Golden oldies band for hire and ready to get your guests all shook up!
The “Oldies but Goldies” live music show comprises the duo James Marais and Monique Cassells. The show pays tribute to the golden era of music from the ‘50s through to the ‘80s, featuring legendary performing artists such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Little Richard, The Platters, the Righteous Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Eddie Cochran, Ritchie Valens, the Hollies, the Eagles, the Monkees, Tom Jones, Cher, Queen, Shakin’ Stevens, Dire Straits and many more. The show is a mini-theatrical experience, featuring the dynamic vocal and visual performances of James and Monique, alternating between solo appearances in costume as well as their performance as a duo.
James and Monique are a dynamic golden oldies band for hire and perform some of the best duets from the golden era of music. They add their own unique touch to well-known hits, even songs not previously performed as a duet. They have performed together as a duo at some of Cape Town’s most exclusive live music venues including the Roxy Revue Bar, Grand West Casino, Kelvin Grove Club, Die Boer Theatre, Mykonos Casino, the Jamrock Theatre, Hillcrest Quarry, Richard’s Supper Stage & Bistro as well as the Bellville Civic Theatre.
JAMES MARAIS
James Marais is a born entertainer and has been thrilling audiences young and old with his larger than life performances since 1992. He is blessed with a powerful voice, as well as a magnetic stage presence. His painstaking attention to detail with respect to his vocal delivery, his dance moves as well as his themed costumes is legendary.
James is an accomplished dancer, and as an Elvis Presley tribute artist, he is able to accurately capture the magic of Elvis as the King of Rock n Roll.
His wide variety of Elvis suits are truly representative of the King’s image throughout his career spanning three decades from his humble beginnings in the early ‘50s to the height of his power in the ‘70s. His performance almost mirrors that of the King and with his vocal diversity he is able to represent a wide range of musical styles that Elvis was so well known for. From his hard hitting rock n roll classics to his most tender ballads James is able to cover them all with ease. That is why he is regarded as the premier Elvis Presley tribute artist in South Africa.
James is not only an accomplished musician and entertainer on stage; he also has the knack of being able to draw his audience into the performance through the sheer power of his charisma creating an interactive show leaving his fans wanting more.
James made headlines as Elvis in Mike McCullagh’s production, “Nashville Nights”, and then went on to stage his very own Elvis Presley productions at the Roxy Revue Bar at Grand West Casino in 2008 (“The Ultimate Tribute To The King”), 2010 (“From Memphis To Las Vegas”) and 2012 (“Elvis”), to sell-out crowds every night.
James triumphed again in the hugely successful production, “Heartbreak Hotel”, a variety show paying tribute to music legends of the golden era, which ran at the Roxy Revue Bar at Grand West Casino from 16 April to 6 June 2014.
A particular highlight in his career was his appearance on the popular television show “Noot Vir Noot”, which was broadcast on 9 March 2012, and rebroadcast twice thereafter. The third screening was on “Noot Vir Noot Potpourri”, where James was also the presenter of the show and was interviewed at his home. The response was overwhelming. He also performed alongside some of South Africa’s premier entertainers at the Innibos Festival on 30 June 2012. On 23 December 2016, James’ debut appearance on SABC 2’s “Musiek Roulette” was broadcast, once again to an extremely positive response. Another highlight was James’ appearance on “Jou Show”, Kyknet’s Afrikaans variety show hosted by Emo Adams, in 2011.
He was crowned South Africa’s no. 1 Elvis Tribute Artist at the Elvis Festival Africa 2010, and travelled to Wales to represent SA in the Elvis World Cup, ending fourth out of 12 competitors from around the globe. As a result of this, James was featured in the June 2010 edition of the Huisgenoot magazine. He has since been featured in various newspapers including the Argus and the Cape Times.
James has also been interviewed by various radio stations, including CCFM, Good Hope FM, Cape Talk and Fine Music Radio.
In addition to his stage shows and TV appearances he is in high demand as an entertainer at private birthday parties, corporate functions and weddings.
He is a consummate professional, whilst being warm and personable. He is a pleasure to work with, and will help make any musical occasion a most enjoyable one.
James is working on his debut album of self-composed music, and is currently enjoying radio airplay with his latest song, “Closure”.
MONIQUE CASSELLS
Monique has been performing as a professional musician since 2003, and was the lead singer and acoustic rhythm guitarist of two successful cover bands, “Generations” (from 2003 to 2005) as well as “Cole Street” (from 2005 to 2008). Monique is a dynamic entertainer, both as a vocalist and stage performer, and enjoys interacting with her audience.
Monique is a versatile stage artist competent in many different genres of music, including rock ‘n roll, rock, pop, country, blues, ballads and even light classical. Elvis Presley has been her music idol since she was 11 years old, and she performed his music in a public appearance at the tender age of 17 in 1994.
She is a solid rhythm guitarist, and has an excellent ear for harmonies. She has been able to direct and assist in arranging harmonies with the bands she has worked with over the years.
She has performed at a number of different functions and venues over the years. Highlights include Cole Street’s 5-hour performance at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre’s New Year’s Eve concert in 2006, where they performed to an enthusiastic audience. The band also played at exclusive events every year from 2004 to 2007, held in prestigious venues such as the President’s Hotel in Sea Point, the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and the Cape Sun Hotel in Cape Town.
Since 2009, Monique has enjoyed an extremely successful partnership with James Marais. She played a vital role as lead and back-up singer in two of James’ wildly successful Elvis Presley tribute shows at the Roxy Revue Bar, Grand West, “From Memphis to Las Vegas” (2010/2011) and “Elvis” (2012). She also played a pivotal role as the female lead vocalist in James’ 2014 production, “Heartbreak Hotel”, featuring entertainment legends from the golden era of music.
The “Oldies But Goldies” show, which is essentially a golden oldies band for hire is a James Marais brainchild, has enjoyed a continued run of success for the dynamic music duo. They have successfully taken this music production on the road, mesmerising audiences around the country.
In 2016, Monique produced her own show, entitled “Nostalgia: A Tribute to the Legends”, in which she pays tribute to legendary music artists with her take on songs that have touched her life. She also includes a few of her self-composed original songs in the show.
Monique has been interviewed by a number of radio stations including SAFM, Fine Music Radio and Assembly Radio (online station). She has also featured in various newspapers, including the Cape Times.
Monique holds the distinction of being South Africa’s only female Elvis Tribute Artist, and participated in the Elvis Festival Africa, held in Storms River, in 2010 and 2011, both as a solo artist and alongside James Marais.
Monique is working on her debut album featuring original music, and is currently enjoying radio airplay with her song, “So Great to Be with You”.
Make sure you book this golden oldies band for hire for your next rock n roll event.
For bookings contact Adrian on 0847428939 / or email info@bmentertainment.co.za
