, above left, taken in the 1820s. Among Reunion's new-found treasures is the photographic relic next to it, taken 150 years or so later. It depicts Andrew and early band guitarist, Scotty, surrounded by lovely ladies and a half-dozen empty beer bottles. Cheers! 2/10/10