WTKR News Channel 3 in Norfolk, Virginia ran a story on the three day cruise-in Beach Music festival on the oceanfront in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Entertainment for the weekend included: The Swingin’ Medallions on Friday May 20, 2022, Main Event Band, The Tams, Chairmen of the Board and the car show on Saturday, May 21, 2022 and Bill Deal's Original Rhondels along with the Embers featuring Craig Woolard on Sunday, May 22, 2022. We were fortunate enough to be there on Friday and we must say the Swingin' Medallions put on a great show! Below is the video from WTKR and for the full story you can visit their website.

On May 24, 2022, Randy Smith announced that he was now a "Casta-was". His announcement included: "I'm just getting older, we have a grand-daughter on the way, and have just reached a place in my life that I wanted to slow it down a little, and enjoy other things". Such a huge talent and a nice person we'll certainly miss seeing him with the band and we know the members of the Castaways are saddened to lose him. Randy, we send you the very best wishes going forward, enjoy more time with your family and we look forward to seeing you on the road. We've included his original post below along with a video that recorded during an event last August in Clarksville, Virginia.

Randy's Original Post on Facebook:
"Well, the word was sorta out before it was official, but anyone that saw The Castaways this past weekend in Louisburg or Efland may have noticed something different. I am officially a "Casta-was". I've been playing music all my life, and have worked with travelling bands almost constantly since 1992. As hard as I fight it, I'm just getting older, we have a grand-daughter on the way, and have just reached a place in my life that I wanted to slow it down a little, and enjoy other things. I'll definitely miss my band family, the stories being told on hours-long trips in the van, the folks who come see us, the friendships I've made with a LOT of those folks, and just being on stage watching the smiles of the crowd dancing and having a good time. It's been one heck of a ride! I will be sitting in with the Castaways from time to time I'm sure. Seems like all former Castaways members do! The Castaways will continue to bring you the best in beach music, so keep an eye on the calendar and come see them somewhere this summer! Love you guys!!!"

Wayne Free released his new single which is available on the new compilation album  by Patman and Robin. "Happy Go Lucky" The song titled "Tequila on Ice" was officially released on April 22, 2022 and written by Jaxson Free and Wayne Free. The song is now available on your favorite streaming service and it's making noise on the Beach Music charts. Call and request the new song while you sit back, relax and enjoy a little Tequila on Ice. We've included a YouTube version below courtesy of

On the "Saturday Afternoon Beach Party" Facebook page it was announced on May 14, 2022 that after "50 years in radio and 46 years with a beach music show. Bill has decided to retire".The post went on to read: "He wants to spend sometime just having fun and enjoying life. He will air his last beach music show at WKRX 96.7 Roxboro May 28th. He has been at the station for 30 years and will always cherish the wonderful memories of his listeners and sponsors. He has enjoyed spending Saturday afternoons providing years of beach music to his many fans that have listened for all those years. Feel free to call him at the station and wish him well. 336-599-0266. He will greatly appreciate it. I have a feeling that you will be hearing from him in the near future. Don’t believe he will ever give up his beach music. He has mentioned also of bringing back our oldies show somehow also."

We'd like to wish him all of the best and thank you for dedication to the Beach Music industry, to radio and to your listeners.

Original post:

Blackwater has released their new single " I'll Always Love You" featuring Doug Winstead and as always they never disappoint. Call your favorite stations and Djs and request it today and you can also find it on the brand new KHP compilation "Another Day on Ocean Drive". We've included a clip for you below courtesy of CSBM Guy's YouTube channel.

On May 15, 2022, DJ's Mike Brooks and Big Allan D. announced their Sunday show would extend from its regular time of 3:00-7:00PM. Starting this coming Sunday, May 29, 2022, their show will run from 1:00PM until 7:00PM every Sunday on WLUS 98.3FM and their Saturday show on WKSK Rewind 101.9FM will remain at 3:00PM until 6:00PM. Carolina Ocean Drive has now been on the air for twenty-one years and their following continues to grow.

Be sure to like/follow them on Facebook and you can listen online on 98.3FM and 101.9FM along with the Tune-in and IHeartRadio apps. If you've never had the pleasure of listening, we encourage you to check them out as they have a great show. Congratulations to Mike and Allan, we're looking forward to it guys!
 

Be sure you remember the new deadlines to be eligible to nominate and/or vote this year for your favorites within the Beach Music industry. Below you will find the dates along with the membership guidelines to help you determine which level you should join. You can print a paper application but you can also join electronically by visiting the Carolina Beach Music Academy Official Website and click "Join CBMA Today". Please note: "No one person may hold multiple memberships levels in the same year"

June 1, 2022 - Deadline to be eligible to nominate - DON'T DELAY!
June 1, 2022 - Nomination ballots will be sent on/around this date
August 1, 2022 Deadline to be eligible to vote
August 1, 2022 - Voting ballots will be sent on/aorund this date
November 10th - 13th 2022 - Cammy Weekend in N. Myrtle Beach, SC

The following information was taken from the CBMA website and is subject to change at any time without prior notice.

- INDUSTRY MEMBER
To be an Industry Member you must be an Industry Professional with legitimate ties to Carolina Beach Music (Artist, Band, DJ, Record
Company, Booking Agency, Sound & Lighting Technician, Promoter...etc.
See membership benefits and perks for this level

- ACADEMY MEMBER - LEVEL 1
This level is primarily for the "Hard Core" beach music fan that wants to participate in the “Nominating & Voting” processes of the awards.
Requirements for becoming an Academy Member is the payment of the $70 annual dues or $120 for couples and you must be at least 16 years of age.
See membership benefits and perks for this level

- ACADEMY MEMBER - LEVEL 2
This level is primarily for the "Hard Core" beach music fan that wants to participate in the Voting Only process of the awards. The only
requirements for becoming an Academy Member is the payment of the $60 annual dues or $100 for couples and you must be at least 16 years of age.
See membership benefits and perks for this level

- ASSOCIATE MEMBER - LEVEL 1
This level is primarily for the "Hard Core" beach music fan that wants to participate in the “Nominating & Voting” processes of the awards. The
only requirements for becoming an Associate member are payment of the $35 or $60 for couples annual dues and you must be at least 16 years of age.
See membership benefits and perks for this level
 

- ASSOCIATE MEMBER - LEVEL 2
This level is primarily for beach music fans that want to participate in the Voting process of the awards. The only requirements for becoming an
Associate member are payment of the $25 annual dues or $40 for couples and you must be at least 16 years of age.
See membership benefits and perks for this level

The Beach Music community recieved the sad news about William Raby "Bill" Sumner who passed at his home in Ahoskie, North Carolina on May 20, 2022. A great ambassador and friend of beach music for many years and he will certainly be missed. We could always find Bill and his brother C.L. standing at the stage near the speaker stack enjoying every minute of any band that was performing. We send our thoughts and prayers to C.L. Sumner and niece Virginia LeighAnne Sumner. Graveside funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, 11:00 am at the Sumner Family Cemetery, 450 Highway 561 East , Ahoskie, NC.

To send your condolences to the family, please visit the funeral home website and we've included the full obituary for you below.

Obituary from Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service

We'd like to congratulate Mitch Harb who is celebrating eighteen years online with Mitch Harbs Beach Party since May of 2004. You can visit his website for his radio stream, photos and his top charts from previous years. Whether you call him the "Godfather of Bad", "The Ancient One" or "Shag Master" head over to his Facebook page or leave a comment here and congratulate him.

Listen to Mitch's stream!

Visit his website

Like/Follow him on Facebook

Deb Browning announced the debut of her new single "3 More Minutes". The song was written by the artist and it was " inspired by a chance encounter " that she had while at Fat Harold's Beach Club in N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She will also be releasing a video for the single that was recorded at the club. The song debuted on Saturday, May 7, 2022 WDZDwith Eric Bowman and later that evening on WTOB with Don Mark.

The video is scheduled to debut at 6:30PM tomorrow, May 10, 2022 so be sure to head over to her Facebook page and like/follow so you don't miss the debut. Also call your favorite Beach Music djs and radio stations and request the new single.