We lost a Beach Music legend this morning as Steve Hardy passed at 3:05AM. Our prayers go out to the entire family and Beach Music community during this time. Once arrangements have been made we’ll be sure to share those for you here on Flip Flop Live.

The Randy Clay Band is set to release their new song "Tip the Hat" Friday, April 24, 2020. You can catch Randy this Saturday on Eric Bowman's show on WDZD 99.1FM The Wave from 10:00AM until 1:00PM for the debut and the interview. On the band's Facebook page they state "Get ready line dancers! This is one you’ll love". You will find the links below for the band and the live stream for Eric's show.

Randy Clay Band Facebook
Randy Clay Band Website
WDZD The Wave 99.1FM Website
Streaming Link

**CBMA Logo is property of the Carolina Beach Music Academy**

We'll be streaming the show LIVE right here on Flip Flop Live!

This Friday, April 20, 2020, join DJ Mike Worley and Peter Carpenter as they announce the 2020 Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame Inductees LIVE on 94.9 The Surf. Tune in and be the first to hear! Also support your favorite bands, artists, DJ's, venues and the industry by joining the academy today! The biggest Beach Music party of the year is coming November 12th - 15th in N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the 26th Annual Carolina Beach Music Awards.

Friday you can listen to the broadcast live on the Surf's website and we'll also have it available for you here on our homepage.

View past inductees here

Important Reminder:
The entire industry has been hit hard recently and this year we ALL need to step up and help wherever we can.One of the easiest things that you can do is invite new friends to join the academy. If each one of us can at least get one new person to join, that would help give the industry a boost, not to mention we add even more music lovers to the family.

Here are a few other ways that you can help!

• DJ's and Beach Radio
  Tune in and call your favorite DJ's and stations and request your favorite songs. Most do it for the love of the music but operating a station and/or show can become costly and they rely on their sponsors to keep things going. The sponsors want listeners to hear their ads so the more we can increase their numbers the more it can help. Show them love on their social media pages and keep in touch as you can always find the greatest music on earth playing on one of the great stations available to us. If you haven't tried streaming shows outside of your normal listening area, try it on apps such as Tune-In, IHeartRadio and Live365. Several stations also have apps you can download specifically for their broadcast.
   
• Bands and Artists
  The many artists and bands will see a huge impact from the Covid-19 outbreak with attendance becoming limited in an attempt to control the spread. Shows have been canceled or postponed from Virginia to South Carolina and for many bands and artists this is their only source of income. Interact with the bands online to keep their social media pages active and let them know how much you appreciate what they do everyday. You can also purchase their music from outlets such as BuyBeachMusic, Judy's House of Oldies and other streaming sources such as iTunes, Amazon Music, GooglePlay and more. What a great time to go through your phones and upload some of the videos and photos and tag the bands and even invite your friends to like their page. They're just as eager as you to get back on the road and let's do what we can to help promote their brand and music.
   
• Shag Clubs
  Although we may not be able to come together and our way of life has come to a screeching hault, that doesn't mean we can't still enjoy sharing and fellowship online. Working on new moves at home? Share it online! Check out the many shag groups available online, meet new friends and invite others to join in the lifestyle. The world may stop but the music never does and anything we can do to promote it will keep things going during this difficult time while putting a smile on our faces.
   
• The Industry
  If you haven't renewed your membership for the Carolina Beach Music Academy, take the time now to download and print the forms and/or pay online. With everything being affected, we assume the United States Postal Service could also see a decrease in speed so it's best to get your CBMA forms in the mail today instead of waiting. Don't forget, you can also purchase your CBMA Award show tickets on the Alabama Theatre website. We know many wait until the last minute but we encourage you to secure your seats because after this hiatus, everyone will be ready for some fun in N. Myrtle Beach.
   
• The Venues
  Venue owners and management probably don't have a lot of time during their normal business hours to respond to emails and inquiries but now would be a good time to thank them for supporting live music, dance events and of course Beach Music. Maybe there's a band you'd like to see at their club that hasn't been included in their lineup. Why not let them know? The venues which also includes restaurants and bars will also be hit pretty hard with this along with their employees. If they're able to still offer curb-side and carry out, please support these local people who support the lifestyle we enjoy. Without the venues where will we go to continue the tradition?

Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson co-write a new song and release it as a collaborative duet with Lesa and Mike Taylor (Holiday Band). The new song "A Little More Love" was released on April 19, 2020 during a worldwide Facebook Live event where Rick, Lesa and Mike discussed details of the new song and allowed the viewers to preview the new track. (See the video below)

From Lesa:
"In the midst of our current world situation, Rick Strickland and I have been busy working on new music.The song is intended to encourage & uplift everybody, and keep those feet dancing!

Credits:
Written By: Lesa Hudson & Rick Strickland
Performed By: Lesa Hudson & Mike Taylor
Produced & Engineered By: Rick Strickland
Single Release 4/19/20 - Shearin Park Records

The single will be available for purchase soon on iTunes and Amazon among other distribution websites. It will also be included on an upcoming compilation from Patman and Robin Records (CD name and date to be determined).

Video:
 

We'd like to officially welcome our newest sponsor Townsend Link, host of Beach Bound and Down on Beach Shag Rhythm and Blues Radio. You can catch him live every Tuesday from 7:00-10:00PM by downloading the LIVE365 app or by visit their website. We've provided the links for you below!

Links:
Connect with Towsend on Facebook
Beach Bound and Down Facebook Page
Beach Shag Rhythm and Blues Radio Website
Download the LIVE365 Android App
Download the LIVE365 IOS App

Townsend is already a great friend personally and he's always supported Flip Flop Live and it means so much to have him as a sponsor. Be sure to tune in tomorrow night as we'll certainly be listening for the "Best in Carolina Beach Music".

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 4/20/2020

Beach Shag Rhythm & Blues Radio is proud to announce the addition of a new weekly Carolina Beach Music show.  Beginning Monday April 27th, 2020, you can tune in on Monday nights from 8-10 to “Highway 17 with Ben Morris”. Ben will be LIVE and you find him on Facebook by searching for “Highway 17 with Ben Morris”.  

We are excited about the launch of Ben’s show and look forward to having you listen and enjoy.  Please join all of us here at Beach Shag Rhythm & Blues Radio in welcoming Ben to the air! Below is a bio on Ben to help you get to know him a little better. 

            “I was 7 years old and growing up in East Tennessee when I acquired a couple of Jackie Wilson 45's.  I was taken in by the sounds off those old Brunswick labeled records, and I was hooked on the R&B music sounds.  As I grew into my teenage years, R&B/Soul, Rock, Blues, Jazz, and Country were staples in my music tastes. I was also learning to play violin and took some piano.  I remember my Mom singing to Far Away Places, Washed Ashore, and other songs that eventually woke me up to Beach Music. I even remember going to see The Platters and Gen. Johnson and The Chairmen Of The Board when I was a teenager in the late 1980's or early 1990's at a local summer festival.

            As I went to University of Tennessee, there was a soul singer that always had a backing band that I got to see several times as a student during football season around campus, and I was hooked on Beach Music. That was Clifford Curry.  Other than saying hello, I never got to know him but loved his music. I ended up looking for more of the groups in the Beach Music genre in the 1990's and added to my collection. After college, I ended up living in Southeast Georgia as a young man and got to go hear The Embers, Swingin' Medallions, and Chairmen of The Board, live as they would play local events and engagements in the area at the time.  I was hooked again for life. I even attempted to find a young lady and try and shag with the basic steps.

            I have continued to enjoy the music, old and new alike.  The music makes people feel good and makes you think of the sand, sun, and sea.  The old music sparks memories of yesteryear and the new groups make you smile as you see the traditions and sounds carried on to the new generations and incorporating new sounds. 

            That is my Beach Music story.  I love sharing and playing the music for my friends and family and look forward to you joining me on Highway 17.”

-Ben Morris

The Swingin' Medallions announced a brand new website during a Facebook live video earlier today along with some updates on their shows that have been rescheduled. We've included the video for you below:

The following email was sent out concerning the 2020 Carolina Beach Music Awards. 

Covid-19 / The 2020 CBMA

& Renewing

Your CBMA Membership!!

We here at CBMA are keeping a close eye on the Covid-19 situation and hope and pray that this pandemic will end soon and we can all get back to the Live Carolina Beach & Shag Music we love so much!!

Please support your local businesses that are struggling to stay afloat and make sure that when the time comes to patronize those establishments that keep our music and dance alive.

Hopefully soon, we'll all be walking through the doors of Fat Harold's, Hoto's, The Galleon, Deckerz, Ducks, The Pavilion and The OD Arcade and all the other establishments that play our music.

A BIG THANK YOU to all the DJ's and Artists for keeping us entertained during this crisis on the radio, online and Facebook!!

As of right now, everything is staying "as is" as far as dates for the 2020 CBMA Nominating, Voting and Weekend.

That could change in the coming weeks and months as we still have some time to make plans if needed. We have already started looking at new dates if we have to postpone or change the way we normally do the event.

The

Carolina Beach Music

2020 Hall Of Fame Class

will be announced next Friday on April 24th which would have been the last Friday of Spring SOS as we normally do. Join myself along with Mike Worley live from Noon until 2 pm on 94.9 The Surf and streaming live on 949thesurf.com to see who will be inducted into the CBMA Hall of Fame on Friday November 13th, 2020.

We understand times are tough but if you are able to renew your membership at this time, Please do so.

Last year with the help and direction of Bo "The Web Guy" Gilbert, we found out it is possible to do the Nominations and Voting online which we might have to do 100% this year due to the Coronavirus and postal restrictions.

Renew Your Membership today Online below

Click Here

You can still join online by postal mail using this link to copy and print out the form and mail in with a check or credit card info.

Click Here for Application

Industry Members can join above online or using the link below to download the application and mailing it in

Industry Application

If you have a group of individuals that love Carolina Beach Music such as a Fan Club, a Night Club, Radio Station, etc...

You can join as a group and get a discount to join by using the link below

Organization Membership App

Also remember if you want the best seats for the 2020 CBMA's

Book your seats today at the Alabama Theatre for Sunday November 15th!!!

When you purchase your CBMA Tickets and would also like to attend the "One" Show or the "Christmas" Show at the Alabama Theatre anytime during the year; you can get a 30% discount on those tickets if your purchase them at the same time.

If you've already purchased your CBMA Tickets and would like to take advantage of this offer. Give the Theatre a call and ask the associate for the CBMA Special tickets discount!!

1-800-342-2262

Johnny Draper, host of the widely popular "Friday Beach Blast" show that can be heard on WTRG Magic 97.9FM, Earl 98.3FM and The Lake 107.7FM. Based out of Weldon, North Carolina, he  announced his new show is now playing every Saturday on The Lake 107.7FM. Congratulations Johnny on your new spot which will keep him behind that desk or in the "air chair" as he calls it, all weekend long. We look forward to tuning it as we love Johnny's mix and all of the regular callers that request their favorite Beach Music every single week. Below you will find the show times for Johnny!

Friday Beach Blast
Every Friday from 5:00-9:00PM
WTRG 97.9FM,  WDLZ 98.3FM,  WWDW 107.7FM
Request Line: 844-381-1588 or 252-538-9790

Beach Blast
Every Saturday from 5:00-9:00PM
WWDW 107.7FM
Request Line: 844-381-1588 or 252-538-9790

Exclusive Gold
Every Sunday from 8:00-11:00AM
WTRG 97.9FM
Request Line: 844-381-1588 or 252-538-9790

We launched "Flip Flop Live Radio" with our debut show on March 21, 2020 on our online platform along with a new website and Facebook page. Next comes another chapter in our radio endeavor and we now have a weekly show on WEVA 860AM based out of Emporia, Virginia. You can listen every Saturday from 4:00 until 6:00PM for your favorite Beach Music and Jammin' Oldies with DJ Andy Lucy. Our launch on WEVA will be this coming Saturday, April 18, 2020.

If you'd like to submit a song request, you can do so by calling: 260-BeachDJ and leave a voicemail with your name and location along with your song/artist request. If you'd like to dedicate the song to someone, feel free to include that information as well. We appreciate our spsonsors and the overwhelming support we've recieved and we're looking forward to everything to come in the future. 

Andy and Jonathan
Flip Flop Live