When you ask Beach Music fans for their opinions, it is likely that their answers will be many and varied. However, there are two issues on which everyone agrees:

The greatest of the seminal “Carolina Beach Music” bands?

The Embers…….

The finest, most influential voice of that era…. (or any era)?

Jackie Gore…….. Without a doubt!

In 1958, at the age of 16, Jackie Gore and Bobby Tomlinson started a band that later became known as The Embers. They started out playing frat parties and small clubs in the Raleigh area. As the band grew tighter, the crowds grew larger, and the word began to spread. Bear in mind that this was a group of white teenage boys playing black music in the early sixties! Well, things began to snowball…. By 1965 they had opened the first Embers Club in Raleigh and it was “the place to be”… By 1968 they had a second club in Atlantic Beach, NC, and it too was enjoying unprecedented success. It was about this time that radio audiences nationwide first heard Jackie’s voice on the hit record “Far Away Places”. This was truly a “magical” time for Jackie and The Embers. There are some who feel that the Embers’ clubs and Jackie Gore in particular may be “ground zero” for Carolina Beach Music.

In 1979, Jackie wrote the Beach Music anthem and biggest Beach Music record of all time “I Love Beach Music”….This song propelled The Embers through the Landmark Hotel era into the Budweiser years. Jeff Grimes was living and performing in Miami, Fla. during those years and says that he heard “I Love Budweiser” on the radio several times per day and was filled with pride each time because The Embers were friends of his. “I Love Beach Music” was, and still is, a huge hit. There are literally thousands of people (perhaps even millions) across the country that sing along when they hear this song.

In 1994, sadly, The Embers experienced a “parting of the ways”. Who knows why these things happen?….. Soon afterward, Jackie moved to Pawleys Island, SC and left the high-profile lifestyle. The “band business” had lost its charm so he spent the next few years developing a quite successful solo career. In 2004 Jackie began to re-emerge with a quartet called Jackie Gore and the Allstars. They played many jobs to critical acclaim. Despite being a part-time band, “The Allstars” proved to be a great association for Jackie, and he was quite happy there. However, in 2007, Jackie, Gerald Davis, and Johnny Barker began discussing the possibility of putting the ‘Old” Embers back together. The temptation was too great to resist…and “The Legends of Beach” were born.

Suffice to say that while Jackie may have been out of the limelight for awhile, the list of younger musicians and singers that admire his talent and count him among the “greatest”, has continued to grow. Careers have been launched “standing on Jackie’s shoulders”.

 And to his many fans and friends, Jackie Gore is back……and not a minute to soon….

John(ny) Barker, in 2006 celebrated 43 years in the music business. His professional career began in 1964 with the hottest band in the Carolinas - The Catalinas from Charlotte - still managed and owned by his brother Gary Barker. John joined Raleigh's Embers in 1980 and along with bassist and music director Gerald Davis, co-produced all of The Embers albums of the 1980s, including "Colours", "This One's For You", "Christmas Memories" and others. Then he joined former Catalina band mate Earl Dawkins in 1991, where he co-owned and served as music director of The Enterainers from Charlotte for the next 14 years. The Entertainers are still one of the most popular bands ever to come out of the Southeast. On May 1, 2005, John rejoined the Embers. While there he produced 8 of the songs on the new Christmas album that were used in the Ember's Christmas Show in 2005. On April 29, 2006, the time had finally come for life on the road with the Embers to end. A decision he made for personal (family) and professional reasons.

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Any fan of the Carolina's favorite, "Beach Music", knows John's song that he penned and produced in 1975, the trend setting "Summertime's Callin Me" on Sugarbush records, recorded by The Catalinas. According to BMI, it is still played thousands of times per year on radio stations throughout the country and was listed in Rolling Stone magazine as the number 6 most popular beach music song at the time. It is a song that was unlike any other at the time and is credited for being responsible for a new style of "Carolina Beach Music" that followed.

Complete production credits are far too many to mention, but a few include J.D. Cash's 2001 Cammy award winning album of the year "Summerplace" (#1 single for 19 weeks), "The Bad Boys of Beach Music" volumes 1 and 2, and Gary Brown's 2002 Cammy award winning album of the year "Brownie". In 2003 John had another solo album winner with Paul Craver's "Let the Music Play" at the Carolina Beach Music Awards. John also produced Paul Craver's CD, "Wherever Love is Found", which was winner of the 2004 "Solo Album of the Year" at the Carolina Beach Music Awards. His production of Gary Brown's "Is the Majic Still There" was the Carolina Beach Music Award's song of the year. Still to come is the response from Gary's new release, "Halfway to Paradise". Oh, and one more - JB's arrangement and production was chosen as the winner of the SC State Lottery jingle contest performed by Sea Cruz.

John has played piano/keyboards on countless sessions over the years with the likes of Aaron Neville, Shirley Ceasar, Maurice Williams, The Catalinas, The Embers, Jackie Gore, Bill Deal & The Rhondels, Donnie & Susan Trexler, Paul Craver, Craig Woolard, and The Entertainers. In addition John has performed on national commercials for companies such as Budweiser, etc., all with his own signature sound that is easily recognized by the industry and fans alike. Now with more time to spend with family and music, the future is waiting to be discovered. Plans are for his own new record label featuring himself and some of his favorite artists. Truly, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Gerald Davis grew up on a farm near the small Eastern NC town of Fremont where he began his musical career singing in church with his brother at age 5. By age 7 he learned to play guitar and joined his first band when he was 15 years old.

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While attending college at NCSU, he played bass guitar and sang in bands in Raleigh Area nightclubs such as the Scrambled Dog and Jim Thornton’s Dance Club.

Joining the US Air Force in 1966 landed Gerald in Riverside, California. A house gig with no travel involved was the only way to stay in the music business while fulfilling a military obligation. A little luck and a lot of determination secured the most coveted house gig in Riverside County! Monday night jam sessions at the club provided the opportunity for Gerald to jam with lots of talented musicians, one of which was singer/guitarist, Sammy Hagar, who later became lead singer with the Legendary Rock group, Van Halen.

The house gig was great exposure, landing Gerald a singing contract with Liberty Records in Hollywood Ca, where he recorded two singles accompanied by one of the industry’s finest horn sections, the world renowned Jazz Crusaders.

In the early 1970’s he contacted an old friend from his college days back at NC State, Donnie Weaver, original singer on the hit song, “I’m a Girl Watcher”. Weaver agreed to come to California to join the group. It was then that they met Motown legend, Marvin Gaye, who took them to A&M Recording Studios in Hollywood and produced an entire album of songs written by Weaver.

In 1976 Gerald moved back to NC and joined the Raleigh based beach music band, the Embers. From 1979 through 2002 he produced and/or co-produced 12 albums with the Embers, receiving Beach Music’s Producer of the Year Award in 1996. During Gerald’s tenure, the Embers won a total of 12 awards in the Beach Music Industry, and recorded 5 national commercials for Budweiser plus several radio spots for Pepsi and Coca Cola.

After 30 years with the Embers, Gerald left in March of 2007 and formed a new band called Legends of Beach, along with other former Embers, Jackie Gore, Johnny Barker, Mark Black, and Jeff Grimes. Completing the lineup are Tony Davis, Rusty Smith (leading a full horn section), and Steve Davis, former sound technician with the Embers for 20 years.

Gerald has 2 sons, Greg and Jim, and 3 grandchildren, Blake, Brandon, and Ashlyn. He and his wife, Jane currently reside in Wilson North Carolina.

Coming from a musical family, Tony Davis began playing drums at the age of three. At age six he played his first “gig.” By the age of eleven he was playing almost every Friday and Saturday night with various country club bands and big bands.

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The only instruction he ever received was informal get-togethers with Bobby Harrison, who at that time was the renowned drummer for Frank Sinatra, Jr. Since those early years he has played everything from Hank Williams to Duke Ellington to The Rolling Stones, top 40, and lots and lots of beach music!

Known as one of the most consistent and versatile drummers to come out of the Carolinas, he has played in such bands as Kruze, The Super Grit Cowboy Band, The House Cats, Pyramid, The Kays, The O’Kaysions, and the Carolina Beach Music Award winning The Men of Distinction! From 1998 to 2007 Tony was co-owner, co-producer, and drummer at the Rudy Theatre production “The American Music Jubilee.” Not only is he a veteran of the stage but is also first on the list for studio work.

Tony has played on many of the beach music classics you hear on radio daily. When asked how he feels about The Legends of Beach he is quick to respond, “This band is a dream come true. I am truly honored to share the stage with these guys!”

Tony currently resides in Fremont NC and is the proud father of two wonderful sons, Josh and Tyler. In his spare time Tony enjoys NASCAR racing and Duke basketball.

From Classic Beach Music, Rhythm & Blues, standards of the 40's and 50's, to 70’s and 80’s dance music and today's pop and country favorites, "Pat Carpenter" has the musical versatility to satisfy even the most discriminating audiences.

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Considered by his peers as one of the finest vocalists in the business, he has toured with several popular bands throughout the South. Many of you might remember Pat from his years with the Poor Souls Band from Charlotte. In addition to winning the 1982 Beach Music Awards’ “Album of the Year”, Pat, along with the rest of the members of the Poor Souls, received the prestigious honor of being inducted into the Beach Music Hall of Fame.

Working as free lance engineer and producer at his own recording studio in Charlotte over the past few years, Pat scored numerous hits on the beach music charts with original recordings of “Each & Every Kiss”, “Baby Let the Good Times Roll”, “On & Off”, and “Lucky, Lucky Me”.

In 1996 Pat again received recognition for his talents by winning the Cammy Awards’ “Engineer of the Year” for his work on the Breeze Band’s album "Second Wind", which was recorded at "Pat's Place"… as his studio has now become called by most. The combined efforts and hard work on “Second Wind" was honored with yet another Cammy Award… “ Album of the Year”.

Pat was lead vocalist and guitarist for the Tempests as well as his own groups; however, Pat sang and played drums with the Catalinas, Dancing Machine, Rendezvous and The Coasters… to name a few.

Pat joined Legends of Beach in May of 2011 and currently resides in Charlotte, where he still engineers, records, and produces music in his studio, still referred to as “Pat’s Place”.

When your first public appearance is at age 5 and the backing band is the legendary Joe Pope and the Tams, and your father is Jackie Gore, the man known as the “Father of Beach Music”, it is almost certain that your destiny is to become the all-time most popular and recognized female vocalist in the Carolinas. Known as the “Original Carolina Girl”, Terri Gore possesses a rare vocal ability that distinguishes her both as a top performer and recording artist.

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Terri Gore & Kruze recorded the “Willie Tee Medley” which became her first hit in 1994. She joined T.K.O., the House Band at 2001Nightclub in Myrtle Beach in 1995. In 2002, Terri Gore & the Coco Loco Party Band became the House Band at 2001.

Terri has been awarded 8 CAMMY Awards. She was voted Female Vocalist of the Year 5 consecutive times from 1996 to 2000 and is a nominee for the upcoming 2011 Awards. Terri has won “Solo Album of the Year” awards for her “Carolina Girl” and “It Don’t Get Better Than This” CDs on Forevermore Records. Her duet with Pat Christie, “Endless Love” is nominated for best Collaboration or Duo this year. Terri has recorded with such artists as the Embers, Russell Thompkins, Jr. & The Stylistics, Jay & the Techniques, The Softones, Jim Quick, the Catalinas, the Holiday Band, General Johnson and the Chairman of the Board and Jackie Gore and the Legends of Beach.

In 2003, General Johnson and Surfside Records signed Terri to a one-song deal, the first female vocalist ever for the label, and recorded the beach music hit “Sugar Daddy”. Later that year, she became the first female vocalist in the Carolinas to score two songs on the Carolina Top 40 Christmas Chart with original songs “All Around the World”, written for her by John Cafferty, who also wrote “Boardwalk Angel”, and “Carolina Christmas”, written by Tim Cashion.

In 2009, Terri’s song “Ten Kisses”, spent 13 weeks in the number one position on the Beach Music Top 40, making it the longest held number one song by a female artist for the decade. Her two follow-up singles “It May Be Winter Outside” and “Supernatural” also went to Number One. Terri’s latest CD on Forevermore Records is entitled “YBF” (your best friend). It is once again produced by Christopher Biehler.

On March 25, 2011 Terri became a full time member of Legends of Beach, which has enabled her to fulfill a life-long dream… singing in a band with her famous father, Jackie Gore. Already a well-established presence on the Beach Music scene of the Carolinas, Terri performs a jubilant, heartfelt brand of Rhythm and Blues and Southern Soul which is a perfect addition for these seasoned musicians… and what a great addition she has been!

Terri is married to guitarist, Daryle Lemonds, founder of the Sand Band. She still makes an occasional appearance with Daryle and the Sand Band when not performing with LOB. Daryle & Terri currently reside in the southern portion of NC in the small town of Robbins.

Fessa’ John Hook of the Rhythm and Beach Network said it best when he stated, “Terri Gore has become a part of both the culture of the Carolinas and our musical conscience”. Terri Gore, the Original Carolina Girl, has dedicated her life to the pursuit of excellence in entertainment.

Bio coming soon!

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Ben Shaw has been playing trumpet professionally since 1971.

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Most notable among the groups with whom he has played with are the Fantastic Shakers (1980-1988), the Kays and the Castaways. He occasionally plays with the Holiday Band and has Studio Recording credits with all four bands.

In addition to the Beach groups, Ben also plays with the North Carolina Brass Quintet and several Big Bands in the Research Triangle Area of North Carolina.

Ben, his wife and two sons live in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Steve Davis was born into a musical family and has been exposed to large doses of music since he was an infant.  His father, Russell, sang in Gospel groups, played bass in jazz bands, played guitar and bass in country rock groups, and always encouraged Steve and older brother, Tony to come along. Steve already had a natural ear for music, but this early exposure to various genres allowed him to develop into one of the finest and most sought after sound engineers in the Southeastern United States!

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Steve began his career in the music business as sound engineer with his father’s part time band, “Ambush”, but soon went on the road full time with the O’Kaysions. (“I’m a Girl Watcher”).

In 1980, Steve joined the Embers where he spent the next 26 years running sound and assisting in production and engineering on several of the Embers CDs. In 2007 Steve and his Uncle Gerald left the Embers and formed Legends of Beach along with his brother, Tony and 4 other former Embers.

Steve has an extensive catalog of songs from various genres and has his own deejay system capable of providing entertainment guaranteed to please audiences from high schools and colleges, to weddings and country clubs, with music from hip hop, jazz, rhythm and blues, country, and beach music, to easy listening, standards, and dinner music.

He provides all the recorded music for the breaks during Legends of Beach performances. When you book Legends of Beach for your private events you are also getting a deejay. Having a small party where a live band is not in your budget? Need a deejay?  You might want to consider booking Steve. Call the number at the top of this page.

Steve and his wife Emily currently reside in Fremont NC, and he is the proud father of 2 daughters, Stephanie and Jessica, and a son, Adam.