Billy Joe Royal in Town  

National recording artist Billy Joe Royal was in town recently (April 5) for a concert at the Blue Marlin in Garden City. After spending an hour with Ted Bell in the 94.9 studio, several staff members (Billy Smith, Trish Langley, and Kay Maddox) had the pleasure of taking him to lunch. It was a clear, balmy day, and we decided to treat him to a little local flavor, so off we went to Sea Oats Café in the Blockade Runner.

Sitting outside with the sea oats and beautiful Atlantic Ocean glistening with the sun’s rays was treat enough. Of course the food was magnificent also! Many thanks to William Neville for his gracious hospitality! We sat for 2 hours, mesmerized by tales of Billy Joe’s experiences spanning his illustrious career.

Originally from Valdosta, Georgia, Billy Joe was born into a family of musicians. By age 9 he was taking steel guitar lessons. A few years later he was a regular on his uncle’s local radio show. His family moved to Marietta, and Billy Joe joined the Georgia Jubilee, a show where performers sang only one song each. This association with stars from the Grand Ole Opry, as well as Jerry Reed and Ray Stevens, perhaps explains his later success as a country performer.

Not straying too far, Billy Joe’s next move to Savannah provided many opportunities to headline in clubs and on stages. He watched and learned from greats like the Isley Brothers, Little Richard, and Sam Cooke. He was living with Joe South, Grammy Award winning songwriter, best known for his own “Games People Play.” Surrounded by talent, his own was growing daily. He loved Savannah so much that years later he named his daughter after the city.

Ironically, it was a song that Joe South wrote that truly jumpstarted Billy Joe’s career. “Down in the Boondocks” became an instant hit and catapulted his career into the national scene. In 1965 he joined Dick Clark’s traveling troupe, which entailed 90 days of shows in 90 different cities. Peter and Gordon, Tom Jones, the Shirrelles, and Neil Diamond were also members of this show. “I Knew You When”, “Hush”, and “Cherry Hill Park” became national chart busters for him.

These were the big years…in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe…co-billing with the likes of Mick Jagger, Roy Orbison, Bobby Vinton, Connie Francis, Bobby Goldsboro, Fats Domino, The Flamingos, and the King himself, Elvis!

His music took a turn toward the country genre in the mid-80’s after a collaboration with Bill Lowery, the Atlanta icon who recorded many stars of national fame. “Rocket”, “I Miss You Already”, “Old Bridges Burn Slow”, “Out Of Sight And On My Mind”, “Till I Can’t Take It Anymore”, and “Love Has No Rights” all became country hits for Billy Joe.

We loved every minute of our time with him. Perhaps most of all, we enjoyed his memories of playing the Sandtrap Lounge at the Holiday Inn in Crescent Beach (now, Baywatch Resort) and the Admiral Showroom at the Myrtle Beach Holiday Inn. We laughed as he told of playing the Embers Club in Raleigh when the disco ball caught fire and the club was evacuated.

Billy Joe resides in Nashville, Tennessee but maintains a second home in Morehead City. His Southern roots are obvious and his charm and easiness become him. Ahhhhhhh, what a great day in Paradise!