Those from the area who were nominated for Carolina Beach Music Awards are also the ones working to keep the tradition of Beach Music alive.

“There’ve been people who say Beach Music is dying,” said Steve Owens, who with his band Summertime garnered eight nominations. “It’s not, it’s changing with the time.”

While Summertime plays traditional Beach Music, it also incorporates other genres, including Cee Lo Green and Josh Turner. “You find songs that adapt, that people always listened to.”

Summertime typically plays two or three dates a week, Owens said and he is certain the nomination alone will help the band gain momentum. “When you look at the other nominees, they’re my mentors. Beach Music has an audience really like no other. It has a captive audience across the board.”

Summertime

Andy Lucy of WEVA radio in Emporia received two nominations, one for AM DJ of the Year and one for AM Station of the Year.

It was the second time for both. “These nominations are most rewarding because it's by members of the Carolina Beach Music Academy. Almost like people's choice and not by a board of directors,” he said. “Beach Music still continues to have a tremendous base in our area. It's rewarding to hear from and to see old and young listeners alike that love the shag and the laid back beach music lifestyle, and that's why we keep spinning the music.”

Lucy

It is the musicians that earn people like Lucy the nominations. “Yes, we play the music, but we'd have nothing to play if it weren't for the great musicians in these bands. There's no way national acts could remotely match the level of performance and travel like these guys do four to five times a week.”

Jay Jenkins of Woodland hosts the Sunday radio program Shaggin’ on the Beach, which is heard on three stations, including WTRG. He is nominated for Radio Show of the Year; the fifth straight time he has received it. “I’m sincerely honored. Being honored is a just as much as a win for me as bringing an award home and having it sit on the shelf.”

Jenkins believes Beach Music is alive and well. “It’s feel good music. I’ve got listeners who are four to 14. My average listener is 20-years-old and I’ve got people who are listening that are in their 70s.”

Jenkins, center, with Johnny Draper, left, and Lucy.

Like Lucy, Jenkins believes the success of Beach Music on the radio begins with those playing. “It means every thing. Without the musicians people wouldn’t have jobs.”

Jenkins is particularly excited for Owens and Summertime. “They’re a first class band to have not been together that long.”

Lucy, he said, loves the music and loves to see people have fun.

It may be, however, DJ Ray Melton of Roanoke Rapids who has the best shot of winning his category in Best Internet Radio Show.

Wheelchair bound because of physical challenges, “I don’t know of anyone who puts as much heart and soul in his job. He gives it everything.”

In email correspondence with rrspin.com, Melton said, “To be nominated is a great honor, for me just to be one out of five of the elite Internet radio shows. I consider myself to be a winner just by being nominated.”

Melton at an event.

All those nominated and those who weren’t nominated, like Johnny Draper who also has a show on WTRG, do it for the love of music, Melton said. “I believe that our effort is not in vain and many more including the young people are now enjoying it as they are exposed to it more and more. I even received an email from a guy in Belgium who enjoys my show because they don’t get to hear that much Beach Music there.”

Melton views Beach Music as good wine. “It gets better with age. It’s like Coca-Cola, don’t mess with its recipe.”

Beach Music is in Melton’s soul and the community has embraced him since moving to Roanoke Rapids in 2005. “They have accepted me just as I am and welcomed me with open arms. Even though I know it’s hard for them to understand me talking, they carry on normal conversations with me. Even though I cannot walk, when I hear beach music my feet just won’t be still. They’ve got to move. I have the only shagging wheelchair in town.”

Melton does his show with blindness to his physical challenges. “I expect no special treatment. I expect to play out my life on a level playing ground with everyone else. Don’t give me your sympathy, give me your love. I don’t see obstacles, I see opportunities and goals. I proudly accept my nomination based on my abilities, not my disability.”