July 3, 2014

The Greenville News, Paul Hyde - 10:20 p.m. EDT June 28, 2014

If there's one thing that distinguishes beach music, it's the beat. 

You've got to be able to move to it. 

"It's got to have that danceable beat," said Freddy Tripp, who plays keyboards and trumpet with The Fantastic Shakers, a group that's specialized in beach music for 36 years. 

"It's feel-good music that brings memories back to people," Tripp added. "It's music that a lot of people grew up with in the Southeast."

The Fantastic Shakers perform Thursday on the Peace Center's outdoor TD Stage. 

The group has toured throughout the country and especially in the Southeast. Tripp said the band members have more than 100 songs at their fingertips - music that ranges from the 1950s to the present. 

"We try to have a variety to offer when we play outdoors because we'll often have a real diverse crowd, all age groups and musical tastes," Tripp said. 

The group covers everything from Elvis to the Eagles and Elton John.

At Thursday's concert you might hear KC & the Sunshine Band's "Get Down Tonight," Same Cooke's "Another Saturday Night," the Drifters' "Under the Boardwalk," the Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There" and prince's "1999."

The seven-member band chooses songs based on the audience.

"We react to the crowd," Tripp said. "Once you're three or four songs into it, you'll see what's working. If they're up and dancing, the point is to keep 'em up and dancing. It's a matter of people-pleasing."

The band members, all based near Charlotte, play a variety of instruments: guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, trumpet and trombone.

The Fantastic Shakers have performed more than 6,000 engagements including more than 400 wedding receptions, 700 conventions and hundreds of clubs. 

Lead singer Bo Schronce is the only remaining original member of the band, founded in 1978. But most of the others have played with the group at least 25 years. 

Among the band's many big engagements, The Fantastic Shakers played for the gubernatorial inauguration of Gov. Carroll Campbell. 

For the lastes in local arts news and reviews, follow Paul Hye on Facebook and Twitter: @PaulHyde7

YOU CAN GO

What: The Fantastic Shakers

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Peace Center's outdoor TD Stage

Tickets: $15 for lawn seating; $30 for Genevieve's seating

Information: 864.467.3000 or www.peacecenter.org