Bobby bought his first drum set after his family moved to Raleigh in 1955. And he never put down the sticks after that. That's not too surprising. Bobby started paying attention to music as a kid in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The Clovers, The Spiders, Wynonna Harris, Billy Ward & The Dominoes were the artists that caught his ear. It would be the music that shaped his career.

 He was ten years old when he joined the Williams Street Elementary School Band. Band Director, John B. Thompson taught him how to play the drums. He was even promoted to the high school band while he was still in the eighth grade. His family moved to Raleigh in 1955. He made music and friendships that would last a lifetime at Hugh Morson Jr. High.

 A Needham Broughton High School graduate, Bobby was a member off the Symphonic Orchestra, the Circus Band & the Marching 100. He captained the Marching 100 squad his junior and senior years. While in high school, he formed a band called The Satellites, which evolved into The Embers in 1958. He's been there, keeping time, keeping things in order ever since.

 Bobby credits his first band director, John B. Thompson and his mother and father (whom most of his friends knew as "Mr. & Mrs. T") among his major inspirations and strongest supporters.

 He and his wife Linda and their son live in Raleigh. He counts basketball and the Washington Redskins among his favorite diversions. By the way, when you see the Embers bus on the road, remember Bobby's not too fond of traffic and quick changing signal lights.

Trumpet Player, Stephen Pachuta, formerly of Beach Music bands: The Coastline Band and The Main Event Band, is now playing trumpet for The Embers. His formal training in music school, as well as four years of playing in Beach music bands, has made Pachuta a sought after musician both on stage and in the studio.

 As a section player, most of his studio work is recorded with Saxophone player, Butch Barnes of the Band of Oz. Together they do the arrangements and recording to create that well-known sound of the 'Carolina Horn Section' on many beach music hits.

 Pachuta has recorded with The Rickey Godfrey band, Band of Oz, Coastline Band, Big John Thompson, Dink Perry, Tin Tymes and many others. His trumpet playing is heard on Beach music labels one20inc, Ripete, and KHP Productions.

Jeffrey Miles Grimes has been playing professionally since high school. In fact, it’s all he’s ever done. Back in those days (early 70s), Jeff “sat-in” countless times with The Embers but he was usually playing saxophone. As most of the Carolina’s music trivia buffs know, during the 70s the Embers horn section consisted of 2 trumpet players….Johnny and Buck. Consequently, there was always room for a sax player. It was during these years that Jeff began a long friendship and association with Jackie, Bobby, and the Embers.

 It was about 1973 that Jeff began “testing the waters” in New York City. By 1975, Jeff found himself working as a guitarist for Atlantic Records and recording or touring with The Jimmy Castor Bunch, Ben E. King, Sister Sledge, The Spinners, and others. But, as is so often the case with young talented musicians, he was unable to parlay this front-loaded success into a career in “The Big Time”. By 1978, Jeff was back in Nahunta, NC and forced to “re-evaluate” career choices that just weren’t working. He spent a couple of years trying to record original music and playing in a rock band named “10th Avenue” but ultimately decided to move again……this time to Florida .

 The next 15 years were spent primarily in the Miami area where Jeff played house band jobs and worked in recording studios. The work was abundant and the musicians were great……but it wasn’t North Carolina.

 In 1995 the phone rang - it was Bobby Tomlinson of The Embers. Jeff joined The Embers full time in ’95. Since then he has been playing with The Embers, playing jazz every chance he gets, and operating a state of the art recording studio in Goldsboro, NC.

Andy Swindell, the keyboard player, loves to play music and entertain. Just ask anyone who has spent any time with him.A native of Durham, Andy began piano lessons at the age of eight. His music teacher quickly realized that he was not particularly interested in classical music, so she cleverly gave him boogie-woogie and ragtime pieces to keep his interest. Today, he is still playing many of the same licks he learned at that time.

When The Beatles invaded America, Andy wanted more than anything to play in a band – just like many kids of his era. It seemed like a great way to meet girls! The opportunity presented itself when an organ player with a local band offered to sell Andy his combo organ on the “easy payment plan.” Soon, Andy was playing “Light My Fire” and other rock pieces of the day which featured lots of fine organ players.

Durham was a culturally diverse town, and exposure to the wonders of black music could not be avoided. WSSB and WKIX would play R&B hits along with the standard top 40 songs. That powerful rhythmical influence changed Andy’s tastes forever, creating a love for what eventually came to be called “beach music” to go along with his rock-and-roll roots. This melting pot of influence can be heard in everything Andy sings and plays.

Through the years, Andy has become proficient on drums, bass and guitar as well as keyboards, having played multiple instruments on many beach music recordings. Additionally, he has won awards for songwriting in several national competitions (see CDBaby.com). Still, his first love is performing live.

Andy met Craig Woolard in the early seventies, and had the pleasure of working with him from 1992 until 2001 in The Embers. According to Swindell, “It’s great to be back playing with Craig. He’s such a good guy, a natural entertainer, and a tremendous singer. I’m happy he is doing so well. And the band is terrific! What fine players and good guys!”

Coming soon!