CCU to host Beach Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
The artists include Hank Ballard and The Midnighters, Ruth Brown, The Clovers, Fats Domino, The Drifters, Louie Jordan, Amos Milburn, and Big Joe Turner.
Songs to be honored include "Sixty Minute Man," recorded by The Dominoes; "Shake, Rattle and Roll," recorded by Big Joe Turner; "Ain't That a Shame," recorded by Fats Domino; "The Great Pretender," recorded by The Platters; "Green Eyes," recorded by the Ravens; "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean," recorded by Ruth Brown; "Nip Sip," recorded by The Clovers; "One Mint Julep," recorded by the Clovers; "White Christmas," recorded by The Drifters; and "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee," recorded by Sticks McGee.
"We're honoring the genius of what these artists created and the cherished memories that are stirred each time we hear their songs," said DinoThompson, chairman of the Beach Music Hall of Fame advisory board. "Whether you listen to rap, rock or R&B, the music rests on the shoulders of these forgotten giants who transitioned those sounds from the church to blues to beach music."
This first induction will focus on the pioneers of beach music who released songs prior to 1955. Special recognition will also be given to the late General Norman Johnson, lead vocalist of Chairman of the Board, and the late Solomon Burke, considered the founding father of soul music.
The evening will feature video presentations of each artist and song, with performances by the National Shag Dance Team. CCU faculty member Dan O'Reilly and Pop 101 musicians will also perform a medley of beach music songs originally made famous by Hall of Fame inductees.
Beach Music artist Billy Scott and local TV personality Diane DeVaughn Stokes will emcee the event. Scott, a singer and recording artist for over 40 years, is co-founder of the Beach Music Association International and Cammy Awards. He has been inducted into 6 Halls of Fame, and is the recipient of 16 Cammy awards. Scott continues to tour with his band "The Party Prophets. Stokes is a television talk show host, vocalist, actress and popular speaker. She has emceed the National Shag Dance Championships annually since 1988.
Tickets to the Beach Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony are $20, available through the Wheelwright Box Office from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 843-349-2502.
The plan to establish the Beach Music Hall of Fame on CCU's campus was formalized in May 2009 when the South Carolina General Assembly passed a concurrent resolution designating Coastal Carolina University as "the home of the Beach Music Hall of Fame." "When Coastal Carolina University was designated as the home of the Beach Music Hall of Fame, we gained a unique recognition that further links the university with the community," said CCU President David DeCenzo. "We are proud to join the group that has championed the music and culture that distinguishes the Grand Strand and Horry County from any other place in any other state."
DeCenzo established a Beach Music Hall of Fame advisory board to formulate a procedure for naming inductees to the Hall of Fame. CCU's Wheelwright Auditorium will serve as an interim location on campus to house it. University officials foresee the eventual installation of an interactive museum that will showcase beach music history and honor the inductees.
The Beach Music Hall of Fame advisory board members include Steve Bailey, Jason Cagle, Hilda Carter, Charles Dalton, Cliff Ellis, Selene Graham, Pat Howle, Kay Maddox, Eddie Ray, Dan O'Reilly, Rose Rock, Billy Scott, Don Sloan, Bubber Snow, Charles Stafford, Barry Thigpen, Dino Thompson, Jack Thompson, Harry Turner and Bob Wood.
The University's affiliation with beach music was spearheaded by Harry Turner, president of the Beach Music Association International. An author and radio personality, Turner has taught noncredit courses on beach music through the University's adult learning program for many years. The Carolina Beach Music Association is also supporting the Hall of Fame project at CCU. For more information, contact Martha Hunn at 843-349-2962.