9/27: So Long To Summer Fest in Gilbert
by Srianthi Perera - Sept. 20, 2008 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

Gilbert helps residents bid adieu to summer with the annual So Long To Summer Fest on Sept. 27 at the 5-acre Freestone Park Ballfield Complex.

In its 17th year, the festival offers a full slate of amusements. Festival-goers can take a ride on a tethered hot-air balloon, and attractions, geared for the whole family, include rides, games, inflatable bouncies, a climbing wall, a toddler area and interactive activities. A food and beverage court is available. The event ends literally with a bang - fireworks start at 10 p.m.

Mercy Gilbert Medical Center presents the event and the Town of Gilbert's Community Services Department produces it.

The Music

KC Blues Band and CC Ryder Express provide the music. The headlining CC Ryder Express has played at several past festivals. Bobby Van Rooy created the Mesa band 14 years ago. Its members are professional musicians who have played with international music names.

Van Rooy, the male lead vocalist, has played in bands that worked with Sonny & Cher, Dionne Warwick,  the Osmonds and the Righteous Brothers.

Drummer Fred Alwag has played for Donna Summer, Willie Nelson and Spencer Davis.

Lead vocalist and harmonica player Lucinda Chatfield sang with the Righteous Brothers for 12 years.

The members hold full-time jobs, as well. Singer, flutist and drummer Bob Crispin is principal of Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies. Jeff Van Dusen is band director of Gilbert Junior High. Keyboardist Curt Brodsky teaches at Red Mountain High.

With many years of combined experience, the band plays a broad repertoire - music from the 1950s to today's hits. Also, they enjoy a challenge.

"We engage in a lot of music that most bands cannot execute. Some of our numbers have a high difficulty factor. It's not the same old, same old tunes," Van Rooy said, citing as examples Tower of Power's Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Blood, Sweat and Tears hits, and a Chicago medley with long intricate classical snippets.

For the concert, Van Rooy plans to play music that audiences "probably haven't heard in a long time." The lineup includes numbers from Maroon Five, Beyonce and the Brian Seltzer Orchestra.

What was the secret to the band's longevity?

"I've learned to have an open mind and an open heart," Van Rooy said. "The music business is creative, and you've got to let people be creative."
 

March 27, 2007

Dear Bobby,

Tonight is the last night of family guests at our house, so things have been very busy since our wedding on March 17 and I have not had an opportunity to write sooner, but I want to thank you and all the members of CC Ryder for making our wedding fabulously fun for all our guests.

From the moment on the engagement we knew that the band would be the most crucial factor in the success of our wedding, and it was. We beautiful weather, a spectacular outdoor setting, delicious food, gorgeous flowers, but what all the guests will remember the most was the great party! Thanks to the CC Ryder Band, the dance floor was full from the opening dance of the bride and groom to the final dance which left many hanging on the dance floor wanting more.

At the conclusion of the father /daughter dance, "My Girl", George said, "that sounded just like the original!" Your horns were wonderful! You read the crowd perfectly, slowing it down only when we were all breathless and needed a rest. Your long sets and short breaks were also very much appreciated.

Thank you for being such good sports when our family want-to-bes took the stage. A very common event for my brother-in-law who never misses an opportunity to party to the max!

Can't wait to attend another party when you are performing!

Many, Many. Thanks!!!!

Sincerely,
George and Betn Henry

October 29, 2006

Bobby & Karen Van Rooy
CC Ryder Express
P.O. Box 42171
Mesa , AZ 85274-2171

Re: Skipton/Berg Wedding

Dear Bobby & Karen:

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the outstanding music that you provided for my daughter's wedding. You guys really came through for us when everyone was seated to start the wedding march and we then realized that we had forgotten to bring the CD with the music on it. Thank you so much for rushing to
get PA's and keyboards uncased and for playing the song live; that was truly incredible.

I have been to many weddings over the years and honestly you guys are the best. From the brass, to the vocals, to that awesome lead guitar, you are all truly gifted musicians. I have never seen a wedding jump to the dance floor like our wedding did after the parent dances were finished. CC Ryder Express' choice of songs and musical abilities make if very hard to stay seated.

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for your band's efforts in making my little girl's wedding day the most special day of her/our lives. Please keep us on your mailing list, as we would love to come out and see you guys again sometime soon and please feel free to use me as a business reference for future jobs.

Most sincerely yours,

David Skipton,
Proud Father of the Bride

Bobby and Karen,

Thank you for your heartfelt e-mail. You and the band really made the event even better than we had envisioned. It is somewhat scary planning a destination wedding. You are very perceptive though. We trust our instincts and go with what feels right. Jeff said he just had a really good feeling about you, Karen, and the band. We told ourselves early on we would "roll with the punches." People will remember our wedding for years to come.

The fun started with the ceremony. It was BEAUTIFUL, and the musicians were perfect. The dance floor was packed the entire evening, even after the band stopped. Nobody wanted it to end. People were just raving about you!

Please send our best to Karen. Thank you for making our wedding absolutely wonderful!

Janna and Jeff O'Neill

Customer Feedback

People remember the band, not the food or the wedding cake. This band flat gets it done. If you want your guests blown away by the band, CC Ryder Express is the "Golden Ticket", end of story!!

Customer Ratings

On a scale of 1 to 5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), how would you rate C.C. Ryder Express in terms of their professionalism? 5

On a scale of 1 to 5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), how would you rate C.C. Ryder Express in terms of their overall talent? 5

On a scale of 1 to 5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), how accommodating was C.C. Ryder Express in handling special requests for your event? 5

On a scale of 1 to 5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), how strongly would you recommend C.C. Ryder Express to a friend? 5

And finally, on a scale of 1 to 5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), how would you rate your overall satisfaction with C.C. Ryder Express? 5

Dear Bobby, Karen and the musicians and crew of C.C. RYDER,

Having recently celebrated my first anniversary it occurred to me to thank you again for your incredible performance at our wedding. Throughout the year our friends and family continue to rave about the great music and great time at the wedding. We were so impressed that you took the time to learn our wedding song and I will always have great memories of Mike's grandmother dancing "the touch!" The evening could not have been more of a success.

Thank you again!!

Susan & Mike Strassner

Hi Karen,

Thank you again for all your help. Your kind preparation to making our event a memorable one was more than appreciated.

I received many compliments on the performance of your group. Charlene was terrific! Bobby truly was the life of the party. Everyone loved him. And Bob (Barbara's husband) is still asking what was going on? Ha! Ha!

Chuck, Valerie my ENTIRE Family and Friends really thought you ALL were FABULOUS!

Thank you! Thank you! for being so PERFECT!

Now being, I came Home with NO Brochures, can you please forward some to me in the mail with a few business cards? We speak highly of you. I will kindly promote your services. Hopefully, I will have another opportunity to see you both again in the future.

Keep me on your email list for public events, or whenever you have a moment to say hello. I would truly love for you to keep in touch.

Sincerely, with a great pleasure, have a great summer!

Mary Cutaia

Dear CC Ryder,

Jeromy, myself and our families would like to thank you all very much for making our Wedding Reception spectacular. We were extremely pleased with the band. The music was great and kept everyone on the dance floor. Your professionalism and diligence to keep the reception on schedule were greatly Appreciated. Our guests were very impressed and we received numerous comments and compliments on our great band. A special thank you for allowing Rob and his "backup girls" to join on stage for "Mustang Sally". I would highly recommend CC Ryder Express to anyone looking for a great band to make their wedding reception
stand out from the rest.

With Appreciation,

Tammy Brink (Wopnford)

Dear Bobby and Karen,

I just wanted to drop you a note of thanks. I have never been so moved or blow away by a group as I was by your band. Wow! Gary had told me about you guys, but I needed to see it for myself. You exceeded any and every expectation that I had.

I didn't expect our guests to be a dancing crowd, but you had them out on the floor in no time! I can't tell you how many compliments I received from our guests and still continue to receive.

Again, you did a wonderful job and I can't thank you enough. You and your crew are second to none!

Sincerely,

Karla Galliford

Dear Bobby,

I want to thank you and your band for the wonderful evening you provided for our annual fund-raising Mardi Gras celebration. We really danced the night away! We not only enjoyed the evening, but I could tell your band did also. You guys were great to work with and I would recommend your band to any function that wants to have a great time! I wish you continued success and look forward to working with you again.

Sincerely,

Cyndi Trybus
Chairperson of the Mardi Gras Celebration, St. Bernard's Catholic Church

April 17th 2000

Dear Bobby,

Your band C.C. Ryder Express is awesome! Everyone enjoyed your music greatly. "Daddy's Little Girl" has never sounded better. The vote was… You're the "BEST" band we've ever had. A sure sign of a successful party is lots of people dancing. We could have used a larger floor.

Thank you for a great performance. Hopefully all will work out for next year. We are still working on our date. As soon as we know we will call you.

We look forward to working with you again. Best wishes to you and we hope you have a fun and successful year.

Sincerely,
Ann Hawkins
Silver Circle Chairwoman

December 21st 1998

Our party was awesome Saturday night. The band was great. Great sounds, awesome look and professionalism, and they got people involved.

In fact, we'd love to have the band again. Are they available next year? We'd have our 1999 party on December 18th location yet to be determined.

Please let us know. Thanks again and have a joyous Holiday Season!

Sincerely,

Shea Homes
Joyce Manigold
Administration and Human Resources

December 17, 1998

Dear Bobby,

What a difference a band makes! C.C. Ryder Express was absolutely the hit of the JDS Holiday Party. It has been all positive feedback regarding the band and their performance. Your hard work and dedication are certainly evident. Hopefully we can do it again next year. I will be in touch.

Thank you again. It was a pleasure working with you. Happy Holidays to you and all the band members.

Best Regards,

Midge Ellis
JDS Software Group, Inc.

March 6, 1997

Dear Bobby,

Just a quick note to thank you and your band C.C. Ryder Express, for your contribution to the success of the Radio Waves Classic Car Show the past two years. When there are so many other details to attend to with an undertaking as large as the car show, it is comforting to know that the band is reliable and puts on a fabulous show every time!

I would highly recommend your band to any group interested in a show of high energy and fun. If I can ever be of service to you or if you need a reference, please do not hesitate to use my name.

Sincerely,

W. Steven Martin
CMA Radio Personality of the Year
KNIX.FM 102.5

January 27,

1997To Whom it May Concern,

KOOL 94.5 has worked with Bobby Van Rooy and his group for several years now, and we have found each and every experience to be an enjoyable one. Bobby has always been very professional from start to finish of every gig.

We have used him at very large stadium events where attendance was in the thousands. And we've used him with smaller, more intimate promotions where the audience totaled just several hundred. Bobby and his group have always given us their best no matter what size the event would be.

I consider his/their talent to be on a National or even International scale. Talk about someone waiting to be discovered - these guys are it!

I highly recommend him and we look forward to future promotions with Bobby and the Gang!

Tom Peake
Assistant PD
KOOL 94.5

February 22, 2001

Bobby,

I am sorry I didn't get to see you after the Arizona Senior Olympics Opening Ceremonies last Saturday. Things got a little crazy, and by the time I made it back onto the field, you were gone. I wanted to make sure that you and your band know how much I enjoyed your performance. The Senior Olympians, Guests, and
Board of Directors loved you!

I really appreciate your flexibility with the program and of course your Anthem performance was spectacular!

It's always a pleasure to work with your group, and I look forward to our next booking.

Thanks again Bobby!

Regards,

Kelly Fetherston
Select Artists Associates
 

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