NINETY-SIX REASONS WHY YOU HAVE TO LOVE THE SWINGIN’
MEDALLIONS IN The Hey Baby Days
1.
Most of the “youngsters” in the band have been
Swingin’ Medallions longer than the “original” members who recorded the
iconic party song. However, once a Medallion, always a Medallion just ask all
96 former members of the band that reunited this past Friday night at the birth
place of the Swingin’ Medallions, NINETY SIX, SOUTH CAROLINA although the
county seat of Greenwood County is the official home town.
2.
The mayor of Ninety Six South Carolina gave keys
to the city to all 96 members of the band that attended. He is apparently a man
of strong faith so we looked around a found a copy of “The Heeey Baby Days” and
presented him one of those…I asked if he had any spare keys but he was fresh
out. He did say that the book would go on display at the visitors' center.
3.
The mayor also made mayoral proclamations
honoring the band and their contributions to the city. It was apparent that the entire population turned out for the
gig and with such a gala and the good time had by all, the mayor should have no trouble being
re-elected.
4.
When I told Perrin Gleaton, the first guitarist
for the band, that it’s all about the horns, I thought he might hit me.
Although known for their horns, he reminded me that not one horn was raised on "Double Shot." Funny, but "Jimbo Doares said the same thing .
5.
Perrin appeared on the band's first single on Dot
Records, “I Want To Be Your Guy.” He left prior to “Double Shot” and was replaced by Jimbo Doares. Fred
Pugh and Perrin were successful with other Carolina bands. Both were Swingin' Friday night. There are still folks who remember
Fred from the Old Hickory in PC and his “Night Train” routine.
6.
There were some that were not present and they
were sorely missed including those who are deceased: including: Steve Caldwell – saxophone, Charlie Webber-trumpet, Johnny Cox- Saxophone ; David Eastler-Drums, Gerald Polk-saxophone Members of their families or representatives were
there to receive copies of the proclamation.
7.
Other living members of the band that were of
the 60s that were not able to attend
were Jim Doares- Guitar, Grainger
“Brother” Hines- Saxophone , Ron Nobles - Drums and Bobby Taylor. Five of the
Eight that recorded “Double Shot” were on stage. Many who played with the band when it was
known as The Medallions were present ( 1963-64).
8.
Dale Williams, Medallions lead vocalist in the
80s voice sounded as good as he did back
then… however… the rain came and the third set was cancelled so we did not get to
hear Dale sing “I’m Going To Make You Mine” a composition that was written by
another Medallion from the 80s, Hazen Bannister.
… and so on through 96
Hack had seven horns behind him on "Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You"
96 If you like horns, there were plenty, with
as many as seven going full blast at one time... If everyone who has claimed to have played saxophone at one time or another for the band actually did and were present Friday night, they would have not been able to fit them in the Georgia Dome.
Note: we have taken some license in recounting the events
that took place in Ninety Six South Carolina this past Friday night. e.g We
really didn’t count all the band members that were present… there may have been
more than Ninety Six including members of the band that were “Medallions”
before the band even added “Swingin” to
Medallions. These gentlemen appeared to very hip so we now know that adding
“Swingin” in 1965 had little to so with lifestyle. I remember stories from
those who saw the band in their early days especially at UGA. They never refer
to the band as the “Swingin’ Medallions”, but rather as “The Medallions”. This
is proof positive that there are folks from the 60s that were actually there
and do remember.
Hack Bartley and Carroll Bledsoe
Shawn McElrath, Unidentified Fan, John McElrath ;with her 1967 album with seven of the eight original members' signatures
Only one signature missing from this one
Memorabilia from an Atlanta based collector includes album cover with signatures of all eight members who recorded "Double Shot", an original 45 RPM on the "For Sale" label plus signed Tams' album with signatures of Joe Pope, Charles Pope, Robert Smith, Horace "Sonny" Key and Joe Jones
Album cover with ALL eight signatures
Greg Haynes, Joe Morris, and Brent Fortson
Original Drummer Joe Morris
Mayor Hands out proclamations and keys to the city L-R Jimmy Perkins, Joe Morris, John McElrath, Carroll Bledsoe, Perrin Gleaton, Brent Fortson, Cubby Culbertson, Mayor of Ninety Six, Dale Williams, Robby Cox, Fred Pugh behind mayor... others out of view
Fred Pugh explains to fan about how he was able to wow the fans back at the Old Hickory in 1964 with "Night Train" while Carroll Bledsoe looks on... perhaps thinking that Fred's memory is a little fuzzy.
Mayor of Ninety Six makes presentation to John McElrath
Brent Fortson Signs two copies of "The Heeey Baby Days of Beach Music." With his and Joe Morris's signature, we now have two books with autographs of all the members of the band and several hundred other signatures of members of bands from the 60s.
Jimmy Perkins, Greg Haynes, Fred Pugh and Hack Bartley
WHAT A GREAT TIME IN NINETY-SIX SOUTH CAROLINA
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