Fall Dance Frenzy
Georgia College & State University will host the Swingin’ Medallions on Saturday, September 15.
“Fall Dance Frenzy” will be from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Centennial Center. The Swingin’ Medallions will be playing all sorts of music at this dance.
Called “the party band of the south,” The Swingin’ Medallions have been a southern tradition for 38 years. They are sponsored by the Coors Brewing Company. Jon McElrath, the founder, leads the nine-member group. Although the members have changed since the beginning, the current members are Shawn McElrath, Shane McElrath (both sons of Jon McElrath), Wayne Free, Robby Cox, Chris Crowe, Richard Loper, Ashby Stokes, and Josh Campbell. Today’s Medallions have performed together for more than 13 years.
“They bring a lot of old songs back into the present day,” said Jill McCart, a GC&SU student. “They are a lively band.”
The Medallions have played at colleges all over the United States. Their 1999 appearances included Las Vegas’ Caesar’s Palace, West Palm’s famed Sun Fest, and Atlanta’s landmark Lakewood Amphitheater.
Their 200 appearances included Underground Atlanta’s Super Bowl Party, Savannah’s historical St. Patrick’s Day celebration, the Georgia Dome, a return trip to Sun Fest and two events that were selected as USA Today’s Top Ten Southeast Festivals, the Jekyll Island’s Beach Music Festival and the Trussville, Alabama “Dog Daze.”
“Their concerts are always fun,” said McCart.
The band became popular in 1966 with the release of their one million seller “Double Shot of My Baby’s Love” – a song they still play today. The cast of “Ally McBeal” even sang along with the original version of this song on a 1998 episode. The song was also included in the NBC miniseries, “The 60s,” in 1999.
Performer Bruce Springsteen called that song “the greatest fraternity rock song of all time,” and he stills plays “Double Shot” in his concerts today.
This song was followed by other hits like “She Drives Me Out of My Mind” and “Hey, Hey Baby.”
The Medallions released the first re-recording of “Double Shot” on the CD Original Coors Beach Party- Volume 1. Volume 2, another assortment of great party songs, was released in May of 2000. The group’s first CD release of original music will be out later this fall. All of their music is produced and recorded in their own studio, located in Greenwood, South Carolina.
“Their music hits people of all ages,” said Jeanne McHan, the Cultural Events and Courses Program Coordinator. “They don’t have a particular style. They are a real party band.”
“My parents love them,” said Stephanie Garrett, GC&SU student.
This dance is open to the community. Tickets are $25 per person, and IDs will be checked. If you plan on attending, bring your own picnic basket. If you have any questions, please contact Jeanne McHan at 445-2756.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Sep 14 2001. Filed under Features.
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