Calabash Flash

Bio:

..   It was a great honor to me that my "FLASH FLOOD" CD received a nomination for the 2008 Carolina Beach Music Award (CBMA) Solo Album of the Year knowing that the nominations are submitted by industry people. I am truly grateful to those who nominated me and those who voted for me.

I retired from the federal government in Washington, DC after a 30 year career as a Computer Systems Analyst. For many years during my time in Northern VA, I played guitar and sang in the folk group at my local church. Also, during this time I began working as a mobile DJ. I provided music primarily for teen dances, but also did adult dances, and, eventually, weddings. For years, I worked at songwriting as a hobby.

My wife Babs and I moved to Calabash, NC in November 1994. Almost immediately we got deeply involved with the Ocean Drive Shag Club in North Myrtle Beach, SC, took some lessons in shag dancing, and got hooked on Carolina Beach Music. In September 1996, I released my debut CD single called "Shaggin’ In The Moonlight". I wrote and sang it, and distributed it to various record stores in North and South Carolina. (I re-recorded and updated it in 2005 and the new version is included on my “FLASH FLOOD” CD). This song was my introduction to the recorded music world. Since then I have written or co-written and sung several songs that have appeared on compilation CDs primarily directed to the Beach Music market. In 2002, I received a CBMA nomination for Songwriter of the Year for the song “One Track Mind”. The singer, Charles Spring, received a CBMA nomination for New Artist of the Year. The song was on John Hook’s Rhythm and Beach Top 40 for forty two weeks, peaked at number 5 for seven weeks, and finished at number 18 for the entire year of 2002. The song was re-recorded by The Attractions Band and their version reentered the Beach Music Top 40 charts in 2007. It went to Number 1 on Willie C's Beach Music Cafe Top 50 chart. My version of the song is also on the "FLASH FLOOD" CD.

My performance resume includes on stage performances at the CBMA Show at the Alabama Theatre, CBMA membership drive concerts, Beach Music Days in South and North Carolina, Coastal Carolina University Beach Music Concert, Endless Summer Festivals in North Myrtle Beach, Born In The Carolina’s live radio show starring Fessa' John Hook, Ripete and 120Inc. Artist Showcases, and numerous charity functions and benefits for musicians and performers with health problems. I have sung with Jim Quick and Coastline, The Craig Woolard Band, The Attractions Band, The Fantastic Shakers, Sea Cruz, Lia and the Wave, Tommy Black and Blooz, Rickey Godfrey, Tony Baker and the Souls, Donny and Susan Trexler, N'Tranze, Gary Brown, Richard Hubble, Gary Lowder, 3 Cool Cats, Griff and Johhny Cox, and Neptune’s Blue’s Band. I also sang at the 2007 MayFest Festival in North Myrtle Beach singing two songs and opening for "The Legends of Surf Music" starring Al Jardine (Original founding member of the "The Beach Boys"), Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean, and David Marks (original member of "The Beach Boys".)

My latest 4 Song CD released in February 2010 is called "I'M NOT A COUNTRY BOY". Even though I am primarily know for my songs in the Carolina Beach Music genre, I have written and recorded a few songs with a Country Music flavor. I put them on this CD for a little change of pace. You can listen to all these songs right here on my MySpace page.

My new Doo Wop song "STANDING ON THE CORNER" came in at NUMBER 1 on Willie C's Top 50 for July, September, November, December 2009 and May 2010. Officially the artist is listed as "Flash and the Calabash Kings".This song has been getting played on Mr. Doo-Wop's show called Malt Shop Hop and also on the show Shaggin' The Night Away, both on 106.7 FM in Melbourne, Australia. I am also getting air time on DooWopCafe.net, Destination Doo-Wop.com and many AM and FM stations around the country and around the world.

My CD “FLASH FLOOD” is a unique blend of original Carolina Beach and Shag Music, Adult Contemporary Rock N’ Roll and Ballads, a Gospel song, and a Christmas song. This 18 song CD is definitely NOT a “hear one song and you have heard them all” type of CD. It is unusual to find a CD that contains such a variety of original music covering several genres. The first track of the CD, “Just Another Day In Paradise” was on North Myrtle Beach's 94.9 FM THE SURF's Top 40 chart for a year and subsequently was put into their Hall of Fame. On Willie C's chart for the entire year of 2007, this song came in at Number 3. "Eye Of The Beholder" charted in the Top 10 of Willie C's Beach Music Cafe Top 50 chart in 2008. "Eye of the Beholder" was taken off the SURF's Top 40 chart put into their Hall of Fame. It came in at Number 37 for the entire year of 2008. I feel very honored to have TWO songs from "FLASH FLOOD" in their Hall of Fame.

In August 2008, I released a three song sampler called "WILD CROWD". This three original song CD features a Rockin', Party, Sing-along song ("WILD CROWD") as a main dish, a Funky shag song ("FUNKY SHAG") as a spicy side dish, and a Jazzy smoothie ("JUST LIKE BEFORE"") for dessert.

Individual songs from all CDs are available for digital download at the Apple iTUNES Store.

Member Since:

September 25, 2008

Members:

If you are interested in buying any of my CDs or individual tracks, click on the CDBABY icons below. In CDBABY you can listen to clips of every song.

I'M NOT A COUNTRY BOY

STANDING ON THE CORNER

FLASH FLOOD

WILD CROWD

Individual songs from all CDs are available for digital download at the Apple iTUNES Store.

Influences:

Record Label:

B & F Records