Local band gets time in The Proposal!

Everyone keeps talking about how local businesses and the local economy i s being positively affected by the influx of movies being filmed in Boston. Celebrity sightings have improved business at restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, bars, and several other establishments. Tourism in the city is booming, and locals being hired to work on films are getting a paycheck. This is all true, but recently I heard a story of another way the movie industry has boosted business and morale for a Massachusetts resident. I am lucky enough to actually have a personal connection with this man and I am so happy to be able to tell his story.

Jeff Fraser, a native of Essex, MA, has been involved in music since the age of 5. Even at that young age he had a knack for figuring out songs by ear. His mother realized this and got a piano for the house and signed Jeff up for piano lessons. At the age of 12 Jeff had to have a guitar after hearing "Eruption" by Eddie Van Halen and began practicing away every day for hours After playing in several garage bands and realizing that is was impossible to find a good vocalist, Jeff thought he'd give a try. At the age of 16 he began taking vocal lessons and listening to vocal instruction tapes. Jeff was accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA in 1992 and studied there for a few semesters. He left Berkee to tour with his original rock band "Slyboyz" Jeff has played thousands of shows including hundreds of clubs gigs, weddings and private parties. His wedding band, Men in Black, has been voted #1 wedding band in Boston.

Now, for the past 6 years, I, personally, have seen Jeff perform at several venues around the Faneuil Hall area and on the North Shore. He is one of the most talented people I've ever seen perform and it's always broken so many of our (the fan's) hearts that he's never had his time in the large-scale limelight.

"Wait, did you say you've seen Jeff perform on the North Shore? Isn't that where Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds are filming The Proposal?" That's right. And with a name like that, one could assume there's probably a wedding in the movie. Not only is there a wedding (filmed in Salem, MA) but there is also a wedding band! I am proud to say Jeff Fraser and Men in Black were asked to be the wedding band in the movie and I could not be happier for them. Congrats, guys. We all can't wait to see the movie!

For all you Bostonians, you can check Jeff out tonight at Paddy O's in Faneuil Hall, or some other day. Check out the schedule at www.jefffraser.com