A classic big band era oldies jazz band that plays the most popular jazz of the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's - with an occasional surprise thrown into the mix. Their current surprise is guest singer Leigh Ann Singleton.

Featuring Mary Grace Lodico on keyboard,  Bill "Doc" Stecher on synthesizer, Rick Eilerts on upright bass, George Jones on guitar and Alan McRae on drums, this classic oldies jazz quintet can transport you back in time via the romantic music of the Big Band Era - a classier & more civilized era when couples "dressed to the nine's" for an elegant evening out on the town. Lots of slow dances, waltzes, some swing and an occasional Latin number will get everyone onto the dance floor at some point during a performance, and your ears will appreciate their "easy listening" style that won't drown out your dinner conversation.

Click HERE for Performance Calendar

View our Entire Playlist repertoire of over 350 tunes!

Bookings Wanted: The Wildcats are always looking for classy venues to play their easy listening classic oldies jazz music, romantic ballads and ballroom dance numbers. They currently offer a special Oldies Night Show HERE. 
Call Alan McRae at 828-226-0136 for booking info.

Waynesville Wildcats

Mary Grace Lodico I have played the piano by ear since I was a very young child.  Although I also took lessons, I find my ear my most helpful guide.  I played the piano for senior games and won at both the local and state levels.  Mary Grace keeps the whole band on track with her sensitive keyboard accompaniment, and her years in a barbershop quartet have prepared her well for working with gifted singers. Bill "Doc" Stecher Piano lessons from age four to twelve; guitar since age 14; vibraharp in high school, organ along the way, electric bass as an adult—all these because music is as natural to me as the air we breathe. Thank goodness I have an ear, since I’m terrible at sight-reading! Although I love the classics— listen to them all day long—I don’t dare try to play them  because it’s hard not to improvise!  I’ve been into jazz, swing, Latin, “popular,” and Christian music in many venues for almost 70 years. Finding the like-minded talented musicians of the Waynesville Wildcats has been a wonderful joy! Rick Eilerts - toured with the Ernie Fields band, and had a 9 piece dance band in college that played the Shadowlake Resort in Noel, MO. Played professionally with Jim Ed Brown and his two sisters (Maxine & Bonnie) Backed up Bob Hope in a show and the Mills Brothers in another show. He played a lot of college Frat/Sorority formal dances and formal affairs at Tulsa and Okla City country clubs.  Over the years I have played with small combos mostly blues and jazz tunes and backing a vocalist. Most of my recent playing has been bluegrass and church music. I did play at the Haywood Arts Theatre the musical Phantom Of The Opera and the music of about 6 Broadway plays. Alan McRae I "rediscovered" the joy of playing music after breathing in the spirit of the Smoky Mountains for a few years. It started with playing drums around a campfire during drum circles, progressed to playing the Bodhran in a terrific Celtic Band called Celtic Knot, and now I'm blessed to be playing drums on some of the sweetest old jazz standards in the genre with some wonderful people who really want to make music together. I'm mostly a brush man on the drums because I like people to hear every note of a good song.  Thank you God! George Jones – Born and raised in South Jersey, started studying guitar at 14.  Early interests were old standards and jazz, but over the years I have also began playing light rock, blues, pop and a bit of everything.  I began playing professionally in various clubs and show venues throughout the Philadelphia area, Atlantic City and Wildwood NJ, and Washington DC. Backed up many artists, including The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Fats Domino, Four Freshmen, Frank Sinatra Jr, and Little Anthony and the Imperials. Currently residing in Cocoa Beach, FL and Haywood County.

Guest Musicians:

If you're invited to sit in with us, please either:

1. Download this PLAYLIST, use Wordpad or Word to place an X next to each tune you know, then email your edited playlist to alan.mcrae@charter.net.
   
   or
   
   
2. Print out this PLAYLIST, use a pen to check off the tunes you're familiar with, and then get your printed playlist to Alan McRae.

We will give performance priority to the tunes that you have indicated are familiar to you, so that sitting in with us will be as easy as possible for you.

Guest Singers

Leigh Ann Singleton A superb oldies jazz singer with the perfect voice and styling for any event or venue. The band fell in love with her vocals within two minutes of her audition - she has the kind of voice that instrumental musicians love to play behind. Her husband, David, who is a darn fine upright bass player himself, says she even sings around the house while doing chores. If you don't believe in angels, you will after you hear this lady sing. www.myspace.com/jazzscatz100  Eve St. Claire A classic jazz night club singer with a powerful voice that really swings. Our local ballroom dancers need to get ready - Eve is going to rock your world. Greg Mays A terrific Motown and R&B singer who is now proving his virtuosity in the jazz world, as well. If you love rich, golden toned vocals then you must come listen to this guy sing.

Sample MP3 demo recordings  - in-process...

Places we have played:

Winchester Creek Country Club		Clyde Central Methodist Church
Creative Thought Center		Smokey Shadows Lodge
Gazebo at Jude's		Ceviches On Main Restaurant
Terrace Hotel		The Gateway Club
Grandview Lodge		Lambuth Inn

Awards:

The Waynesville Wildcats won the 2008 North Carolina Senior Games Silver Arts Competition for Haywood County and the Gold Medal for Small Instrumental Group at the NCSG State Finals in Raleigh.