The soundtrack to your best night ever.
We don't just play music. We create the moment.
Heads Up Penny brings together seasoned musicians whose genuine passion for performance shines through every note. We've mastered the art of reading a room — knowing when to bring the energy sky-high and when to pull it back for the moment. From Bruno Mars to The Beatles, Beyoncé to Chris Stapleton, our repertoire spans every genre because your dance floor should have something for everyone.
We're not just showing up to play a setlist. We collaborate with you to craft the perfect soundtrack — your first dance, your must-play songs, your do-not-play list. Every event gets the full HUP treatment: professional sound, MC services, and a band that genuinely cares about making your night unforgettable.
10+
Years Performing
111+
Five-Star Reviews
100+
Songs in Repertoire
Read the Room
We adjust in real-time. When the floor's on fire, we keep it going. When it's time for a moment, we bring it down.
Your Soundtrack, Your Way
We learn your first dance song, take your requests, and build a setlist around YOUR vision.
More Than Music
Full MC/emcee services, professional sound, ceremony coverage, and smooth coordination all night.
The People Behind the Sound
Rushton Loring
Frontman, MC & Co-Founder
The voice and energy of every HUP show. Rushton has been praised by name in dozens of reviews for his humor, crowd engagement, and ability to keep the dance floor packed from the first song to the last.
Jenn Kaminski-Horak
Vocals, Saxophone & Event Coordinator
Your planning partner from the first inquiry through the last song — responsive, organized, and genuinely invested in making your event perfect. On stage, she brings powerhouse vocals and saxophone that elevate every song.
Mitchell Shaw
Guitar, Sound & Co-Founder
The architect behind HUP. Beyond guitar, Mitchell runs the sound, manages the tech, and built the systems that keep everything running — on stage and off.
Patrick Shaw
Bass & Co-Founder
Nearly a decade of holding it down on bass. Patrick brings the low end that keeps every dance floor moving and has been part of HUP's foundation since the very beginning.
Mikey Meeks
Keys
Mikey brings the keys — from soulful Rhodes to driving synths — adding the layers that make HUP's sound so full and dynamic.
Barrett Certoma
Drums
Barrett drives the pocket behind the kit. Solid, dynamic, and locked in — he keeps the energy exactly where it needs to be all night.
Don't take our word for it.
111+ five-star reviews across Google, The Knot, Facebook, and ECE
“I absolutely loved this band!! If you get a chance, come watch and listen to these talented young men perform!! A special shout out to…”
— Teresa Merklin
Facebook“Heads Up Penny was fantastic for the wedding. They absolutely killed it. Thanks for making a special day so enjoyable.”
— Regan S. & JT G.
ECE“Definitely one of my favorite Raleigh bands! Professional, talented, and super entertaining”
— Andrea Campoli
Facebook“The band was phenomenal. They were such a pleasure to work with. Aside from their prompt set up, communication and politeness, they were…”
— Hana F.
ECE“Heads Up Penny is truly an amazing band. Terrific musicians, a great song list, and wow these guys know how to make a crowd get up and…”
— Kenneth B.
ECE“Watching these guys as I type this. Haven't played a song I don't know the words to yet. I hope I get to see how sick their originals are.…”
— Trey Higgins
Facebook“These guys did our wedding on Bald Head Island and were top notch! Great selection of music and very accommodating! Highly recommend!!”
— Mark Beesmer
Facebook“Love these guys! They are very diverse with their music and they nail everything they play! Always a good time with this band!”
— Katie Honeycutt
Facebook“Every. Single. Song. was on point!!! Heads up Penny is officially on our preferred vendor list!”
— Hana F., Event Planner
ECE“We absolutely loved the band! So much so every guest wanted to figure out a way to get you to play longer. Honestly by far the best band,…”
— Nicole Z.
ECE“Had HUP for a surprise 50th birthday party at our house outside under a tent. Best party ever. The music was awesome and kept everybody…”
— Karine Spagnoletti
Facebook“Great performance, everyone had a great time. We look forward to our next event with Heads up Penny.”
— Lori H.
ECE“I absolutely loved this band!! If you get a chance, come watch and listen to these talented young men perform!! A special shout out to…”
— Teresa Merklin
Facebook“Heads Up Penny was fantastic for the wedding. They absolutely killed it. Thanks for making a special day so enjoyable.”
— Regan S. & JT G.
ECE“Definitely one of my favorite Raleigh bands! Professional, talented, and super entertaining”
— Andrea Campoli
Facebook“The band was phenomenal. They were such a pleasure to work with. Aside from their prompt set up, communication and politeness, they were…”
— Hana F.
ECE“Heads Up Penny is truly an amazing band. Terrific musicians, a great song list, and wow these guys know how to make a crowd get up and…”
— Kenneth B.
ECE“Watching these guys as I type this. Haven't played a song I don't know the words to yet. I hope I get to see how sick their originals are.…”
— Trey Higgins
Facebook“These guys did our wedding on Bald Head Island and were top notch! Great selection of music and very accommodating! Highly recommend!!”
— Mark Beesmer
Facebook“Love these guys! They are very diverse with their music and they nail everything they play! Always a good time with this band!”
— Katie Honeycutt
Facebook“Every. Single. Song. was on point!!! Heads up Penny is officially on our preferred vendor list!”
— Hana F., Event Planner
ECE“We absolutely loved the band! So much so every guest wanted to figure out a way to get you to play longer. Honestly by far the best band,…”
— Nicole Z.
ECE“Had HUP for a surprise 50th birthday party at our house outside under a tent. Best party ever. The music was awesome and kept everybody…”
— Karine Spagnoletti
Facebook“Great performance, everyone had a great time. We look forward to our next event with Heads up Penny.”
— Lori H.
ECE“Heads Up Penny was the perfect wedding band! The guys were so easy to work with, super laid back, and talented! They even learned a handful…”
— Lauren B.
ECE“These fellas played our wedding on Bald Head Island and they were fantastic! Highly recommend.”
— Mark B.
ECE“HUP is an amazing band! They totally went above and beyond for our wedding in November. Super professional band, very responsive, and really…”
— Miranda Stewart
Facebook“Creative music that crosses multiple genres. Clever, soulful originals, Jazzy and funky covers, and terrific instrumentation. Trust me,…”
— Mike Schultz
Facebook“My wife saw the guys play at a local bottle shop and absolutely loved them. Their energy is electric. They put on a show like you would…”
— Jake E.
ECE“Heads Up Penny was amazing! They were so fun and professional to work with and they blew our expectations away! Our wedding was months ago…”
— Alexa D.
The Knot“We booked Heads Up Penny for our June wedding in Fredericksburg, VA and could not be more happy with our decision! The band was the absolute…”
— Jessica F.
The Knot“EPIC!!!! 15/10. So excited to call you / them again.”
— Marshall S.
ECE“INCREDIBLE!! Heads Up Penny crushed every moment! They are amazing musicians and super cool dudes! We've gotten countless compliments on our…”
— Jamie P.
The Knot“Heads Up Penny without a doubt was the lasting highlight from our wedding night. The band sounded incredible and their ability to flow…”
— Ryan Patty
Google“Heads Up Penny was great!! We had so much fun and so did our guests!! So many people texted us telling us it was the best night and they…”
— Savannah W.
ECE“These fellas played our wedding on Bald Head Island and they were fantastic! Highly recommend”
— Mark B.
The Knot“Heads Up Penny was the perfect wedding band! The guys were so easy to work with, super laid back, and talented! They even learned a handful…”
— Lauren B.
ECE“These fellas played our wedding on Bald Head Island and they were fantastic! Highly recommend.”
— Mark B.
ECE“HUP is an amazing band! They totally went above and beyond for our wedding in November. Super professional band, very responsive, and really…”
— Miranda Stewart
Facebook“Creative music that crosses multiple genres. Clever, soulful originals, Jazzy and funky covers, and terrific instrumentation. Trust me,…”
— Mike Schultz
Facebook“My wife saw the guys play at a local bottle shop and absolutely loved them. Their energy is electric. They put on a show like you would…”
— Jake E.
ECE“Heads Up Penny was amazing! They were so fun and professional to work with and they blew our expectations away! Our wedding was months ago…”
— Alexa D.
The Knot“We booked Heads Up Penny for our June wedding in Fredericksburg, VA and could not be more happy with our decision! The band was the absolute…”
— Jessica F.
The Knot“EPIC!!!! 15/10. So excited to call you / them again.”
— Marshall S.
ECE“INCREDIBLE!! Heads Up Penny crushed every moment! They are amazing musicians and super cool dudes! We've gotten countless compliments on our…”
— Jamie P.
The Knot“Heads Up Penny without a doubt was the lasting highlight from our wedding night. The band sounded incredible and their ability to flow…”
— Ryan Patty
Google“Heads Up Penny was great!! We had so much fun and so did our guests!! So many people texted us telling us it was the best night and they…”
— Savannah W.
ECE“These fellas played our wedding on Bald Head Island and they were fantastic! Highly recommend”
— Mark B.
The Knot100+ songs. Every genre. Every generation.
From the first dance to the last call — we've got the full soundtrack covered.
Pop & R&B
- Dua Lipa
- Michael Jackson
- Maroon 5
- OutKast
- Taylor Swift
- The Killers
- Hall & Oates
- + many more...
Rock
- The Beatles
- Tom Petty
- Eagles
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Fleetwood Mac
- Kings of Leon
- Sublime
- + many more...
Motown & Soul
- Stevie Wonder
- Aretha Franklin
- Earth Wind & Fire
- Marvin Gaye
- Whitney Houston
- Bill Withers
- + many more...
Country & Blues
- Chris Stapleton
- Zac Brown Band
- Garth Brooks
- Tyler Childers
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
- SRV
- + many more...
Plus we'll learn your first dance song and any special requests.
See Full SonglistThree steps to the best night ever.
Inquire
Tell us about your event — date, venue, vibe. We'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Plan Your Soundtrack
Work directly with Jenn and the band to customize your setlist, plan your timeline, and nail every detail.
Dance All Night
Show up, relax, and watch your guests lose their minds on the dance floor. We've got this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you book.
Live. In the moment.
Let's make your event unforgettable.
Tell us about your event and we'll be in touch within 24 hours.