City Lights Band
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Paula Chavis - Featured Vocalist

A native of Nashville, Tennessee where her vocal abilities led to school and television appearances. She began a recording career soon after, recording national commercials, dance music for Arthur Murray and background vocals for Kenny Rogers. Paula has performed in the Super Bowl Halftime for Kids and was featured in an Opryland presentation for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS. She was a regular member of the  Nashville Symphony Chorus, appeared as a soloist with the Nashville Symphony Holiday Pop Series and was a Semi-Finalist in the American Traditions Vocal Competition for Women. Paula has also performed with Larry Carlton, The Chi-lites, The Drifters, Charlie Daniels, and Shirley Ceasar while continuing a distinguished career as a teacher in the Metro School system. Recently, Paula released a solo CD, "Special Requests", and anticipates her next project in the near future.

Sam Levine - Band Leader/Saxophone

Born in Champaign, Illinois, Sam attended Harvard College, the University of Alaska and Indiana University School of Music before moving to Nashville in 1977. He is currently a recording artist for Village Square Music and was previously on the Springhill and Brentwood Jazz labels. As an artist Sam has ten solo projects and three Dove Award nominations. His latest release on the Village Square label is a smooth jazz Christmas project. In addition being a recording artist Sam is a very busy studio musician in Nashville.  Sam has recently recorded tracks for Vince Gill, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Brooks and Dunn, Michael McDonald,  Norah Jones, Livingston Taylor, Matchbox 20,  Amy Grant, and  Michael W. Smith.

Bernell James - Featured Vocalist

Bernell is Paula's brother. He began his musical endeavors singing in church where he assisted his father at the organ. Bernell began playing the piano at an early age and by his late teens was playing jazz piano and singing in Nashville night clubs. After serving in the army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam, Bernell moved to New Orleans and formed his own band, working in the convention and tourism industry. For 20 years he enjoyed a successful career in New Orleans before returning to Nashville and joining City Lights..

Tim Calhoun - Guitar

Tim plays guitar with City Lights and sings lead as well as much of the harmony vocals. Growing up in central Pennsylvania, he started playing guitar at the age of 13 and began playing professionally at 16. After high school he attended the University of Miami, receiving a degree in Studio Music and Jazz. He continues to do a variety of studio work including TV jingles, film scores and CD projects. He has performed live concerts with Jo Dee Messina, Trisha Yearwood and Kathy Troccoli. Tim is married to Amy Calhoun and they live in Nashville with their two sons Christian and Ethan.

Steve Willetts - Keyboards

Steve Willets attended Peabody College as the beginning of an ever widening education in music. He has been blessed with a variety of opportunities. Many years were spent working for Opryland USA as a sideman, orchestra leader/conductor, and arranger. Steve enjoyed a few years in Hawaii working in the Hilton and on the American Hawaii Cruises. After that he was off to NYC to do some shows. Steve is now living in Nashville, working a variety of jobs: recording, teaching commercial piano at Belmont University, and performing with the Mills Brothers,  Bonnie Bramlett, Boots Randolph, in addition to City Lights.

Marcus Finnie - Drums

Marcus Finnie is a musician from Memphis TN. He moved to Nashville in 1999 to attend Middle Tennessee State University where he majored in the recording industry. He has toured with Larry Carlton, Billy Preston, Donna Summer and Kirk Whalum. Marcus has also made recordings with Andrew Ramsey,¥Desmond Childs, Rodney Crowell, Smokie Norful, Ace Young, among others. He has been playing with various artists around town ranging in style from Rock, Jazz, and Funk to Gospel Blues and Latin.

Jeff Cox- Bass Guitar

Having grown up in Laredo, Texas, Jeff moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1989 to attend Belmont University. Since graduation, he has performed with country artists Trisha Yearwood, Lorrie Morgan, John Berry and Ray Price. He has also performed with Christian artists Billy Sprague, Kathy Troccoli, Greg Long, Sierra, Aaron Jeffrey, and Clay Crosse. He lives in Nashville with his lovely wife Julie and beautiful daughter Sophia where he teaches electric bass at both Belmont and Trevecca Nazarene Universities.

Steve Patrick - Trumpet

Steve Patrick is one of the most sought after trumpeters in the Nashville area. Fluent in many musical styles, he has performed and recorded with some of the most notable names in music such as Matchbox 20, Elton John, Faith Hill, Uncle Kracker, Vince Gill, Larry Carlton, Garth Brooks, Take 6, Michael W. Smith, Kenny Chesney, Aaron Neville, Brooks and Dunn, Jodee Messina,  Point of Grace, The Mavericks  and Sara Evans. Steve received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Indiana University. Orchestral freelance performances include such noteworthy organizations as the Nashville Symphony, the Knoxville Symphony and the Chattanooga Symphony.



Most CITY LIGHTS' events are parties for people who want a band that's fun without being too loud or overbearing. We do a lot of wedding receptions, anniversary parties and corporate events. Music makes the party and we make the music. All kinds of music.  As our songlist shows, we play songs from the 1920's to the latest radio hits, covering everything from Dixieland and Jazz to Pop and Country. A typical evening might include Big Band, Motown, Classic Rock, 70's and 80's favorities and a few dance hits from the last two years. We take requests and are willing to learn special songs for clients who ask for them in advance.

Recent corporate clients include Vanderbilt Medical Center,  American Cancer Society, First Amendment Center, Summit Medical Center,  Vanderbilt University Club,  Nashville Symphony and Saturn Corporation.

Other musical ensembles that are available:

  • 5-pc Contemporary Jazz Group called "Phatjaz"
  • 2-6 member Chamber Music group that plays mostly classical music
  • 3-6 member Dixieland band called "Bourbon St."
  • 5-pc Celtic Music ensemble



Music makes a party...
...and we make the music!


Sam Levine | 615-356-0556