STRICTLY OBSERVING: Beach beats

For probably the past decade my family and I have enjoyed listening to the live sounds of The Coastline Band when they have performed during our town’s annual Chautauqua Festival.  When Wytheville’s recreation department began their After Hours summer concert series in Withers Park in 2000, The Coastline Band has rightly become a staple at this event practically every year since.  I have always enjoyed beach music and am particularly pleased when I hear that this group will be returning to Wytheville.  This year was no different.  When the first After Hours event took place on June 6, Duck and I were both very eager to hear their covers of such soul classics as Wilson Pickett’s “Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool You,” as well as such original tunes as “Roadrunner.” Having been a faithful attendee of their local performances over the years, I have often wondered why I hear very little about the band apart from when they are in town.  So I decided to do some research on the group and wanted to share some of my findings with you.
The Coastline Band sound is the product of an eclectic blend of blues, soul and rock.  Their tunes feature obvious influence from a worldwide range of musical flavors, which can include Carolina backbeats, Texas and Delta blues, Georgia southern rock and Cajun grooves.  With their motto being the Mark Twain quote, “the Southerner talk’s music,” the band then places their own modernized spin on these various forms of southern rock, which gives their songs a contemporary, yet classic sound. 
Now officially known as Jim Quick and Coastline, the voice of their front man is always a familiar and welcome sound.  His vivacious sense of humor also adds to the quality of every show, such as in the title of their new song, “(Wake Up) Mama’s Drinkin’ Liquor Again.” Quick noted that one song had become a No. 1 hit in New Zealand.  “I don’t even know where that is,” he said with a laugh.  Performing lead vocals and harmony for Coastline, Jim Quick has been recognized at the Carolina Music Awards more than anyone in history.  His musical talents no doubt stem from his upbringing in the black gospel of the Carolina sand hills in conjunction with the 1960s soul. 
According to the information provided on the official Web site, Casey Meyers, the youngest member of the group, is credited with bringing the blues sound to Coastline with his slide guitar.  He combines his influences with the slick sounds of Chicago-based soul and the sounds of Delta southern rock.  Bassist and vocalist Albert Rogers has a well-rounded training in blues.  Having played with such musicians as Grayson Hugh (famous for his one-hit-wonder, “Talk It Over”), Kim Wilson of The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Herbert Sumlin of Howlin’ Wolf, the Woodstock, N.Y., native never fails to add the right grooves to a Coastline show.  On saxophone, keyboards and vocals, the Coastline Web stie calls Glen Tippett one of the most talented people in the band.  In my opinion, his brass is a highlight of any and all Coastline performances.
A longtime fan of such Coastline originals as “It’s Gonna Rain” and “Roadrunner,” Duck and I have often wondered why none of their material seemed to be available in stores.  After researching Coastline, I discovered the reason for this was that no material was available on CD until the band released its debut album on the independent label Landslide Records in 2005.  The following year, Coastline signed with Green Dot Music record label and management and released its second album, Lead Sleds, Rust Bombs and Other Great Classics, which featured all our aforementioned favorites as well as “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy,” which is a welcome staple at the Wytheville shows and “Tiki Bar,” a song that singer Jim Quick cited as a favorite of the late racing legend Dale Earnhardt.  The band’s latest recording, Sneakin’ out Back, was released in January 2007. 
I am very happy to know that this music is now available for Coastline fans to enjoy at home, but I am certain their CDs wouldn’t compare to their live performances.  However, if you missed them at After Hours, you will have a chance to see them again on Saturday, July 26, when they perform as part of “Beachfeast ‘08” at the Davis Valley Winery in Rural Retreat.  For any beach music fan, a Coastline concert is not to be missed.  I look forward to hopefully hearing them again at next year’s After Hours event.  For more information on Jim Quick and Coastline, visit online at http://www.coastlineband.com.
A graduate of Wytheville Community College, Zach Cooley lives in Wytheville. Contact him at .