Band

Ladies and gentleman, I know we get wrapped up in the planning and details but please, please do not leave your wedding bands until last minute. Let me clarify: Order your wedding bands at least two and a half months before your wedding. I work in a jewelry store and am speaking from experience. I can not tell you how many of my clients wait until the last minute and then everyone is in a panic to get a ring expedited and, too often, they may have to settle for a different ring in order to have it on time.

William Charles Brubaker, a retired aeronautical engineer who was a founding trombone player in the Baltimore Colts Marching Band, died Feb. 12 at Sinai Hospital of complications from injuries he suffered near his Lutherville home. Family members said he was struck by a vehicle while walking last year. He was 91. Born in Altoona, Pa., he earned a degree in aeronautical engineering at what is now Trine University in Angola, Ind. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Forces in a communications unit.

In 1993, a trio of University of Colorado students released a debut album, "Sister Sweetly," as Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Four Top 10 singles, including "Broken Hearted Savior," pushed album sales passed one million. An unknown at the time named Sheryl Crow opened some of the band's tour dates. That same year, the group made its network television debut on "Late Show with David Letterman. " Frontman Todd Park Mohr remains proud of the band's biggest - and earliest - accomplishments, but he doesn't sugarcoat their affect on him, even 20 years later.

Here's a look at Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco's appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman" Monday, courtesy of CBS: Flacco, who walked out to a standing ovation from the audience as Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra played “We Are the Champions,” talked about his contract negotiations with the Ravens: Letterman:  “I read something today about you, and this is a contract negotiation year, and before the game, what did your...

At the halfway point of recording "The Lion, the Beast, the Beat" - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals' fourth album, released last June - things seemed to be progressing smoothly. The band's hybrid of blues, rock and folk sounded locked-in and tight, co-producer Jim Scott was capturing the group's live intensity on tape and executives at Hollywood Records were happy with early material. So when Potter, the band's leader and primary songwriter, halted recording at the end of 2011, it was a major shock to everyone involved.

They've played for the queen. They've played for four presidents. And Monday, the "Mighty Sound of Maryland" will add President Barack Obama to their list of famous fans. Led by the sounds of booming drum lines and trombones, the University of Maryland marching band will serenade Pennsylvania Avenue during the 57th Inaugural Presidential Parade. The band is one of 60 acts chosen to perform from a pool of more than 2,800 applicants. L. Richmond Sparks, associate professor, conducting and director of bands, says he submitted video and audio tapes of the band during the application.

Looking for something to do this Saturday? How about rocking out to some of Baltimore's best bands while helping raise money for the city's homeless animals? Join the Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS) at Dick's Famous Halfway Inn, 8013 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, for Bands for BARCS this Saturday, Jan. 19, starting at 2 p.m. and going clear through until 1 a.m. Sunday morning. Your $10 admission covers your first drink and goes to support the animal shelter's work. Participating bands include: 2 p.m.: Imperfect Journey 3 p.m.: Chocolate Love 4 p.m.: Phairen 5 p.m.: Crunch 6 p.m.: Notell Motel 7 p.m.: Doc's Holiday 8 p.m.: Tramp Stamp 9 p.m: Screams & Whispers 10 p.m.: Torque 11 p.m.: Paranormal 12 a.m.: Society Fringe Players Bring your friends and party on for Fido and Fluffy.

Last year was a big one for Baltimore alternative/new wave band the Perfects. Three music videos - two from their first album "Many Nights" and one from their new album "A Sudden Victory" - reached No. 1 on MTV's website. For lead singer and songwriter Ric Peters, it was reaffirming. Before the videos became popular, he wasn't sure if the Perfects would even record a second album. "It came about quickly," said Peters. "After the success we had with [the song] "Girls That Dance" and "Many Nights" on MTV, it made sense to repackage songs from that record, put some new material together and introduce the band to a new group of people.

Catonsville is among a number of Baltimore locales featured in songs on a new CD that will be released Saturday at a special performance party at the Creative Alliance in Highlandtown. Dan Naiman, a Catonsville resident for more than 20 years, plays bass for the Stone Hill All-Stars that will perform material from the "The Stone Hill All-Stars Live!" CD during the Jan. 5 event. The band, made up of Baltimore-area residents, recorded the music during an Aug. 4 concert at An Die Musik, a downtown performance space on Charles Street.

Doris Mae Hoey Snyder, an Annapolis resident who performed as the head majorette for the Baltimore Colts Marching Band and later formed the Washington Redskinettes, died Dec. 18 at the Baltimore Washington Medical Center after suffering an aortic dissection. She was 85. Mrs. Snyder was born in Baltimore. She grew up in Pigtown and attended Southern High School in Federal Hill, where she learned her majorette skills, and Anne Arundel Community College. She became a majorette for the Colts Marching Band in 1947, one of six original members of the group.