The "Original" Moonlighters®
Promo Video - The Moonlighters
Wedding Montage - The Moonlighters
Jamming with the Bride and Groom-The Moonlighters ®
Baltimore Corp. Event - The Moonlighters ®
Ritz Carlton Wedding-The Moonlighters ®
Crystal City Wedding-The Moonlighters ®
VA Horse Country Wedding-The Moonlighters ®
Georgetown Fundraiser-The Moonlighters ®
Austin Turner-The Moonlighters ®
Ritz Carlton Wedding-The Moonlighters ®
Crystal City Wedding-The Moonlighters ®
Baltimore Corp. Event - The Moonlighters ®
Nez Wilkinson-The Moonlighters ®
Promo Photo-The Moonlighters ®
BET Horns-The Moonlighters ®
Drum Logo-The Moonlighters ®
Overview
Since 1990, The "Original" Moonlighters have been performing throughout the United States as one of the country's best-loved and most authentic Motown and variety dance bands.
Averaging over one hundred appearances per year, The "Original" Moonlighters offer affordable quality, specializing in weddings, corporate events, private parties, festivals, and concerts, with an emphasis on strong, soulful vocals and solid instrumentation.
Just close your eyes and you'll swear the original artists are performing. But don't close them for too long or you won't be able to enjoy their outstanding dance moves and showmanship...
Reviews
39 reviews
Hilary R.
October 11, 2017Absolutely Incredible!
The Original Moonlighters is hands down the BEST motown/variety band in the DC area! They recently played at our wedding reception in Old Town Alexandria and absolutely brought down the house - everyone is still raving about how they are the best wedding band they have ever seen. They truly made our wedding the best day of our lives and the most fun party we have ever been to! The male and female vocalist have incredible voices and would come into the crowd during songs which added to the fun. All of the musicians are so talented, and they performed each song as good if not better than the original. They are also great at feeding off the crowd and always seemed to play the right song at the right time. The booking process with William was straightforward and easy, and the price was excellent value for money compared to other bands in the area (that aren't as good!). We can't recommend this band highly enough to future brides and grooms - you are guaranteed to have the most fun wedding of your dreams!!
Hired as: Cover Band, Dance Band, Motown Group, Pop Music, Soul Band, Wedding Band
Dave . J. K.
June 24, 2017Perfect choice for any event
The best decision I made for my wedding, besides choosing my partner, was selecting the Original Moonlighters as our band.
Our wedding was somewhat intimate with 60 guests, ranging in age from 18 to 77. We were concerned about finding a band that could appeal to such a broad age range with eclectic musical tastes, but this band more than appealed to our guests. They had everyone on the dance floor smiling and having a spectacular time.
The band included two vocalists and four instrumentalists for a three-hour event that included the dinner hour and two hours of dancing. For the dinner hour, the band played beautiful jazz music, which allowed the guests to enjoy their dinner and conversation with soothing music playing in the background. The dancing portion of the night kicked off with the song, At Last by Etta James that was beautifully performed by their female vocalist. In fact, I think she sounded better than the original artist. From there, the band transitioned smoothly from one genre to the next with pure talent. Almost all of the guests were on the dance floor throughout the night dancing, laughing and having a great time.
Not only was the music by this band flawless but they were also very professional, fun, easy to work with and even attired themselves in my wedding colors. You cannot go wrong in hiring this band; they will make your wedding event the talk of the town.
Hired as: Dance Band, Jazz Band, Party Band, R&B Group, Wedding Band
Krystal S.
June 15, 2017Truly Legendary!
The Original Moonlighters are a legend. People talk about bands that elevate a mere party to the status of a mythical event. People talk about bands that can speak to everyone: young, old, white, black, local, and foreign; bands that transcend these separations. In my life as a former wedding caterer, I’ve seen dozens of wedding bands and DJs show up, play some music and leave. Very rarely does a band even manage to make any kind of difference, let alone transcend division. The Original Moonlighters not only manages to transcend, but now exists in the mind of our wedding guests of our mixed-race wedding as the band responsible for creating the best time many of us have ever had. Their musical knowledge and skill are considerable and impressive, but even skilled musicians are a dime a dozen. What sets The Original Moonlighters apart is their openness, attentiveness and care. They willingly learned our favorite song for our first dance and it was amazing! They have mastered the elusive and subtle skills of reading the room and caring about what each person actually felt is a good time. Everyone at the reception from 90 year old world-traveling grandmas to down-south country cousins to hard-working family from the mid-west to teenagers to 5-year-olds who have never heard most of the songs previously got up and danced until their legs went out. They helped us to see that even though we all may be from different places, have vastly different experiences, and different skin colors, we are all one family. The band wasn’t just folks who played at our wedding --they were a true part of it. We are deeply grateful for their performance, care, and emotion. We wholeheartedly recommend them for your wedding. Their music is beautiful and the emotional memories it will leave in your heart are easily worth their reasonable and fair booking fee. Don’t wait, book them now.
Hired as: Wedding Band
Elizabeth P.
April 20, 2024Great 1950s band
The Moonlighter played for our event. They played 1950's music. It all sounded wonderful. They were the perfect band for our sock hop event!
Hired as: 1950s Era Entertainment
Angela G.
July 27, 2023Awesome day!
We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for such a wonderful concert this past Saturday. Those in attendance were truly blessed with such a wonderful time being taken back to days of old 😁 2 1/2 hours of pure energy and delight!
Everything about that day was perfect
Hired as: R&B Group
Booking information
Price range: Contact for rates
Gig length: 30 - 300 minutes
What to expect
Music is THE most important part of any event.
And there are many choices out there. But when you hire The Moonlighters, you are hiring the very best in the business.
Providing a level of service second-to-none, during your event and in the many months before, we manage ALL the details. We'll answer every question, offer suggestions based upon almost twenty-five years of first-hand experience, AND provide the finest show absolutely possible.
Nobody else offers the same level of attention, quality or value.
About
Famous for getting guests out on the dance floor and more importantly, for keeping them there, The Moonlighters are experts at reading the crowd and gladly take requests, making their performances highly entertaining and interactive as audiences just feed off the band’s energy and vice versa.
They can also be booked in several different combinations to fit any budget and venue from just two or three musicians to as many as ten or twelve, including one of the tightest horn sections in the country and some of the finest male and female vocalists anywhere. Meticulously-groomed and costumed, whether it’s for ceremony, cocktail or dinner music, a casual outdoor reception or a classy black-tie affair, The Moonlighters have a show custom-tailored to best suit any theme.
Featuring HUNDREDS of songs in a wide variety of styles, they do it all very well. Critically-acclaimed, they have performed an unprecedented seven times at The Kennedy Center, for countless political and business leaders, at various foreign embassies, and other prestigious venues, covering well over a dozen different states, including: DC, MD, VA, WV, DE, PA, NJ, NY, KY, TN, OH, IL, IA, NC, SC, GA, FL, UT, and MT.
As seen again and again in their many rave reviews, thousands of appreciative listeners and hundreds of satisfied talent buyers all agree, The Moonlighters are dedicated, professionals truly committed to making each and every show an event to remember. But of course, they're in heavy demand with a schedule that always fills up fast, so don’t delay…please contact them today!
Additional booking notes
We are completely self-contained. But enhanced sound, lighting, portable dance floor, stage, DJ and even professional dancers/dance instructors can all be provided, upon request!
Past booked events
September 2019
13
Friday
Retirement Community Event
3:30pm - 5:30pm
•
Fairfax, VA
Team
Set list
Instrumentals/Jazz Standards:
After Hours – Ronnie Jordan
Ain’t Misbehavin-Fats Waller
Breezin’ – George Benson
Chameleon- Herbie Hancock
Chitlins Con Carne-Kenny Burrell
Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
Devotion- Earth Wind & Fire
Don’t Know Why-Norah Jones
Friends and Strangers – Ronnie Laws
God Bless The Child – Billie Holiday
Honky Tonk-Bill Doggett
Inner City Blues – Grover Washington
Inseparable- Natalie Cole
Linus and Lucy-Vince Guaraldi
Maputo - David Sanborn
Mercy, Mercy-Cannonball Adderly
Mister Magic – Grover Washington
Moonlighters Theme-Original
On Broadway- George Benson
People Make the World Go Round- Herbie Hancock
Song for My Father- Horace Silver
Sidewinder-Lee Morgan
Summertime-George Gershwin
Unforgettable-Nat King Cole
Blues/Rhythm and Blues Standards:
Baby Please Don’t Go-Muddy Waters
Baby, What You Want Me to Do-Jimmy Reed
Big Boss Man-Jimmy Reed
Blues with a Feeling-Little Walter
Born Lover-Muddy WatersCha Cha Ching - Original
Clean-up Woman – Betty Wright
Crazy Mixed Up World-Little Walter
Don’t Lie to Me-B.B. King
Down Home Blues – ZZ Hill
Driving Wheel-Junior Parker
Dust My Broom-Elmore James
Got My Mojo Working-Muddy Waters
How Blue Can You Get-B.B. King
Key to the Highway-Little Walter
Long Distance Call-Muddy Waters
Messin’with the Kid-Junior Wells
Reconsider Baby-Lowell Fulson
Shake Your Hips-Slim Harpo
Sweet Little Angel-B.B. King
T-Bone Shuffle-T. Bone Walker
Things I Used to Do-Guitar Slim
Thrill is Gone-B.B. King
Watch Yourself-B.B. King
When the Eagle Flies-Muddy Waters
40’s Big-Band/Swing Standards:
Best is Yet to Come-Tony Bennett
Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darrin
Caledonia-Louis Jordan
Come Fly with Me-Frank Sinatra
Everyday I Have the Blues-Big Joe Turner
Fever-Peggy Lee
Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
Flying Home-Lionel Hampton
Hold On – Michael Buble’
It Had to Be You-Frank Sinatra
Jump, Jive and Wail – Louis Prima
Kansas City-Wilbert Harrison
Luck Be a Lady-Frank Sinatra
Mack the Knife-Bobby Darrin
Moondance- Van Morrison
My Way – Frank Sinatra
New York New York- Frank Sinatra
Route 66-Nat King Cole
Shake, Rattle and Roll-Big Joe Turner
Somewhere Over the Rainbow- Judy Garland
Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
When the Saints Go Marching In-Louis Armstrong
Wonderful World – Louie Armstrong
50’s Rock and Roll/Oldies:
All Shook Up-Elvis Presley
Blue Moon- Marcels
Can’t Stop Falling in Love-Elvis Presley
Crazy-Patsy Cline
Crying in the Chapel-Orioles
Cupid-Sam Cooke
For Your Precious Love-Jerry Butler
Goodnight Sweetheart-Spaniels
Hound Dog-Elvis Presley
I’ve Only Got Eyes for You-The Flamingos
Jailhouse Rock-Elvis Presley
Johnny B. Goode-Chuck Berry
Night Time is the Right Time-Ray Charles
Only You - The Platters
Outskirts of Town-Ray Charles
Rock Around the Clock – Bill Haley
Roll Over Beethoven-Chuck Berry
Shout! – Isley Brothers
Stand By Me-Ben E. King
Tequila- Champs
Twilight Time-The Platters
Twist - Chubby Checker
Under the Boardwalk-The Drifters
What I Say – Ray Charles
You Send Me – Sam Cook
* * *
60’s/70’s Motown/Soul:
634-5789-Wilson Pickett
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg- Temptations
At Last – Etta James
Baby, Baby-Smokey Robinson
Can’t Hurry Love – Diana Ross & the Supremes
Chain of Fools – Aretha Franklin
Dancing in the Streets- Martha and the Vandellas
For Once In My Life – Stevie Wonder
Funky Broadway-Wilson Pickett
Get Ready- Temptations
Green Onions – Booker T and the MGs
Heard It Through the Grapevine – Marvin Gaye
Heatwave – Martha and the Vandellas
High Heel Sneakers-Tommy Tucker
Higher and Higher – Jackie Wilson
How Sweet it Is (To Be Loved by You)-Marvin GayeI Can’t Help Myself – Four Tops
I Feel Good – James Brown
I Want You Back-The Jackson Five
I Wish – Stevie Wonder
I’ll Take You There- Staples Singers
In the Midnight Hour – Wilson Pickett
Just My Imagination- Temptations
Knock on Wood-Eddie Floyd
Let’s Do It Again – Staple Singers
Let’s Get Married-Al Green
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Livin’ in the City – Stevie Wonder
Locomotion – Little Eva
Love and Happiness – Al Green
Midnight Train to Georgia – Gladys Knight
Mustang Sally-Wilson Pickett
My Girl – Temptations
My Guy – Mary Wells
Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin
Neither One of Us – Gladys Knight
Ooh Baby, Baby – Smokey Robinson
Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag - James Brown
Poppa Was A Rolling Stone – Temptations
Proud Mary - Tina Turner
Reach Out (I’ll Be There) - Four Tops
Rescue Me – Fontella Bass
Respect – Aretha Franklin
Respect Yourself-Staple Singers
Ribbon in the Sky – Stevie Wonder
Rock Steady- Aretha Franklin
Second that Emotion-Smokey Robinson
Sex Machine – James Brown
Shake Your Body Down to the Ground- The Jacksons
Signed Sealed Delivered- Stevie Wonder
Sitting on The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
Son of a Preacher Man – Aretha Franklin
Soul Man – Sam and Dave
Standing on Shaky Ground - Temptations
Sugar Pie Honey Bunch – Four Tops
Superstition – Stevie Wonder
These Arms of Mine-Otis Redding
This Girl’s In Love With You – Dusty Springfield
This is a Man’s World – James Brown
Unchained Melody-The Righteous Brothers
Walk the Dog-Rufus Thomas
What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
When a Man Loves a Woman-Percy Sledge
60’s/70’s Classic Rock/Pop:
All My Life – Beatles
Black Magic Woman-Santana
Brown-Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Build Me Up Buttercup - Foundations
Chapel of Love-Dixie Cups
Crazy Love-Van Morrison
December ’63 – Four Season
Do Ya Think I’m Sexy – Rod Stewart
Drift Away- Doby Gray
Fly Like An Eagle – Steve Miller
Good Lovin- Young Rascals
Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
Groovin’-Young Rascals
Higher Ground – Eric Clapton
In My Life - Beatles
Into the Mystic-Van Morrison
Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel
Let’s Dance – David Bowie
Long Train Running – Doobie Brothers
Maria Maria – Santana
Miss You-Rolling Stones
Old Time Rock and Roll-Bob Seger
Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison
Ride Like the Wind – Christopher Cross
She’s Always A Woman – Billy JoelSweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
Sweet Home Alabama- Lynyrd Skynyrd
Taking Care of Business – Bachman Turner Overdrive
Twist and Shout – Beatles
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
You are So Beautiful-Joe Cocker
70’s Funk/Disco:
Ain’t No Half Steppin – Heatwave
Always and Forever – Heatwave
Bad Girls - Donna Summers
Boogie Oogie Oogie – Taste of Honey
Brick House- Commodores
Celebration – Kool and the Gang
Easy – Commodores
For the Love of Money- O’Jays
Get Down On It - Kool and the Gang
Get Down Tonight- KC& Sunshine Band
Good Times – Chic
Hollywood Swinging – Kool and the Gang
I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
I’m Every Woman – Chaka Khan
Jungle Boogie- Ohio Players
Kisses Don’t Lie – Evelyn Champagne King
Lady Marmalade- Labelle
Last Dance-Donna Summer
Le Freak- Chic
Love Roller Coaster – Ohio Players
Low Rider - War
Mary Jane- Rick James
My Boogie Shoes- KC& Sunshine Band
Pick up the Pieces – Average White Band
Play That Funky Music– Wild Cherry
School Boy Crush- Average White Band
September-Earth Wind and Fire
Sexy Thing (I Believe in Miracles) – Hot Chocolate
Shake Your Booty- KC & Sunshine Band
She’s A Bad Mama Jama- Carl Carlton
Skin Tight – Ohio Players
Tell Me Something Good – Rufus and Chaka Khan
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) – Sly and the Family Stone
That’s the Way I Like It- KC & Sunshine Band
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)- Natalie Cole
We Are Family –Sister Sledge
***
80’s/90’s Pop/Top-40:
All Night Long – Commodores
Angel- Anita Baker
Bad Boy – Luther Vandross
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
Butterflies – Michael Jackson
Candy – Cameo
Careless Whispers - Wham
Caribbean Queen – Billy Ocean
Don’t Be Cruel – Bobby Brown
Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
Electric Slide – Marcia Griffiths
Fallin’ – Alicia Keys
Honey Love – R. Kelly
How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore- Alicia Keys
Human Nature – Michael Jackson
I Can’t Stop Loving You – Michael Jackson
If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
Kiss – Prince
Kiss of Life – Sade
Lady in My Life- Michael Jackson
Let’s Go Crazy - Prince
Love Shack – B-52s
Morris Day and the Time-Jungle Love
My Prerogative – Bobby Brown
Never Too Much – Luther Vandross
Purple Rain – Prince
Rock With You – Michael Jackson
Smooth Operator – Sade
Step in the Name of Love - R Kelly
This Is How We Do It – Montel Jordan
Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
When A Woman Loves – R. Kelly
00’s Pop/Top-40:
Crazy In Love – Beyonce
Golden- Jill Scott
He Loves Me – Jill Scott
Hey Ya – Outkast
I Got A Feeling – Black Eye Peas
It’s Love –Jill Scott
Just Fine – Mary J. Blige
Let’s Get It Started – Black Eye Peas
Long Walk – Jill ScottMoves Like Jagger-Maroon Five
Raise Your Glass – Pink
Single Ladies – Beyonce
The Way – Jill Scott
Wide Open Spaces – Dixie Chicks
Yeah – Usher
***
Christmas/Holiday Favorites:
Aulde Lang Syne-Guy LombardoChestnuts Roasting (The Christmas Song)
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Jingle Bell Rock
Oh Christmas Tree
Rockin Around the Christmas Tree
Run Run Rudolph
Santa Baby
Silver Bells
This Christmas
White Christmas
Ethnic/Family Favorites:
Beer Barrel Polka
Hava Nagila
Iko Iko
Oye Como Va
Tarrantella
(c) 1990 - 2013 The Moonlighters/14K Music. All Rights Reserved.
Influences and inspiration
James
Aretha
Ray
Otis
Smokey
Michael
Marvin
Etta
Prince