Plush
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Plush is the premier upscale wedding and private party band of the Central Texas region. Quickly gaining notoriety for their high energy performances, dynamic stage chemistry, fantastic musicianship, and impressive technical production with a choreographed light show, Plush offers party experiences that you and your guests will never forget! Their repertoire is vast with a songbook of Top 40 dance hits from the 1960’s through 2016, appealing to a wide range of guests. Plush can offer several customizations to best support you and your event needs, including special song requests and dinner/cocktail hour music. A first class sound system, a Master of Ceremonies, and a professional sound engineer are included in Plush’s full production package, and at your disposal. Having played for intimate groups of under 50 people to crowds of 10,000+ for events like fundraisers, Christmas parties, festivals, races, sporting events, weddings, anniversary parties, birthday parties, and graduation parties, there’s nothing this group of six performers hasn’t experienced. Plush is a guaranteed crowd favorite, ready to meet your event needs!
Alyssa
(Lead Vocals)
Hailing from Kentucky, Alyssa Bentley first took the stage when she was four years old, singing with her mother in church. Music runs in the family, and she was no exception. Alyssa received a scholarship for music and graduated with a degree in vocal music performance. Although she has shared the stage with a great many musicians, she would tell you her favorite memory was singing at a jazz club in Los Angeles with Jeff Goldblum accompanying on piano. Alyssa brings contagious energy and show-stopping vocals to every Plush performance. She is also a hiking enthusiast, drinks bourbon neat, loves to travel, and her favorite food group is wedding cake.
Rick
(Lead Vocals)
All the way from Biloxi, Mississippi, Rick started singing before he could talk. Rick was singing solos in school starting as a 2nd grader. He can sing Prince like no one else you have ever heard, and he has the most impressive range of any Plush vocalist. Rick has been part of so many amazing performances that he could never choose just one favorite. He was honored to play for over 10,000 guests at a September 11th memorial service at the Capitol building in Austin. Rick is a sports enthusiast, and he has played for Peyton Manning as well as Drew Brees – two of his favorite sports icons! Rick has also performed twice for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which is something he will never forget. Rick met his wife at a performance; he was completely unable to talk/sing the moment he saw her in the audience, and they have been inseparable ever since. Swoon!
Mike
(Guitar)
Born and raised in our favorite city of Austin, Texas, Mike began playing guitar at age 13 and was playing in his first band(s) at 15. Mike was influenced at a young age by his grandfather’s favorite musicians like Santana, Allman Bros, Eagles, and ZZ Top. His favorite musical experience so far has been playing at the Moody Theater at ACL Live, one of Austin’s most prestigious venues! When he’s not moonlighting as the Plush guitar player and rapper, he plays in kickball and softball leagues. And, as any true Texan would applaud, Mike loves bull riding. We call him “MikeGyver” for being our tech savvy Mr. Fixxit.
Pinky
(Bass)
Our second Austin, Texas native, Michael “Pinky” Russell, began his love affair with music at the age of 10, playing saxophone. He continued saxophone throughout middle school, high school, and even a semester at The University of North Texas (where he earned his nickname after wearing a pink shirt to band practice). Pinky received his first guitar on his 16th birthday. He then taught himself to play the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, piano, drums, and several wind and string instruments in only a few short years. He is definitely our music aficionado! “Guitar players are a dime-a-dozen; bass players get jobs.” – This quote from a musical mentor is what drove Pinky to settle in where he belongs. Extensively studying the works of such bass players as Paul McCartney and Nathan East, he fell in love with the bass. 10 years later as a member of the Plush family, he continues to learn and grow in all aspects of his craft and can dance while playing bass fantastically! Pinky’s favorite performance experience so far was opening for Boston in 2011. He loves all things whiskey; his favorite color is pink (surprise, surprise); he married his high school sweetheart, and he can’t say no to a superhero movie.
BJ
(Keyboard)
From nearby Bryan-College Station, Arthur “BJ” Henry was playing drums at 2 years old. Born to a musical family, BJ was destined to be a great musician. His grandfather, a band instructor and jazz club owner, was also a drummer for Ike and Tina Turner. His mother and siblings, with their collective piano, bass guitar, trombone, and vocal talents, groomed BJ for his first church drumming gig at age 7. The family moved to Austin 3 years later, where BJ excelled as section leader of his school’s Drumline. At 15, BJ was using his piano and bass guitar talent to land the music director position at a local church. Since then, BJ has toured with an assortment of artists in genres ranging from gospel to country. His last tour was with Sinbad (the comedian!) playing bass and keyboard. When not performing with Plush, BJ produces music at his studio in Austin, A100-Studios. He loves karaoke, candlelight dinners, and short walks on the beach.
Johnny
(Drums)
Born in El Paso, Johnny’s musical journey started not with the drums, but with a piano at age 8. He then went on to school band percussion and, eventually, drum line. He was beyond thrilled when he got his first drum set at the age of 14 and immediately started playing public shows in San Antonio. Johnny found himself in the recording studio for the first time at 15, and he was hooked. He studied audio engineering at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Arizona. Then he toured nationally and recorded three albums, consistently playing at iconic venues like Stubbs, Antones, and Emos with Cord. Johnny found his way back to his favorite city, Austin, Texas. After a 2 year 
tour with Texas country music star, Mark McKinney, Johnny joined Plush. Lucky us! His favorite performance to date was when he opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2015. In true Texan fashion, Johnny’s favorite filmmaker is Wes Anderson. He has named all of his pets, past and present, after characters from Wes Anderson movies!
Plush Brass Section
Our most popular upgrade option and crowd favorite is our Plush Brass Section. Consisting of 1 trumpet player, 1 saxophone player, and 1 trombone player, they are high energy, dynamic, and they do all the dance moves along with us. They also bring a more authentic sound to our Motown, jazz, and R&B songs. If you’re wanting a New Orleans style second line parade, our Plush Brass Section has you covered!
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