Top Ten Beach Music Songs for April 22, 2023: 'Tequila On Ice'

I love my Beach Music and listen a lot to 94.9 FM, WVCO, the Surf out of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. the Center of the Beach Music Universe.  I'm listening to it right now.

These are the Top Ten Beach Music songs right now according to their listeners.  If you're looking for some really cool throwback kind of music, give it a listen.

1.  GOT IT RIGHT (THE FIRST TIME)--  Rick Strickland & Lesa Hudson

2.  OUGHT TO BE IN A SONG--  Pink Slips Band

3.  YOU'RE THE ONE FOR ME--  Rick Strickland

4.  GOT TO BE YOU--  Band of Oz

5.  THAT YOU HEAR IN A SONG--  Too Much Sylvia

6.  BREATHLESS--  Lesa Hudson

7.  HEY GIRL--  Scott Fine

8.  TEQUILA ON ICE-- Wayne Free

9.  I LOVE DOIN' NOTHING--  Starbuck

10.  TOP DOWN--  Nadia Lena  Shutkufski

GreatStuff--  RoadBeach

Anybody Care to Go Back to 1973? Three Hours of Music from Fifty Years Ago on Chicago's WXRT

If you're like me, 1973 was a very important year.  The first half was a college year at NIU (they're playing "Two Hangmen" by Mason Profitt right now at 9:09 AM) and then I graduated, got married, bought my first car and started my one and only job teaching.  You might say it was quite a year for me.

Anyway, right now, Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM is doing their weekly Saturday Morning Flashback to this year.  It streams, so check it out until noon, CDST.

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I also wrote down every song they played in my RoadDog's RoadLog Blog.  Check them out.

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Also, if you're into Beach Music, WVCO, the Surf 94.9 FM,  in South Carolina is having the Beach Music Top Twenty songs ftrom now until noon EDST.

Tomorrow, Terri Hemmert has her Breakfast With the Beatles show on WXRT from 8 to 10 AM and Bob Stroud does his Rock and Roll Roots show from 9 to noon CDST on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.  The show features music from the 1960s and 1970s.  All shows stream.

Lots of Great Music to Listen To.  --RoadMusic

WLS Top 30 for Week of May 15,1972-- Part 1: 'It's Going to Take Some Time'

Just a mere fifty years ago on Chicago's mighty WLS, 890 AM.

*  Means the song was climbing the charts.  The number after the artist is how high it got on the Billboard National Hot 100 Charts.

*OUTA SPACE--  Billy Preston      #2    Play that organ, Billy!  A great instrumental.  The Fifth Beatle?

*ASK ME WHAT YOU WANT--  Millie Jackson      #27      Some Prime Soul that sadly I don't remember,.  A comment said this was her second biggest hit and an all-time classic Carolina Beach Music song.  I sure agree with that.  Great Beach Music.  I played it a real lot.

30.  *DIARY--  Bread   David Gates wrote it and, of course, sang it.

29.  A HORSE WITH NO NAME--  America     #1     Takes you right back to 1972.  A real soundtrack to that year.  Their first hit.

28.  IN THE RAIN--  Dramatics    #5      Rainy Days & Mondays. you know.  From Detroit.  Their follow up to "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" from 1971 which went to #9.   

27.  *IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME--  Carpenters       #12    Such a beautiful voice.  No singing 8 octaves here.

26.  I SAW THE LIGHT--  Todd Rundgren     #16   Off his double album "Something, Anything."  His follow up to 1971's "We Gotta Get You a Woman" which he recorded as Runt.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "On The First Part Of The Journey O Was Looking At All The Life."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"A Horse With No Mane", Well, Let's Try "Horse With No Name"

About Last Weekend: Beach Music and Billy Smith, Round Lake and Ace Hardware, Little Mexico in Downtown Round Lake

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Listening to Jim Morgan on the Surf, 94.9 FM WVCO out of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, via internet, and he did his Spotlight Song on "Hello Stranger" by Barbara Lewis and he said that was Billy Smith's favorite song.  I sure enjoyed listening to Billy Smith both when we were in Myrtle Beach and eventually over the internet.  Sadly, he died, but I still do remember him.  A great Beach Music deejay.

We drove to Round Lake for Liz's hair appointment, got there early and decided to drive around Round Lake some and went to some areas south of town that we had never been to before.  While she was at the appointment, I went to the Ace Hardware there and at one time, maybe still is, was the largest Ace in the country.  Sure did a lot of shopping there when we lived in Round Lake Beach.

After she was done, we had some great Mexican food at Rancho Nuevo in downtown Round Lake.  Probably 50% of the people of the Round Lake area are now Mexican and if you want to go to Mexico without going far, just go to downtown Round Lake.  Lots of businesses catering to them.

--RoadDog

WLS Top 30 for Week of February 14, 1972-- Part 2: 'Scorpio'

25.  *AIN'T UNDERSTAND MELLOW--  Jerry Butler and Brenda Lee   #21  His and her last Top 40.

24.  *DON'T SAY YOU DON'T REMEMBER--  Beverly Bremers     #15      I didn't think I knew it, but turns out I did.  Great song.  Written by Helen Miller and Estelle Levitt.   From Chicago.  Her first of just two Top 40s.

23.  *I CAN'T HELP MYSELF--  Donnie Elbert    #22      Born 1936.  Died 1989.  A great Beach Music song.  He continued to be big in Britain's Northern Soul.  The old Four Tops song.

22.  SUNSHINE--  Jonathan Edwards     #4      Only 2:14 long!!  What a gyp!!    His one and only Top 40 hit.

21.  SCORPIO--  Dennis Coffey     #6      It's all about the GROOVE and boy does this one have it.   From Detroit.  His first on only two Top 40s.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Some Man's Gone Gone, He's Tried To Run My Life."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Sunshine"

WLS Top 30 for Week of November 8, 1971-- Part 4: 'Trapped By a Thing Called Love'

15.  NEVER MY LOVE--  Fifth Dimension     #12     Hit #1 on Adult Contemporary.   This was the second Association song done by someone else in this survey.  The other one was "Cherish" by David Cassidy at #25.

14.  *BABY I'M-A  WANT YOU--  Bread     #3     One comment said that he had met his wife at a Bread concert.  Hit #1 on Adult Contemporary.   Soft rock group formed in Los Angeles.

13.  MAGGIE MAY / REASON TO BELIEVE--  Rod Stewart   #1     His first hit.  What a first hit!!!

12.  *TRAPPED BY A THING CALLED LOVE--  Denise LaSalle        #9    A great Beach Beat to this song.  Great backup singers and horns.  Her only Top 40.   #1  R&B hit.

11.  ONLY YOU KNOW & I KNOW--   Delaney & Bonnie    #20   Folk-rock duo.  One of their only two Top 40 songs.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Like A Guiding Light To Help Me Through My darkest Hour."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Baby I'm-A Want You"

Good Times Around Here July 31-- Part 2: Front Porch, Radio, Two State Parks and Stucky's

SATURDAY, JULY 31

The usual morning stuff, FP, internet and radio (Bill St. James' Time Warp, WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback 1992-1993 and the Surf's Beach Music Top 25 Countdown)

Took a nice Firebird Cruise south of here to the Moraine Hills State Park and the McHenry Dam State Park.  These are two of the most beautiful parks you can imagine.  Lots of walking trails and views.

I went to the McHenry Dam Park first and you get a view of the dam on the Fox River which regulates the depth of the Chain of Lakes.  The other side of it you can see the Stratton Locks which boaters use to get up and down the river.

The Moraine Hills Park takes its name from the geologic form known as a moraine, which is an accumulation of boulders and rocks and other debris deposited by a glacier when it melts.

There were a lot of people taking advantage of the two parks with picnics, walking and fishing at the dam.

We went to Stucky's that evening for the $1 draft pints and I had the chicken Kiev special.

--RoadDog

Beach Music Top Five Songs for February 13, 2021

These were the Top Five Beach Music on the WVCO Surf, 94.9 FM.

1.  BUZZIN' & SWINGIN'--  Jim Quick & Coastline

2.  BLOWING ME UP--  Jim Quick & Coastline

3.  COOLING OUT--  Band of Oz

4.  DRIFTERS MEDLEY--c  Entertainers

5.  SOMETHING SAID LOVE--  Cat 5

Just the thing to get your mind off all this blooming cold and snow.

Hey, Canadians, keep Your Weather There.  Don't Send It to Us.  --RoadDog

Back to the Seventies on the Radio: 1972 and 1974 and a Beach Shot

Bill St. James is back to 1972 on his Time Warp Show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.  Right now, he is playing Alice Cooper's "School's Out" which inspired the name of our last boat, "School's Out..." which then had "Forever" after we retired.

It goes to 10 am, CST and streams.

Then, at 9 am, WXRT is doing 1974 on their Saturday Morning Flashback.  It goes to noon CST and streams as well.

This has been an exceedingly crummy winter so far this new year with lots of snow with no chance of melting as we've only had a few days in the 30s since Jan 1 and since last Friday, Feb.5, no temps higher than the mid teens.  That's why giving WVCO, the Surf's Beach Music Countdown today from 9 to 11 am, EST will help get me in the proper beach mode.

Good Listenin' on the Radio.  --RoadBrrrr

STUDENT TEST ANSWERS:  Persian cats is the chief industry of Persia, hence the word "purr."

WLS Top 30 for Week of January 11, 1971-- Part 3: 'River Deep, Mountain High'

* Means the song was climbing the charts.  The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

20.  *LET YOUR LOVE GO--  Bread       #28    Almost sounded like CCR at the beginning.  I didn't remember it, but for those of you who think Bread was just a schmaltzy slow song band.  Maybe they weren't.  Great song.

19.  *GAMES-- Redeye     #27    Great harmonies.  Sounded a bit like CSNY.    I'd also forgotten this song.  From Los Angeles.

18.  *1900 YESTERDAY--   Liz Damon's Orient Express      #33    A real different song.  Never heard it before, but keep listening to it and it grows on you.

17.  PAY TO THE PIPER--  Chairmen of the Board     #13   Beach Music way back then.  That's general Johnson and his guys.

16.   RIVER DEEP - MOUNTAIN HIGH--   Supremes / Four Tops    #14    Hey, who needs Diana?      

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "If You Dance To the Music."     Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Pay To the Piper"

 

Good Listening Music This Morning, Saturday Jan. 2

A good time to turn on the old radio or internet if you're a fan of old music (and some new).

Right now:

WDRV, 97. 1 FM, the Drive (Chicago)

The Drive's A to Z where they are counting down over 2,000 songs alphabetically.  It started Christmas Eve and is still going and in the letter "S".  They just played Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer."  It will continue to at least this coming Monday.

WDRV, 93.1 FM (Chicago)

Right now, Saturday Morning Flashback to the year 1970.  Johnny Mars just played "Bridge Over Troubled Water."  It goes to noon, CST.

WVCO, 94.9 FM, the Surf

Beach Music Top 25 Songs until noon EST.

Of course, tomorrow it is WDRV's Breakfast With the Beatles with Terri Hemmert from 8-10 am and Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show from 9 to noon on WDRV.

All shows stream.

Love That Music.  --RoadDog

STUDENT TEST ANSWERS:  A mountain range is a cooking stove used at high altitudes.

The Story Behind Dan Fogelberg's 'Same Old Lang Syne'

This morning I was listening to Jim Morgan who is a disk jockey at Myrtle Beach's WVCO, 94.9 FM, the Surf, which plays Carolina Beach Music as I often do on internet radio.

Every Monday to Friday, he has a segment I especially like called Music Spotlight where he takes a song and tells you the story behind it.  Usually the song has something to do about the date of its release, recording or the artist's date of birth or death.

Today is the anniversary of Dan Fogelberg's death in 2007.  The song Jim Morgan chose of Dan Fogelberg was "Same Old Lang Syne."  There is quite a story behind this song that Dan wrote.  It is based on an actual event in his life from 1975.

He was back in his hometown of Peoria, Illinois, visiting family for the holidays and on Christmas Eve, they needed something for dinner and he drove over to a local convenience store to get it since all the stores were closed.  While there, he met his old high school girlfriend.

You can go to You Tube and view  Bob Natale's video "The Story Behind Dan Fogelberg's 'Same Old Lang Syne' " to hear what Jim said.  After that, go to the Track X Track video "On Location: The True Story of Dan Fogelberg's 'Same Old Lang Syne' " and view that which takes you to the places mentioned in the story.

After that, go to the video Dan Fogelberg- Same Old Lang Syne (Lyrics).  The lyrics are shown as the song is sung.

This Is Quite the Story.  --RoadDog

Music Deaths: Steve Hardy of Beach Music

STEVE HARDY, 74

Died April 23, 2020

Probably did more to advance east coast Beach Music than most anyone else in the genre and host of the long-running "Steve Hardy's Original Beach Party which ran from 1974 to the end of last year.

I enjoyed listening to his show on the many occasions I was visiting in North Carolina over all these years.  I also listened to him over the internet.  His Sunday Steve Hardy's Original Beach Party show was broadcast on Greenville, North Carolina's WNCT for many years.

Keep the Beach Playing There, Steve!

Get Your Music Here: 1984, 1978, Beach Music, the Beatles and August 2, 1970

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1

**  Right now, Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM is having Bill St. James do his Time Warp which is back to 1984.    He's on from 6 to 10 am every Saturday.  All times are CDST in this entry unless otherwise noted.

**  Shortly, Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM will start their Saturday Morning Flashback from 9 am to noon.  This week they go back to 1978.

**  North Myrtle Beach, S.C.'s WVCO, the Surf, will play the top 30 Beach Music Songs from 9 to 11 am, EDST.

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SUNDAY AUGUST 2

**  Terri Hemmert will do her weekly Breakfast With the Beatles show from 8 to 10 am on WXRT, 93.1 FM.

**  Bob Stroud will be doing Part 3 of his annual trip back to Summer on WDRV.  This year, we go back to August 2, 1970, where he will be playing songs playing on your radio and in your record collection.  (That's tight, fifty years ago.  That's half a century.)  His show runs from 9 am to noon.

So Many Tunes, So Little Time.  --RoadNeedSomeMoreTime

Get Your Music Here

Right now, I am listening to the WLS Top 40 songs from May 11, 1970, on You Tube.  Once a month I do the whole Top 40.  The other weeks I just do a Top Ten and Debuts. This really takes me back fifty years.

However, here are some other really good places to hear music.  Some of it probably not what you're used to listening to, but good nonetheless.

All of these are available over the internet:

**  JUKIN' OLDIES--  A group of deejays on the internet but not in the same studio.  They really play a lot of different songs, many of which are Beach, Boogie and Blues.

**  WXRT (Chicago)  Blues and Soul Channel.  Go to the site  Click on Music at the top and scroll down to Chicago's Blues and Soul and click on it.

**  WVCO, 94.9 FM, out of North Myrtle Beach, S.C.  Beach Music.  On Wednesday's, DJ Jim Morgan takes you out to the beach and plays some of the best Beach Music ever.  (And this isn't West Coast/Beach Boys Beach Music either.)

Give To me the Music.  --RoadDog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  "If you're upset about regular folk hoarding toilet paper, wait till you hear about how a tiny percentage of rich people have managed to hoard most of the world's wealth.

WLS Top 40 for Week of April 13, 1970-- Part 3: "Hey Lawdy Mama"

30.  CECILIA--  Simon & Garfunkel      #4   Probably my favorite song by them.  Always brings a smile to me.  From the album "Bridge Over troubled Water."  Follow up to "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

29.  NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS--  Bill Deal & Rhondells      #62    Beach Music   Charted in Canada.  Reached #2 in Adelaide, Australia.  From New York City.  You don't usually think of Beach Music and New York City together.

28.  HEY LAWDY MAMA--  Steppenwolf      #35     Good cruisin' music, be it car or cycle.  One of their better lesser-known songs.  Formed in Los Angeles in 1967.

27.  RAINY NIGHT IN GEORGIA--  Brook Benton     #4   Is there a better belly-rubbin' song?  What a great start to the song.    Old School slow Soul.   Written by Tony Joe White.

26.  LOVE OR LET ME BE LONELY--  Friends of Distinction--    #6    I had forgotten about this one.   But, it brings back pure college memories.  Their biggest hit was "Grazing in the Grass."

Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM will be going back to 1981 today for its Saturday Morning Flashback from 9 to noon CDST.  It streams.  Takes you back to BC (Before You-Know-What).   It streams.  I'll be listening.  One of my favorite years of a favorite decade.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You're Shakin' My Confidence Daily."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Cecilia"

In Case You're Stuck in the House Because of You-Know-What, Here's Some Good Music to Listen To

Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM has its Saturday Morning Flashback to the year 1974 from 9 to noon, CDST.  It'll take you back.

Then, the Surf, 94.9 FM out of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has the weekly Beach Music Top 30 from 10 to 1 pm today.

Then tomorrow, Chicago's WXRT has Terri Hemmert's Breakfast With the Beatles from 8 to 10 am and Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM has Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots from 9 to noon.  Both are CDST.

All stations stream, so give it a listen.

Also, if you can figure out how to get in online, Chicago has another great station called MeTV 87.7 FM that plays a really big selection of oldies all day.

Also condolences to the family and friends of Kenny Rogers who died yesterday.  Sure enjoyed his music both with the First Edition and by himself.  That old graybeard.

So, If Stuck Home, Give A Listen.  --RoadDog

TOP TEN COUNTRY SONGS:  "My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend and I Sure Do Miss Him"

The Surf (WVCO, 94.9 FM) Goes Back to 1972

Many mornings I listen to this radio station out of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as it plays Beach Music and oldies.

Jim Morgan now handles the morning show and is a worthy successor to Stevie B (Stephen Blackburn) and the legendary Beach Guy himself, Billy Smith (The Old BS-er).

Every weekday, Jim Morgan takes us back to a year in Beach history.  Friday the 13th he took us to 1972 and played these three songs:

BRANDY--  Looking Glass
EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL--  Main Ingredient
NICE TO BE WITH YOU--  Gallery
IF YOU DON'T WATCH OUT I'LL FALL BACK IN LOVE WITH YOU AGAIN--  Stylistics

He also takes us back to the year with other information.

The Top Four TV shows:

4.  Maude
3.  Hawaii-Five-0
2.  Sanford & Son
1.  All in the Family

Pong was released this year.

You Remember Pong, Don't You?  --RoadPong

WLS Top 40 for the Week of February 9, 1970-- Part 4: "Give Me Just A Little More Time"

When I do the Top 40 once a month, I listen to all 40 songs on You Tube which really takes me back.  Every month there are songs I don't remember hearing, so those songs get several listenings.


25.  GIVE ME JUST A LITTLE MORE TIME--  Chairmen of the Board      #3    General Johnson and his group before it was Beach Music.  Don't you just love any song where the singer goes "brrrrrrrr!"   Formed in Detroit in 1969.

24.  ON ME, OH MY--  Lulu     #22     From Scotland.  She was once married to Maurice Gibb, one of the Gibb Brothers you know as the BeeGees.  Of course, her biggest hit was 1967's "To Sir With Love" from the movie which went to #1.

23.  HONEY COME BACK--  Glen Campbell      #19   A talk-through at the beginning.  Who says country ain't pop?

22.  RAINY NIGHT IN GEORGIA--   Brook Benton    #4     One comment calls it "Pure Heart and Soul.  His last big hit.  From Camden, South Carolina.

21.  HE AIN'T HEAVY, HE'S MY BROTHER--  Hollies        #7    Those strong Hollies vocals.  Formed in Manchester, England in 1962.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "The Road Is Long With Many A Winding Turn."  Answer below.  RoadDog


"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"

WLS Top 40 for the Week of February 9, 1970-- Part 2: "The Thrill Is Gone"

35.  KENTUCKY RAIN--  Elvis Presley      #16    Written by Eddie Rabbitt and Ronnie Milsap on the piano.

34.  BABY TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS--  Jefferson     #23    Never heard it before, but a great pop song  Jefferson (Geoff Turton) was the lead singer of the English pop group Rockin' Berries.  Recorded the original version of "Love grows (Where My Rosemary Grows)" which is also on this week's chart at #36.

33.  NEVER HAD A DREAM COME TRUE--  Stevie Wonder      #26    Not one of his better-known songs, but a great one nonetheless.    A really great Beach Music song.  Hear that Surf 94.9 FM!!!   "Do, Do, Do Do Do Do,"

32.  BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO--  Lenny Welch     #34   The definitive slow version of Neil Sedaka's hit song in my opinion, even though Neil Sedaka had a fast version in 1962 and a follow up slow one in 1975.   From New Jersey.

31.  THE THRILL IS GONE--  B.B. King    #15   The first time I'd ever heard of B.B. King.  I'm a big Blues fan now.  His biggest pop chart song.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Seven Lonely Days And A Dozen Towns Ago."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Kentucky Rain"