CBMA Awards weekend – Why you should go

October 30, 2012 North Myrtle Beach – The Carolina Beach Music Association has been celebrating beach music since 1998 in North Myrtle Beach.  For one long weekend in November, CBMA brings together fans, musicians, entertainers and band support staff to recognize the best of their craft . . . and to Party!  CBMA features music, partying, great food and shopping within a few blocks of each other – all set against a beautiful Carolina coastal background.  

This year’s activities begin on Wednesday, November 7 and continue through Sunday night. For some folks, it really doesn’t end until the wee hours of Monday morning on November 12th, but that’s another story.

Temperatures in early November still average around 69 and don’t drop any more at night than thelow 50’s to high 40’s.  Going out and about for visitors is still enjoyable and encourages walking from one CBMA venue to another.

CBMA brings the best of the best. After all, they are here to see if others agree with them that they are preeminent in their field.  Bands and singing groups like Craig Woolard, Jim Quick, the Carolina Breakers, the Castaways, Rick Strickland, the Band of Oz, Sea Cruz, the Atlantic Groove Band, the North Tower, the Fantastic Shakers, the Sumertime Band, the Out of Towners Band, The Hip Pocket Band, The Graveyard Ramblers, the Sand Band and Donny and Susan Trexler will descend upon venues on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, bringing out the crowds, filling the streets, the bars, the restaurants and the shops .  

These groups will appear throughout the Main Street venues – OD Resort, Pirates Cove, Ducks and Fat Harold’s. Fans should check the official CBMA listing for individual appearances. Each of these venues can be reached by just crossing a street or walking a block.

Suspense permeates each venue.  All bands are performing to their best but the votes for the best band, male or female vocalists, instrumental or in any one of the categories have already been cast.  Votes were due by October 22nd and only a select few know the result and they are not talking.  Speculation is rampant and everyone joins in; making that part of the fun.

The cost is nominal considering the value.  A Weekend Pass is $60 and that gets a holder into all the clubs without a cover charge. Members of the Carolina Beach Music Academy pay $50.

North Myrtle Beach has some really great hotels and resorts.  Check out our yellow pages for a full listing.

Altogether, throughout this very active and musical weekend, the Carolina Beach Music Association will recognize professionals in 36 award categories.  The big event is the “2012 Carolina Beach Music Awards” held at the Alabama Theatre at 3pm on Sunday, November 11th.  Tickets must be purchased from the Alabama Theatre.  Finally, the speculation and the suspense will end!

You should go!  Tickets range from $39.95 to $63.50. It’s a spectacular affair and in an amazing setting – check out the video at the end of the article.  Those that go compare it to the Country Music Awards with the same quality of music but on a smaller scale.

Now for shopping.  Our yellow pages list over 500 places to shop in North Myrtle Beach. But if you want to walk to close by shops, then check out these nearby stores.  Beach Memories is right at the center of the action.  Becky Stowe, owner and artist, creates original beach scene art that can’t be found anywhere else.   On up a few blocks and Hope Taylor has a wide range of fine furnishings, gifts, jewelry, and home decor products. Walk a little farther to Judy’s House of Oldies and fans can find recordings of artists they just heard in the clubs as well as a wide range of other music – and shag shoes too!  Miss Vickie’s on Main offers a wide range of clothing, accessories and jewelry that are well worth the visit.

After all the dancing and shopping, it’s time to rest and have a good meal.  Look, you can get good food in the clubs and in nearby places like the International Café and Duffy Street Seafood Shack but just up the street are additional choices.  For breakfast, the best pancake house is the Golden Griddle.Take a walk and visit a restaurant that has been in business for 64 years - Hoskins.  They don’t have a web site, but go to any restaurant review site and there will only be raves for their food – home style breakfast, lunch and dinner.  A little farther up the street is Flynn’s Irish Tavern. With that name you would expect Shepherd’s Pie, Fish and Chips and Guinness Beer and you would be right. But with that short walk to Flynn’s, diners can get that and steak, chops, grouper, salmon and much more.

So far, the persuasive reasons to go to CBMA Awards weekend should be overwhelming – music, food, partying, great weather and we will emphasize one more - the experience of going to the awards at the Alabama Theatre.  View this video taken at the 2010 awards.