FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No. 08047
August 6, 2008 Contact: Renée Zeide or
Tut Underwood
Beach Music Blasts Museum’s
"Birthday Bash"
Columbia, S.C. – Beach music fans and shag dancers alike will want to make a date with the South Carolina State Museum on Saturday, Aug. 16 for a free beach music concert presented by Beach Music Association International (BMAI). The concert, which celebrates the 8th annual Beach Music Day, is one of many events being offered to the community at no charge in celebration of the museum’s 20th anniversary.
For five hours, from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m., four bands will perform on stage in the museum’s Congaree Room: Billy Scott and the Party Prophets, The Sensational Epics with special guest Clifford Curry, the Flashbacks and Ceasar and the Sugarbees. The concert also will feature guest performers such as Larissa Holliday, Clay Brown, William Taylor, and other surprise guests. The concert ends with an all star finale.
The concert is part of the State Museum’s 20-hour Birthday Bash, a marathon day of free programs and fun for the public beginning at 9 a.m. Aug. 16 and continuing to 5 a.m. the following morning. "Music, birthday cake, games, demonstrations, movies and stargazing are just some of the activities in store for the community as we celebrate our 20th anniversary," said Tut Underwood, the museum’s director of public information and marketing.
At a special point in the beach music concert, Harry Turner, president of Beach Music Association International, and local TV personality Joe Pinner will present a remembrance in memory of the life of Bill Pinkney. Pinkney is remembered as the legendary hit singing star of the Original Drifters whose phenomenal career spanned 54 years. Performance attire worn by Pinkney and singer James Brown will be on display. Ceasar will perform a live James Brown tribute. Guest performers will join together in a rendition of Bill Pinkney’s signature song recorded with Drifters, "White Christmas," which was featured in the 1990 film hit, "Home Alone."
A South Carolina native son, Pinkney was born Aug. 15, 1925 in Dalzell, S. C. In 1953 he joined Clyde McPhatter along with Gerhardt and Andrew Thrasher to form The Drifters and soon signed with the Atlantic Recording Company. Later, Pinkney split from the group and started the Original Drifters, which garnered fans and popularity, especially with the "beach music" scene, throughout the southeastern United States. Known for his natural bass-baritone sound, Pinkney is prominent on such early Drifters’ recordings as "Honey Love," "Ruby Baby," and "Money Honey."
Pinkney’s music industry awards include induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the United Group Harmony Association, Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Beach Music Hall of Fame. South Carolina twice awarded him the Order of the Palmetto, its highest civilian honor. He was a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was the recipient of five bronze stars. Pinkney died on July 4, 2007.
Sponsors of the beach music concert include: Defender Services, SCANA, Progress Energy, Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op, Horry County Electric Co-Op, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Duke Energy, Willis Blume Agency, Café Rendezvous (Greenville, SC), Newberry Opera House, Hayes Jewelers (Lexington, NC) and Silver Coast Winery (Ocean Isle, NC).
The following BMAI Awards will be presented that night:
HILDA CARTER AWARD
Presented to
BILL "Willie C" Swanke
CARROLL CAMPBELL AWARD
Presented to
GRADY BROWN
LEIGHTON GRANTHAM AWARD
Presented to
SECOND NATURE
BILL PINKNEY AWARD
Presented to
CLIFFORD CURRY
INDUSTRY AWARD
Presented to
WILLIS BLUME
BILLY SCOTT
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
CRAIG WOOLARD
APPRECIATION AWARD
Presented to
DICK RICHARDSON
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Beach Music Association International is proud of our constant effort to educate young people about Beach Music
Flat Rock Middle students attend music assemblies
By Jessica Goodman
Published Friday, February 22, 2008
The bleachers in the gymnasium of Flat Rock Middle School vibrated with the pounding of the feet of the sixth, seventh and eighth graders Thursday morning. Two assemblies of students enjoyed a presentation and performance of American rock-and-roll history by four members of the Beach Music Association International.
"It's the history of rock-and-roll, American rock-and-roll, with a Carolina perspective," said Harry Turner, president of the association.
"It was just awesome, I was amazed," said Christy Dorn, physical education teacher at Flat Rock Middle, "Almost all the eighth grade students were down shagging by the end of the program."
The association's education program covers American rock and roll history from the early 1950s into the 1970s. Artists including the Temptations, Chairman of the Board, Elvis Presley and the Supremes sung out into the auditorium as the students clapped along with the beat.
"(We want) to give kids a little education about R'n'B and beach music," said Billy Scott, chairman of the association. "They need to know where music came from, because with out yesterday's music, there wouldn't be the music they listen to."
The educational program started three years ago with the group introducing beach music in schools. Scott with Clay Brown and Donald Ceasar round out the program with energetic performances of songs representing the history. The idea, explained Turner, is to keep beach music and these other forms of music alive by introducing them to the younger generations.
Turner demonstrated basic dance steps to the beach music staple, the Shag. Scott, while also singing, took the Shag to the next step with the help of Dorn. Brown, Scott and Ceasar brought the students to their feet with their performances. Students sang along with the music of the Temptations, Ben E. King and James Brown.
"Beach music is about dancing," said Turner.
"I want them to have a deep appreciation for the history of music," said Dorn.
Dorn was searching for up-tempo music when she e-mailed Turner after meeting him at the 20th anniversary of Dirty Dancing in October at Saluda Mountain Jamboree. Soon, they were talking about the group coming up to Flat Rock to do a presentation and introduce students to a different type of music.
"I want to expose them to other music then what they hear on the radio," said Dorn. "It has a good beat, its good to sing and dance to."
"One of our charges (with the association) is to teach young people," said Turner. "They are the future."
