Band Bios

Center City Groove is a Charlotte based 5-piece variety band whose musicians are regarded throughout the region as the "cream of the crop". The band's high energy performances are definite crowd pleasers. From R&B, Rock, Blues, Beach, Dance, and Country to traditional wedding standards, CCG has it covered. The band is consistently adding new material to their repertoire and can tailor the song list to fit your event. The band is available for private parties, weddings, festivals, nightclubs, and corporate functions.

Band Members

Arnold Lasseter - Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals, and Band Manager

Arnold started playing the guitar with his father at age 6, but then at age 14, his parents purchased his first drum set. He was hooked. Six months later he rocked the house playing the drums with the ‘Kay and the Fluxuations’ Band, on a Saturday morning at the Carolina Theatre in Winston-Salem, in front of 300 people. Their first song was ‘This Magic Moment’. He still has photos of ‘Kay and the Fluxuations’ from 1969.

Arnold's early influences include: The Temptations, Rare Earth, Ohio Players, Steppenwolf, Smokey Robinson, Grand Funk Railroad…, He currently plays and prefers a hybrid drum set, part studio digital and part acoustic, which gives him much more flexibility and control over the sound than a traditional set.

Mark Searles - Guitar, Keyboards, and Background Vocals

Mark has been actively involved with music since 1970 when he started studying the violin in the third grade. After a few years he switched to the piano and later, in high school, to the guitar. Mark played lead and rhythm guitar with several bands throughout New England before relocating to the Charlotte area in 1993.

His guitar influences/favorites include: Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons, Carlos Santana, George Benson, Larry Carlton, Joe Pass, Mike Stern, Pat Metheny, Frank Gambale, and Lee Ritenour to name a few. For piano, a few favorites include: Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Donald Fagen, Michel Camilo, Bob James, and Lyle Mays. Mark currently teaches guitar and piano in Huntersville, NC (www.mwsmusicstudio.com).

Fred Bledsoe - Lead Vocals

Fred is an accomplished Charlotte area vocalist with extensive experience touring throughout the Southeast.

William Hood - Keyboards and Background Vocals

William started playing piano in 6th grade and popular organ in the 8th grade. He attended music school at Virginia Commonwealth University, majoring in Music Theory and Composition with Viola as his major instrument. After college he went on the road opening for acts like Bruce Springsteen, Pat Benatar, The Spinners, Friends of Distinction, The Chambers Brothers and Melba Moore.

After settling down in the Charlotte area and meeting his wife here, is now playing with the Center City Groove Band and the Lake Norman Orchestra. He enjoys all musical styles from Beethoven to Tower of Power.

David Page- Bass and Background Vocals.