1989
George Herbert Walker Bush was inaugurated as the 41st President of the U.S.
The cost of a first class postage stamp was 25 cents
Darrell Waltrip won the Daytona 500
The Oakland A's won the World Series
"Rain Man" won the Oscar for Best Picture
The Grammy for Record of the Year went to Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy"
The movie "Shag" was released, and..................
The Carolina Sounds Beach Show was born!
After DJ'ing for others and/or with a business partner since 1976, at the suggestion of good friend Richard Hicks, I decided to strike out on my own. Most people do not know this, but at this time I had collected between 2,000-2,500 45 rpm records and a few hundred LP's. I had collected the 45's in hopes of one day putting them on a juke box. I wasn't DJ'ing all that much at that time, as I was concentrating on my law enforcement career. Richard said since I had the records, I may as well put them to good use. In the course of a couple of weeks, I played my first gig as the owner of my own business. A few weeks later, on Sunday, August 6, 1989 at 1:00 p.m., The Carolina Sounds Beach Show debuted on WLLN 1370AM in Lillington, NC. The first song I played on the air was The Catalinas' "Summertime's Calling Me", my all-time favorite Beach Music song. A few weeks later, the show was moved to Saturday afternoons. Since then, it's been 20 years of playing and singing all over NC, SC & parts of Virginia. I have said several times that no performer or DJ is the star of the show. We are just messengers or facilitators. The "True Star" of the show is the Music and the Fans. Without either, we would have nothing to sing or play or nobody to sing or play for. So THANKS to all the Beach Music fans and friends who support their favorite band, DJ, radio/Internet station or club.
This year, as I look back on 33 years as a DJ and 20 years as business owner, I think "Man, what a ride!". I look forward to the years ahead doing what I love for people who have truly become friends, not just fans. That being said, I am also excited to announce that in addition to my DJ gigs and Radio & Internet shows, I will also be performing as a member of The Souls. I am excited about working with Tony, Erin and Ricky and invite you to come out and see us when we're in your area.
Thank you for taking the time to read this!
Butch Halpin