Inside the Music January 2022
Hello Everyone!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season! My prayer is that each of you were able to spend time with family and friends and create new memories that will last a lifetime! As we enter the New Year, I hope that 2022 will be happy and prosperous for all of you, and that 2022 will bring us an abundance of new Beach Music from our talented Beach Music artists!
There are a couple of upcoming events that usually provide us with new releases: SOS Mid-Winter will be held January 13th - January 16th in the clubs along Main Street Ocean Drive in North Myrtle Beach, and I am hearing that there may be a much-anticipated new project released during this event from one of the most popular groups in Beach Music! How's that for a teaser? Stay tuned! The Association Of Beach and Shag Club DJ's will be hosting DJ Throwdown: Back To Basics March 3-5 at Fat Harolds Beach Club in North Myrtle Beach. Back to basics means ALL DJ's and nothing but DJ's beginning Thursday night March 3rd at 6:00 P.M. There will be 60 DJ's participating in the event and there will even be a Vinyl Party on Friday and Saturday from 12-6 P.M. Make your plans now to attend both of these epic events. There will certainly be an abundance of new music released and played during both of these events!
While new releases typically slow down during the holidays, there is still plenty of new music out there that we haven't covered yet, so with that being said, let's go Inside The Music, shall we?
Never Found A Man - The Castaways
The Castaways have been on quite the roll lately. They played to packed crowds during both Fall SOS and The Carolina Beach Music Awards weekend, and quite frankly, they have never sounded better! The icing on the cake for CBMA weekend was vocalist Karen Clayton taking home a long overdue and much deserved Female Vocalist Of The Year award! The Castaways are working on a new project that they anticipate will be released in the next couple of months. The new project will include the previously released "Further On Up The Road", and the latest single release "Never Found A Man" which was released in November. "Never Found A Man" features Karen on the lead vocal and man does she deliver the goods! It takes a lot of courage to cover Lavelle White, but Karen absolutely nails this song from start to finish! Featuring The Castaways outstanding horn section, and Guy Brooks laying down that funky bass line, "Never Found A Man" promises to be a big hit for the group! It is already climbing The Beach Music Top 40 and I look for this song to make a major push up all the Beach Music charts in the coming months! Can't wait for the new project from this group of ultra-talented musicians!
Use To Be My Girl - Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot featuring Harold Smith
Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot had quite the year in 2021 with numerous songs that made all of the Beach Music charts and culminating with Gary taking home the coveted Male Vocalist Of The Year award at the Carolina Beach Music awards. Well, the group is back at it with the release of "Use To Be My Girl" which features one of the groups other talented vocalists Harold Smith. The song has been a staple of Smokin' Hot's live performances and the group decided to go into the studio and record the song. Boy aren't we glad they did! "Use To Be My Girl" was released to rave reviews during the CBMA Industry Awards, and it has been steadily gaining momentum since. I've always said if you are going to cover a classic, you better make it your own and boy does the group absolutely do that! Featuring an absolute smokin' vocal performance from Harold, and impeccable instrumentation from the rest of the members of the group, this song is destined for chart land soon! Look for "Use To Be My Girl" to climb all the Beach Music charts in the coming months!
Cruzin' Down The Boulevard - The Carolina Blue Dots
The Carolina Blue Dots had tremendous success with the "Those Summer Days" CD. The CD, which was nominated for Group Album Of The Year at the CBMA's, spawned at least three songs that reached the Beach Music charts: "Shaggin' With My Baby", "I'm In Love With You" and the title track "Those Summer Days". They followed that release with the single release "Senorita", which also stormed up most all of the Beach Music charts. Well, the group is back at it with their latest release "Cruzin' Down The Boulevard " which is already garnering major chart action. The song is currently #24 on The Beach Music Top 40 (12/25 chart), #22 on Eric Bowman's New Beach Music Countdown (most recent chart of 12/11), and #4 on Don Mark's Surfside Top 20 (12/18) chart, The song takes you back to those days at the beach when we cruised the Boulevard looking for that "special one". What a fun tune that brings back so many memories! The song features a smooth vocal performance and tip of the spear instrumentation from this talented group of musicians! I expect this song to continue to climb the charts in the coming months especially as we move into the warmer months and our minds turn to Cruzin' Down The Boulevard! Can't wait for more from this group in the near future!
Lovin' Ams - Salt Luvs Pepper featuring David Cornelius
I must admit that I don't know much about this group other than it features Jimmy Ogburn on sax, and David Cornelius on the lead vocal; however, after hearing this song I definitely want to learn more! From the opening keyboard ride to the killer horns, this song hooks you from the very beginning! The song also features an impressive vocal performance from David Cornelius and some very soulful background vocals. Jimmy Ogburn offers up a smokin' saxophone to round out this very impressive original song! Folks this song has it all, and when you top it off with tip of the spear production, you have a hit on your hands! This song has already cracked the Beach Music Top 40 at #37 after only being released just a couple of weeks ago, I fully expect this song to make a full-frontal assault on all the major Beach Music charts in the coming months! It is that good! I hope that we hear much more from these guys in the future!
Cape Fear Beach Sessions Volume 2 - Various Artists Compilation
J,K, Loftin has been a fixture in the Beach Music industry for years, having played with such groups as The Craig Woolard Band, Mark Roberts and Breeze, Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot, Steve Owens and Summertime, and most recently The I-42 Band. He engineered and or/co-produced about 2 dozen albums for Judy Collins and later her sister Jeannie on her 3 labels, the first of which was "All Aboard 2, The Beach Boogie Train" which featured Billy Scott's "My Kind of Girl". The compilation was nominated for eight CBMA's and won seven! The only one it didn't win was Engineer of The Year! J.K. said nobody knew who he was back then! He is now the Chief Engineer and Producer at Cape Fear Studio in Wilmington, N.C. where he has worked with many Beach Music artists including Sylvia Johns Ritchie, Feature Attraction Band, and Russell Henry among others. A few years ago, calling on what he had learned from Judy Collins, J.K. decided to release compilation CD's featuring the artists he works with and that gave us "Carolina Moon" and "Cape Fear Beach Sessions Volume 1" which both spawned several #1 hits on various charts. He has now released his third compilation CD entitled "Cape Fear Beach Sessions Volume 2", The new compilation features Sylvia Johns Ritchie, J.K.'s own I-42 Band, The Feature Attraction Band, Russell Henry, and The Carolina Dreamers. Let's take a closer look at each of these songs, shall we?
Burnin' It Up For Your Love - Sylvia Johns Ritchie
We covered this tune in our November edition of Inside The Music, but to refresh everyone's memory, this is a Sylvia original that features Sylvia wearing out those 88's, J.K. on guitar, and a smokin' saxophone to boot! There is also a fun video for the tune that was filmed at 3001 Nightlife in Myrtle Beach. The video is available on You Tube and the song is available for download on I Tunes, The song has been steadily moving up Eric Bowman's New Beach Music Countdown since its release and it currently sits at #20 as of December 11th. Download "Burnin' It Up" today! You will be glad you did!
Carolina Summer - I-42 Band
The second tune on the compilation is from J.K.'s own I-42 Band. According to J.K., this song is an anthem for everyone who loves their time spent at Carolina beaches in the Summertime. I would have to agree J.K.! Featuring an outstanding vocal performance from Bryan Mayer, tip of the spear instrumentation from J.K. and the rest of the guys, and top shelf production, it's no wonder this song has been steadily gaining momentum since its release. The song finished #26 on Justin Rouse's 2021 Top 40 and is currently #2 on Don Mark's Surfside Top 20 as of December 18th! Look for this fun tune to steadily move up the charts in the coming months! "Carolina Summer" is available for download on I Tunes. Download it today! You will be so glad you did!
Satellite Radio - Feature Attraction Band
The Feature Attraction Band has been making noise on the Beach Music scene for years now. The band has had numerous charting songs including "Feel That Way Again", "This Ones For The People", "Cigarette Kisses", and their smash hit "Call Me" which was on just about every major Beach Music chart for weeks on end! The group is back with their latest release "Satellite Radio" which is already garnering chart action as it is currently #38 on the Beach Music Top 40. The song talks about how "Satellite Radio can take you to any time that you want to go", whether it be '73 or '93! What an improvement from when we all listened to our Big Sister's Radio! This song features those smooth vocals we have become accustomed to from the FAB, killer horns, and again tip of the spear production from J.K. Give this tune a spin and watch the dance floor fill up! I look for this tune to storm up the Beach Music charts in the coming months! You can download "Satellite Radio" from I Tunes, and you should add this smokin' tune to your Beach Music collection today!
Ruby Baby - Russell Henry
As a member of The Drifters for over 50 years, Russell Henry's place in Beach Music history is secure! Russell keeps writing additional chapters though at the ripe young age of 81! Russell has recently given us fresh new takes on songs such as "Be Ever Wonderful", "Drip Drop", "There Goes My Baby", "When You Dance", "True Love, True Love", and his most recent smash hit "The Twist". He is back at it with his latest rendition of the Drifters classic "Ruby Baby". According to J.K. "this is a really cool version of the song that maintains its integrity but adds several cool new updates to the old favorite, originally released by The Drifters in 1958". I 100% agree with that statement! Russell has never sounded better and when you layer in some smokin' horns and an underlying organ, you have an instant dance floor classic! Another chapter written in the Beach Music legacy of Rusell Henry! Look for this song to storm up the Beach Music charts in the coming months! Thank you, Russell Henry, for all that you have done and continue to do for Beach Music!
Hey Girl, Hey Boy - Carolina Dreamers
The romantic smoothie "Hey Girl, Hey Boy" from The Carolina Dreamers is up next on the compilation and it has come charging out of the gate. Less than 24 hours after the CD was completed, the tune was played on WCLN 1170 AM in Clinton, N.C. which happens to be the groups hometown, The band got to hear themselves on the radio for the first time! How cool is that! The same night it debuted on the "Highway 17 Beach Party" with Ben Morris from Beach Waves Radio and Ben received so much response from the song that he also ended his show with it! The song, as the title indicates, is a back and forth between a girl and boy expressing their feelings for each other. An absolute smokin' tune if I do say so myself! This tune is making a lot of noise on the charts already as it finished the year at #39 on Justin Rouse's 2021 Top 40 and currently sits at #12 on Don Mark's Surfside Top 20! This is an absolute must for your Beach Music collection! I sure hope we hear more from this talented group in the near future!
When I Wish For You - Sylvia Johns Ritchie
The last song on the compilation has been a long time coming as it was recorded over two years ago! The song was not released when it was recorded due to the staying power of Sylvia's previous hits. J.K. asked Sylvia if he could put it on his next compilation and she said "Yes"! Neither of them knew it would take two years, due to the pandemic, for the song to finally be released! Well folks let me tell you it is worth the wait! This is an amazing song that is one of Sylvia's best recordings to date. The instrumentation on this song is tip of the spear and features Tom Jones' former sax player Kenny Anderson just absolutely smokin' it up on the saxophone! The production is again second to none on this tune and I expect this tune to make a full-frontal assault on all of the Beach Music charts in the coming months! Outstanding job Sylvia!
All of the tunes on "Cape Fear Beach Sessions Volume 2" are originals by the artists themselves or members of the band except "Ruby Baby" which was written by one of the most successful songwriters of the last 70 years, Mike Stoller. Folks this is a must add to your Beach Music collection! Definitely quality over quantity! Although there are only six tunes on the comp, there is no filler material here! Six high quality, superbly produced tunes, each different in their own way. "Cape Fear Beach Sessions Volume 2" will soon be available in various online formats. Be sure to look for it on your favorite online platform. Outstanding job J.K. Loftin! Don't wait so long to give us your next compilation! We will be eagerly awaiting!
News And Notes:
I thought it would be interesting to post some of the Year End charts that have been published so far, It is interesting to note the differences between each of these charts as there are songs that are on one chart but not the others. Regardless of which chart they are on; these are all great tunes and I hope 2022 is filled with even more great Carolina Beach Music!!!
Congratulations to Little John Thompson and Chris Biehler of Forevermore Music for finishing atop Riptide Radio's 2021 Top 20! In my very first edition of Inside The Music which was published in April of 2021 I wrote "By teaming up with Forevermore Music and releasing "No Matter (Life Has Never Been Better)", Little John has set himself up for, in my opinion, a #1 smash as this song will be headed to the top of all the Beach Music charts!!". Man, it feels good to be right! The song ascended to the top of The Beach Music Top 40 and stayed atop Riptide Radio's chart for nine weeks, ultimately finishing the year #1! Well done Little John Thompson and Chris Biehler! You guys have anything up your sleeve for 2022?? Inquiring minds want to know!! LOL
Congratulations to Archie Bell and Charlie Sattenfield for finishing atop Eric Bowman's New Beach Music Countdown for 2021! "Ocean Drive" has been on the charts for 17 months in the U.S. and is still getting airplay in the UK. We can't wait to see what Charlie Sattenfield has in store for 2022! I hear that a new song may be coming in February! Stay tuned!
Congratulations to Jim Quick and Coastline and The Cat 5 Band for finishing atop Justin Rouse's Top 40 for 2021! Two outstanding songs from two incredible groups! I don't blame you Justin! I couldn't have broken that tie either!!
Congratulations to The Cat 5 Band for finishing atop Pat Gwinn's Top 10 for 2021! In the May edition of Inside The Music I wrote about Beach and The Boulevard "In my opinion, this is one of the finest releases to hit the industry in years, If there ever has been a sure fire #1 song this is it! The song has it all: great production, instrumentation, and a killer vocal performance from Glenn Tippett! I fully expect this song to become an "anthem" for summertime at the beach and ascend to the top of the Beach Music charts in short order!". Well folks what can I say, right again!!
We will post more Year End charts next month as they become available.
Lastly, in closing, I would like to wish Mike Worley the best of luck as he undertakes a new venture and chapter in his life. As most of you know, Mike and his Edge Radio show filled the 11:00 to 3:00 time slot for 94.9 The Surf in North Myrtle Beach for the past five years. His live Friday broadcasts from The Tiki Deck at HOTO;'s in North Myrtle Beach were enjoyed by countless numbers of fans, He revived The Surf Countdown which won the 2021 CBMA for Radio Show Of The Year, He was instrumental in creating the Ocean Drive Beach Music Festival which brought major headliner acts to Ocean Drive including Delbert McClinton and Jimmy Hall. He teamed with Jay Kinlaw and Jimmy Buffkin to bring us "Fat Harold's Live" on Wednesday nights which provided us much needed relief when the Fat Man's club was closed during the pandemic. Mike did so much for Carolina Beach Music and he will be sorely missed at The Surf. Desiring a need to move back home to be closer to his family in N.C. Mike's last broadcast with The Surf was on December 29th. In a Facebook post, Mike said he will continue to be involved in the industry, We sure hope so Mike. Best of luck to you in your new venture, can't wait to hear what 2022 has in store for you! Thanks for all you have done for Carolina Beach Music!
Whew! Well that's it for this month folks! There will be much happening in the Beach Music world in 2022 and we look forward to covering all of it right here at beachmusic45.com where we go Inside The Music!
I hope to see you at SOS Mid Winter and DJ Throwdown!
See ya at the beach!!
Craig