The Catalinas announced they will be releasing two songs, Saturday, March 6, 2021 and the songs will be included on an upcoming CD. "Working on a Groovy Thing" and "Keep on Pushing Love".  You'll want to call or message your favorite DJs and stations and request the new music. Be sure to head over to their Facebook page as they release more information and be sure to visit their website.

The Carolina Beach Music Academy sent out a newsletter on March 1, 2021 talking about the 2021 CBMA awards show and weekend in N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina later this year. Be sure to take note of the changes with the membership mentioned below in the newsletter.

CBMA Newsletter - March 1, 2021

Original Post March 1, 2021
Our prayers go out to Johnny Hopkins his family and the North Tower family. Tonight the band made the following post:

"We’d like to let everyone know that our brotherJohnny Hopkins suffered a stroke yesterday. He’s at Rex Hospital and is currently in ICU. We don’t have a lot of details at this point but are asking for prayers for Johnny, Edna and the family. Edna asked that we post this because she knows that so many people love Johnny. We will update this as we have additional information. That you all for the prayers and well wishes."

Lake Life Live Concert Series announced their 2021 lineup last night on the Saturday Night House Party with DJ Andy Lucy on Flip Flop Live Radio. Dale Hite joined Andy to release the anticipated entertainment schedule that will kickoff in May in Virginia's online lakeside town in Clarksville, Virginia. If you're interested in attending, we have all of the details available for you here on Flip Flop Live. We'd like to thank Lake Life Live for including us as they do each and every year and we're so proud to be a sponsor of such a great event. They were nominated in 2020 for the "Concert Series of the Year" by the Carolina Beach Music Academy.

2021 Lineup

May 1, 2021
North Tower

June 5, 2021
Feature Attraction Band
The Konnection

July 3, 2021
Band of Oz

August 7, 2021
Blackwater

September 5, 2021
JB & the Get Down Browns
The Embers feat. Craig Woolard

October 2, 2021
Cat5

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!