Business Details
45 Years
experience
Your Premier Live Band for Weddings & Events
Founded in 1981 by vocalist, keyboardist, and bassist Gary Hartson, Kicks Band has established itself as Southern California's premier variety dance band. With over four decades of experience, we specialize in delivering high-energy live music tailored to weddings, corporate events, galas, and private celebrations. Our versatile repertoire spans six decades, from Motown and 70s rock to contemporary hits, ensuring every audience remains engaged. Trusted by top event planners and venues, we offer flexible band sizes ranging from four-piece ensembles to nine-piece groups with live horns. Our commitment to excellence includes professional DJ services for seamless transitions, state-of-the-art sound systems, and personalized event coordination. Recognized for over 1,000 successful performances globally, we combine musical expertise with industry-leading professionalism to create unforgettable experiences.Our team of seasoned musicians, five of whom are lead vocalists, delivers unmatched harmonies and adaptability to suit any event's vision. Serving California, Nevada, Arizona, and international locations, we prioritize client satisfaction through meticulous attention to detail and a proven track record of exceeding expectations. From intimate ceremonies to large-scale corporate functions, Kicks Band guarantees an electrifying atmosphere that keeps guests on the dance floor. Our dedication to quality entertainment remains unwavering, making us the go-to choice for event planners seeking reliable, top-tier musical performances.
Services
Wedding Music
Corporate Event Band
Jazz Performances
Tribute Bands
DJ Services
Live Music Entertainment
Event Sound Support
International Touring
Custom Song Requests
Multimedia Integration
Details
- Year established: 1981
Highlights and features
- Over 1,000 private performances since 1981
- Flexible band sizes from 4 to 9 musicians
- Professional DJ included for seamless transitions
- Trusted by leading event planners nationwide
- Versatile repertoire spanning six musical decades
What people say
Unforgettable experience
Guests loved it
High energy
Perfect atmosphere
Seamless performance
Services
Wedding Music Bands
Kicks Band specializes in creating magical wedding atmospheres with tailored musical experiences. Our expert musicians deliver elegant dinner music and high-energy dance sets that keep guests engaged throughout celebrations. With over 600 weddings performed in 25 years, we offer customizable band sizes from intimate quartets to full nine-piece ensembles with live horns. Our comprehensive packages include professional DJ/emcee services, state-of-the-art sound systems, and multimedia support for displaying special moments during receptions.
Corporate Event Entertainment
We provide dynamic live music solutions for corporate functions ranging from small business gatherings to large-scale conferences. Our versatile repertoire spans six decades of hits, ensuring broad audience appeal at company events. With experience performing for major corporations globally, we offer flexible band configurations and professional production equipment to match any venue's requirements. Our seamless transitions between live performances and DJ sets maintain continuous energy throughout business networking events and award ceremonies.
Jazz Performances
Our skilled jazz musicians create sophisticated ambiance for cocktail hours and special occasions. Featuring smooth jazz renditions of classic standards and contemporary favorites, these performances enhance upscale events with refined musicality. The ensemble adapts to various settings, from intimate gatherings to large venue performances, maintaining exceptional musical quality. Our jazz offerings complement weddings, corporate events, and private parties with elegant background music that impresses discerning audiences.
Tribute Bands
Kicks Band delivers authentic tribute performances celebrating legendary artists and musical eras. Our musicians expertly recreate the sound and energy of iconic acts from The Beatles to Bruno Mars, perfect for themed events and music festivals. These high-quality tributes capture original artists' essence while maintaining our signature energetic stage presence. Available for special engagements requiring specific musical styles or era-specific entertainment experiences.
Event Sound Support
We provide comprehensive sound solutions including professional-grade audio equipment and technical support for ceremonies and events. Our offerings include microphones for officiants, wireless systems for vocalists, and full sound reinforcement for large venues. The state-of-the-art equipment ensures crystal-clear audio quality for vows, speeches, and musical performances. Our technical team handles setup, operation, and coordination with venue requirements for flawless audio execution.
People
Gary Hartson
Founder & Bandleader
Gary Hartson founded Kicks Band in 1981 and has led the band as vocalist, keyboardist, and bassist. With decades of performance experience, he ensures musical excellence and client satisfaction. His leadership has established Kicks Band as Southern California's premier dance band.
Questions
What types of events do you perform at?
We perform at weddings, corporate events, galas, charity functions, festivals, and private celebrations of all sizes.
Can you customize your music selection?
Yes, our versatile repertoire spans six decades and multiple genres, with customizable setlists to match your event's vibe.
Do you provide sound equipment?
We include professional-grade sound systems, microphones, and technical support for ceremonies and receptions.
How many musicians perform?
We offer flexible configurations from 4-piece ensembles to full 9-piece bands with live horns.
Do you offer DJ services?
Yes, all packages include a professional DJ/emcee to maintain continuous energy between live sets.
Can you perform internationally?
We've performed globally and can travel for events worldwide with proper logistical arrangements.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Emilee V.
Nov 19, 2018
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This review is for Gary (part of Kicks band) who was the DJ for my wedding Oct 27th 2018. He has been the DJ for over 200 weddings and has loads of experience yet is so affordable! He kept everything on track and was so fun and easy going. PERFECT for the wedding. I had multiple guests coming up to me telling me how great the DJ was. He's super nice and professional, easy to get ahold of, and had lots of great suggestions when I had questions. Thanks SO MUCH for making my wedding so special!
Caroline H.
Jan 19, 2018
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Kicks performed at my wedding and wow- the group did a great job entertaining the guests. They really gage the audience and know what to play to get the crowd going. They also guided us with our wedding timeline and it made the whole event go smooth without a dull moment for our guests. Our guests left our wedding stating it was the best wedding they have ever been to and everyone had a blast. Gary provided, DJ, music, lights, guitar player for the ceremony and an awesome band. The band members were so GOOD LOOKING and dressed nice to the wedding, and sang and danced on stage. GREAT ENTERTAINMENT- which can make or break a WEDDING.
Cicely P.
Feb 21, 2017
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My guests and I were thoroughly impressed with Kicks band at our wedding last month! They have a great list of fun songs perfect for all ages to dance all night. Gary also helped contract a string trio for the ceremony at the Prado. I was sold after watching performance videos of several local bands online- they are definitely the best! Highly recommend.
Megan F.
Jul 17, 2014
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These guys played our wedding last weekend and we are so happy and impressed. Many of our guests said they had not danced so much at a wedding in years! The band can sing pretty much anything and in most cases they sound better than the original artist! Gary is super helpful and knows exactly what he is doing to make things go smoothly. We also had their steel drum player do the music for our ceremony and it added a great touch to our waterfront wedding. Thank you, thank you!
