The Fantastic Shakers
The third week of September, 1978, was marked the beginning of an era, the formation of THE FANTASTIC SHAKERS, known as the "South's Finest Show Band." Since the inception of the band, the have performed over 6,000 engagements including over 400 wedding receptions, 700 conventions, and clubs too numerous to mention. They have performed from New York to Florida and all throughout the Southeast. South Carolina's Grand Strand has become the band's summer home and their hit single "Myrtle Beach Days" catapulted The Shakers to the top of the Carolinas musical groups.
This combination of experience and longevity has allowed THE FANTASTIC SHAKERS to possess a level of versatility few other groups can match. With five lead vocalists and up to three horns, they can perform almost any style of music from up-tempo dance and rock to the smooth easy listening for the more subdued occasions. The music is GREAT but what sets THE FANTASTIC SHAKERS apart
is the personality of the group.
From start to finish every
performance becomes a
PARTY! The fun starts at the first
note and doesn’t stop until the last. A performance by THE FANTASTIC SHAKERS is not just a party, it is an EVENT!
Through these years, there have been many memorable engagements, including featured performances at the Grand National Dance Championships in Atlanta, GA on three occasions, the Lincoln Center in New York City (Hot Summer Nights Dance Fest), and the American Bop Association Convention in Cincinnati, OH on two occasions. This exhibits their appeal outside the Carolinas. Also, there have been performances with many national artists including the Beach Boys (for WBT Radio’s 50th anniversary), the Kingsport, TN Funfest with KC and the Sunshine Band and appearances also with the Four Tops, Jan and Dean and many more. WBTV was proud to host Spring Fest with The Shakers three different years with over 70,000 people in attendance. Forty thousand fans have attended the Carolina Beach Blast in Carolina Beach Festival with THE FANTASTIC SHAKERS as headliners. The Shakers were host to the grand opening of the Men's Apparel Mart in Charlotte with Vice President George Bush as special guest. There have been many other special appearances such as the gubernatorial inauguration with SC Governor Carroll Campbell. The list goes on and on...
The Shakers have won many awards through the various beach music awards associations through the years. This list includes two-time show group of the year, three time album of the year, and lead singer Bo Schronce has been named male vocalist of the year on four different occasions as well as induction into the Hall of Fame.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT...
- Hey, I love the t-shirt. I have had it on
since I got home from Arizona. You did a
good job. That was a great song last Friday (Wang Dang Doodle)
- didn't know it but who ever requested it is someone I
would like to hang with. And then today we had
The Zombies....that took me back to 8th grade and one of
my first boy/girl parties. They were always held in
someone's basement and the lights would go off by 9:00.
That song always seem to bring on lots of smooching. I will
not be naming names.... ;)
Thanks again,
Betsy
- This is awesome!!! Thanks for the great
site and fabulous music!! WooHoo!! Jen B.
- I could not have picked a better artist. Thanks, Pat M.
- Thank you Larry - You have made my day! Betsy K.
- Mr. Larry, I really enjoyed Roy Head-Hey Hey. YF Jim J.
- This always gets my Friday off to a great start! Love it!
Debbie
- Every once in a while my mornings are worth rising for, this has been one of them with Tina Turner. Thanks Bill S.
- Keep up the good work. JJ
- Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2007! I remember at this time in 1969 we were really gettng into Abbey Road! But oh, how I love the sweet soul music of the 60's and 70's as well. Thanks for your work in keeping this music alive. And keep on sending it, Brother! Dennis M.
- Moonchild Diva in Motown - found the site by looking for Billy Stewart! I think you answered my question...who played bass on Billy's recordings? SO THANK YOU for clearing up the mystery!
- Billy Stewart , alright, one of my favorites. Also, Jerry Butler, Major Lance, Willy Tee....
Your friend, Dirk H.
- Thanks for Billy Stewart Larry - You have made
my day! Betsy K.
- I look forward to Friday's email. This is great.
Linda L.
- Wow! From your personal E-Mail account. I forward "Its Friday in Athens!!!" on to my friends often. The folks here at work are trying to figure me out. Their 56 year old C.E.O. sits in his office every Friday morning booming out R&B. Though it works for me, its not the type of behavior they expect from someone in my position. BLUES BANKER!
- Thanks for Joe T. Luv'd it! Roy Head and the Traits?
Hope you had a good Turkey Day. T. Turgeon
- I keep waiting for Jackie Wilson and Billy Stewart....I have
decided that like me, you have an older brother or sister
who had you listening to this music as a kid.
Hope all is well your way.
Betsy K.
- How about a little Joe Tex? T. Turgeon
- Thanks, "I LOVE IT! Makes my day! M.N.
- WOW WOW WOW AN OUTSTANDING REVIEW OF THE real STYLE OF MUSIC - Atlanta Cooking
- In my time, this is the most fascinating music I have ever heard. **86
- Keep up the great and extremely important work. We met I believe at Michael Guthrie's house a few weeks ago at the HVARII Reunion. I am a great lover of our R&B and it's great to see someone who truly cares about it. Ole!
T. Turgeon
- Again, the "It's Friday" series is great - I love it
every week and have sent it on to so many folks -
thanks again. Betsy K.
- Aretha is my personal favorite so far! Peggy M.
- LOVE THIS...I NEED SOMETHNG TO GET ME THROUGH THE DAY !!!! C. Lady
- Great! Perfect! Dance Music I Love It!!! Laine L.
- I think you missed your calling as a DJ! Nicki S.
- Keep 'em coming!! I really enjoy listening to "my kind of music". Thank you. Mary M.
- I like getting your email every Friday, keep it coming!
Carlas A.
- DON'T FORGET THE 'QUEEN OF SOUL'........ ARETHA!!!!! YOUR MAKING MY FRIDAYS. RONK
- MY FRIENDS REALLY LIKE FRIDAY IN ATHENS! ONE IS SENDING EVERYONE AT THE COURTHOUSE AN EMAIL. Ron H.
- THANKS SO MUCH EACH WEEK! Nancy W.
- This makes me smile! Ray C.
- Great job, keep up the good work. Terry T.
- I SAVE UNTIL FRI AFTERNOON, BY 5:00 P.M. I'M REVVVVED!!! RONK
- Thanks for this humanitarian service to get us crunk for district wide planning. Wilson Pickett reminds us to put a “spotlight on Otis Redding y’all”. Yeah,yeah, oh yeah. Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-Faaa! Karl S.
- Thanks. What a pleasant surprise to get to work and open this e-mail- glad I started with yours first. Melanie B.
- Thanks for the Friday emails Larry!! I really enjoy them.
Kim S.
- Thanks for the sound of good music. I really do love my oldies but goodies.
- Thanks!!! This is great! Jane B.
- Great site! How about some Sam Cooke???
- Thanks for the music! Steve P.
- I love this! Thanks. Dianne M.
- I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your
Friday emails. Thanks for including me! Betsy K.
- I appreciate the link – good stuff! Jon W.
- I LIKE IT!!!!!! Thanks and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Barbara S.
- THIS IS GREAT!!!!!! Susan R.
- So in your spare time you try to cheer up everyone? Thanks, Lori R.
- I love these songs. Thanks. Terri S.
- Awesome……Thanks for doing this, we all look forward to it every week. I’ve sent it to everyone I know! Debi D.
- I needed this today! Thanks. Susan S.
Good selection for this fabulous Friday!!!!!
- Thanks for the Music this morning. I think I could listen to this all day, if people didn't think I was crazy for MOVING in my chair. Have a great weekend. Joyce G.
- This is awesome! Thanks, Debi D.
