JENNA, Jeremiah, Seth, Will & Jake the hips entertainment
Jayson wilkins the patriot piper
page 90 X metropolitan weddings
X SUMMER / FALL 2025
JENNA, Jeremiah, Seth, Will & Jake the hips entertainment
“ High energy.”“ Every genre.”“ The ultimate party band.” These are just a few of the ways you can describe The Hips. This band plays everything from 60’ s, to country, to big ballads, to rock and roll.
Originally the Rosy Hips, these friends formed a band together in high school. They used to play not only covers, but original music as well. While some of the band members have changed, they wanted to encapsulate their time together as the Rosy Hips and renamed the current band The Hips. Now they do mostly covers and have been playing together for over 10 years. Jenna English, one of the lead singers, has been singing since she was a child. She would watch her brother in talent shows performing and knew that one day she needed to be on that stage as well. At 15 years old, she moved to Branson and got involved in everything musical she could possibly join.
The Hips have a wide selection of songs on their playlist, and 9 out of 10 times when someone makes a request, they can accommodate and perform that tune.“ It is such a thrill to see that person lose their mind when The Hips can play their favorite request. It requires a degree of vulnerability to be intimate with a stranger and share those feelings attached to that song. It is a bonding time and so special,” Jenna says.
Weddings are a favorite event for The Hips to perform. Jenna says,“ everyone is in it with you and they are there to celebrate. It is a joyful time and you know you will always be a part of this couple’ s favorite memories and in all their pictures.” They love doing the big songs like anything by Celine Dion, Europe’ s the Final Countdown or even Queen’ s Bohemian Rhapsody. About a year ago, the band decided they wanted to try and play that extremely difficult song live. At a wedding, they just went for it to see what would happen and hit all the right notes for Bohemian Rhapsody. The crowd lost their minds. Now, it is a staple on their set list.
But what really gets The Hips excited is when they can go out into the crowd and dance or sing. Most of the band have wireless mic packs which allows them to engage with the audience. Crowds love when their keyboard player takes his keytar into the group or when the vocals come out onto the dance floor with the guests. The Hips are a high energy band that always bring the party to any event.
When they are not performing, these friends enjoy hanging out together. From working on original projects to traveling, doing crossfit or cycling, The Hips enjoy being active and creative.
FAVORITE SONG TO SING IN THE SHOWER:“ All by Myself” by Celine Dion
Jayson wilkins the patriot piper
There is nothing like the sound of bagpipes. They are instantly recognizable, awe-inspiring and completely elevate the atmosphere of any event. In high school, Jayson Wilkins had a teacher who played the bagpipes for a high school musical production of“ Brigadoon.” Jayson thought they were pretty cool and learned to play the pipes in 2001. While he has dabbled in other musical instruments like the guitar and mandolin, the bagpipes have always had a special place in his heart. He started his business, The Patriot Piper in 2023, and has played for many different events; everything from weddings and funerals to parades, festivals, golf tournaments and more. Jayson feels fortunate to have been born in the United States and have the opportunity to pursue his dreams. He is a patriotic guy, hence the name,“ The Patriot Piper.”
Jayson had been playing for funerals when a friend who was DJing a wedding asked him to come play the bagpipes for the event. He loves playing for weddings.“ There is a bigger variety of tunes you can play for weddings than funerals, many that are peppier or have a big orchestral sound.‘ Wedding March ' is a favorite, but so is‘ Scotland the Brave’ and‘ Highland Cathedral.’ Many of the bagpipe tunes have great stories that accompany them and they lend a lot of atmosphere to a wedding.” One such melody is“ Endearing Young Charms,” by Thomas Moore, a love story about a young man professing his love to a woman and proclaiming,“ even if your beauty was to fade, I will always love you.” For folks who know the tune, and when they hear Jayson play this song at weddings, it always brings out the happy tears.
Performing at either indoor or outdoor settings, couples have used the Patriot Piper to signal the arrival of the bridal party, accompany the bride as she walks down the aisle or celebrate the newlyweds as they make their grand exit, all making an ordinary wedding extraordinary.
One of Jayson’ s favorite weddings to play the bagpipes for was a destination wedding in Breckenridge, Colorado at a log cabin cathedral.“ Being in the mountains and playing outside in that environment humbles you and was something I really enjoyed.”
Humility and respect are trademarks of this Patriot Piper. Jayson says,“ I don’ t want to distract from what is going on at the event or take any attention away from the bride and groom. I am there to enhance the wedding and let the world know this couple is getting married today.”
When not playing the bagpipes, Jayson enjoys spending time with his wife and sons. He and his wife are planning an anniversary trip to visit Scotland and Ireland. Jayson enthusiastically says,“ I play the bagpipes because I love it!”
FAVORITE SONG TO SING IN THE SHOWER:“ Burning Lsove” by Elvis Pressley