Live video from the Serenade can be seen here – http://gallery.me.com/kilday/100047

This is taken from the Gigmasters website, where I am a featured story for Valentine’s Day, 2011.

http://www.gigmasters.com/blog/post/A-Romantic-Serenade.aspx

We were so touched when Christopher Kilday shared this amazing story with us. It’s what we’re all about here at GigMasters – helping people celebrate life’s biggest moments. Grab a kleenex.

In Christopher’s own words…

Last month, Sgt. Jorge L. of the United States Marine Corp contacted me through GigMasters, with a special Valentine’s Day request. He is currently stationed in a combat zone in Afghanistan and wanted me to go in his place to serenade his sweetheart. He had searched many talented performer’s profiles and asked me to perform for his girlfriend, an Army Nurse at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. I told him, “I would be honored to perform for your sweetheart.” He then asked me if it would be difficult for me to make the trip to Honolulu, where she was stationed. I told him, “Jorge, I play everywhere – no place is too far.”
Jorge and I communicated by email for the first week, then one day I received a phone call which had many strange numbers on my caller ID. I picked up the phone, and I heard from the other end, “Hello, Christopher, this is Sgt. Jorge.” I was not expecting a call from Afghanistan and was surprised that his voice came through so clearly. Jorge was very reserved on the phone and he asked me many questions about what I do, what songs I could sing and he asked me if I could play some requests. I told him, “without a doubt”. He asked me if I could sing Brenton Wood I like the Way You Love Me, Jimi Hendrix Little Wing, Alicia Keys Un-thinkable (I’m Ready), Moldy Peaches Anyone Else But You. I thought about the selections and additionally suggested to him Extreme More Than Words and Honeydrippers Sea of Love. He loved the suggestions and I ended with a Sea of Love, the video is available to view here…

I spent six days in Honolulu preparing for the gig, taking my guitar to Waimanalo and Waikiki Beach to rehearse. It was unbearable. Just kidding, I was in heaven! This was not my first GigMasters event in Hawaii, in fact it was my third in a couple year’s time. Hawaii has a special place in my heart, I lived in Hawaii in the past, working on the Cruise ship, the S.S. Independence and it brings me great joy to return to the ‘Sandwich Islands’ that Captain Cook discovered in 1778. The people’s Aloha spirit, the world class beaches, the freshest seafood and the distinct floral effervescence of Plumerias, Gardenias and Tiares captivate my senses and delight me.

Jorge made several more nervous calls to me that week. We talked about how I would meet her. I had asked for her photo and knew I would be able to recognize her, but Jorge had wanted this to be a surprise – he did not want to tell her what would happen on Valentine’s Day. This posed a challenge. What if she was sick that day? What if she did not take a lunch break? I began to think of this and knew that could not happen. We decided I would encounter her at her favorite cafeteria that day. Jorge guaranteed that, and I had complete faith in him. When I awoke on Valentine’s Day I envisioned the afternoon – I had to enter a completely unknown location, wait surreptitiously for an unknown and unsuspecting client, and deliver a serenade in an Army Hospital. Cool.
On Valentine’s Day, before the performance, the nervous Sgt. Jorge called from Afghanistan, to make sure that the surprise went well. I waited anxiously at the cafeteria. Jorge told me that Atina was on her way, and she was expecting a surprise. When she finally arrived, she was decked out in her operating room garb, long blue and green flowing material that billowed in the wind when she entered the courtyard I was waiting in. I knew it was her immediately. I stood up, walked over to her, calling her name and extending my hand. She was dumbfounded, then looked down to see the guitar and immediately knew what was happening. She was beside herself, her face turning red and appeared out of breath. We sat down and chatted while she nervously answered her phone. It was Jorge. She couldn’t believe and was smiling. Atina was a sincere, quiet woman. She told me that Jorge and her were very much alike in that regard. I could tell that from the way they both spoke that they were a good match and that they cared deeply for each other.

As we wound our way through the hospital, we stopped off at the florist to pick up a huge vase of roses Jorge had also sent. Atina had an entourage! It was a sight to see the patients and doctors smiling and watching Atina. They were smiling with her as her roses and the guitarist followed her closely down the corridors. We found a semi private courtyard, and I immediately opened my guitar case and began playing Little Wing the first song Jorge had requested. Atina lit up and was smiling from ear to ear as I sang. Her phone rang immediately as if on cue. It was Jorge, he was calling her to share the moment with her. I looked down, and noticed a lone tear on her face. It was a sublime beauty. I was playing my part, helping these two distanced lovers momentarily connect through time and space. This Valentine’s Day was one none of us will ever forget.

Thank you, GigMasters, for bringing us together.

To view all the photos from the event, visit Christopher’s Facebook fanpage, We were so touched when Christopher Kilday shared this amazing story with us. It’s what we’re all about here at GigMasters – helping people celebrate life’s biggest moments. Grab a kleenex.

In Christopher’s own words…

Last month, Sgt. Jorge L. of the United States Marine Corp contacted me through GigMasters, with a special Valentine’s Day request. He is currently stationed in a combat zone in Afghanistan and wanted me to go in his place to serenade his sweetheart. He had searched many talented performer’s profiles and asked me to perform for his girlfriend, an Army Nurse at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. I told him, “I would be honored to perform for your sweetheart.” He then asked me if it would be difficult for me to make the trip to Honolulu, where she was stationed. I told him, “Jorge, I play everywhere – no place is too far.”
Jorge and I communicated by email for the first week, then one day I received a phone call which had many strange numbers on my caller ID. I picked up the phone, and I heard from the other end, “Hello, Christopher, this is Sgt. Jorge.” I was not expecting a call from Afghanistan and was surprised that his voice came through so clearly. Jorge was very reserved on the phone and he asked me many questions about what I do, what songs I could sing and he asked me if I could play some requests. I told him, “without a doubt”. He asked me if I could sing Brenton Wood I like the Way You Love Me, Jimi Hendrix Little Wing, Alicia Keys Un-thinkable (I’m Ready), Moldy Peaches Anyone Else But You. I thought about the selections and additionally suggested to him Extreme More Than Words and Honeydrippers Sea of Love. He loved the suggestions and I ended with a Sea of Love, the video is available to view here…

I spent six days in Honolulu preparing for the gig, taking my guitar to Waimanalo and Waikiki Beach to rehearse. It was unbearable. Just kidding, I was in heaven! This was not my first GigMasters event in Hawaii, in fact it was my third in a couple year’s time. Hawaii has a special place in my heart, I lived in Hawaii in the past, working on the Cruise ship, the S.S. Independence and it brings me great joy to return to the ‘Sandwich Islands’ that Captain Cook discovered in 1778. The people’s Aloha spirit, the world class beaches, the freshest seafood and the distinct floral effervescence of Plumerias, Gardenias and Tiares captivate my senses and delight me.

Jorge made several more nervous calls to me that week. We talked about how I would meet her. I had asked for her photo and knew I would be able to recognize her, but Jorge had wanted this to be a surprise – he did not want to tell her what would happen on Valentine’s Day. This posed a challenge. What if she was sick that day? What if she did not take a lunch break? I began to think of this and knew that could not happen. We decided I would encounter her at her favorite cafeteria that day. Jorge guaranteed that, and I had complete faith in him. When I awoke on Valentine’s Day I envisioned the afternoon – I had to enter a completely unknown location, wait surreptitiously for an unknown and unsuspecting client, and deliver a serenade in an Army Hospital. Cool.
On Valentine’s Day, before the performance, the nervous Sgt. Jorge called from Afghanistan, to make sure that the surprise went well. I waited anxiously at the cafeteria. Jorge told me that Atina was on her way, and she was expecting a surprise. When she finally arrived, she was decked out in her operating room garb, long blue and green flowing material that billowed in the wind when she entered the courtyard I was waiting in. I knew it was her immediately. I stood up, walked over to her, calling her name and extending my hand. She was dumbfounded, then looked down to see the guitar and immediately knew what was happening. She was beside herself, her face turning red and appeared out of breath. We sat down and chatted while she nervously answered her phone. It was Jorge. She couldn’t believe and was smiling. Atina was a sincere, quiet woman. She told me that Jorge and her were very much alike in that regard. I could tell that from the way they both spoke that they were a good match and that they cared deeply for each other.

As we wound our way through the hospital, we stopped off at the florist to pick up a huge vase of roses Jorge had also sent. Atina had an entourage! It was a sight to see the patients and doctors smiling and watching Atina. They were smiling with her as her roses and the guitarist followed her closely down the corridors. We found a semi private courtyard, and I immediately opened my guitar case and began playing Little Wing the first song Jorge had requested. Atina lit up and was smiling from ear to ear as I sang. Her phone rang immediately as if on cue. It was Jorge, he was calling her to share the moment with her. I looked down, and noticed a lone tear on her face. It was a sublime beauty. I was playing my part, helping these two distanced lovers momentarily connect through time and space. This Valentine’s Day was one none of us will ever forget.

Thank you, GigMasters, for bringing us together.

Here are the words of USMC Sgt. Jorge L. describing his experience –

“The performance that Christopher Kilday gave my baby on Valentine‚s Day was amazing. My sweetheart was very impressed by his talent, professional attitude, and willingness to make the atmosphere as pleasant as possible for her. When I asked her if he was good at what he does she said yes, was so happy that I could get someone with this type of talent. I am very grateful to have found a performer of this caliber to serenade my girlfriend on Valentine’s Day, 2011. Everything from the booking, to the planning that led up to the event was not difficult at all. Christopher’s willingness to accommodate me as a client, and professional attitude made everything a breeze.”

Customer Ratings
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), how would you rate Christopher Kilday in terms of their professionalism? 5
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), how would you rate Christopher Kilday in terms of their overall talent? 5
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), how accommodating was Christopher Kilday in handling special requests for your event? 5
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), how strongly would you recommend Christopher Kilday to a friend? 5
And finally, on a scale of 1 to 5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), how would you rate your overall satisfaction with Christopher Kilday? 5

To view all the photos from the event, visit Christopher’s Facebook fanpage – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christopher-Kilday/128878671582?sk=wall

To learn more about Christopher, visit his press kit http://www.gigmasters.com/Guitar/Christopher-Kilday/

Visit Christopher’s website here – www.christopherkilday.com

The wedding was to take place in October, of the following year, at the American Horticultural Society River Farm, in Mount Vernon, VA. http://www.ahs.org/index.html It is the northernmost of the five farms owned by George Washington, although never inhabited by him. The land originally was granted to Giles Brent’s son, Giles Jr., in 1653, from Lord Thomas Culpepper, Crowned Governor of Virginia. The land at that time was called the ‘Piscataway Neck’ This is what is indicated on the website of AHSRF, however, there seems to be a mistake in their story – Lord Culpepper was not Governor of Virginia until 1677. I have asked the Historian at AHSRF for clarification about that story.

Regardless of the origins, the land was purchased in 1760 formally by a ‘gentleman farmer’ named George Washington a few years before he would become the Commander of the Continental Army and crush the English Redcoats.He had bought the inherited property (1739) from William Clifton for a few thousand pounds and was deemed ‘shuffling’ by Washington after he waited five years to receive a clear title to the land.

The lovely gardens have a few historically significant items: Three large Black Walnut trees adorn the rear of the property, and are remnants of the 18th century landscape that was common in the Potomac River region. The nuts were eaten, the wood used for furniture, gunstocks, and the dye from the husks was used to dye hair.
The oldest tree and most significant, is the gigantic Osage Orange tree that was given to Washington by Thomas Jefferson around 1804. Jefferson received it as a seedling from the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the West. It is the largest in Virginia and the second largest Osage in the country.

The wedding was set in this breathtaking riverfront property that overlooked the Potomac, a few miles away from where I had grown up. It gave me great pleasure to perform on this Colonial Farm, watching the sun set over the gardens and fields that I visited as a child. Meaghan and Matt were given the gift of perfect October weather, warm, sunny, and slightly breezy as they walked through this enchanted manor grounds to exchange their vows.
There was an outdoor tent that provided shelter while the guests dined and danced in and around the farm house. Guests were able to walk and marvel through the gardens that were filled with many a scented rosebush, which were in full bloom of course!

Before the ceremony I added to the Colonial nature by performing Minuets from the 18th Century, from Vissee and Molino. After the ceremony, the reception was held in a Rose Garden, where I sat under a pear tree and played jazz happily while the guests and bees buzzed through the gardens. Such a beautiful moment to share in this life.

” Hi Christopher,

Thanks for sharing in our amazing day! We were so pleased with your music and it was really great to have you there! What a beautiful place – I hope you get to take your family there sometime.”

Meaghan and Matt

Please enjoy a short video of the grounds here on Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXdXcjXegJI

Photo credits to John Shinkle of Freed Photography, http://www.freedphoto.com/our-artists/john/

http://www.christopherkilday.com

http://www.christopherkilday.com

The sweltering sun took the temperatures up towards 90, but luckily, the heat subsided in time for the ceremony. The neat rows of grapes created a spectacular landscape for their wedding. The ochre gnarled vines were bursting with grapes and bees dancing around them as Brett and Jessica exchanged their vows.
I performed J.S. Bach’s ‘Ode To Joy’, Pachebel’s Canon’ and other Classical Music for the ceremony, but afterwards, they wanted to relax to some Jazz and Latin music. I spiced it up with Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, and even some Santana favorites for the crowd while they dined on exquisite hors d’ oeuvres and a mouthwatering buffet.

It was no surprise the food was so magnificent, Jessica is the Head Chef of Belle Saveur, a Southern California based catering company. You can reach her here –
bellesaveur@yahoo.com

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The weather was ideal, sunny, 80 degrees and the guests were entertained by a pirate that looked like Jack Sparrow. He did balloon art for the kids. While the guests enjoyed Jazz and popular music, the Lechon, or suckling pig, was the centerpiece that no one could take their eyes from. With over a hundred guests the poor little pig lasted barely an hour!! What a fantastic party!

http://www.gigmasters.com/guitar/ChristopherKilday/

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http://www.lifestylesllc.com/senior_living/Sonora_CA/zip_95370/senior_living/2215

I dashed off to Twain Harte, named after Mark Twain and Bret Harte where Yosemite National Forest and the Sierra Nevada Mountains can be met within an hour.
This fundraiser was raising money for Skyline Place, a unique assisted living community that specializes in day care only. I would like to thank and congratulate Katrina McRee, the organizer of this benefit that succeeded in raising over $27,000 for their cause.

Jugglers, Magicians, Bluegrass musicians, a Shakespeare troupe from LA, and myself were featured at this blockbuster event in the redwoods. The setting was a mansion, complete with an Indian Tee Pee, Forest Theatre and antiques from the 19th and 20th century which the benefactors marveled at on the tours through the home.

The hosts were exceptionally gracious and hosted a massive American pancake breakfast and World Cup Soccer Final viewing party the next morning!!! Congratulations to everyone that helped raise over $27,000 that night!

http://www.christopherkilday.com

http://www.gigmasters.com/guitar/ChristopherKilday/