So much talent from all of the artists and musicians throughout the Carolinas and Virginia! From the countless miles driven yearly, the release of new music and the true talent presented on stages throughout the South keeping the classics alive. If you visit the "Band Page" on our website, take a look at the talent that makes up our industry. Many spend days and/or weeks away from their families while performing multiple shows daily with the shows being hundreds of miles apart. Thank you for your dedication to the industry, keeping the classics we love alive and bringing us new music to enjoy for years to come.

If you love listening and/or dancing to the bands, you will find  LIVE events listed below scheduled for the upcoming weekend. All events can be found in our "CBMA Weekend Guide" for easy accessibility from your mobile device, tablet, PC and of course you're more than welcome to print it as well.

Thursday, November 7, 2019
 4:00 PM - Deckerz: Rick & Lisa Duo
 8:00 PM - Deckerz: The Castaways
 9:00 PM - HOTO's: Sand Band & Special Guest
 9:00 PM - Ducks: Rhonda McDaniel & Carolina Coast feat. Kendrix Singletary

Friday, November 8, 2019
 8:00 PM - HOTO's: Sea Cruz / Jim Quick & Coastline
 8:00 PM - Deckerz: Big Time Band
 9:00 PM - Spanish Galleon: Envision Band
 9:00 PM - Fat Harold's: Cat5
 9:00 PM - Ducks: The Entertainers

Saturday, November 9, 2019
12:00 PM - HOTO's: Feature Attraction Band (FAB)
12:00 PM - TIKI Bar: Track Artist Showcase
  3:00 PM - Spanish Galleon: Industry Awards - Various Artists Performing
  8:00 PM - Deckerz: Rhonda McDaniel & Carolina Coast
  8:30 PM - HOTO's: Sand Band / The Castaways
  8:45 PM - Spanish Galleon: Tim Clark Band
  9:00 PM - Fat Harold's: Steve Owens & Summertime
  9:00 PM - Ducks: Hip Pocket

Sunday, November 10, 2019
12:00 PM - Alabama Theatre Parking Lot - Tailagate Party
  3:00 PM - Alabama Theatre: 25th Annual CBMA Awards Show - Various Artists (see list below)
  8:30 PM - Ducks
  9:00 PM - Spanish Galleon: Embers feat. Craig Woolard
  9:00 PM - HOTO's: Band of Oz

Scheduled artist/band lineup for the awards show:
Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot
Bo Schronce
Too Much Sylvia
Jaye Hammer
Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson
Sand Band
Terri Gore
Rhonda McDaniel
Ms. Jody
Sea Cruz
Cat5
Jim Quick & Coastline
Embers feat. Craig Woolard / Jimmy Hall
Tim Clark Band
 

As you' probably already know, the biggest party in Beach Music is happening this weekend in N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. If you're unable to attend, you can still listen to the results as they're announced LIVE on US98.3 FM with Mike Brooks and Big Allan D.  They're taking their weekly show "Carolina Ocean Drive" on the road to N. Myrtle Beach. To listen, be sure to visit our website on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 3:00 PM where you can stream the show LIVE. Mike and Allan will be backstage while keeping you updated on the results.

We'd love to have you join us in person and there's still time but if you can't, be sure to tune-in on Sunday!

Earlier today the Main Event Band posted on their Facebook page that we can expect new music from the band coming soon! We will keep you posted once we know more!

One thing we love about CBMA weekend is the inclusion of the various areas of the Beach Music industry. So many help make up the lifestyle we love and cherish. One big part would be the shag clubs, shaggers, instructors, clubs and organizations that support shag events. For the shag fans you'll have several chances to enjoy events throughout the weekend. We've included those events for you below:

Friday, November 8, 2019
12:00 PM - OD Cafe: Shag Lessons (Easy Shag Steps) w/ Sam & Lisa West - $10
  2:00 PM - OD Cafe: Line Dance Lessons with Rebecca Lapping - Free
  3:00 PM - Spanish Galleon: 7th Annual CBMA Amateur Shag Contest with Guest Judges
Amateur Shag Contest Application - Click Here!

Saturday, November 9, 2019
10:00 AM - Fat Harold's: First Annual Junior Shag Contest w/ Celebrity Judges
Junior Shag Contest Application - Click Here!
12:00 PM - OD Cafe: Line Dance Lessons with Rebecca Lapping - Free
  2:00 PM - OD Cafe: Shag Lessons (Pivots & Social Patterns) with Same & Lisa West - $10
  3:00 PM - Spanish Galleon: 2019 CMBA Industry Awards Show

Sunday, November 10, 2019
3:00 PM: CBMA Awards Show including: National Shag Champions and Shag Time 2

You can keep track of every event by downloading our "CBMA Weekend Guide" and it includes all times and events. Don't miss the various bands and DJ's that will be in town to entertain us all. Show off those dance skills throughout town and keep that shag tradition alive, well as we pass it down to future generations. We will see you in just a few days!

Andy Lucy & Jonathan "JJ" Sharpe
Flip Flop Live

Congratulations to Diana McLeod! She won a pair of tickets to ECSC Fall Breeze happening tomorrow, Sunday, November 3, 2019 at the Farm at 42 in Selma, North Carolina. Diana we will be in touch with you about your tickets and we're looking forward to attending the event tomorrow. Be sure to come up and say hello!

October 31, 2019

In a post shared earlier today on Facebook, the North Carolina Museum of History will be unvailing a Beach Music Exhibit in May of 2020 that will run through January 2021. It's looks to feature items from: The Embers, Fantastic Shakers, Catalinas, Chairmen of the Board and the Band of Oz. The exhibit will be called: “Beach Music: Making Waves in North Carolina” and will include "six thematic sections that explore the genre, delving into what Beach Music is all about, the major hit-makers in the scene, and how it became a part of our regional identity." As we learn more we will be sure to update our news feed.

As many have noticed, Hugh "Tuff" Blanton hasn't been performing with Cat5 including the video we posted earlier this month. Tuff was diagnosed with cancerous tumor in his liver. A GoFundMe account has been setup to help offset the cost of medical expenses and if you're able to donate, it would be greatly appreciated. Tuff is a great person and we're so sorry to see him having to go through this. We've provided the GoFundMe information below.

In a post earlier tonight on the band's Facebook page they posted the following: "A Lot of people have been asking about the absence of Hugh "Tuff" Blanton our Bass Player. Take a look at the Go Fund Me Page created for him and help if you can. Our Brother needs your help if its nothing but sharing the page. Thank you for all you do and your support of this matter. - Much love to you from The Cat5 Band"

On the fundraising page it reads:
" Dear Cat5 Band Fans:

As many of you already know, Hugh “Tuff” Blanton has not been able to perform with the band lately due to health issues.
In October, Hugh was diagnosed with cancerous tumor in his liver. Surgery to remove the tumor is not an option. Instead, the treatment plan involves a 3 to 4 step radio embolization procedure. Radiation beads will be injected directly into the tumor to stop it from growing, to shrink it, and (hopefully) to destroy it. His doctors are confident in Hugh’s treatment plan and expect a positive outcome.

The medical costs associated with Hugh’s treatment are extensive. For this reason, we have set up a GoFundMe account to raise funds to help offset the financial burden to Hugh and his family resulting from his medical treatment. The Cat5 Band is asking our family of friends and fans to make monetary donations to support our much loved Hugh and his family in their time of need.
Your prayers and financial support will be greatly appreciated. God bless and thank you. We also ask that you give him and his family some privacy for just a bit so he can put all his energy towards getting healthy and getting back to doing what he loves.

On October 13, 2019 we told you about Steve Hardy's retirement announcement and mentioned his upcoming annual Christmas party on our news story. The sponsor locations have been updated and the bands have been confirmed and we have that information for you below.

Christmas Party Information:
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Doors Open at 6:00 PM
303 SW Greenville Blvd.
Greenville, NC 27834

Tickets will be available at these locations:

Grand Sponsors
Bailey's Fine Jewelry, all locations
Carolina Eagle/ Budweiser, Rocky Mount
Doug Henry Ford Ayden

Sponsors:
Richie Ballance Flooring, wilson
Donald Kennedy Nationwide, Kinston
Bayer Crop Science/ Wyatt Richardson, Greene County
501 Flaire Boutique, Williamston and Washington
Sawyer Sign Company, Williamston
Suki, Inc, Pink Hill
Minges Bottling Company/Pepsi, Ayden
Greenville Pathology, Dr. Bill Ballance,Greenville
Furniture Warehouse, Tarboro and Farmville
Pitt County K9 Academy, Greenville
Greenville Convention Center, Greenville
PIP Printing, Greenville
Morehead Motor Company, Morehead City

October 29, 2019 marks a milestone for one radio station, WLWL 770AM Big Wave that's located in Rockingham, North Carolina. On October 29, 1969, the station signed on for the very first time. In celebration they aired a previously recorded broadcast by the previous station owner, Bob Perkins during their show on October 29, 2019. Recipients of numerous awards from the Carolina Beach Music Academy which include years: 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2009 along with Hall of Fame in 2005 and 2013 with an induction into the Hall of Fame according to their Facebook page.

Playing the best in Carolina Beach and Blues we look forward to fifty more years from WLWL and congratulations on such a great achievement and to the current owner, R.L. McCaskill.