This evening we learned of the passing of Hugh "Chuck" Williams from Newport News, Virginia. According to the information we've received, he passed away at 7:17PM on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. On any given night you'd find Chuck performing with the Fat Ammons Band or the Rhondels up and down the east coast. On his Facebook page on the about me section he wrote: " I can't seem to quit this music stuff. I wish things would pick up though. The less I gig the more I have to practice."

His friends have shared memories including Jay Kinlaw who said: "Rest in Heavenly Peace Hugh 'Chuck' Williams! Sax player for Fat Ammons' Band andThe Rhondels for many, many years!!! Super talented and incredibly funny!!! Old times spent with him, Edgar Justus, Curtis Swisher, Lee and Don Quisenberry are washing over me as I type this!!! Fly high, Sax Man!!"

Jim Stoudemire also commenting: "I just learned tonight of the passing of a good friend. Chuck Williams and I worked together in Fat Ammons Band from 2001-2003 though he was there a much longer time. He was a very talented musician, performer and writer. A lot of sax players do the "two horns at a time thing" but Chuck did it in such a rhythmic way that it stood above what anyone else did. I'll miss seeing and hearing him play but I'll also miss the stories and history. Many times when I would ask a question he would answer with something like "yeah, that's how I learned to play sax upside down on a trapeze!" Along with Fat Ammons Band, Chuck played several years with blues guitarist, Albert Collins as well as The Rhondels. His talent and his friendship will surely be missed! Thinking of Denise and hoping she finds comfort in the coming times."

We'd like to extend our sincere condolences to Denise as well as his family and friends during this time. We've included a couple of videos below of Chuck that we found and if we're made aware of his obituary, we will be sure to update this page with that information.

Our community received more news that Jon Lee, keyboardist of Shag Attack had passed away. We extend our deepest condolences to Jon's family and friends. One memory that we read was from his band mate, Darryl Mcdaniel that reads: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and band mate, keyboardist Jon Lee of SHAG ATTACK. It has been a pleasure and honor to have you over my left shoulder all these years. Rest in peace, brother."

Once we learn of any planned services we will be sure to update this page.

We read the sad news of the passing of Bobby Garland Simmons and we send our condolences to his family and friends during this time. We've read several posts about Bobby including the Carolina Beach Music Academy which posted; "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Bobby Simmons. A wonderful and talented musician and friend left us last night to be in the beach paradise in heaven. He donated the instruments that we got signed and auctioned off each year at the CBMA's. Fly High Bobby Simmons."

 Funeral Services:
 Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 3:00 PM
 Visitation beginning at 1:00 PM to 2:45 PM
 Dillard Funeral Home
 2402 Gentry Memorial Highway
 Pickens, South Carolina.

Obituary:
Easley, SC – Mr. Bobby Garland Simmons, age 62, went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 24, 2021. Mr. Simmons was born in Pickens County, South Carolina and was the son of the late Garland Hudson Simmons and Lucille Parsons Simmons. Survivors include his wife of fourteen years Lynn Garrett Simmons of Easley, South Carolina and daughters Amy Britz (Luke) of Fort Mill, South Carolina and Jennifer Ables (Ross) of Anderson, South Carolina. Surviving are three grandchildren Clayton, Carsyn and Connor. Also surviving are Aunts Doris Childs and Gertrude Hughes of Pickens, South Carolina.

Beach Waves Radio launches a brand new internet radio station effective February 1, 2021. Co-owners, Townsend Link (Elizabethtown, NC), Scott Walker (Grantham, NC), and Ben Morris (Bristol, TN), are excited for the launch. Beach Waves Radio will provide streaming music and radio shows 24/7/365 specializing in Carolina Beach Music and classic soul.

The Beach Waves Radio app is available to download from the Google Play Store (Android) and the Apple App Store (Apple IOS). Beach Waves Radio will provide a mixture of live and syndicated shows that will play everything from the classic beach anthems to the latest releases from your favorite bands. “We are excited to bring something new to the table. We plan to provide live events, specialty shows, in-depth artist spotlights, and much more once things get back to normal”, Link says. Townsend Link is the host of Beach Bound & Down every Tuesday night from 7-10pm. “I’m looking forward to this opportunity to bring Beach Music radio to new parts of the country featuring live remote broadcasts to areas in East Tennessee, for audiences that haven’t had that opportunity in the recent past but are clamoring for it”, says Morris. Ben Morris is the host of Highway 17 every Monday night from 8-11pm. “I’m most excited to change the Carolina Beach Music radio game with my 2 friends”, Walker says. Scott Walker is the host of Thursday Night Beach Therapy every Thursday from 8-10pm.

For more information on the station and shows you can visit as of February 1, 2020 their website and visit and follow Beach Waves Radio on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
We're friends with everyone over at Beach Waves Radio and we wish you guys nothing but the best and we're looking forward to listening. Congratulations!

It's time to celebrate the ones we allow in our homes daily, during our travels and those who support the industry we love. Beach Music is comprised of a diverse group of DJs that keep our favorite songs alive and for that we say thank you. They bring us the hottest new tracks while at the same time bringing back old memories with the classic music we cherish. Share and give your favorite DJs a shoutout today on their social media pages or give them a call on-air and thank them for everything they do. Without the DJs and stations many artists and/or bands wouldn't be able to do what they love every single day and they're an extremely important part of every genre of music, however none can compare to the ones we have in Beach Music. Love to all of our DJ friends and thank you from Flip Flop Live!

View and Connect with the Beach Music Industry DJs

Information from National Day Calendar

Each year National Disc Jockey Day recognizes the DJs playing the music and spinning the records. The observance takes place annually on January 20th. 

A disc jockey, or DJ for short, is a person who plays recorded music either on the radio or at a club or event.

The first disc jockey was an experiment on the airwaves. In 1909, sixteen-year-old Ray Newby was a student under the supervision of Charles “Doc” Herrold at Herrold College of Engineering and Wireless. He played the first records over the airwaves before the word disc jockey even existed.

What started as an experiment from the Garden City Bank Building where the college was located in San Fernando, California, was soon being replicated by radio broadcasters across the country. Initially, Newby primarily broadcast his news, music, and entertainment live.

It wasn’t until 25 years later that radio commentator Walter Winchell coined the term disc jockey.

Today, contemporary DJs play music from vinyl to digital. Regardless of the medium they use, the term disc jockey still applies.

Hip-hop DJs became popular in the late 70s and 80s using multiple turntables and using the turntables themselves as an instrument to alter the music. Mobile DJs often act as the master of ceremonies at events or parties directing the evening’s activities.

BigTime announced on January 14, 2021 to be on the lookout for their new single: "Where Did the Party Go". DJs this weekend started spinning the new song so be sure to call your favorite DJs and stations and request it. Their post also advised that the song has been submitted to CDBaby and other streaming services. We've included a copy of the band's post that was made on Facebook.

January 13, 2021 marks twelve years for Beach Boogie and Blues radio. Owned by Curtis media group, they host a varriety of programing including the Beach Music shows that we all love. The DJ's which include: Allen Vick, Britt Hardy, Fred Rouse, Justin Rouse, Shaun Lamm and Jerry Hill and features like their "Funky Fridays" and "Motivations with Gloria". Their website states: "A very important part of our radio station are the specialty shows you can hear on the weekends.  These shows are hosted by DJ’s that like you….LOVE Beach Boogie and Blues." You can connect with them by using the links below which include: their website, app and social media pages. We send our special birthday greetings to everyone at Beach Boogie and Blues and with the Curtis Media Group.

- Visit their website
- Following them on Facebook
- Download their android app
- Download their IOS app

Ways to listen:
- Streaming online
- On your radio at 102.9 FM

The Raleigh Shag Club announced that after receiving notice from ACSC that the club's 2020 dues would be rolled over to 2021, they decided to do the same. If you'd like to read the entire post, we have that for you below.

If you're interested in joining the Raleigh Shag Club, we encourage you to visit their website and Facebook page. You can join for a great price and they have all of the details on their membership page and you can even download the membership application. If you're not in the area but you're interested in joining a club, be sure to visit our shag club page here on Flip Flop Live and see the various clubs from Virginia throughout the Carolinas.

Full article:
Greetings Shaggers,

A new station has launched in the Beach Music world and we're excited to announce that Beach Trip Radio is now streaming. Their websites states: "Beach Trip Radio is dedicated to bring you the Best in Beach Music, Shag, Boogie, Blues and Gospel Music on the internet through your computer, smart phone or smart device! We are a dedicated radio station that brings you the best music ever made!"

With shows already scheduled, their programming will include: Beach Trip with "Youngblood" Scott Smith, Beach Beat with Lamar Walker, Beach Connection with Angelia Skidmore and Beach Shack with Wayne Troutman. We wish everyone at Beach Trip the absolute best and we're already enjoying your stream.

Visit Their Website

Follow Them on Facebook

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".