January 18, 2020 from Lee Funeral Home

Lester “Paul” Craver, 71, died January 14, 2020 at MUSC, Charleston, SC.

Born on August 30, 1948 in Greensboro, NC, he was the son of Lester Paul and Ruby L. Brandon Craver, Sr.

The music bug bit Paul Craver at an early age. The Ripete Records recording artist and Greensboro, NC, native entered high school - trumpet in tow - and quickly joined the school band. After graduation, he took his place in the United States Navy as a Signalman and served in Vietnam.

In 1972, he joined a group called Medium Cool and from his very first gig with the group, no one could keep him away from the microphone. He knew from that point that he had found his calling. After reconstructing the O’Kaysions, now known as the Fabulous Kays, Paul moved to Columbia, SC, in 1981, where he teamed up with Willis Blume to form Shagtime, a band that produced "Mr. Beach." Paul sang lead vocals on the project, and the single became a defining milestone in his career. Paul was a part of several bands over the years, but in 1993, the Men of Distinction band was formed. He sang lead vocals for them and they earned four Carolina Beach Music Awards. Paul has a history of his own in terms of the CBMA with a string of nominations and a good number of wins. He was a 2002 inductee into the Beach Music Hall of Fame. In 2007, he received Smoothie of the Year for "Emperor of My Baby's Heart," released on KHP Music's Keep On Shaggin compilation. In March 2008, Paul retired from the Men of Distinction and devoted more time to his solo career and deejay opportunities. In 2016, he was inducted into the DJ Hall of Fame. Since then, he has had many incredible opportunities to share his musical love and talent with others. In 2011, he was invited to sing in Belgium and was loved by all the people. During a University of South Carolina home game, he performed to the many fans in attendance.

He was the owner/operator of Craver Tile Co. and many will remember the hilarious radio commercials he and Gail made. He loved this country and the veterans that have helped keep us free. He had a great affinity for golf and his golf buddies. He was always on the go, but found the time to spend with Gail and his family. They were the most important to him.

Survivors include his wife of 16 years, Gail Angel Craver; sons Tripp Craver (Jenny), John Stephenson (Amber); daughters, Dotte Watts and Angela Stephenson; and nine grandchildren. He is predeceased by his son, Chris Craver, and brothers Bobby and Frank.

A memorial service, with military honors, will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Veterans’ Welcome Home & Resource Center, 421 State Hwy 57 South, Little River, SC 29566.

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North Carolina
JAN 17^th  – Punch
42^nd Street Oyster Bar – Raleigh
JAN 18^th  – The Konnection Band
Rack & Rolls – Burlington
JAN 19^th  – Winter Rock Blast w/ Cat5
Village Inn Event Center – Clemmons
JAN 19^th  –Jam Out for Josh
The Embers feat. Craig Woolard
Pantana Bob’s – Greenville
JAN. 17^th  – Rockin’ the Forest Series
Legacy Motown Review
Wake Forest Renaissance Ctr – Wake Forest

South Carolina
JAN 14^th  – Funky Leroy Harper JR’s All Starz
Captain Archie’s – N. Myrtle Beach
JAN 15^th  – Mid winter SOS - View Our Guide
JAN 16^th  – Mid winter SOS - View Our Guide
JAN. 17^th  – Riptide Radio Deck Party
Deckerz – N. Myrtle Beach
JAN 17^th  – Mid winter SOS - View Our Guide
JAN 18^th  – Mid winter SOS - View Our Guide
JAN 19^th  – Mid winter SOS - View Our Guide

Virginia
JAN. 14^th  – Boogie on the Bay Shag Lessons
Big Woody’s – Chespeake
JAN. 15^th  – Carolina Shag Dance & Lesson
Northern Virginia Shag Club
Arlington-Fairfax Elks Lodge - Fairfax
JAN. 17^th  – Boogie on the Bay Shag Social
Big Woody’s – Chesapeake
JAN 14^th  – JB and the Get Down Browns
North Street Press Club - Farmville

January 9, 2020

WRAL's Voter's Choice Award goes to The Band of Oz. The event was held Thursday, January 9, 2020 at Union Station in Raleigh, North Carolina. The WRAL website said they received a record-breaking number of votes this year. Congratulations on a well deserved award!

Video of the show can be seen below. 

January 10, 2020

Jim Quick and Coastline will be hosting "The Great Q & Brew Caper January 10th-12th in Ahseville, North Carolina. Two packages are available and both include; the brewery hop on Saturday, optional Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour, convenient access to Biltmore village, tickets for Jim Quick and Coastline concert Saturday night at Sierra Nevada's new permier entertainment venue "High Gravity", fan brunch buffet with the band on Sunday, shuttle services to the events and a souvnir event shirt. For more information, visit their website. 

North Carolina
JAN. 9^th – The Entertainers
TJ’s Night Life - Raleigh
JAN. 10^th  – Big Time
Pittsboro Roadhouse - Pittsboro
JAN. 10^th  – Randy Clay Band
Statesville Zodiac – Statesville
JAN. 11^th  – Too Much Sylvia
73 & Main – Mt. Pleasant
 

South Carolina
JAN 7^th  – Funky Leroy Harper JR’s All Starz
Captain Archie’s – N. Myrtle Beach
JAN. 9^th – The Embers featuring Craig Woolard
25th Annual Island Winter Classic
Hilton Head Mariott - Hilton Head Island
JAN. 11^th  – Funky Leroy Harper JR’s All Starz
Deckerz – N. Myrtle Beach
JAN. 12^th  – Band of Oz
Wilbur’s Restaurant & Lounge - Santee
JAN. 12^th  – Cat5
Deckerz – N. Myrtle Beach
JAN. 13^th  – Funky Leroy Harper JR’s All Starz
Star Tavern – Little River


Virginia
JAN. 8^th  – N. Virginia Shag Club - Dance & Lesson
Arlington-Fairfax Elks Lodge – Fairfax
JAN. 11^th  – Cabin Fever Music Series with Cat5
Community Market – Danville
JAN. 11^th  – En’Novation
Visions Dance Club – Richmond
JAN. 12^th  – Part Time Party Time Band
Billy’s Barn – Salem

January 6, 2020

The Mid-Winter SOS Guide from Flip Flop Live is ready for you to download, print and/or save. We've compiled the latest list of events including bands, DJ's and workshops all in one easy to read and follow guide. Save it to your phone, PC or mobile device for easy viewing anytime. Use the links below to access the Mid-Winter SOS informaiton. 

Download the Guide

View SOS posters and information

January 6, 2020

Dotte Watts posted information on her dad Paul Craver and step-mom Gail. Paul is a longtime Beach Music industry veteran DJ and singer. If you're able to help out momentarily please click here.

Dotte's post:
As most of you know, back in August my Daddy went for a regular routine checkup at the VA and they did an X-ray on his chest and found 2 aneurysms in his heart. The next day he went to Duke university in NC and had open heart Surgery as well as a double bypass. He ended up staying in the hospital for almost one month and since then he has been going downhill. One of the bypasses failed. Now he is battling low oxygen and blood pressure as well as fluid continuously building up. My step mom Gail has been by his side 24/7 taking care of him. He has been in and out of hospitals at least 10 times since. This past Saturday night he was rushed to McLeod Hospital in North Myrtle Beach and then Sunday was rushed to MUSC. He is still in ICU at MUSC and Charleston is over two hours away from their hometown of Little River, SC, so I’m trying to raise some money to help my Stepmom with food and lodging expenses as she is having to stay in a hotel close by every night. Even if you can’t help financially, can you please pray for them? The Bible says where two or more are gathered, there I will be! Thank you for all of your prayers. They mean so much through this difficult time and I know that if my Daddy could say thank you he would!!!

January 5, 2020

Cabin Fever Throwdown 2020 is coming up in just a few weeks and we have all of the event information for you. Entertainment includes: Steve Owens and Summertime, Band of Oz, The Embers feat. Craig Woolard, Jim Quick and Coastline and DJ Jimmy Pearce.  Discount rooms are available by using a special discount code. For full details click here!

January 3, 2020

In a Facebook post on January 3, 2020, Keith Stone (Trumpet) from Gary Lowder and Smokin' announced his departure from the band. Keith put in his notice earlier this week and performed his last show with Smokin' Hot on New Year's Eve. He went on to say that he's now a fulltime member of Leroy Harper Jr's All Starz and that a new website is forthcoming. We wish Keith the best of luck as well as Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot and Leroy Harper Jr. All Starz. 

January 2, 2020

Steve Baker with Jukin' Oldies announced today that "DJ Steve Stack-o-wax" will debut on January 8, 2020 at 9:00PM. He's located in the U.K. and his show will be the "Wednesday Night Rockin' Party". You can stream the show live on their website, on their free andriod or IOS app and through your Alexa device. Baker says: "We will continue to bring you the Greatest Music on Earth, 24/7/365"