Hot Topic Band - Wedding Bands
Hot Topic Band specializes in Shows, Sunset Destination Weddings, Country Clubs and Corporate events: all delivered with class, energy and style! Voted one of the top bands in the nation.

Dawn Sellari (vocals, guitar, steel drums) and Gene Yeager (lead guitar, keys, vocals) have been finalists for one of the largest national songwriting contests "Bandemonium" sponsored by Sam Goody records, Pepsi-Cola, Gibson Guitars and Loreal Cosmetics. They have opened at Philadelphia's "Theater of the Living Arts", a large venue for many international acts, and they have performed live to 6 million viewers on “FOX Good Day Philadelphia.” Additionally, they have been selected as finalists in one of the most respected country music showdowns sponsored by Tru Value Stores and 92.5 WXTU. They have performed at Philadelphia's 30,000 seat arena; The Sony Blockbuster Entertainment Center opening for Grammy winners; Brooks and Dunn, Lonestar, and Travis Tritt.

After performing and traveling the world on Celebrity Cruiselines, they spent almost a year in Bermuda billed as the “Dawn and Gene Show” at the famous British pub The "Hog Penny." Dawn and Geno are now settled in Southwest Florida, and founded the “Hot Topic Band” in 1999. The band was recently named one of the nation’s top 150 wedding bands in the nation by Modern Bride Magazine.

Rob Carter (vocals, keys, guitar) has studied piano at Berklee School of Music in Boston, Rob majored in piano performance at Radford College in his native Virginia, and went on to study piano further at Shenandoah Conservatory. The popular Carter-Miller Band performed in Naples for three years, then relocated to San Francisco where they enjoyed notable success, receiving local radio airplay for their original material. Rob has shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen, Delbert McClinton, Leon Russell and other well-known artists. While still in his teens, his band opened for such groups as The Grass Roots, Steppenwolf, and The Flying Burrito Brothers. A published songwriter, Rob has had several songs performed and recorded by other artists. Performing on keyboards, guitar, harmonica and vocals, Rob’s versatile talent complements any arrangement.

Steve Gomes (drums, percussion) has an extremely varied background that ranges from country music to R&B, Latino, jazz, show bands, Top 40 dance music, as well as rock n roll. An exceptional drummer by all accounts, his experience includes performing internationally and locally with an array of bands and musicians, and in venues ranging from five hundred to thousands of people.

Steve hails from Massachusetts, and relocated to Florida over ten years ago. He was featured in a 1996 issue of Modern Drummer Magazine, based on his performance with The Infield Band, a touring country music band that performed original tunes and was represented out of Nashville. Steve’s next project was with The Heartland Band, which performed in casinos and showrooms in the west. He then worked with R&B Connection, a regional act featuring Southwest Florida’s top R&B bands. While anchoring an international touring show band, Steve opened for such stars as The Eagles, Donna Summer, Marvin Hamlish, Kenny Rogers, John Denver and James Taylor.

In 1995, Steve founded the popular “House of Drums” in Fort Myers, which is still a mainstay for musicians in Southwest Florida. Known as “Even Steven” for his ability to play all styles of music, Steve adds professionalism and range to the Hot Topic Band.

Alex Antonelli (bass guitar, vocals) - Alex started playing bass at the age of thirteen, and was on-stage by seventeen in New York at the popular Cap’s Lounge on Long Island. After moving to California in the early 80’s, Alex was educated at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, where he made a name for himself playing with the local band Freestyle. Collaborating with Frank Pericone, they wrote and performed original tunes in local venues on the West coast. In 1985, after relocating to Southwest Florida, Alex established himself as a mainstay in the local area. He has played with many well-known local bands and performed in nearly every venue from Marco Island to Port Charlotte. Alex is also experienced as a session musician. His early influences, which include Steely Dan, The Beatles, Nathan East, and Abe Laboreil, are prevalent in his unique style.

Among other cities, Hot Topic Band may serve the following areas: Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Sebring, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres, Lehigh, North Fort Myers, Marco Island, Lake Placid, Immokalee, Fort Myers Beach, Avon Park, Avon Park AFB, Avon Park Lakes, Placida, South Fort Myers, Tice, Vanderbilt Beach, Venus, Rotonda West, Saint James City, San Carlos Park, Sanibel, Barefoot Beach, Boca Grande, Bokeelia, Bonita Beach