Thirty-four years in the music business is an accomplishment in and of itself, but thirty-four years with the same band? Give this man an award! Oh wait, his band already has over 40! For Kurt Titchenell, the co-founder of Philadelphia’s most successful wedding band “Jellyroll”, 34 years with his band has been a wild ride. Beginning in 1980, Kurt recalls how the band first formed while he was attending college at West Chester University.
“The band began in my parents’ house in Southwest Philly; our practices were in the basement of a row home. My father always complained about the noise, but then I found out he was bragging about us to all of his friends”, Kurt explains.
When Jellyroll first began to form, their horn section set them apart. Soon everyone was beginning to hear about Jellyroll, and the best musicians in the area wanted to be a part it. In the early eighties, Kurt welcomed vocalist John Knoblauch, who brought along original music that became an instant hit with the band and its dedicated following. Back then, Jellyroll performed in night clubs, often for live radio concerts including those held by WMMR and WYSP.
Following the original music project, Jellyroll continued performing at night clubs and special events, playing music they loved from the Rolling Stones to classic R&B. When Kurt was in the market for a band in the early 1990’s for his upcoming wedding, he saw an opportunity. That’s what lead Kurt to begin moving Jellyroll into the wedding and private event market.
As the band’s success mounted, Kurt decided to branch out and begin adding bands to what is now, BVTLive! By adding a few well established bands to the company, BVTLive!’s success as a company soared, and word began to spread of the company’s professional, but fun nature.
With Jellyroll winning multiple awards including, Best of Main Line “Best of Philly” and “Best of Delaware” (to name a few), the crowning moment for the band was in 2007. Kurt got a phone call from the assistant to the President of the United States, asking if Jellyroll would perform at The White House for the President and his guests at the Congressional Ball. Jellyroll performance was such a success, they were asked to return, and performed for the second time at The White House in 2008.
When asked what has kept Jellyroll so popular for so long, Kurt points to the band’s ability to constantly recreate itself, while caring and working at least as hard as anyone in the business.
From Southwest Philly, to The White House, Jellyroll, and now the entire BVTLive! company, continues to be an amazing success. As Kurt Titchenell jokingly said, “I guess we finally moved out of the basement, but we still have a lot more to accomplish!” For more information on BVTLive! and the entertainment we offer, contact us!
Kurt Titchenell
Guided by his experience as the bandleader of Philadelphia’s top band, Jellyroll, and President of BVTLive!, Kurt Titchenell has kept dance floors packed and created unforgettable memories for thousands of events nationwide! Widely acclaimed as an entertainment expert, Kurt and BVTLive! have earned the most prestigious accolades in the industry. Most notably were two Jellyroll performances at The White House. Kurt's dedication to the success of every event is evident through his passion for creating the ultimate party experience. As President of BVTLive!, Kurt is committed to making your event a success.