Today we’d like to introduce you to Rae And Marc Co-Owners of Funky Business Band.
Hi Rae and Marc, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Marc Kray and Rae Doner, Co-Owners of Funky Business Band:
We came from different musical backgrounds. Marc is a lifelong percussionist with a music degree, and Rae is a once‑shy singer who finally threw her inhibitions to the wind for the love of music. Together we built a band that thrives on energy, connection, and pure fun.
We first met in 2013 when Rae joined Marc’s 90s cover band. Playing raw, angsty grunge music of our formative years was a lot of fun, but it didn’t take long for us to realize we were dreaming of something bigger. We both loved the rush of a dancing crowd, the sound of people singing along, and the spark that happens when the audience becomes part of the music. The band we were both imagining was just an idea away.
Party music comes in a variety of forms, and we envisioned big sound on a big stage, packed with energy. We started with people we already knew, and one musician led to another until we had assembled an amazing family who felt like they’d always belonged together. We created a full 9-piece band complete with drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, vocals, and most importantly in our opinion, a horn section. This is our 10th year entertaining audiences around Colorado, playing weddings, festivals, corporate events, private parties, and anywhere else with a dance floor and a multitude in dancing shoes.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We’re been incredibly fortunate to know some of the greatest people who also happen to play an instrument. There’s a potential for a band with so many personalities to have dramatic interpersonal conflicts, differences of opinion, or just bad attitudes. In contrast, our team is so wonderful. We keep a mostly drama-free space, and all our musicians work very well together. We like to think it’s because of our leadership, but really it’s them. Simply stated, these musicians are just good people.
Of course, running a business of any kind comes with challenges. Coordinating busy schedules and managing logistics leading up to an event can feel overwhelming. But at the core, this job is all about sparking fun. Once the music starts, we come alive, and those challenges fade into the background. More than once, we’ve found ourselves mid‑set, looking around at each other thinking, “Is this real life? We actually get to do this for a living!”
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Funky Business is a dynamic 9-piece party band celebrated for electrifying performances throughout Colorado. We’re composed of seasoned musicians, powerhouse vocals, and a vibrant horn section. Our singular mission is Fueling the Fun! Our repertoire spans a diverse range of renowned covers and catchy originals, including a variety of funk, pop, rock, and disco. We want everyone to feel like they’re part of the music, and we want to be the ones to ignite that feeling.
There are a lot of bands in Colorado providing a similar experience with great energy and an awesome music selection. What sets Funky Business apart is our courteous professionalism with clients and event planners and the fact that we are the same tight, seasoned group of artists at every event we play. We’re a real band that has played together for years, not a group of hired guns under the umbrella of a nationally marketed organization who are assembled per performance. We know each other’s moves, trust each others’ instincts, and build our own sound together. That chemistry shows up in our music. We’re a family onstage and off, and that’s why the groove hits harder, the transitions are seamless, and the dance floor stays alive.
We invest in people. We love getting to know our clients, and we make every event personal. There’s nothing better than seeing a couple whose wedding we played come to a public gig with their new baby, or getting a handwritten thank‑you from someone telling us how unforgettable their experience was. Those connections are why we do what we do.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Our musicians are also working professionals in industries outside of music. We have teachers, painters, university administrators, IT professionals, and industrial technicians. Even the two of us have full-time jobs besides running the band. At this point, we’re not entirely sure whether Funky Business counts as the side gig or the second full-time job, but the mix keeps life interesting in the best way.
When he’s not writing a Funky Business arrangement or performing with the Foothills Symphonic Band, Marc is a wood and stained-glass artist whose work can be found in various Colorado art galleries. He also dabbles in property management and can often be found skiing, hiking, traveling, watching sports, or simply enjoying a coffee or beer on the patio.
Rae is a practicing licensed structural engineer, designing timber frames, homes, and concrete structures all over Colorado. She also volunteers with an elementary school rock band where she helps teach kids a variety of instruments. Both of her children got their musical start there, though she jokes her younger son had a head start since Andrew McMahon once came into the crowd at a concert and sang directly to her pregnant belly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.funkybusiness.band/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funkybusinesscolorado/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FunkyBusinessColorado/
Image Credits
@Crystalleffelphoto
@Seanlaraphotography
@Catherinenorwoodphoto
@Daniellezimmererphotography
