Wedding Musicians Find Harmony in Love: Carol-Anne Drescher and Robert McMahon Carroll’s Story
Carol-Anne Drescher and Robert McMahon Carroll, both accomplished musicians, shared the stage in a wedding band for over a year before their personal connection struck a chord.
Harmonious Beginnings
Joining the Dane Wright Band, a subsidiary of Hank Lane Music that specializes in live event entertainment, in April 2019, their paths first crossed at a performance that same month. The venue was the Mansion at Oyster Bay, nestled in Woodbury, New York. Mr. Carroll took his place as the keyboardist, while Ms. Drescher lent her vocals to the ensemble.
“We were brought in to fill the positions of two previous members who had married and relocated,” Ms. Drescher recounted. She admitted her initial impression of Mr. Carroll was one of intimidation. “Rob appeared very serious and had tattoos, which made him seem unapproachable at first.”
However, Mr. Carroll’s experience was quite different. “When I first saw Carol-Anne,” he confessed, “I immediately thought, ‘This could be complicated,’ in an exciting way.”
From Colleagues to Companions
Despite Mr. Carroll’s internal reaction, Ms. Drescher initially found him reserved. “Whenever I attempted conversation, Rob would respond with minimal words and seemed uninterested in engaging further,” Ms. Drescher, then 32, recalled.
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Mr. Carroll, 33, explained his perspective: he initially perceived Ms. Drescher as “overly assertive and boisterous.”
Their dynamic shifted in August when a shared ride transformed their relationship. Following a wedding performance in Montauk, New York, Mr. Carroll drove Ms. Drescher to her residence in Manhattan’s Washington Heights. The three-hour journey unveiled common ground as they discovered mutual passions for literature, fitness training, and alternative music.
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Their connection deepened through after-work communication, exchanging messages and calls late into the night. “We started sharing humorous internet content and recommending interesting books to one another,” Ms. Drescher said. “Rob became integrated into my daily routine, and eventually, we began spending time together outside of work.”
Exploring New York City Together
Having recently relocated to New York from Annapolis, Maryland, Ms. Drescher benefited from Mr. Carroll’s local knowledge. A resident of New Hyde Park, New York, Mr. Carroll guided her through her new city. “Rob introduced me to cultural spots like MoMA and his favorite local bars and restaurants,” she explained.
Beyond wedding gigs, Mr. Carroll and Ms. Drescher also performed jointly at various social and corporate functions under the moniker Dane Wright, a separate venture from their wedding band roles.
A Romantic Overture
Their relationship took a romantic turn on December 15, 2020, at a mutual friend’s birthday gathering near New Hyde Park. “It became too late for Carol-Anne to commute back to Manhattan by train, so I offered her my couch for the night,” Mr. Carroll recounted. “Back at my place, we engaged in deep conversation and found ourselves completely engrossed in each other’s company.”
In a pivotal moment, Ms. Drescher took the initiative. “I was apprehensive about jeopardizing our friendship, yet the attraction was overwhelming,” she admitted. “Fortunately, Rob reciprocated and returned the kiss with equal enthusiasm.”
Ms. Drescher realized the depth of her feelings for Mr. Carroll during a wedding performance in January 2021. Listening to him sing Chris Stapleton’s ballad “Tennessee Whiskey,” she was profoundly moved. “His vocal performance was captivating, and his delivery was so genuine,” she described.
Musical Backgrounds and Shared Passions
Ms. Drescher, originally from Annapolis, is a professional musician proficient in vocals and multiple instruments, including piano, drums, and bass guitar. She holds a Bachelor of Music from James Madison University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Farmingdale State College.
Mr. Carroll also earns his living as a musician, playing piano, guitar, and drums, and singing at Catholic masses and funerals in Long Beach. He earned a Bachelor of Music Performance from Adelphi University.
Deepening Commitment
During the slower wedding season of February and March 2021, their bond intensified, although they initially kept their developing romance private from their bandmates. They spent days together at Mr. Carroll’s home, enjoying cooking, films, and reading. “Carol-Anne was essentially living with me informally,” Mr. Carroll stated. “It was undeniable that we were deeply compatible.”
With the resurgence of weddings in late April and their mutual certainty about their future, they revealed their relationship to their band colleagues. That same month, they established a shared residence in Westbury, New York.
Engagement and Future Plans
The engagement occurred on August 14, 2023. Ms. Drescher entered their living room to a proposal: Mr. Carroll was kneeling, presenting a ring box containing the diamond they had previously selected.
May 2024 marked another significant step as they purchased their “dream home,” a waterfront colonial with three bedrooms in Lindenhurst, New York. Adding to her accomplishments, Ms. Drescher completed nursing school and intends to pursue a nursing career alongside her music.
A Wedding Full Circle
They celebrated their wedding on March 7 with 140 guests at the Mansion at Oyster Bay—the very location of their first performance together. Michelle LaRosa, an officiant ordained by After Hours Wedding Ministry, conducted the ceremony.
During the wedding reception, Mr. Carroll surprised Ms. Drescher and the attendees with a recording of “The One,” a heartfelt ballad he composed for her. “The song expresses finding your perfect match, which Carol-Anne undoubtedly is for me,” Mr. Carroll concluded.