Live Performance: Broadway stars and Billy Joel musicians bring 'City Country' to Sands Point Preserve

Shotgun Wedding – that’s Broadway vocalist Catherine Porter and Billy Joel band members – is bringing its “city country” sound to Sands Point Preserve Oct. 24.

The Brooklyn-based band is trailblazing its way in the music scene, building up a fan base at its New York City, Long Island and out-of-town shows.

Shotgun Wedding’s songs touch on urban life, blending it with a blast of Bakersfield country, rock-n-roll antics and a dash of swing.

“The City-Country concept came from the fact that we are all New Yorkers who love and play classic country music,” band member Wade Preston told Broadway World. “Our style is a bit slick, all real monster players, and our stories are about the city instead of the country.”

The band is equally at home in front of big arenas and intimate settings.

Dennis DelGaudio (guitar and vocals), who played lead guitar in the entire run of Broadway’s “Movin’ Out,” was part of Billy Joel’s historic Last Play at Shea concerts, and soon after became a touring member of Billy Joel’s band. Wade Preston (piano/vocals) was cast by Billy Joel to play the Piano Man in “Movin’ Out” on Broadway and on tour. Catherine Porter (vocals) starred in “Next to Normal” on Broadway, in “Sunset Boulevard,” opposite Hugh Jackman, and sang with Michael Crawford, Chaka Khan and more. Andy Cichon (bass) performs regularly with Billy Joel, and has shared the stage with Paul McCartney, Roger Daltrey, and Steven Tyler. Chuck Burgi (drums) was the original drummer on Broadway’s “Movin Out’” and went on to tour with Billy Joel.

“We feel like we’re crafting something beautiful here, in its simplicity and directness, DelGaudio has said. “Nothing has felt more right.”

Tickets to Shotgun Wedding are $60, and include an open bar, with a light menu featuring a cosmopolitan take on country classics – plus gourmet desserts by Philip Stone Caterers.

For tickets and additional information, or to purchase a 12-month membership pass, visit www.TheSandsPointPreserve.com, call 516-571-7901 or visit the Gate House at 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY, 11050, open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Friends of the Sands Point Preserve is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to protect and preserve the 216-acre waterfront grounds and historic mansions and to provide a range of cultural arts events and educational programs for families and schools in the Phil Dejana Learning Center and Outdoor Classroom.

See Shotgun Wedding clip below: