My first 'real' brush with Beach Music was at the Pavilion at Atlantic Beach, NC.

As a kid I'd been afforded the chance to take (too many) dance lessons (thanks, Mom) and I did love to dance.

The music was live, loud and made your feet move before you knew it. It was the summer of 1962, at the tender age of 12, that I first convinced a girl friend to dance the 'Bop' with me among all those 'older' people! What, what fun, and I haven't stopped yet. At 50 I now dance more than I ever have and have the BEST dance partner I've ever had.

Special Beach Song: (all-time favorite dance tune): "Thank You John" (Willie T), "Stubborn Kind of Fella" (Marvin Gaye)...a bit fast but I love it.

Hangout: Atlantic Beach, NC or The Castaways Club in Greensboro, NC

--Jim Padgett, Irvington, VA, July 2000