CBMA Membership Drive Results

Results are in from the CBMA (Carolina Beach Music Awards) membership drive held at Dynamites recently, from June 13 – June 17.

275 new members of the Academy were signed up, and many more packets of information were distributed. Additional applications for membership can be picked up at Dynamites, or go to www.cammy.org to download a form to be mailed.

Congratulations to the winners of the drawings held at the membership drive!

Bill Pinkney, original member of the Drifters, died July 4, 2007. Pinkney was in Daytona, Florida where he was to perform for Independence Day festivities. His band went on with the performance and announced his death at the end of the concert.

Bill Pinkney was born in 1925 in Dalzell, SC. He was an original member of The Drifters, having been “drafted” from the gospel group The Southern Knights by Clyde McPhatter who organized The Drifters in 1953. Pinkney left the group in 1958 and formed The Original Drifters, the band he remained with until his death.

Bill Pinkney had many successes and public recognition over his lifetime. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, United Group Harmony Association, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and Beach Music Hall of Fame. He had also been inducted into both North Carolina and South Carolina Halls of Fame. He received a Presidential Citation for Four Bronze Stars earned in World War II. South African President Nelson Mandela wrote a “national treasure” recognition letter to Bill Pinkney in 2000. In 2001, he was the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from CCU (Coastal Carolina University) in Conway, SC. In addition, South Carolina bestowed the prestigious Order of the Palmetto, the highest honor given to a civilian, upon him and named him the official “Ambassador of Entertainment.” Pinkney was a pitcher for the New York Blue Sox, an affiliate of the Negro Baseball League, in the late 40’s and early 50’s.

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- By 10 o’clock on this Friday night, the joint was jumping at Fat Harold’s Beach Club, just down Main Street, near where the asphalt meets the sand. Customers milled around the bar, talking, drinking, looking and, to be honest, hoping to be looked at. It could have been a college crowd in any college town, except that many of these partiers were at retirement age or close to it.

Around the room, the slight glimmer in the eyes, the extra additive of confidence and the struts through the crowd, all enhanced by alcohol -- that’s ageless. A new dance-ready version of ‘‘You Are My Sunshine’’ by Heaven Davis was playing through the speakers, and more than a few couples were giving it their best shot on the dance floor. One guy in a short-sleeve white sports shirt poked his tongue out in delight as he spun his partner around before facing her again with a grin. Besides being a distinctly older bunch, the crowd was predominantly white.

Bernie and Julia Lyons Brooks were an exception.

ATTENTION ALL BEACH MUSIC LOVERS!!

This includes our Internet listeners, as well!

In an effort to raise the national awareness of our beloved Carolina Beach Music, Dynamites at Dock Holidays will be the site for CBMA (Carolina Beach Music Awards) membership drive Wednesday, June 13 through Sunday, June 17.

Carolina Beach Music Awards began in 1995 as a way to recognize and honor all aspects of beach music…the artists, songwriters, club owners, radio stations, djs, booking agents, record labels, recording studios, engineers, producers, etc. The show recognizes those who excel in their field as well as honoring the pioneers.

The 2nd Annual Charleston Beach Music & Shag Festival 

The 2nd Annual Charleston Beach Music and Shag Festival is slated for August 23 – 26, 2007.Organized by the Beach Music and Shag Preservation Society of South Carolina, Incorporated, the sponsors are JB Pivots Beach Club in Charleston and WVCO/ 94.9 the Surf in North Myrtle Beach.

COOL TUNES AND HOT CRABS

Blue Crab Festival

Festivals are important to a community’s life. They are steeped in tradition, as Americana as apple pie, and bring neighbors and visitors alike together. There is something about the Blue Crab Festival that sets it apart from others, some intangible factor that makes it a favorite. Perhaps it’s the ambiance of the Little River waterfront, rife with majestic live oak trees. Perhaps it’s the festival organizers who work all year to ensure a successful event. Perhaps it’s the variety and quality of the art, crafts, and food vendors. Perhaps it’s the outstanding entertainment. Perhaps it’s the phenomenal children’s area. Perhaps it’s the reasonable prices. Perhaps it’s the strength of the community itself. Probably it’s the combination of all these factors!