The holiday season kicked off with an epic wedding celebration for Paul and Carrie Drennan on December 21, 2024, at The Winter Park Farmers’ Market in Winter Park Florida. Love and rock n’ roll filled the evening for the happy couple surrounded by friends and family.
The night started with the band The New Collective playing inside the hall as the guests arrived for this once-in-a-lifetime event. The New Collective appears to be a new band that started at the end of summer due to their limited footprint on social media. Although, of the five bands scheduled to play the event, The New Collective was the only band that Paul Drennan hadn’t played with. This was fitting as Paul had more important things to do as he prepared for his matrimony vows.
The crowd enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while waiting for the bridal party to arrive. After some time, the bride and her entourage playfully came across the street. Carrie Drennan looked absolutely stunning in a gorgeous black dress. Her sister, Fern, sought out Paul who was enjoying the band inside the hall, and brought him outside to join Carrie for their walk down the aisle. In honor of Carrie’s father, Paul escorted his bride down the aisle. The couple took their vows at the end of the outside deck next to the train tracks. Paul Drennan is a guitar and bass player whose career has graced the stages alongside Billy Gibbons, George Lynch, 38 Special, Jeff Blando, Will Hunt, and local Orlando bands, Three Forks Road, Blandini, and most recently Black Diamond. Paul was outshined on this night by his bride Carrie’s beauty, as it should have been.
The most remarkable and amusing moment during the celebration was when Paul’s longtime friend, The Reverend Richie Compton, who is also the bass player in Paul’s band Three Forks Road, was about to say, “I now pronounce you man and wife.” Suddenly, the train crossing in the background lit up with flashing red lights and bells rang out as the Sunrail passed briefly delaying the ceremony. Everyone got a full laugh at the pause in the ceremony which then continued without a hitch and the couple was married.
Witnesses to the union were best man Jeff Blando, groomsmen Kevin Barrett and Terry Young. Maids of Honor, Terri Drennan, Fern Smooke, Susan Marzina, Diane Valad, and Silvia Barnard aka The L’il Abner Mob.
The New Collective has a fresh sound as they perform covers that most bands today don’t have in their setlist—songs from bands Bush, Collective Soul, and Creed to name a few. They were very good and a great way to start the festivities as the guests arrived.
The New Collective Band:
Chris Nicoletti – Guitar /Vocals
Scott Bennett – Bass / Vocals
Mikey Mulet – Drums / Vocals
Three Forks Road was next up without lead singer Rod (Rodzilla) Maurice. This is a blues-oriented band in which Paul Drennan plays lead guitar with “The Reverend” Richie Compton playing bass guitar/vocals, Dominick Loria on keys, and Kevin Barrett on drums.
Three Forks Road Band:
Paul Drennan – Guitar
Kevin Barrett – Drums
Richie Compton – Bass Guitar/Vocals
Dominick Loria – Keyboards
Richie took a seat, and Mark and Jena Loria joined Paul, Dominik, and Kevin. Black Diamond was the next on stage with a great set. The band is very dynamic, as four of the five members sing with harmonies, and the range of material performed is quite diverse. Black Diamond has a really full-band sound.
Black Diamond Band:
Jena Crute Loria – Vocals
Mark Loria – Guitar/Vocals
Dominik Loria – Guitar/Mandolin/Keyboards/Vocals
Paul Drennan – Guitar/Bass/Vocals
Kevin Barrett – Drums
When Blandini hit the stage the party was in full swing. Guitar and vocalist Jeff Blando of Slaughter/Vince Neil along with Paul Drennan Three Forks Road/Black Diamond/38 Special on bass, and drummer Will Hunt of Evanescence/Heros and Monsters are a hard-hitting rock band covering Dio, Led Zeppelin, White Snake, Black Sabbath and more. Not to be outdone by their husbands, their wives came on stage to support and shake it with their spouses. This might have been the most fun of the reception as the crowd hooted and hollered cheering the ladies on. It was all smiles on everyone in attendance.
When these men aren’t touring, they get together and bring their love for music to Central Florida. The trio also performs in multiple states under the name Music Mob for corporate events.
Blandini Band:
Jeff Blando – Lead Guitar/Vocals
Paul Drennan – Bass Guitar
Will Hunt – Drums
The final jam of the evening was an all-star lineup with three musicians from 38 Special, lead guitarist Jerry Riggs, bass player Barry Dunaway, and drummer Gary Moffatt. Without 38 Special singer Don Barnes in attendance, vocals were handled by Chris Nicoletti from The New Collective, Jena Crute Loria of Black Diamond, Jeff Blando of Slaughter/Vince Neil/Blandini, and Jerry Riggs of 38 Special. Riggs took the vocals with Blando on “All Right Now” the 1970’s hit by the band Free. It was a really great jam by exceptional musicians.
38 Special and Guests:
Gary Moffatt – Drums
Jerry Riggs – Guitar
Paul Drennan – Bass
Barry Dunaway – Bass
Jeff Blando – Lead Guitar/Vocals
Chris Nicoletti – Guitar /Vocals
Jena Crute Loria – Vocals
The night and entertainment came to a close with the Best Man’s speech and toast to the newlyweds.
What a great wedding, Thank You!
Cheers, Mr. and Mrs. Drennan!
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Photographer and Editor/Founder of AllMusicMagazine.com. My love of live music has taken me to incredible experiences with the top bands of all time in stadium shows to the smallest venues with equally inspiring musicians. Using the medium of photography and my publication, these memories will last forever.
