We don’t even have to leave town. Aiken Let’s Go To The Beach. Put this on your calendar now or in your phone reminders. Friday, May 19th 5:30 till 10p. It’s The 3rd Annual Beach Music Festival with The Swinging Medallions. The 3rd Annual Beach Music Music Festival. The Steeplechase Racecourse, 2020 Richland Avenue East, Aiken.
The Swinging Medallions
One of the South’s favorite dance and party Bands. From Greenwood South Carolina The Swinging Medallions have known as a beach, frat rock, and shaggin’ band. The band was formed in 1962 just as The Medallions. Swinging would be added in 1965. It was their second release in 1966 that everyone’s attention. Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love) reached #17 on the Billboard Charts and number 88 on the Billboard Album Chart.
Since 1965 original members have passed on, and other family members have joined. Other singers have joined to make this one of the longest-touring bands ever. It can be in the dead of Winter with snow on the ground and you can put The Swinging Medallions on and I want a coconut rum and Diet Coke and can feel the sand between my toes. Now that’s the beach ya’ll.
The Founding Members
- John McElrath (keyboards)
- Jim Doares (guitar)
- Carroll Bledsoe (trumpet)
- Charles Webber (trumpet)
- Brent Forston (sax, flute)
- Steven Caldwell (sax)
- James Perkins (bass)
- Joe Morris (drums)
The Medallions were best known for its classic, Double Shot (of My Baby’s Love). The song became a million seller in 1966, and has been a party classic for decades. She Drives Me Out Of My Mind and & Hey, Hey, Baby were top 40 hits in 1966 and 1967.
You’ve seen them at Border Bash many times, can’t go to Myrtle without hearing them and now it’s time to see and hear them in Aiken. This will be a fun night of music, food and just an over all good time for everyone. Grab a group of friends and put on your dancing and shaggin’ shoes and lets go.
Here’s just a small taste of what we have too look forward too on May 19th in Aiken.
