North Myrtle Beach Weekend in Review

January is a popular time for snowbirds to visit the beach to enjoy our mild winter and exciting events. The winter Shag weekend is here and Ocean Drive of North Myrtle Beach is alive with sounds of beach music and tapping feet. Myrtle Beach has captured the Nation’s attention as the GOP candidates gather for a debate at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

Carolina Shag events take place in North Myrtle Beach throughout the year, and the winter Shag weekend is this weekend, January 13th -15th. Many Shaggers take the entire week to make the most of a trip to the beach. We still have vacation rentals available, if you’d like to participate in the action! Even if you don’t dance (shag), there is still plenty to do in and around the beach. Most area attractions are open in the off-season.

The Republican Presidential debate will be hosted at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on January 16th. Visitors from all over the Nation are in town to participate in the political events. As you can imagine, tickets to the Debate are sold out. You may want to try and catch your favorite candidate at congressional town hall meetings, or mingling with the locals.

Aside from all the exciting things happening in the off-season, we are looking forward to a great summer season in 2012. Our beautiful North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals still have dates available for upcoming spring and summer weeks. Call ahead for special occasions with nightly rentals.

Written By: Brandon Moss of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals, 2012

Live Music in North Myrtle Beach

Nadirah Shakoor, of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, performing at Margaritaville of Myrtle Beach. May 2011

Beach weather is very much here and summer is right around the corner! Many families are in town, or are planning to visit in the next few months. Our peak season brings some of the best live acts and bands you’ll find in North Myrtle Beach all year. Spring and summer street festivals, such as Mayfest and the Little River Blue Crab Festival, bring in thousands of spectators.

The Legends of Surf Music, featuring Al Jardine and David Marks of the Beach Boys, put on a great concert before a packed house last weekend at North Myrtle Beach’s Mayfest celebration. Beach Music greats, such as The Fantastic Shakers and The Catalinas, are set to perform in front of a record crowd at this year’s Blue Crab Festival – happening right now. Great weather, delicious local food, and arts & crafts vendors compliment these popular festivals. You’ll want to stay tuned-in to our OD News page for more information about upcoming outdoor festivals along the Grand Strand.

Al Jardine, of the Beach Boys, rockin' at Mayfest 2011

The House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach is your chance to get up close and personal to some big acts. Its small venue size is perfect for the most intimate experience between musician and fan, and provides for great views almost anywhere in the theater. Popular bands and artists such as, Willie Nelson, Peter Frampton, .38 Special, and Good Charlotte are all expected to perform at the House of Blues within the next few months. Make sure to check out the band schedule online HERE before planning your next North Myrtle Beach family vacation.

Whether it’s popular mainstream musicians or regional and local bands, North Myrtle Beach has some of the best live acts in town when you’re in town. Stop in the office at Ocean Drive Beach Rentals or give us a call for our recommendations when planning our next family vacation. Most of the local venues keep us up-to-date with what’s going on around town.

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Beach Music Lives On

H.G. Worley of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals being DJ for the day.

This past week, the owners of Ocean Drive Beach Rentals and the Ocean Drive Beach & Golf Resort, the Worley family of North Myrtle Beach, officially brought back the Beach Music legacy of Ocean Drive and bought the famed radio station, 94.9 The Surf. The station briefly went off-air in January of this year and the Worleys acted fast to save what could have been the end of Beach Music along the Grand Strand. Locals and visitors alike have been buzzing since the sale.

The Surf can be heard within a 2 hour radius of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. That’s approximately a 120 mile radius from the Main Street headquarters of the station. Anyone with internet access will be able to listen to live streaming Beach Music tunes when the website comes live in the near future. Ocean Drive Beach Rentals will post updates on this blog as they become available. Ted Bell is the chief on-air personality of 94.9 and will bring you many great hours of quality Beach Music.

Ted Bell and H.G. Worley on Opening Day

When you’re on the beach this summer, tune in to 94.9 The Surf. It will serve as a nice compliment to the beautiful scenery on the beach strand. Don’t forget to call in to the station and request your favorite bands.

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

What Songs Are On Your Vacation Soundtrack?

Our favorite music plays an important role in life. It makes cleaning the house easier, road trips much smoother, and sets the mood for a romantic evening away from the stress of daily life. The right vacation soundtrack will make your beach vacation much more enjoyable. Part of the packing process for your North Myrtle Beach vacation should include a homemade vacation soundtrack of your favorite beach music.

Before you come to the Grand Strand this year, buy a blank tape or CD and record your favorite beach or summertime songs. If you are more techno-savvy, download a custom-made album onto your IPOD. This soundtrack will set a positive mood when driving a long distance or on a cumbersome flight. You’ll be on vacation long before you reach the beach. Carry a portable battery-powered stereo, or your IPOD, to the beach and relax to the vibes of your vacation music.

What do you like to listen to while on vacation, or the trip to the beach? Popular bands and musicians include Jimmy Buffett, The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, Kenny Chesney, and the Zac Brown Band. Their laid-back lyrics promote a stress-free, beachy feeling. Of course, there are many summertime songs by various mainstream artists that put you in the center of paradise, including It’s Five O’clock Somewhere, by Alan Jackson. Perhaps you’re more into the regional Beach Music acts such as the Chairman of the Board, Tim Clark Band, Sea Cruz, or Rick Strickland. These bands cater more to the shagging lifestyle and early North Myrtle Beach era. Beach Music still has a huge following along the Grand Strand.

Whatever your personal taste in music, it’s an excellent idea to personalize your vacation sound. You’ll find that it helps with creating those vacation-time memories that you pay so much to enjoy. The best thing about it is that the music takes you to a place that is far removed from work, and in many cases, reality.

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

2010 Carolina Beach Music Awards in North Myrtle Beach

LIVE at the Alabama Theatre

Tim Clark Band

The 16th annual Carolina Beach Music Awards Show, or CBMAs, were held at the Alabama Theatre this past Sunday. It was such a treat, especially with the venue being decorated for the holiday season. This year’s awards show was held in honor of General Norman Johnson, band leader of the popular beach music supergoup, The Chairmen of the Board. It was great to see live performances from top artists such as, Rhonda McDaniel, Jim Quick & Coastline, Sea Cruz, Craig Woolard Band, and the National Shag Dance Team.

Every year, the big beach music party comes to North Myrtle Beach. The Carolina Beach Music Awards caps off a week full of live music at top clubs up and down Main Street and Ocean Drive. Fans take advantage of the night life Wednesday through Friday, with award ceremonies at the Spanish Galleon and Alabama Theatre over the weekend evenings. It’s just another great reason to come visit during the off-season.

For those people who missed the show this year, enjoy the pictures posted here, more of which are posted on our Ocean Drive Beach Rentals Facebook page. You can view a complete listing of the 2010 CBMA Winners here. Remember to make plans early for next year’s event, held during the first part of November 2011. Beach music fans and shaggers call Ocean Drive Beach Rentals home.

Written By: Jake Foutz - Director of Marketing, Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Sea Cruz

Rick Strickland Band

Jim Quick & Coastline

The National Shag Dance Team