To Shag----a dance!

Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy
From Robert Fontenot,
Your Guide to Oldies Music.
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The enduring legacy of shag music
Unlike other musical-dependant social developments primarily associated with the Sixties, Shag music (often called "beach music") didn't have a scene to spring from, no primary city of development. Of course, the easygoing beach dances that used the name had a point of origin - the beaches of South Carolina, where white kids had broken the color barrier as early as the 1930s by convincing local DJs to add rhythm and blues to their lists. However, there were no bands dedicated to shag music during the movement's zenith in the mid-60s. Shag was one of those rare cultural events that picked its own music after the fact.

That doesn't mean there's no distinct sound or feel to the music. The shag dance is sort of a lazy jitterbug, done on beaches at night, always with someone of the opposite sex.

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Therefore, the music shaggers picked for their soundtrack had to be sunny, sexy, fun, and lazy. Depending on who you talk to, shagging can be done to songs as diverse as Elvis' "Return To Sender" and Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing," but the general consensus is that there should be a slow shuffle at the bottom and some sort of southern soul on top. The big hits of shag are almost all one-hit wonders, cherry-picked for their utility - Willie Tee's "Teasin' You," the O-Kaysions' "Girl Watcher" - but that also gives the scene room to breathe. And, as has been proven by its continuing popularity, room to expand.

The Rhythm 'N Beach Network The first site to visit when you want to learn more about shag music exclusively. Beach music history, shows, and collectors' information.
Chairmen of the Board The official site for these soul legends and undisputed kings of shag music. Beware the embedded MIDI, however.
TheTams.com The Tams were beach legends responsible for hits like "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy" and "What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am)." This is their official site, and it contains a bio, as well as sound clips of their biggest hits.
Willis Blume Agency: The O'Kaysions Now a show band, this soul group is most famous for their beach classic "Girl Watcher."
BJ's Carolina Coast Scroll down about halfway and listen to RealAudio samples of shag's greatest hits!
Betty B's Bungalow: Shagger's Play List Sampler A great series of playlists, broken up by category, that will help you assemble your own killer shag CD or party.
Ripete Records A great place to purchase some of the newer beach music bands - and some classic oldies as well.
The Cammy Awards Recognizing outstanding achievement in Carolina beach music.
Shagdance.com Sponsored by the official Carolina Shag Club association, this site is the first place to go for shag dance info. Deals with shag as a continuing phenomenon, although there's some history as well.
Carolina Shag History From Cornell University's Swing Dance page comes this excellent history of how the dances themselves evolved.
Shag Dance Videos Over a dozen instruction videos that will take you from a beginner to an expert.