User:Vchimpanzee/The Embers (beach music band)

The Embers are a beach music band that includes Craig Woolard, previously known as The Swingin' Embers. In 1979, The Embers recorded "I Love Beach Music".

As of 2015, members are Bobby Tomlinson (leader and drummer), Craig Woolard (saxophone/flute/lead vocals), Andy Swindell (keyboards/vocals), Jeff Grimes (guitar/saxophone/vocals), Stephen Pachuta (trumpet/vocals), Hugh "Tuff" Blanton (bass/vocals), and Bobby Nantz (trombone/vocals). Other members have included Johnny Hopkins (guitar/vocals/brass instruments), Gerald Davis (music director/bass/vocals), and Mark Black (saxophone/vocals).

In 1958, Raleigh, North Carolina high school students Bobby Tomlinson and Jackie Gore formed The Satellites, in honor of Sputnik. They played for dances and parties but soon changed their name. Few white musicians performed Rhythm and blues.

Members in the 1980s were Tomlinson, Gore, Hopkins, Woolard and producers John Barker and Davis.

In 1981, The Embers recorded "I Love Budweiser" to the tune of their "I Love Beach Music" for a national commercial for Anheuser-Busch. Later, they recorded "This One's for You".

In 1990, The Embers recorded a series of tourism commercials for North Carolina, with the theme "North Carolina Style". Other campaigns included Piggly Wiggly and Coca-Cola.

In 2008, The Embers went to South Korea to play for members of the United States military.

The Embers were been named to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2014. They have also been named to the South Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame and the South Carolina Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame. The group has also been named North Carolina's Official Music Ambassadors.