R.D. King
Beautiful Day - U2
Royals - Lorde
Noah Reid - Simply the Best
Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles)
Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
Tenerife Sea (Ed Sheeran)
Across the Universe (The Beatles)
Classy cocktail hour
The perfect romantic atmosphere for your wedding!
Indoor or outdoor weddings, guitar is the perfect accompaniment!
Crafting the perfect wedding guitar music is an art!
Classy weddings are my specialty!
The ideal wedding ceremony accompaniment!
Any season is a great time for a wedding!
(C) Gabby Riggieri
(C) Gabby Riggieri
The perfect atmosphere for a wedding reception!
Overview
R.D. King is an award-winning acoustic wedding guitarist serving Boston, Cambridge, the North Shore, South Shore, MetroWest, and throughout New England. Specializing in elegant solo instrumental acoustic guitar, King provides live music for wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, receptions, parties, memorials, and more.
A virtuoso fingerstyle guitarist, accomplished composer, and associate lecturer at UMass Boston, R.D. King brings over fifteen years of professional performance experience to hundreds of events. His music creates a warm, romantic atmosphere—perfect for walking down the aisle, setting the tone during cocktail hour, or adding a refined backdrop to dinner receptions.
Reviews
28 reviews
Susy H.
May 25, 202650th Reunion Mount Holyoke College
R.D. King played his fantastic guitar at our 50th Reunion social hour. Timely, professional and an incredible musician!!
Hired as: Classical Guitarist
Lindsay M.
October 23, 2025Perfect company event music!
Just what we were hoping for during our lunchtime employee recognition event and was very self-sufficient. Knew such a great lineup of songs and was a hit among our attendees. Made the event that much more special for sure!
Hired as: Guitarist
Amy C.
September 11, 2025He was perfect for our event - hire him!
We had the pleasure of hiring R.D. King last minute for our New Parent Dinner at our school, and we could not have been more impressed. From the moment guests arrived, the music set a warm, welcoming tone for the evening. His playing was both polished and versatile, providing the perfect backdrop for conversation without ever overpowering the room.
He was incredibly professional, flexible, and easy to work with, even on short notice. Several of our guests remarked on how much they enjoyed the live music and how it elevated the event. We are so grateful to have had him as part of the evening and would highly recommend him for any gathering, whether formal or casual
Hired as: Classical Guitarist, Guitarist
David W.
April 4, 2025R.D. King Was Wonderful
R.D. was the perfect person to provide music for our museum event. He helped create a welcoming atmosphere, and his music created an environment that encouraged social interaction. He was early in arriving to set up, and was very good about communicating prior to the event. I would gladly have him play at any of our future events.
Hired as: Guitarist
Jennifer T.
December 24, 2024Talented, Professional and Excellent
R.D. created the perfect vibe for our Holiday party! Everyone loved the music; he was so talented that it was a joy to watch him play. He has an enormous repertoire of songs as well. R.D. was communicative and responsive before the event, reaching out before I even thought to! We highly recommend him - as do the 40 other people at my event!
Hired as: Classical Guitarist
Booking information
Price range: $375 and up.
Languages: English
Gig length: 30 - 600 minutes
Insurance: $1,000,000 - General Liability Insurance
What to expect
R.D. King is a solo instrumental guitarist. Classically trained at Ithaca College of Music, R.D. King can perform classical compositions, modern and traditional covers, and original music as well.
R.D. King's performances are emotionally captivating, inspired, and versatile. He crafts his repertoire to suit the environment of the show and can provide the perfect ambiance for any event.
R.D. King has performed at countless weddings, events, receptions, and more.
About
R.D. King is a Boston-based human, composer, and acoustic guitar extraordinaire. He is a TEDx Cambridge performer, winner of the 2017 Canadian Guitar Festival’s International Fingerstyle Guitar Competition, and winner of the 2018 Walnut Valley Festival NewSong Showcase (Instrumental Category). He has opened for Grammy-nominated Ari Hest, Andy McKee, Liz Longley, and many others.
His debut album, vs. Self, was described as “energetic and epic” and “transformative journeys of sound” by New York Music Daily and The Deli magazine, respectively. Featuring nine original tracks for solo acoustic guitar, it is available on iTunes, Spotify, Soundcloud, Tidal, and more.
Inspired by literature, philosophy, art, and meditation, King blends dazzling guitar pyrotechnics with cinematic and evocative music. A captivating and energetic performer, King’s pursuit of music is his deepest source of personal growth. He hopes to inspire listeners in their own journeys towards empathy, love, and self-actualization.
Additional booking notes
R.D. King can provide his own amplification, including battery power if necessary. He can perform both acoustically and with a sound system depending on the event planner's vision for the event.
Microphone rentals are available for speakers during your event too!
Services offered
Upcoming booked events
July 2026
25
Saturday
Wedding Engagement
4:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Lincoln, MA
October 2026
16
Friday
Personal Occasion
5:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Chatham, MA
Past booked events
May 2026
23
Saturday
Nonprofit Event
5:30pm - 6:30pm
•
South Hadley, MA
February 2026
05
Thursday
Corporate Event
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Boston, MA
October 2025
22
Wednesday
Corporate Event
11:00pm - 3:00am (Thu)
•
Wakefield, MA
September 2025
10
Wednesday
Fundraiser
6:00pm - 6:45pm
•
Dedham, MA
July 2025
05
Saturday
Graduation
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Hyannis Port, MA
April 2025
03
Thursday
Nonprofit Event
6:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Framingham, MA
December 2024
21
Saturday
Christmas Party
7:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Duxbury, MA
May 2024
25
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
11:00am - 12:00pm
•
Sudbury, MA
February 2024
14
Wednesday
Restaurant/Bar Event
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Wareham, MA
October 2023
08
Sunday
Birthday Party
5:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Boston, MA
September 2023
29
Friday
Dinner Party
5:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Groton, MA
03
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 4:30pm
•
Brookline, MA
June 2023
15
Thursday
Rehearsal Dinner
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Danvers, MA
December 2022
28
Wednesday
Funeral/Memorial Service
6:00pm - 7:30pm
•
Salem, MA
17
Saturday
Christmas Party
8:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Manchester, NH
November 2022
10
Thursday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Newport, RI
August 2022
06
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 5:00pm
•
New Bedford, MA
June 2022
03
Friday
Anniversary Party
2:00pm - 3:30pm
•
Weymouth, MA
November 2021
13
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
4:30pm - 5:30pm
•
Salem, MA
October 2021
15
Friday
Rehearsal Dinner
8:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Lenox, MA
September 2021
25
Saturday
Anniversary Party
1:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Harvard, MA
25
Saturday
Winchester Farmers Market
9:30am - 11:00am
22
Wednesday
The Movement
6:00pm - 9:00pm
15
Wednesday
Funeral/Memorial Service
12:00pm - 1:00pm
•
Bedford, MA
12
Sunday
Wedding Reception
6:00pm - 10:00pm
August 2021
27
Friday
Funeral/Memorial Service
4:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Waltham, MA
17
Tuesday
Cocktail Party
5:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Scituate, MA
February 2020
20
Thursday
Birthday Party
6:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Boston, MA
October 2019
05
Saturday
Cocktail Party
2:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Westbrook, CT
June 2019
15
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:30pm - 5:30pm
•
Brewster, MA
March 2019
20
Wednesday
Cultural Event
7:00pm - 7:30pm
•
Boston, MA
October 2018
06
Saturday
Cocktail Party
7:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Boston, MA
June 2018
23
Saturday
House Party
4:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Plymouth, MA
June 2017
16
Friday
Wedding Ceremony
5:30pm - 6:15pm
•
Gloucester, MA
Set list
Custom arrangements available!!
Any piece of classical music available!!
Selected repertoire (many others not listed):
A Thousand Years | Christina Perri
Across the Universe | The Beatles
Adore You | Harry Styles
Ain't No Sunshine | Bill Withers
All of Me | John Legend
All You Need is Love | The Beatles
And I Love Her | The Beatles
Ashokan Farewell | Jay Ungar
Ave Maria | Schubert
Baby I Need Your Lovin' | The Four Tops
Babylon | David Gray
Bella's Lullaby | (from the movie Twilight)
Bennie and the Jets | Elton John
Better Together | Jack Johnson
Bittersweet Symphony | The Verve
Brown Eyed Girl | Van Morrison
California Dreamin' | Mamas and the Papas
Can't Help Falling in Love | Elvis Presley
Canon in D | Pachelbel
Carolina In My Mind | James Taylor
Cello Suite No. 1, Prelude | J.S. Bach
Cello Suite No. 6, Gavotte I + II | J.S. Bach
Corcovado | Stan Getz
Count on Me | Bruno Mars
Dreams | Fleetwood Mac
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic | Sting
Falling Slowly | Glen Hansard
Fire and Rain | James Taylor
First Day of My Life | Bright Eyes
Fly Me to the Moon | Frank Sinatra
Free Fallin' | Tom Petty
Hallelujah | Leonard Cohen
Have You Ever Seen the Rain | Credence Clearwater Revival
Heart of Gold | Neil Young
Helplessly Hoping | Crosby, Stills & Nash
Here Comes the Sun | The Beatles
High and Dry | Radiohead
Higher Love | James McMorrow
Ho Hey | The Lumineers
Hotel California | The Eagles
I Choose You | Sara Bareilles
I Want It That Way | Backstreet Boys
I Was Made for Loving You | Tori Kelly & Ed Sheeran
I Will Follow You Into the Dark | Death Cab for Cutie
I'm Yours | Jason Mraz
In My Life | The Beatles
Iris | The Goo Goo Dolls
Isn't She Lovely | Stevie Wonder
La Vie En Rose | Edith Piaf
Landslide | Fleetwood Mac
Lara's Theme | (from Dr. Zhivago)
Layla | Derek & the Dominos
Love Story | Taylor Swift
Make You Feel My Love | Bob Dylan
Marry Me | Train
Marry You | Bruno Mars
Mirrors | Justin Timberlake
Moon River | Henry Mancini
More Than Words | Extreme
Movin' Out | Billy Joel
My Heart Will Go On | Celine Dion
My Life Would Suck Without You | Kelly Clarkson
Naked as We Came | Iron & Wine
Name | The Goo Goo Dolls
Never Going Back Again | Fleetwood Mac
One Hand, One Heart | (from West Side Story)
Paradise | Coldplay
Passing Afternoon | Iron & Wine
Perfect | Ed Sheeran
Piano Man | Billy Joel
Rhiannon | Fleetwood Mac
Royals | Lorde
Slow Burn | Kacey Musgraves
Something | The Beatles
Something Just Like This | The Chainsmokers
Somewhere | (From West Side Story)
Somewhere Over the Rainbow | Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Songbird | Fleetwood Mac
Stand By Me | Ben E. King
Stardust | Hoagy Carmichael
Stop This Train | John Mayer
Style | Taylor Swift
Summertime | George Gershwin
Superstition | Stevie Wonder
Tenerife Sea | Ed Sheeran
The Girl from Ipanema | Stan Getz
The Last Waltz | Engelbert Humperdink
The Luckiest | Ben Folds
The Only Exception | Paramore
The Shire | (from Lord of the Rings)
This Year's Love | David Gray
Wake Me Up When September Ends | Green Day
Walk the Line | Johnny Cash
We're Going to Be Friends | The White Stripes
Wedding March | (from Lohengrin)
Wedding March | (from Midsummer Night's Dream)
What a Wonderful World | Louis Armstrong
When You Were Young | The Killers
Why Georgia | John Mayer
Wish You Were Here | Pink Floyd
Wonderful Tonight | Eric Clapton
Woodstock | Joni Mitchell
Yellow | Coldplay
You Are the Best Thing | Ray LaMontagne
You Can't Hurry Love | The Supremes
Your Song | Elton John
Influences and inspiration
Andres Segovia
Julian Bream
Julian Lage
Andy McKee
Leo Kottke
Laurence Juber
The Beatles