Artist ID: 432
For more than 20 years The Maxx has been spreading the spirit and energy of its music all over the world. Since it's founding in the early 1980's at Atlanta's Therrell High School and Northside School For The Performing Arts the band has performed at more than three thousand events, for more than one million people on four continents. Today, founding members Rod Whittaker (bass/keyboards/vocals), Leroy "Roc" Lovelace (sax/vocals), Steven Rollins (guitar/vocals) and former active member now manager Tony Cooper are joined by more recent arrivals, Rainy Middleton (vocals), Darnell Springer (trumpet/keyboards/vocals) and Jimmy Calhoun (drummer) on a mission to carry they're innovative and authentic live performances to an even wider audience.
The band spent its first two years playing nightclubs, high school dances, college parties, amusement parks and concerts in and around Atlanta but quickly expanded their horizons up the East Coast and into Canada while it's members where still in high school. They made weekend trips to surrounding states, toured more extensively during the summer and appeared in concert with Kool & The Gang, The Commodores, Chubby Checker, Archie Bell & The Drells, Cheap Trick and James Brown. This early experience set the foundation for excellence that has been the band's calling card throughout its career.
In 1983 after most of the members had finished high school and were now in college at Georgia State University, the band started to narrow it's focus to the college market. For the next seven years they played at hundreds of colleges and college clubs in the Southeast, Midwest, South Central and Northeastern United States and were nominated for Campus Entertainer of the year four years in a row by the National Association for Campus Activities. During this time the band purchased a small studio and started writing, recording and performing their own music. As their original music became more and more popular with their live audience, record companies also began to take note. The band was courted by some of the biggest companies in the industry, but as the R&B side of the music industry went away from bands and more towards rap acts and solo artists the group decided to go in another direction and in 1990 another important chapter in the band's life began.
That year the band returned from a summer tour of Japan with a new direction. After spending the first ten years of their career playing almost exclusively to college audiences the band was ready for a new challenge and in the Winter of 1991 they began a journey that has take them to a new and ever expanding audience.
They've performed for: The United Way Children's Miracle Network American Heart Association American Cancer Society American Diabetes Association American Red Cross Washington Wizards - NBA Hendrick Motor Sports - NASCAR NFL Players Association Carolina Hurricanes - NHL Family Circle Cup - USTA United States Tennis Association Atlanta Steeple Chase Carolina Panthers - NFL New Orleans Hornets - NFL Atlanta Hawks - NBA Kraft Foods Delta Airlines General Electric Microsoft Coca Cola Company Pepsi Glaxo Smith Kline - London US Chamber Of Commerce Bayside - Tokyo, Japan Premier Cruise Lines Countless country clubs, Fairs, Festivals, Conventions, Casinos, Amusement Parks, Resorts, and Weddings.
WOW!
The Maxx was amazing! I could not have asked for a better band to play at our wedding. If you only knew how many people have written me to tell me how much they loved the band. What I loved most about the band was their ability to get the crowd involved in a classy way. I don't know if that makes any sense, but, I feel like bands have a tendency to be "in your face" about getting the crowd to have fun...but The Maxx was perfect. Young and old alike were dancing until midnight. I also appreciated that they honored my request for the happy birthday songs and for the "Midnight Train to Georgia." They were wonderful. Not to mention, they even got the wedding planner to sing a bit in an attempt to distract her so we could dance longer!
June Weltner
The Maxx was great. They did a wonderful job and everyone kept asking me who the band was. Everyone danced including us old ones. Also the the Augusta Country Club found them easy to work with and my wedding coordinator enjoyed working with them. I would highly recommend the Maxx.
Avis Yount
THE MAXX was absolutely phenomenal!! Everyone had a fabulous time ... and the only regrets we heard .... was when they had to stop playing because it was time for the reception to end!!!
We highly recommend them to anyone who wants to make their party or reception a truly enjoyable occasion! In fact, we're trying to figure out how we can get them to play for something else in the future!! (We don't have any more daughters so there won't be any more wedding planning for us; however, we will certainly remember them when our son gets engaged ..... which will probably be a while since he is enjoying his time at UGA and does not want to get too serious about any one girl!)
Thank you, Rick, for your professionalism and I, also, loved working with Tony Cooper. He was so good about making certain all questions were answered and we were aware of the schedule, etc.
Jean & Steve Ellis
Wedding Reception
The Maxx was incredible! As my daughter just said..."We love them!!! They totally engage the audience. They made the party!! That was the best graduation party any of us has ever been to, and it was because of The Maxx." Many, many people came up last night and thanked me for getting The Maxx, and also, many people wanted me to send them information about the band, so they could book them in the future. Not only was the music great, but they just have a knack for reading the audience and knowing what to do. Also, some of us were saying last night, it's obvious that they enjoy what they do. They always look like they are having a great time, and I think that is infectious. I just can't say enough great things about The Maxx. They will continue to be my first choice!!
Lisa Hay
Hey Ed,
The band was excellent. I can't say enough about them and things you probably already know. There were so many bands to choose from it was hard deciding on one. I am glad we chose them. I have not heard one negative comment so far. So many people commented on how diverse they were and it is so important to please everyone. Most of our CEOS are German and I was worried they wouldn't be able to relate but boy was I wrong. They were just we needed for the greatest Xmas party our company has ever held. KUDOS to THE MAXX. The were wonderful. They did exactly as we asked. We definitely will keep them in mind for future events. And by the way a co worker of mine is a member of some moose lodge out here and they were asking for contact information for future events. I will surely recommend them.
Thanks again!
Anna McDonald
Property Damage Claims Coordingator/Continental Tire North America, Inc.
Truly, there are not enough adjectives to describe The Maxx. They were absolutely incredible. Aside from being extremely talented musicians, they are fabulous performers. They got everyone, young and old, involved in the celebration and on the dance floor. Additionally, they were professional in every aspect of the job. I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants a fun, talented, highly diversified band. Thanks so much for your help in making my reception one of the most fun parties ever!
Jamie Koshgerian
I had been meaning to send you an e-mail. They were stupendous! We have gotten so many compliments. The dance floor was packed every moment they played. I can’t say enough wonderful things about them. Thank you!
Kathy Pellegrino
The most amazing feeling for us was looking out over our wedding reception and seeing absolutely everyone on the dance floor with their hands in the air, dancing! It was truly a celebration, and the most telling of all, was that the newlyweds stayed until it was time for the band to head home. We wouldn’t have missed a single minute of The Maxx!
Robyn & Jeff O’Brien
The MAXX was just incredible! We had wide variety of people and every single one of them was up on the floor dancing! We almost forgot to cut the cake because everyone was dancing to much...and I don’t think a soul ate the cake because they never sat down! It was a rediculous party that’s for sure. I can’t ever recall being at another wedding that lasted until 3am with a solid 5 hours of dancing! My feet still hurt! Thanks again and please tell the MAXX they made our night! Cheers!
Jo-EL Shea
They were wonderful and a lot of fun! All of our friends commented on how good they were. They kept the dance floor packed all night. I would definitely recommend them. My husband and I can't wait to see them play at our friends wedding in Aug. The band was everything that we wanted and more. They were all very nice and easy to work with! Let me know if you need anything else from me.
Megan Lomax
We had a great time! I plan to send a formal letter of praise in a few days. Everyone who attended the wedding wants your number. Thanks for making our wedding so fun and memorable.
Tina Neilson
They did a super job. They were very professional, nice people and easy to work with. No one left the reception until the last Encore was played. A perfect wedding reception thanks to The Maxx.
Jan Schulhof
My apologies for the tardiness of this reply. The Maxx was fantastic. They went out of their way to ensure
everyone had a good time. Numerous people not only complemented their performance, but also thought they were the best band they had seen at a party in a long time.
JJ Johnson
The Maxx exceeded my wildest expectations and not only
delivered a terrific show but also were very responsible, personable, and serious in their commitment to make our Gala one to remember.
Martha Kinney
National Cancer Society
The band blew us away; they were awesome!!!! They had people out on the dance floor on the 3rd song! They were extremely audience-friendly and their sound was spectacular! I would highly recommend them to anyone!
I think that everyone enjoyed them; the band really added zing to our night!
Ellen Salmon
Irwin Industrial Tool
Um, WOW! How was The Maxx you ask? I would say that phenomenal is the understatement of the year. We had committee women on stage a-singing and dancing until the bitter the end, and we they were chanting "one more
song" at midnight, so I would say that The Maxx was a hit like no other band we have ever had! Thank You!
Anne Genevieve Gallivan
American Heart Association
The Maxx was fantastic!! I can't tell you how many people asked me who they were and how did we get them. They are wonderful with crowds and getting people involved - not to mention what excellent musicians they are. Most of all they are kind and attentive to the audience - my almost 80 year old mother was asked to dance and sing a few times with the lead singer - that definitely made her day! Anyway, as you can tell, I can't say enough about them!
I hope our paths can cross again in the future maybe for a future wedding - who knows - you and The Maxx were a delight to work with - Thank you.
Linda
Savage/Debutante Party
What Can I say besides thank you? The is the most professional, easy-going, FUNKIEST and grooviest band I have ever had the privilege to work with. Excellent Work!! See you next year in London!
Kristin Magnuson
JBA Ltd
Yes, everything went perfect @ our meeting. Everyone had a great time and the Maxx members were great to interact with the audience and get everyone up to dancing and
having a Great time. I would also like to compliment the female vocalist... She was great and all the guys loved her!!!! As a result of the performance and great entertainment, as you know, we've ask to book them for our end of the year meeting/Christmas dinner. We look forward
to another wonderful time with the Maxx for the 3rd time.
Christa O. Hampton
Smith Drug Company
The band was incredible.I agree.The guys--and girl--were real cool about everything, and they put on a great show.Thanks again for all your help. By the way, I have already been asked when we are going to get The Maxx back. I don't know what the band thought about the show, but we'd love to get them again fall term next year
Chris Tully
Washington & Lee University
The Maxx was AWESOME!! They were SO good and so much FUN. All of our guests commented on their talent and their ability to get the crowd involved.They played all
the right songs, at the right times. I cannot tell you how much we enjoyed having them at our reception. They made it the party we wanted it to be! I would recommend them to anyone! And I can't wait to see them play again!
Courtney Stevens
Plyler/Stevens Wedding
The Maxx was awesome. We have heard so many compliments about them from all of our guests. They got out and danced on the dance floor and got everyone into it. We are very thankful we made the right decision in choosing them. They were terrific and made the reception very memorable. I'd be happy to serve as a future reference for other couples
looking into bands. Thanks for all of your help.
Aynsley McWhorter
Corbett/McWhorter Wedding
These guys are the best kept secret in America! I highly recommend them to anyone looking for high quality entertainment.
Paul Franklin
Cruise Director /Premier Cruise Lines
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