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Billy Scott
Billy Scott, Chairman - Charlotte, NC

Harry Turner
Harry Turner, President, North Myrtle Beach, SC

BMAI Board
The BMAI Board

Defender Services

SCANA Energy
SCANA Energy

Progress Energy
Progress Energy

Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op
Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op

Horry County Electric Co-Op
Horry County Electric Co-Op

Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolona

Dr Shongo

Duke Energy
Duke Energy

Time Warner
of South Carolina

Willis Blume
Willis Blume Agency

Rendez Vous Cafe

Newberry Opera House

Hayes Jewlers
"The King of Diamonds" Hayes Jewelers of Lexington, NC
The official jewelers of the BMAI



Sringmaid Beach Resort

Laurens County Electric Co-Op
Laurens County Electric Co-Op

Bell South
Bell South

Vocal Group Hall of Fame
Vocal Group Hall of Fame

Clarion Town House
SC Association of Veterinarians

Forever Tams
The Joe Pope Tams - Atlanta, GA

Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs
Maurice Williams - Charlotte, NC


BMAI Mission Statement


The mission of the Beach Music Association International is to broaden Beach Music's appeal to a wider audience by organizing various elements of Beach Music into an entity called The Beach Music Association (BMAI). Representatives of these elements are team players who believe that together they can better promote Beach Music's growth and share in that growth. The entity's goals are:

  • To again make the music as defined the controlling factor in what is Beach Music
  • To reach sponsors by offering the big picture to them (products, artists, recordings, video, television, movies, Internet services, concerts, speakers on its history, bookings, books, a museum etc.)
  • To educate the public and young people in particular to assure that this music will be carried on
  • To support and promote those active in the industry
  • To remember and honor its pioneers
  • To watchdog the industry's credibility
  • To work with legislators
  • To bring diverse people together in a harmonious manner

Latest News & Events

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

####


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."


Newberry Elementary School

The following letter is from our new Las Vegas Board Member

GEM Group Inc

Pictures from Bill Pinkney's Memorial Service Now In Our Photo Album, click on "BMAI Photos" above.

Check out our new video page, click on "BMAI Videos" above.



BMAI Guests
Jack Hunt of Johnny Angel & the Halos Pittsburg PA, Herb Cox lead of the Cleftones Atlanta Ga, Deborah Nader of Richard Nader Enterprises Ft Lauderdale FL, Deborah Smith of Newberry Oprah House Newberry, SC, Marvin Lashever Sonny Turners Manager Las Vrgas NV


BMAI Board
The BMAI BOARD Members

Check out the photos from the South Carolina and North Carolina Beach Music Days in the BMAI Photo Album. To view the album click on "BMAI Photos" above.




The Tipitina's Foundation has announced that legendary R&B and rock 'n' roll singer, songwriter and pianist, Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino Jr., is donating proceeds from his new album "Alive and Kickin'" to the Tipitina's Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to music education, music business development, and preserving Louisiana's unique musical cultures.

"Alive and Kickin'" is Fats Domino's first new release since "Christmas Gumbo" in 1993. "Fats was looking for a meaningful way to give back to his hometown after Hurricane Katrina," said Tipitina's Foundation co-founder Roland von Kurnatowski. "He made it very clear that he was making this donation to us because he felt it was important to support the Foundation in its efforts to rebuild the New Orleans music community."

In a scene that played out on television screens around the world, on September 1, 2005, the 77-year-old Domino was rescued from the roof of his flooded home in New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward by a Coast Guard helicopter. After spending time in a shelter and apartments in Baton Rouge, the Domino family returned to New Orleans in October to begin rebuilding their home.

"This album is a soulful musical message from Fats to his millions of fans around the world that he, the people of his beloved city of New Orleans, and its vibrant musical community are ‘Alive and Kickin'" said Bill Taylor, Director of the Tipitina's Foundation. Eleven of the album's 13 tracks were recorded over the decade prior to Hurricane Katrina, but the effort took on a renewed sense of urgency for Fats as his hometown has pulled together to rebuild.

Fats Domino's "Alive and Kickin'" is only available online at www.tipitinasfoundation.org. A CD can be obtained by making a donation to the Tipitina's Foundation. All Foundation proceeds will go toward helping save and rebuild the New Orleans music community. By supporting musicians who have suffered devastating losses from displacement, homelessness, and a lack of jobs and instruments, Fats Domino and the Tipitina's Foundation are ensuring that New Orleans' unique musical heritage will be preserved.


BMAI President Harry Turner, Chairman Billy Scott, Mr. Lou Rawls

BMAI Recognition Award

BMAI President Harry Turner and Chairman Billy Scott present the BMAI Recognition Award to the late Lou Rawls for his many contributions to Rhythm and Blues and Beach Music. Mr. Rawls, prior to his passing, performed to a sold out crowd at the Newberry Opera House where the award was presented.



The "Buy It, Don't Burn It" Campaign

This is to bring awareness to those that are downloading music and that do not realize that they are costing the recording artists and writers money that cannot be replenished if the music is not purchased.

BMAI is very much behind this campaign.

- Billy Scott.


CLICK HERE for a story from the Myrtle Beach Sun News featuring BMAI.

BMAI Executive Board Members

Chairman Billy Scott
President Harry Turner
1st Vice President Hilda Merritt Carter
Treasurer Larry Pope
Executive Secretary Elaine Galloway
Sgt. At Arms Michael Roberts

BMAI Board Members

Donald Ceasar Beverly Clark
Steve Clark Deacon Dawson
Jon Konkel Elaine F. Marshall
Rose Rock Bill Rixon
Paige Sawyer Bill Swanke
Eugene Tompkins Sherry Suttles
Byron Rucker Nick Theodore
Jason Cagle



Beach Music Association International
PO BOX 3614
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH SC 29582
Email:


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©2009 Beach Music Association International   Last Updated 3/1/2009 10:00AM EST