09/04/2014
Carolina Beach Blast: Legendary R&B Artists Raise Money for Kids
This Saturday’s Carolina Beach Blast at the NC Music Factory promises a day full of R&B music, antique cars, excellent BBQ and plenty of beer. It’s also a great opportunity to help out sick kids through Celebrity Charity Wishes, which will receive a portion of proceeds from the Carolina Beach Blast. This local organization collaborates with celebrities to make the lives of terminally ill children happier.
The music for the event comes from the Elite Artist Network, another local organization doing good in our community. A collaboration of musicians, songwriters, producers and vocalists, Elite arranges concerts and recording opportunities for some of the greats of R&B as well as up and coming artists from the local community.
Beach music greats Ken Knox & Co. (former Chairmen of the Board), doo-wop smoothies Image, and bluesy lady Shana Blake, the groups appearing at the Carolina Beach Blast, are all part of the Elite network. Other Elite artists include groups like The Tams, The Impressions, The Stylistics, and The JB’s (James Brown’s former band) as well as individual vocalists such as Eddie Floyd (“Knock on Wood”), Archie Bell (“Tighten Up”), Maurice Williams (“Stay”), and James Bates, formerly with The Spontanes.
Many of the artists working with the Elite Network have had considerable musical success, with top selling records and loyal fans, but haven’t see the same success on the business side of the musical industry.
“These are artists who have paid their dues,” says Tim Eaton, recording engineer at StudioEast, the legendary studio on Monroe Road. “We hope to see them get the credit they’re due.” StudioEast serves as a sort of unofficial clubhouse for the Elite Artist Network, thanks to the dozens of hits, including lots of R&B favorites, recorded here over the years.
“Many of these artists were popular back in a time where musicians were taken advantage of by agents and labels,” says Ron Ownbey, who handles event development for the network. “We’re an organization by musicians for musicians. We pull our own strings.”
“It’s a bit like the old Motown, working to help people,” he says. “And we split the profits between the musicians and charity.”
For more about the Elite Artist Network, visit www.eliteartistnetwork.com. For more on the good works of Celebrity Charity Wishes, visit www.celebritycharitywishes.org.
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