This event is held to benefit the Hall of Fame Foundation and it was the second year we've had the pleasure of participating.  We "bought" one of the few VIP floor tables available for the performance - in fact table #1, the best seats in the house - and we sponsored three of the performers for the event:

Also, the preceding individuals and their significant others were our guests for the day including dinner that evening.  We are very appreciative of the assistance and coordination provided by Joy Thompson at Fat Harold's in making our arrangements for the Extravaganza and tending to the related details.

It was a splendid day and we hugely enjoyed ourselves, as indeed it seemed the many other people in attendance and the performers did.  Ray Scott of 94.9 FM - The Surf did his normal totally entertaining and professional job of MC'ing the event and kept it moving along with a continuous sense of excitement and fun.  The very special recognition and acknowledgement he gave us from the stage was beyond gracious and, although unnecessary from our viewpoint, it was nonetheless greatly appreciated.  Thank you, Ray, for all the many good things you do for worthy causes and to promote and sustain Carolina Beach Music.

Craig and the CWB (Craig Woolard Band) are never disappointing and are certainly one of the foremost groups on the Carolina Beach Music scene.  We wish some of Craig's perpetual energy would rub off on us - it seems he never runs out of steam.  In addition to performing their well known hits, Craig and the group also backed other performers which is something they have an unequalled ability to successfully execute.  We've remarked upon it before and will say again they're just amazing and Craig is the consummate entertainer.  On a personal note, we'll say we truly appreciate his friendship and the too infrequent times we have to share thoughts in person and more often by email.  Also we want to acknowledge the very lovely and sincere Debbie, Craig's delightful wife.  That lady has a wonderful personality.

JD Cash had the crowd on their feet vigorously applauding each of his three songs with the first two being solos and the third a classic duet with Craig (their voices are extraordinarily complementary):

Standin' On The Corner   Wild Crowd   Summertime's Calling Me

He sang the classic "Summertime's Calling Me", written by our good friend Johnny Barker, with Craig and the band - beautiful job.  We mentioned Flash's step routines - he has some serious talent as a choreographer.  In fact, he invented the line dance "The OD Glide" that was performed on stage at the Carolina Beach Music Awards Show held at the Alabama Theatre this past November.  Both Flash and his wife, Babs Ludwick, have effervescent personalities that are downright infectious.  You just can't be around those folk very long without finding yourself in a happy frame of mind.  We were surprised and pleased when they first arrived and immediately presented us with copies of Flash's CDs and a fabulous print of Fat Harold's Beach Club made from a painting Babs did.  We really liked that!

Sandra wanted to have Harold autograph the print and Babs said she should ask if he would sign it in a way she knew he normally reserves for a few rare occasions.  Before Sandra could ask, Harold told her not to peek while he was writing something and signing it in a way he had for special people.  When he was done there was the personal message and it was signed "Harold W. Bessent, The Fat Man".  Thanks Babs and thanks Harold - that's very special to us and will be treasured.

As you might expect, in addition to having fun with our guests, we enjoyed making new acquaintances and renewing old ones. We were particularly pleased when Greg Moseley and his wife Gina discovered us and we were able to catch up a bit.  Greg surprised us with his proficiency with the trombone when he played it with the CWB on stage.  It was also good to see and chat with Janet Sullivan again - her career is doing nicely and we're definitely pleased about that.  Her "Young Hearts" has been in the top ten on 94.9 FM for some time now.  We remember well when we were invited to the release party during Fall '08 SOS where Greg Moseley's compilation CD containing that song was first formally introduced and we had the opportunity to meet and spend time with Janet.  She's done good.

There's one person and a moment we shared with her that meant a lot to us.  Janet Morris on the Board of Directors of the Hall of Fame Foundation came over to speak with us and we recognized her immediately as she put her arm around Sandra and spoke very softly.  On the trip in 2007 when we returned to Myrtle Beach for the first time in many years we were in Ducks one evening while a Shag contest was underway.  The place was absolutely packed and strain as we might we could see very little of what was taking place on the dance floor.  After a bit this lady who had one of the few tables and chairs pulled Sandra in next to her where she could rest and see what was occurring.  We didn't know her and she didn't know us, but we never forgot that simple act of kindness.  At Harold's as her hands trembled slightly she softly told us how appreciative she was of the things we do and said though she really didn't know us that Sandra seemed like her daughter.  That brought a tear to Sandra's eyes.  Then Janet remarked how much she had enjoyed JD's performance and Sandra brought him into the conversation.  With decided flair JD presented her one of his CDs and her face lit up with a huge smile.  Lovely lady.

Yes, it was a splendid day - a most enjoyable event.  We would strongly encourage those of you able to attend next year to do so not only for the great music, but to support a worthwhile cause.

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