Chris Culos’ passion for music is undeniable. Not only is he the founding drummer of the critically acclaimed band O.A.R., but he is also a rockstar husband, father, and owner of The Music City All Stars. Culos was born and raised in Rockville, Maryland, where he and his childhood friends made their band debut at their eighth-grade talent show. A few years later, in high school, they officially became O.A.R. From playing house parties to selling out tours worldwide, Culos has gotten to do what many musicians only dream of doing.
In 2002, Chris met his wife, Katie – whom he credits this new venture to - and the pair moved to her hometown of Chicago. In 2013, Katie accepted a position at Vanderbilt, and they decided to plant roots right here in Brentwood, where they are now raising their two young daughters. Back in Chicago, Chris’ close friend, fellow musician, collaborator, and future business partner, Danny Chaimson, had the idea to create a band that people could hire for weddings – only this band would be made up of the city's best musicians. Since many musicians have to wait to work until the touring season comes around, he pondered how great it would be to not only give these musicians more opportunities to perform but also to give brides and grooms the chance to give their guests a night they will talk about for years to come! Danny began recruiting band members of acts with household names, and before he knew it, the idea had taken off. He soon had four bands based in Chicago and one on the West Coast - all under the name Gold Coast Events.
There was no question that this concept would thrive in a city known for music. Given that the two friends had bonded through the years over their mutual love of music, Danny enlisted Chris to head up The Music City All Stars crew.
After a decade of residing in Tennessee, The Music City All Stars launched in 2023. While speaking on how he found the musicians to make up the band, Chris shared, “My first calls were to friends I toured with, then to some other musicians I became close with once I moved here. [I told them] this was going to be a real band made up of some of the best original artists around. I was looking for musicians whose day jobs are playing in front of thousands of people.”
With a variety of professional touring musicians on the roster, including vocalists who were finalists on American Idol and The Voice, The Music City All Stars feature two female vocalists, two male vocalists, and a rapper. This way, they can authentically hit every different kind of music genre and deliver a truly concert-like experience. To top it off, clients get to choose the songs they want played from the array of tracks included in their song catalog. With the goal of ditching the cliché wedding tracks, this approach has been very successful among clients.
“I truly enjoy being a part of celebrating such a special day for our clients – it’s an honor! I get to learn so many new songs… [revisiting classics I thought I knew] has been one of the best learning experiences of my life,” Chris shares. “[Being the drummer for The Music City All Stars] has helped me evolve as a musician myself.”
In addition to high-end weddings, The Music City All Stars play corporate events, fundraisers, etc.
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“[Being the drummer for The Music City All Stars] has helped me evolve as a musician myself.”