Carolina Beach Music – A Wedding Necessity for Many Carolina couples

Shag Dancing - Stylus wedding DJ Raleigh Carolina Beach Music in the 1940s

If you’re from certain parts of the Carolinas, you’ve probably heard this music genre for most of your life. Your parents listened to it, maybe they’ve taken to festivals since you were a kid, maybe it’s the sound that defined every road trip to Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Myrtle Beach, or the weekly trip to lessons in Pinehurst. Beach Music has been described as the most unique music genre anachronism in the US, America’s version of Northern Soul, or(one of several) the “Sound of Carolina” (sharing the billing with bluegrass, funk, and jazz) and it might be the perfect thing to help round out the sound of your wedding.

The History & Development of Beach Music in the Carolinas

Beach music, or as DJ Frankie Hagan dubbed it, “Southern approved Motown,” originated in the late 1940s and early 1950s, as World War II veterans returned home and young people sought out places to relax, dance, and enjoy life. In the segregated South, mainstream pop and country music dominated white audiences, while African-American communities embraced the emerging sounds of rhythm and blues (R&B).

In seaside Carolina dance halls like the Seabreeze in Carolina Beach, the Pavilion in Myrtle Beach, SC, and similar venues up and down the coast, R&B records became popular among young white listeners who were drawn to the infectious rhythms and soulful melodies. At a time when segregation was still enforced, beach music represented a subtle form of cultural integration. White teenagers, inspired by the liveliness of R&B, often traveled to Black-owned record shops to find the latest records, contributing to the blending of cultural boundaries.

Let me double down on this for a moment – the evolution of beach music represented a rebellion against the outright racism of the previous generation. Black visitors to Seabreeze and Freeman Beach were often harassed going to and from the resorts, and a lot of the people ‘breaking the rules’ were kids.

Beach music shows were equivalent to EDM/House raves in the 90s and were often targeted by police action. To the powers that be, it represented moral degeneration and societal collapse (see the development of the Ice Cream Sundaem in Evanston, Illinois for a parallel). That’s also part of what made it so important and so fundamental for so many people, and a big part of why that core experience maintained such a foothold when so many other regional genres died out.’

Beach music represented a way out of the segregated past and a new way forward.

Shag Dancing - Stylus wedding DJ Raleigh Carolina Beach Music in the 1940s
Shag Dancing – Stylus wedding DJ Raleigh Carolina Beach Music

The Shag: The Dance That Defined the Sound A crucial aspect of beach music’s development was its association with the shag dance, which emerged in the same period. The shag—a smooth, partner-style swing dance with roots in earlier forms like the jitterbug and Lindy Hop—became the signature dance of the Carolina coast. Its relaxed, rhythmic movements perfectly complemented the mid-tempo grooves of R&B tracks. This synergy between music and dance became the backbone of the beach music phenomenon.

The popularity of the shag among young people at Carolina beaches like Atlantic Beach, SC (historically a Black beach), and Ocean Drive Beach, SC, in North Myrtle Beach, helped create a social scene centered around music, dancing, and the carefree coastal lifestyle.

Golden Era of Beach Music (1950s-1960s) During the 1950s and early 1960s, beach music hit its stride. R&B artists like The Drifters, The Clovers, The Platters, and The Coasters dominated the airwaves and jukeboxes in beach towns. Their harmonies, catchy melodies, and upbeat tempos captured the spirit of summer vacations and youthful rebellion.

Some of the most iconic songs associated with beach music from this era include:

  • Under the Boardwalk by The Drifters
  • Sixty Minute Man by Billy Ward and His Dominoes
  • Stay by Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs
  • Carolina Girls by Chairman of the Board

While many of these artists were not native to the Carolinas, their music became adopted as the unofficial soundtrack of the region’s beach culture.

The Local Scene: Carolina Bands Rise By the mid-1960s, homegrown talent began to emerge, giving beach music a more regional identity. Bands like The Catalinas, The Embers, and The Tams became staples of the beach music scene, performing live at local dance halls, clubs, and festivals. These groups blended traditional R&B influences with a touch of Southern charm, creating a uniquely Carolinian sound.

If you’re interested, there’s a separate strain of Beach Music with a more blues-oriented style that came of out St. Louis.

Decline and Revival (1970s-1980s) As rock and roll, Motown, and later disco became dominant in the national music scene, beach music began to fade from mainstream popularity. However, it retained a loyal following in the Carolinas, where shag dancing and beach culture remained deeply ingrained.

During the 1970s and 1980s, regional radio stations like WNCT in Greenville, NC, and beach music-specific stations like WVCO “The Surf” helped keep the genre alive. Meanwhile, annual events like the Society of Stranders (SOS) gatherings in North Myrtle Beach, SC, celebrated shag dancing and beach music, creating a sense of community around the genre.

The unfortunate public introduction to Beach Music culture happened with the movie Shag (1989). After the wild success of Dirty Dancing, it wasn’t what fans of the music could have hoped for, with Variety writing: “As a dance flick, Shag suffers from an unexciting dance-style and so-so choreography but compensates with a fine young cast and likable story.” But it certainly laid some groundwork for new familiarity with the genre, community, and shag dancing.

“Unexciting dance style” is uncharitable because all dancing can be as difficult as you want it to be, but it does have a kernel of truth: almost anyone can learn the dance quickly and it’s accessible for dancers of all ages. Part of why you might want to incorporate some Beach Music or shag dancing into your wedding.

Resurgence in the 1990s The 1990s brought a resurgence of interest in beach music, thanks in part to renewed efforts to preserve the culture of the Carolina coast. Artists from earlier decades continued to perform, and younger musicians embraced the style, ensuring its continuation. The Carolina Beach Music Awards (CBMA), established in 1995, became a major event to honor the genre’s contributors and celebrate its legacy.

Beach Music Today Today, beach music remains a beloved tradition in the Carolinas, particularly among older generations who associate it with their youth. Shag dancing continues to be a popular pastime, and events like the CBMA and the SOS festivals keep the culture alive. Bands like The Embers, Band of Oz, and The Chairman of the Board still perform, ensuring the music is passed down to new audiences. You’ve also seen new waves of Beach Music performers like Jim Quick and Coastline Band, Party of 6ix in Wilmington, The Castaways, and the Carolina Breakers.

Why Beach Music in the Carolinas?

The unique geography and social culture of the Carolinas played a key role in the genre’s success. Coastal towns like Myrtle Beach, with their dance pavilions, jukeboxes, and vibrant nightlife, provided the perfect environment for beach music to thrive. Additionally, the laid-back, community-oriented spirit of the Carolinas ensured that traditions like shag dancing and beach music could be preserved over decades.

Beach music is more than just a genre; it’s a cultural legacy that ties generations together, embodying the rhythm of life along the Carolina coast. It continues to evoke nostalgia and pride, remaining an essential part of the region’s identity.

Beach Music Today

There are a lot of bands still performing Beach Music. Beside being popular for weddings, there’s still a thriving community that enjoys seeing bands perform at festivals, clubs, and more.

How to Use Beach Music at Your Wedding

Beach music can be featured in a lot of different ways at your wedding. We’ll often see a couple of shag songs played during the reception when you’ve got a cadre of guests who enjoy shag dancing. We’ll also often see beach music played during dinner, cocktail hour, and sometimes even the ceremony (like the seating of the parents or as a recessional).

When you’re considering whether or not to incorporate beach music into your wedding, here’s a quick list of some classic and more contemporary beach music:

The Top 100 Beach Music Songs:

Beach Music Essentials 1-25

  1. Carolina Girls – Chairmen of the Board
  2. Ms. Grace – The Tymes
  3. I Love Beach Music – The Embers
  4. Summertime’s Calling Me – The Catalinas
  5. Under the Boardwalk – The Drifters
  6. Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy – The Tams
  7. My Girl – The Temptations
  8. 39-21-40 Shape – The Showmen
  9. Sixty Minute Man – Billy Ward and His Dominoes
  10. Ocean Boulevard – Band of Oz
  11. With This Ring – The Platters
  12. Stay – Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs
  13. Rainy Day Bells – The Globetrotters
  14. On the Beach – Chairmen of the Board
  15. Shama Lama Ding Dong – Band of Oz
  16. Give Me Just a Little More Time – Chairmen of the Board
  17. Cool Me Out – Lamont Dozier
  18. You’re More Than a Number in My Little Red Book – The Drifters
  19. Hold Back the Night – The Trammps
  20. Party Time Man – The Futures
  21. Gone Fishin’ – Chairmen of the Board
  22. Mama’s Drinkin’ Liquor Again – King Tyrone & the Graveyard Ramblers
  23. May I – Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs
  24. It Will Stand – The Showmen
  25. Thank You John – Willie Tee

26-50: The Coastal Classics

  1. Dancin’, Shaggin’ on the Boulevard – Alabama
  2. Sand in My Shoes – The Drifters
  3. Eighteen with a Bullet – Pete Wingfield
  4. Hello Stranger – Barbara Lewis
  5. I’ve Been Hurt – Bill Deal & The Rhondels
  6. Percolate – Bill Pinkney & The Original Drifters
  7. Build Me Up Buttercup – The Foundations
  8. Knock on Wood – Eddie Floyd
  9. Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love) – Swingin’ Medallions
  10. Hello Happiness – The Drifters
  11. Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool You – Wilson Pickett
  12. Hey Baby – Bruce Channel
  13. Stagger Lee – Lloyd Price
  14. Groove Me – King Floyd
  15. Let’s Have a Party – Wanda Jackson
  16. Big Boss Man – Jimmy Reed
  17. Little Red Book – The Drifters
  18. Myrtle Beach Days – Fantastic Shakers
  19. Mr. Beach – Fantastic Shakers
  20. Lady Soul – The Temptations
  21. Carolina Moon – Don Gibson
  22. Searchin’ – The Coasters
  23. Fun Fun Fun – Beach Boys
  24. I’m Ready – Fats Domino
  25. Cherry Grove – Band of Oz

51-75: Dance Floor Shag Favorites

  1. Double Dealing Woman – Coastline Band
  2. Funky Broadway – Dyke and the Blazers
  3. Honky Tonk Women – Rolling Stones
  4. Just One Look – Doris Troy
  5. Lover Boy – The Embers
  6. Something Smooth – General Johnson & Chairmen of the Board
  7. Love is Here and Now You’re Gone – The Embers
  8. Stand by Me – Ben E. King
  9. I Only Have Eyes for You – The Flamingos
  10. Cool Jerk – The Capitols
  11. Feel So Fine – Johnny Preston
  12. Drip Drop – The Drifters
  13. What You Do to Me – The Embers
  14. Baby I Need Your Loving – Four Tops
  15. I Got Loaded – Peppermint Harris
  16. Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me – The Tams
  17. I Want to Thank You Baby – Bobby Womack
  18. This Old Heart of Mine – The Isley Brothers
  19. Shaggin’ the Night Away – Fantastic Shakers
  20. All She Wants to Do Is Dance – Don Henley
  21. Can’t Get Enough of Your Love – Barry White
  22. Midnight Hour – Wilson Pickett
  23. Baby Workout – Jackie Wilson
  24. Walking Up a One-Way Street – Willie Tee
  25. My Guy – Mary Wells

76-100: Timeless Beach Music Tunes

  1. More Today Than Yesterday – Spiral Starecase
  2. Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu – Huey “Piano” Smith
  3. Lover Boy – Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs
  4. Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear – Elvis Presley
  5. Sweet Soul Music – Arthur Conley
  6. Green Eyes – Ravens
  7. This Magic Moment – The Drifters
  8. Back That Thing Up – Chairmen of the Board
  9. Keep on Dancing – Gentrys
  10. Baby Come Back – The Equals
  11. Sugar Pie Honey Bunch – Four Tops
  12. Keep it Coming Love – KC and the Sunshine Band
  13. Love Train – The O’Jays
  14. Walkin’ the Dog – Rufus Thomas
  15. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
  16. Fools Fall in Love – The Drifters
  17. Second Chance – Band of Oz
  18. You’re All I Need to Get By – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
  19. I’ve Got a Woman – Ray Charles
  20. Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett
  21. Good Times – Sam Cooke
  22. I’ve Got Sand in My Shoes – The Drifters
  23. Up on the Roof – The Drifters
  24. Sha-Boom – The Chords
  25. Sunshine of Your Love – Cream

Bands still performing beach music:

1. The Embers featuring Craig Woolard

  • Often considered the quintessential beach music band, The Embers have been a staple of the genre since the 1950s. Now featuring Craig Woolard, they continue to tour and perform, delivering classics and new favorites to fans across the Carolinas.

2. Band of Oz

  • Formed in the 1970s, Band of Oz remains one of the most popular and enduring beach music bands. Known for their high-energy performances and hits like Ocean Boulevard, they are a must-see for fans of the genre.

3. Chairmen of the Board

  • With a legacy spanning decades, Chairmen of the Board is still going strong, led by Ken Knox. They perform iconic tracks like Carolina Girls and Give Me Just a Little More Time at beach music festivals and events.

4. The Catalinas

  • Known for their timeless hit Summertime’s Calling Me, The Catalinas have been performing since the 1950s. They are a staple of the Carolina beach music scene, consistently delivering fan-favorite songs.

5. The Tams

  • Famous for their classic Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy, The Tams continue to draw crowds with their infectious energy and signature harmonies. They blend nostalgia with a lively stage presence.

6. The Entertainers

  • This band brings a modern flair to beach music while honoring its roots. Their blend of classic R&B, soul, and beach music keeps them in high demand throughout the Carolinas.

7. The Fantastic Shakers

  • Often referred to as the “South’s Finest Show Band,” The Fantastic Shakers have been delighting audiences with hits like Myrtle Beach Days. Their live performances are legendary for their energy and crowd interaction.

8. Blackwater Band

  • Known for their versatility, Blackwater Band performs a mix of beach music, R&B, and funk. They are popular on the beach music festival circuit and private events alike.

9. The Holiday Band

  • This group combines traditional beach music with a modern edge, appealing to both long-time fans and newer audiences. Their performances are lively and crowd-pleasing.

10. Jim Quick & Coastline

  • Known for their eclectic style, Jim Quick & Coastline bring a unique blend of swamp soul, R&B, and beach music. Jim Quick’s charismatic stage presence makes their shows a memorable experience.

11. Steve Owens & Summertime

  • This group has quickly become a fan favorite in the beach music community. They perform a mix of beach music classics and original songs, always with a fun and upbeat vibe.

12. Sea-Cruz

  • Featuring the dynamic vocals of Butch Barnes and Dino Fair, Sea-Cruz is known for their energetic live shows and dedication to beach music traditions.

13. The Carolina Coast Band

  • Performing a mix of beach music, Southern rock, and R&B, The Carolina Coast Band is a versatile group with a strong fan following in the Carolinas.

14. Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot

  • Known for their powerful horn section and soulful vocals, this band blends beach music with a variety of other genres for an exciting live performance.

15. Too Much Sylvia

  • With their humorous approach and great stage presence, Too Much Sylvia has become a favorite among beach music fans. Their setlists include a mix of beach classics and crowd favorites.