Madewood Street Music
Hattiesburg's Premier Wedding & Event Music Entertainment
Madewood’s #1 goal is to provide an unforgettable, personalized experience that emphasizes our clients’ visions. The band offers customized performances, which include: enthusiastic musicians, stage lighting, free first-dance requests for brides & grooms, flexible band lineups & instrumentation, and friendly assistance with planning your event.
About Us
Delivering an engaging performance across various musical genres, Madewood Street Music skillfully covers Top 40s, Motown, Contemporary Country, and timeless classics. Infusing energy into each show, our band boasts lively stage personas, featuring multiple vocalists, rich harmonies, and seasoned musicians. This dynamic mix is further complemented by one of the area’s premier horn sections, setting the dance floor ablaze.
Setting us apart, Madewood’s primary objective is to craft an unforgettable and personalized experience that aligns seamlessly with our clients’ visions. Tailoring each performance, we bring enthusiastic musicians, dynamic stage lighting, and happily accommodate first-dance requests for couples. Our flexibility extends to band lineups and instrumentation, providing friendly event planning assistance. Comprising a diverse group of musicians with unique backgrounds and experiences, the common thread is their passion for performing live. By day, these professionals and entrepreneurs dedicate their nights to delivering exceptional musical experiences.
Wayne Dawson
Guitar
Madewood Street Music is an 9-piece party band with a big sound!
Meet The Band
Bart Jones
Vocalist
Bart Jones Our charismatic male vocalist brings energy and passion to the stage. Singing from an early age, Bart hails from a musical church family in Mississippi and grew up singing in choirs and ensembles. He gives the “band bug” credit to his multi-talented younger brother Ben, who played and sang with local bands in Hattiesburg. Ben recently passed away of cancer at the early age of 48. Bart says he is extremely blessed to be a part of such a talented and versatile group of musicians. During the week, he works as a medical device rep, loves spending time with family and friends, and of course making music with Madewood!
Jennie Blackwell
Vocalist
Jennie lends her voice as the female vocalist with Madewood Street Music. She considers herself lucky to be able to perform among such talented bandmates. She has a lifetime of experience performing on different Hattiesburg stages in a variety of capacities. She is also a member of the Hub City Players, which brings headline shows to Festival South. Bringing joy through entertainment is one of her greatest thrills. Her biggest fans and strongest inspirations are her sons. Her most important role is being a mother. And her best advice is to laugh at yourself…perfection is impossible, so don’t take yourself too seriously.
Wayne Dawnson
Guitar
Wayne is one of the founding members of Madewood Street Music, the band manager, and the lead guitarist. He has been involved in the Hattiesburg music scene for many years and has performed with notable musicians, the most memorable being Craig Wiseman (# 1 country songwriter with hits Live Like You Were Dying and Boys Round Here) and his daughter Alex for a sold-out performance at the Saenger Theater.
Andy Gilstrap
Drummer
Originally from Wichita, Kansas, Andrew Gilstrap currently resides in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
He is the Assistant Band Director, Instructor of Percussion, and Technical Director for the Brownstone Center for Performing Arts at Pearl River Community College. Andrew holds both B.M. and M.M. degrees from Wichita State University and a D.M.A. from the University of Southern Mississippi. In addition to his teaching, Gilstrap joined Madewood Street Music in April of 2021 and is an active performer in the Southeast region, including performances with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, SoMispo, Hub City Players, and numerous appearances at the Natchez Festival of Music and Festival South.
Larry Panella
Jazz Saxophonist
Larry Panella is a jazz saxophonist and educator at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he serves as the Director of Jazz Studies. He has performed with numerous artists and entertainers, including the Phil Collins Big Band, the Woody Herman Orchestra, and Natalie Cole. His recordings include his newly released CD entitled Larry Panella: The Gestures Project and Larry Panella: Under the Influence, as well as releases with the Phil Collins Big Band, The Collection Jazz Orchestra, the Ashley Alexander Big Band, John Mahoney Big Band, and Chris Cortez.
Sam Bruton
Jazz Pianist, Bassist and Composer
Sam Bruton has been a professional musician for over forty years. He has extensive experience as a jazz pianist, bassist, and composer and has written and produced music for nationally-known brands including McDonald’s, Zatarains, the U.S. Open (PGA), and RJ Reynolds. Since moving to Mississippi, he has performed with the USM orchestra and with local favorites Delfeayo Marsalis, Vasti Jackson, and the Capital Big Band. He is a Professor of Philosophy at USM and Director of the Office of Research Integrity.
Tom Howells
Trumpet
Tom is a chemical engineer by day and a trumpeter by night. He enjoys all types of music but has loved playing church music, big-band jazz, Broadway musicals, and, of course, playing covers with Madewood Street Music since the band’s inception. In his music career, he has played trumpet in 47 different Broadway musicals in Hattiesburg, Biloxi, Pensacola, Meridian, and Laurel. He has played with numerous traveling tribute big-bands and feature artists such as Cab Calloway, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Guy Lombardo, Gary Collins & Mary Ann Mobley, Shirley Jones, Mac McAnally, Tim Rushlow, Pattie Austin, Vasti Jackson, and more. He has also supported Hattiesburg’s Festival South, playing in various features since its beginning, as well as with various groups in south Mississippi for the last 25+ years, such as Stardusters, Londonaires, Silver City Review, Mr. Big, Hub City Swing, Meisterisngers, and numerous other community-based musical organizations.
Phillip Lovitt
Keys
Phillip Lovitt has been tickling the ivories since the second grade. Many top regional bands in the Mississippi area were aware of his piano skills early on. Starting in the 70’s, Phillip played with Somersong So-Fine, Linda, and the Below Average White Band and played keys for many years with a local favorite, The Remnants. He is an original member of Madewood Street Music, lending his skills on keys and vocals. He has played with the Parkway Heights UMC praise band for numerous years in Hattiesburg. Phillip transitioned from a fulfilling career in the farm equipment business into a harmonious retirement. He enjoys spending time with his wonderful wife, two children, and four grandchildren.
Jimmy Clark
Trombone
Jimmy has been playing trombone for nearly 30 years. He’s had the privilege during that time to share the stage with varied music groups all over Mississippi and beyond. He’s been entertaining with Madewood Street Music since 2020. Jimmy is a graduate of Delta State University and a former music educator now working in industrial sales and niche contracting. Over the years, he’s been fortunate to perform with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, various US Army bands, including Mississippi’s own 41st Army Band, the Mississippi Wind Symphony, Laurel Little Theatre, several cover bands (to include opening for the Doobie Brothers), churches, community musical organizations ranging from Broadway to Big Band, and even got to play on the USS Alabama once!
Upcoming Events of 2025
2025
9-6-25 Private Party
2025
10-2-25 USM Dubard School
2025
10-17-25 Laurel State Fair
2025
11-22-25 Wedding
Past Shows
06.29.2024
Wedding
06.14.2024
FGH Cancer Fund Raiser
01.27.2024
Krewe Of Elks
10.13.2023
Monster Mash
The Racquet Club of Hattiesburg08.04.2023
Denim & Diamonds
Southern Oaks Venue05.06.2023
Wedding
Bottling Company04.29.2023
Wedding
Bottling Company04.21.2023
Live at Five
Town Square Park03.18.2023
Irish Italian Festival
St. Thomas Catholic Church02.17.2023
Zeus Coronation Ball
Jackie Dole Community Center01.14.2023
Wedding
Meridian Country Club12.10.2022
Wedding
Meridian Country Club11.26.2022
Wedding
Hattiesburg Train Depot11.11.2022
Remax Batson Charity Event
Hattiesburg Racquet Club10.29.2022
Wedding
Southern Oaks
10.07.2022
Canebrake Member Guest
Canebrake Country Club
08.19.2022
Kids Hub Denim and Diamonds
Venue at the Bakery
07.29.2022
Laughs 4 Life
VIP Reception Bottling Co
06.18.2022
Wedding
Ogletree Alumni House
03.19.2022
St. Tomas Irish Italian Festival
03.05.2022
American Board Trial Advocates Reception
Bottling Company
02.25.2022
Zeus Coronation Ball
12.03.2021
Wedding
Barn at Bridlewood
11.12.2021
Private Wedding Party
Canebrake
11.05.2021
Charity Ball
Barn
Bridlewood
10.27.2021
South MS Fair
07.30.2021
Laughs 4 Life VIP Party
Bottling Co
07.17.2021
Wedding
Barn at Bridlewood
07.03.2021
July 4th Celebration
Canebrake
06.12.2021
Wedding
Dogwood
05.22.2021
Wedding
Barn at Bridlewood
04.17.2021
Senior High Prom
Private
10.09.2020
Wedding
Winwood Equestrian Center-Birmingham, AL
08.15.2020
Wedding
Dogwood Venue
07.04.2020
July 4th Celebration
Canebrake Lake Clubhouse
02.21.2020
Zeus Mardi Gras
02.08.2020
Elk's Mardi Gras
Elk's Lodge
12.31.2019
New Years Eve
Bottling Co
12.14.2019
Wedding
The Barn At Bridlewood
11.30.2019
Debutante Ball
11.16.2019
St. Fabian Int'l Festival
Hattiesburg
10.26.2019
Hattiesburg JA Charity Ball
Hattiesburg Country Club
10.11.2019
Canebrake Member Guest
Canebrake Country Club
08.24.2019
Wedding
The Bottling Company
08.02.2019
Laughs 4 Life
The Bottling Company
06.22.2019
MS Society of CPA's Convention
Sandestin Resort
06.15.2019
Wedding
The Bottling Company
05.09.2019
Carrol Burt Benefit
Brewsky's
04.05.2019
Private Event
Alpha Beta Spring Social
03.30.2019
Lowery Surprise Party
Southern Oaks
03.16.2019
St. Thomas Irish Italian Festival
03.09.2019
Wedding
The Bottling Company
02.23.2019
Krewe of Elks
Mardi Gras Ball
02.15.2019
Krewe of St. Fabians Mardi Gras Ball
Dogwood Venue
01.12.2019
Wedding
The Barn at Bridlewood
11.20.2018
Wedding
Dogwood Venue
11.10.2018
Private Event
Wedding
11.03.2018
Private Event
Canebrake
10.10.2018
MS Realtors Convention
Point Clear, AL
10.06.2018
Hattiesburg High School 40th Reunion
Sidelines Sports Cafe
08.24.2018
Live at Five Summer Tunes
With Travis Clark Band
08.18.2018
Private Event
Tylertown
08.01.2018
Laughs 4 Life Street Party
Hattiesburg Saenger Theater
06.23.2018
Wedding
The Barn at Bridlewood
06.02.2018
Dollar Box Show Room
After the Best Of The Pine Belt Awards
05.19.2018
Wedding
Dogwood Venue
04.28.2018
Heidelberg Academy - Big Woods Pavilion
With Travis Clark Band
04.21.2018
Wedding
The Barn at Bridlewood
04.14.2018
REO Speedwagon/Styx VIP Pre-Party
Wharf Resort-Orange Beach AL
03.17.2018
St. Thomas Irish Italian Festival
03.09.2018
Sidelines Sports Cafe
01.26.2018
St. Fabians Mardi Gras Ball
01.05.2018
Dollar Box Showroom
12.14.2017
Topp McWhorter & Harvey - Christmas Party
The Barn at Bridlewood
Contact for Booking
Thank you for visiting Madewood Street Music’s website! We hope you found the information you were looking for and enjoyed exploring our range of entertainment services. Our team of experienced professionals is always ready to help you create the perfect entertainment plan for your special occasion. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you and making your event an unforgettable experience!