2020 was a year like no other and many areas of the Beach Music Industry have suffered through COVID. We enjoy watching the various bands and artists go live on the many social media platforms and those supporting their efforts. One area that also needs support is the shag community! Do you have a shag club nearby and if so have you considered joining? If you're new to learning to shag, you can find videos online as well as lessons being offered right on your PC or mobile device by the various awesome instructors. Maybe you'd like to simply brush up on your skills and now would be a great time!

If you're looking for a club or maybe even possible events in your area, you can find a listing on our website and the Flip Flop Live mobile app but another excellent resource is the official Society of Stranders website. You can search for clubs, read the news and also be sure to check out the 2020 Fall and Winter SOS Carefree Times located on their homepage.

The venues that the shag clubs frequent for their events are also hurting so be sure to stop by their websites, social media pages and if they're open for business let them know how much you love the shag events hosted at their locations. There are a lot of inner working parts of the industry and we all need to support where we can and just know we'll get back to doing what we love sooner or later and when we do, it will surely be one BIG family reunion.

Every area of our indsutry is important to keeping the lifestyle alive especially now. Continue to support your bands, artists, venues, radio and DJ professionals by sharing their posts, listening, requesting and purchasing their music and merchandise. If you're a shag club or shag instructor and you'd like us to share your upcoming events, videos or information, please send us an email or contact us through Facebook messenger. We want to make sure everyone is included and featured here on your number one source for "Everything Beach Music".

Milestones are special and twenty years of dedication is certainly something to talk about. 2021 marks twenty years for Pat Gwinn at the Beach and in a recent post Pat said: " This is the start of our 20th season of Pat Gwinn At The Beach! Our first affiliate was WZLA in Abbeville... the show was then called “Friday At The Beach”. The opening jingle was written and produced by John Alan Waldrop. The first in studio interview was with Billy Scott and Kip Anderson. Twenty years later we prepare to create an incredible look back with archived interviews, jingles, and more. A thank you to all who have supported The All-New Pat Gwinn At The Beach Syndicated Show."

We'd like to say congratulations to Pat and we're certainly enjoying your syndicated show here at Flip Flop Live. Please be sure to visit the links below and stop by his Facebook page or leave a comment below congratulating Pat.

Facebook Group
Facebook Page
Website

Logo is property of Pat Gwinn

During the Saturday Night House Party with DJ Andy Lucy on Flip Flop Live Radio, David Snead and his daughter Madison released a Christmas song as a duet. David is the guitarist for JB and the Get Down Browns from Southside, Virginia. The song is cover of a Mariah Carey's release "Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child". We have the entire interview and song for you below.

We were saddened to read the news from the East Coast Rhythm and Blues Band about their fellow member Mike Ezzell.

From East Coast Rhythm and Blues Band's Facebook Page:
Their post read: "As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, it is with a heavy heart that we have to send this message today. We have lost a great friend, talented musician and a band brother.Mike was not only a great musician, but a loving husband and father.We all are in total shock this morning, but knowing he is in the loving arms of Jesus and celebrating with Him on His birthday helps to bring comfort. Please keep Mike’s family and our band family in your prayers."

From Steve Owen's and Summertime's Facebook Page:
" The first Carolina Beach music band I was ever a part of was the HIGH ROLLER BAND .. and the first Sax player I ever shared the stage with was this man ... Mike Ezzell .. in the early hours of yesterday morning Mike went to be with the lord. He will be remembered not only for the great music he made but also his fun wit and laid back personality. Mike has played and filled in with many bands over the years including Mixed Emotion, Delta Riders, High Roller Band, Ricky Godfrey Band , Ginger Thompson Band , and most recently East Coast R &B band .. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike’s family and many friends during this difficult time. Rest Easy Mike !"

We've included Mike's obituary below which includes service information and a guest book if you'd like to sign. We send our condolences to the family and to the band. We'll be praying for all of you in the coming days and weeks ahead.

Obituary  -  Sign the Guestbook
Mike Ezzell August 18, 1966 – December 25, 2020 Mike Ezzell, 54 of Elm City passed away Friday. His funeral will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Joyner’s Funeral Home, Wilson. Pastor John Scott will officiate. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5 – 6:45 p.m. at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson. Mike played in several Carolina Beach Music bands over the years, lastly with is beloved band of “Brothers”, East Coast Rhythm and Blues and also with his cherished friend, the Ginger Thompson Band. He was trusted by many in the Paint Division at NAPA-Walker Auto Parts for over twenty years. Mike was a loving and devoted husband, father, son, uncle and friend to all who knew him. He will always be remembered in the heart of his loved ones. Mike is survived by his loving wife, Tamsey Whitley Ezzell; sons, James Michael Ezzell, Jr. of Elm City and Cameron Simons Renfrow of Durham; mother, Janice Glover Bolton of Rocky Mount; special niece, Taylor Lorraine Clark of Wilson; special nephew, Timothy Charles Clark of Lucama; his half-brother, Wesley Ezzell of Columbus, Georgia and four wonderful great nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, William James Ezzell, Jr. and his grandparents, W.J. and Ethel Ezzell and Harvey and Alvern Glover. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in Mike’s memory to the Muzik Kids Foundation, PO Box 425, Wilson, North Carolina 27894. Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.

Did you catch DJ Andy Lucy's interview during Cammy weekend with Karen Clayton from the Castaways? If you did, we're sure you caught the comment she made about a new upcoming full album from the band. According to Karen they originally planned to release it by the end of 2020 but with everything happening the world with COVID, illnesses and more they decided they will wait until Spring 2021 with talks about releasing it in time for Spring SOS. If you'd like to listen to the entire interview we've included that for you below and as soon as we know anything more on the new music, we'll be sure to update you.

2021 is already looking good! Chairmen of the Board announced on their Facebook page that we can expect new music coming in the new year. In their post (shown below) it stated "New Music from Chairmen Of The Board “Baby You’re the Melody” Written and Produced by UKs Melody Maker Nigel Lowis!!!". We can't wait to hear the new material and we included a copy of their post below.

On Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Wayne Free released a brand new single. The song titled "Our Paradise" debuted on Townsend Link's show, Beach Bound and Down on the Beach, Shag, Rhythm and Blues Radio Network. The song will soon be available on your favorite streaming services and be sure to call your favorite DJ's and stations and request it. We've included links below where you can read about and listen to Wayne's music.

Wayne's website
Wayne's Facebook
The Embers Band

On Friday, November 13, 2020 the Main Event Band released their brand new single "Hello Stranger" featuring vocalist: Sharon Woodruff. They debuted the song on Britt Hardy’s Party for A Lifetime show on 105.9 FM. Made famous by Barbara Lewis, the song was originally released in 1963 and we must say that Sharon does an outstanding job on this classic. Be sure to call your favorite DJ's and radio stations and visit the band's Facebook page and website and add them to your favorites. We wish continued success for Main Event and we can't wait to see you on the road soon!
 

Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 Carolina Beach Music Awards
You will find your winners below as listed by the CBMA website and the
2020 Hall of Fame Inductees.

Female Vocalist
Lesa Hudson

Male Vocalist
Steve Long

Rising Star
The Tonez

Song of the Year
"A Little More Love"
Lesa Hudson & Mike Taylor

Group Album of the Year
"Just Believe It"
Gary Lowder

Entertainer of the Year
Craig Woolard

Smoothie of the Year
"Your Eyes, My Heart, Our Soul"
Too Much Sylvia

Compilation Album of the Year
"Party of A Lifetime"
Fat Beat Productions

Radio DJ of the Year
(2020 Ted Bell Award)
Eric Bowman
99.1 WDZD
Monroe, NC

Syndicated Radio Show
"On the Beach"
Charlie Brown

Club
(Bill Griffin Award)
OD Pavillion
N. Myrtle Beach, SC

Show Club
(Cecil Corbett Award)
Deckerz
N. Myrtle Beach, SC

Event of the Year
King's Mountain Beach Blast 2019
King's Mountain, NC

Group of the Year
Too Much Sylvia

National Dance Song
"Got to be You"
Dr. Victor

Radio Station of the Year
WDZD 99.1 FM
Monroe, NC

Club/Mobile DJ
Mike Worley

Producer
Rick Strickland
"A Little More Love"
Lesa Hudson & Mike Taylor

Engineer
Rick Strickland
"A Little More Love"
Lesa Hudson & Mike Taylor

Collaboration or Duo
"A Little More Love"
Lesa Hudson & Mike Taylor

Song Writer(s)
(Tommy Black Award)
Lesa Hudson & Rick Strickland
"A Little More Love"
Lesa Hudson & Mike Taylor

Michael Branch Award
Pat Patterson
Beach Music 45 / WPCC

Instrumentalist
Camron Dudley
Drums
Cat 5 Band

Live Production Award
Klint Ford
Blackwater Band

Internet Radio Show Award
"Carolina Beach Party"
Johnny B

Internet Radio DJ
Johnny B
Riptideradio.com

Internet Radio Station
Riptideradio.com
Scott, Henriksen & Dennis

Shag Club Event
27th Annual Valentines Benefit
Burlington Shag Club
Burlington, NC

Radio Show of the Year
Wave New Beach Music Countdown
Eric Bowman

Concert Series of the Year
"Music on Main"
N. Myrtle Beach, SC

2020 CBMA HOF INDUCTEES

Individuals:
Pat Christie
Eddie Cogle
Steve Davis
Wilson Howard
Jim Quick

DJ:
Fred Foxx
Neal Furr
Johnny B

Bands:
Bob Collins and the Fabulous 5

Venue:
Loafers Beach Club
Raleigh, NC
Gary & Deborah Gibson

Stations:
WNCT 107.9 FM
Greenville, NC
Henry W. Hinton, Jr.

Download your own electronic copy of the 2020 Carolina Beach Music Awards Program Guide that was shared
on the CBMA website. Click Here!

The 2020 CBMA Program Guide is property of the Carolina Beach Music Academy. Flip Flop Live is not responsible for any content or images.