Beach Buzz

  With The Soul Dog 

What’s Happening: It’s that time of year once again – the semi-annual SOS Migration to North Myrtle Beach. April and September, mark your calendars and set your clocks because it is one thing you can count on year after year.

One event that has occurred at every SOS for the last five years has been revered by some and all but overlooked by others, but it IS a happening. I’m talking about the Spring and Fall Artist Showcase that is most often held on the second Saturday of each SOS and is sponsored by Beachmusic45.com. All but one of these events have been previously held poolside at the world famous Avista Resort. We’ve been extremely lucky – only having had a brief shower on one such occasion that I can recall and no complete rainouts to date (keep your fingers crossed). SOS goers, particularly those staying at the Resort have come to eagerly look forward to this event as a key highlight of their trip.

The entertainment we’ve had over the life of this event has been superb – the bands: Carousels, Big Time Party Band, The Souls, Fabulous Shades, Out- of-Towners, 58 West, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs (their first appearance at North Myrtle Beach in over 25 years!), Hot Dog Daddy-o’s, Royal Scotsman and The Swingin’ Medallions. We’ve had a multitude of outstanding track artists come by to perform including: Rhonda McDaniel, Rickey Godfrey, Calabash Flash, Castaways, Angel Rissoff, Mixed Emotions, Terri Gore, Paul Craver, Rick Strickland, Reverend Bubba D. Liverance, Sammy O’Banion, The Night Riders, and the list goes on. Freddie Mangum and Bobby Smith unfortunately both passed away not long after their appearances at the Showcase in the fall of 2009.

This event would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of many individuals. We have to say a special thanks to Brian Terry, who has served as our sound expert at most of the Showcases, and to all of the Carousel Band for providing their equipment and technical support. We have pulled these events off with very little financing and sponsorship in previous years, but due to the current economic conditions and state of the business, the likelihood of continuing in that fashion is pretty much impossible. We will, however, be working with the Avista management team to create plans to keep the Showcases going and to provide the best in quality entertainment for all in attendance.    

What’s New: Shanty Records owner David Wade has just released a follow-up album to his highly acclaimed Deep Fried Southern Style compilation from late last year. ‘Fessa’ Hook’s Fish Fry Volume 1 is pretty much that – fifteen tracks of hard core Rhythm & Blues, both old faves and some nice new surprises. The familiarities include songs from Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne, David Foster, Mojo Blues Band, Leon Daniels and Billy Scott. Other tunes either new or previously released that made me think twice: McKinley Mitchell doing Dream Lover, Mel Waiter’s rousing version of Slip Away, Cheraton by Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs, The Delta Flyers with 61 Highway Blues ,and  Bye Bye Baby from the late Nappy Brown’s last album in 2007. Nice dance floor stuff for sure!!

KHP Music will be releasing a new album the first weekend of Spring SOS entitled Saturday Night by The Virginia Beach All Stars, a group of renowned musicians headed up by legendary performers Steve Bassett and Ammon Tharp. In addition to the title track, songs on the CD include Trust Me, I Wanna Dance With You, Somebody’s Gotta Do It and a new rendition of Sweet Virginia Breeze. Look for featured performances from this group Saturday April 9^th, Sunday April 10^th and Monday April 11^th at SOS in the Spanish Galleon in the Ocean Drive Beach and Golf Resort.

Another artist expected to perform at the Galleon on Friday April 8th is Lesa Hudson. She is, of course, also a key member of The Rick Strickland Band. She will also be releasing a new CD on KHP entitled Sweet Wonderful You. The ten track effort of all original songs will include the previously released You Make The Good Times Better as well as two duets with Lesa and Rick (When You Look At Me and Just To Wake Up Next To You). I’m also digging the Lesa composed Only You and Can’t Help Lovin’ On You.

Greenvlle, South Carolina’s Out of Towners Band will be performing live at the Galleon on Wednesday April 13^th. The group also has a new CD which is highlighted by their recently released single Justified, which is getting considerable radio and club play.. I also like their renditions of On A Saturday Night and Going Down Geneva as well as a Steve Craig written original entitled Fell In Love In June.

What’s Smokin: Country music continues to have a major influence on the beach with Josh Turner’s Why Don’t We Just Dance and Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now knocking the top out of the charts. Rascal Flatts’ Why Wait from their late 2010 Nothing Like This CD is also getting some recent DJ play. How about the titillating cover of James Otto’s Just Got Started Loving You that new diva Queen Emily just released on the Malaco label?  Speaking of Country influences, did you see Garner, North Carolina’s Scotty McCreery do a great rendition of For Once In My Life on American Idol? Should Jim Quick get ahead of the curve and write this young man a potential hit song that might cross genres?

A song that is picking up some major steam is Rickey Godfrey’s re-release of his single When You’re Cool (The Sun Shines All The Time), originally from his recent Nasty Man album. The song, co-written by none other than Gary Nicholson, has been shortened somewhat and rearranged to include a powerful horn section. Don Wise, who was a member of Delbert McClinton’s band for over twenty years, is featured on the saxophone in the song. Looks like another addition to the long string of hits over the last several years by Rickey.