SINCE 9/11, THE TERM 'GROUND ZERO" has been used to describe, sadly, the area around the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan, New York City, and it's been rather uneasy to apply the phrase to describe the center of anything else. So, as hinted in the title of this week's blog, I am using the word "epicenter" to describe the center of things. However, the definition of the word is "the central point of something, typically a difficult or unpleasant situation." This doesn't sound too good either, does it?
Well for lack of a better term, I am using the work "epicenter" for a good thing, as earlier this week, I checked out the area of North Myrtle Beach where Main Street ends right at the beach. I was in town for a podcast as I was the guest of Wayne Troutman, who is a part of Ocean Drive Productions which produces various artists in Carolina beach music, and who also does the Surfside Stories podcast. He was very nice to have me as a guest. The interview should be released in a few weeks, but after that, I decided to go and check the area in the vicinity of Main Street.
You see, the whole beach music thing started right here some 75 years ago, and thanks to many in the area, are keeping it alive to this day. And just like Nashville in country music, beach music, while popular along the entire Grand Strand, its positive "epicenter" lies right here--near the beach. The OD Pavilion is right there (OD stands for "Ocean Drive)", the section of North Myrtle that the action takes place at. And while some popular pubs and venues, like Deckerz, reside a few blocks inland, some other familiar places that I've heard about are right here abutting the beach: HOTO's, Spanish Galleon, Buoys on the Boulevard and of course, the OD Pavilion and Arcade are right there. Then there's the stage right in the middle at the end of the road.
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| Christina Cooper Black (R) performs with Laura Kepley of The Tonez during the kickoff concert of this year's "Music on Main" in North Myrtle Beach, SC. |
As it was Tuesday afternoon, and a bit of a relatively cool (for the area) day, not much was happening. And the "horseshoe" area (the part of Main between the beach and Ocean Boulevard) was empty. However, on Thursday evening (last night as I write this), the first concert in the annual "Music on Main" series took place, with The Tonez performing. The band, which features Laura Kepley, has been a fixture here for many years, and Christina Cooper Black also came up and performed a song with them. While I wasn't there (it was my wife's birthday and her wish was to go to Brookgreen Gardens, followed by a buffet dinner at Crabby Mike's in Surfside Beach), it appeared to be a packed crowd, and I'm sure a lot was happening at the pubs surrounding the "horseshoe" was well. The area definitely does have a history to it, and I definitely will be back to explore more.
In the meantime, here's the remainder of the summer's "Music on Main" schedule is below:
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While I'm on the subject of concerts and country music, a little further south in Myrtle Beach is the Carolina Country Music Fest which also started yesterday (June 4 and will run through this weekend). Ella Langley's sometimes duet partner Riley Green headlined the opener, and it was a packed area judging from the photos of it. Luke Bryan id on tap for Friday night, with Blake Shelton and Post Malone to be featured Saturday and Sunday, respectively. I believe the weekend is sold out, however, but I figured I'd mention it in case it isn't!
RESTORING ORDER (PARTIALLY): A look at this week's Billboard Hot 100 shows, as expected, Drake surrendering several positions on the chart after dominating last week with 42 entries, including nine of the top 10, and the #1 song. While "Janice STFU" retains the top spot for a second week, 14 of his songs drop off the big chart after just one week, leaving 28 still around. Also, five of the nine songs in the top 10 fall out of that top echelon, and many of the songs that were previously displaced by the rapper return to near the top.
That includes Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" going back up to #2 and "Be Her" to #3. The two Olivia Dean songs, "So Easy (To Fall in Love)" and "Man I Need" are at #7 and 10, respectively. It's the first time that "So Easy" is ahead of "Man" (and to be honest, I like "So Easy" much better as it spends a 21st week on the SNS 100 as well). Bruno Mars' "I Just Might" is back up to #8. We do have a debut on the top 10, that being the latest from Olivia Rodrigo, "The Cure", entering at #5. Her "Drop Dead" moves back to #12.
Absent are Alex Warren's "Ordinary" and Huntrix's "Golden" from the chart, so it appears that they may be off for good, although we'll know for sure when the other Drake titles fall off. However, Kehlani's "Folded", despite charting for 50 weeks, is still here, moving back up to #18 even though it dropped below the level last week. Songs ranking below #10 for 52 weeks are removed (and below #25 for 26 weeks as well), so it's safe for either a couple more weeks, or if it drops back eight notches before that.
Michael Jackson is still a presence as "Billie Jean" moves back to #19, "Human Nature" up to #31, and "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough" re-entering at #43. Also, "Chicago", a song from his 2014 posthumous album Xscape, enters for the first time. When the song was released then, it only managed to hit the R&B chart, but now, in the wake of interest in his catalog due to the Michael biopic, the song makes its debut at #30. Thus, Jackson now has debuted with a "new" song every decade since the 1970's. "Chicago" was originally recorded for his 2001 Invincible set, but was shelved from that project, only to be revisited thirteen years later on the posthumous album.
BANGS ON THE BEACH?: Turning to my chart, Vaughan Penn racks up a second week at the top with "Bands on the Beach", maintaining a lead over Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" which held the top spot for four weeks before Vaughan knocked her out. Vaughan, in response to taking the spot, posted this cool meme in that although Ella got to the top spot first, Vaughan had bangs in her hairstyle long before Ella did!
Vaughan may have to contend with Ella in the future once more. While Brooke Combe holds at #3 with "Tears Won't Lie", Ella's "Be Her" is at #4 for a bullet as once again, women hold the first four spots. Moving into the #5 position is Tim Sidden's "Don't Let Us Fade Away". There are two new entries in the top 10, both by duos: Deb Browning and Townsend Link's "The Sea, Sand and You" (11-7) and Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson's "Too Late" (12-10).
Three entries into the top 20 are led by this week's Impact winner, Christina Cooper Black's "A New Lease on Love" (23-15), and while Aubrie Sellers inches up 21-20 with "Trigger Happy", a bigger story is North Tower's "Pretty Lady" which continues to be resilient, moving back into the top 20 (22-19) in its 37th week. The song STILL tops Pat Gwinn's "At the Beach" chart and is still listed on many other regional charts as well.
Prime movers include yet another duet, Jennifer James and Brad Cox's cover of "Suspicious Minds" (34-21), The Chelsea Curve's "Ride" (44-25), last week's Top Debut, Barry Walsh's "Star Ride" (58-35), and the Mover of the Week, The Black Keys' "Where There's Smoke There's Fire" (62-37).
NEWBIES: Among the adds this week is Megan Moroney's "Wish I Didn't", entering at #76. The song is melodic and emotional, and somewhat similar to that of Ella Langley's. This one hits in all the right places. It's her first song to hit my chart, so it's an auspicious debut for her. Several listens will seal the deal.
Suki Waterhouse enters at #78 with "Tiny Raisin". While "Back in Love" was sort of a disappointment, with this uptempo driving alt-popper, she is back in form. A production full of ambience that doesn't let up, this should return her to the upper portions of my chart.
While The Six Piece Suits released a couple of "experimental" songs recently, most notably the mid-charting "Love Felony", the Florida sextet is ready to re-invade the Carolina music scene with "High Tide, High Life", at #81. The nicely combined guitar and horn work accompanying a steady beat, and a female vocalist (new member Caroline Dixon) joining usual lead singer Kyle Hooks with harmonies from the rest of the band, pays off in a catchy presentation. The song should put them back in the upper echelon of the beach charts, in which they've been accustomed to.
The Revivalists return with "Razorblades and Runaways", coming in at #89. While the band's 2019 Take Good Care set yielded three blog number one's (including the first ever time where an act replaced itself at #1), its 2023 follow-up Pour It Out into the Night, while also successful on the alternative circuit, was sort of a disappointment here, but still managed to attain two top 25's songs on SNS. The new song is easy-going, down-to-earth, but moves along nicely with the proper mix of vocal and instrumentation, with a bit of alt-country-folk flair. Maybe a bit too mellow to return the group to the top but should be a major presence on this chart.
The Milk scored out of leftfield with the blog top 10 "I Need Your Love" and they return with "Loaded Dice' at #92. A little more in the center lane this time, but still a very unique production complete with strings and such that sets this band apart from anything else. This one gets better with each listen.
At #96 we have Arlo Parks with "Senses". While her last album, 2023's My Soft Machine was awesome, I have been having trouble finding a suitable track from her current Ambiguous Desire set. I think I finally found it with this track, which features Sampha. The haunting sound of her 2023 song "Weightless" comes back to an extent here. This one might have a chance, at least to top her other songs from this set.....Beach singer Barry Duke enters at #100 with "Written in the Key of You", a nicely crafted beach song punctuated with horns. Barry previously reached the top 30 with Sharon Woodruff of the Main Event Band last year with "Sometimes Love Is Not Enough". This one is nice and soulful.
And "bubbling under" in the Tremors section is Phoebe Ryan's "Yours", which is sort of a full circle for her as she originally debuted with "Mine" back in 2015. This is heartfelt pop with great production. Finally, we have Grace Potter's "Love Me Not". While her last few releases were in the pop realm, this one is more of a haunting vocal to start things off, before picking up halfway through, touching even into gospel territory.
VOTING CORNER: More congratulations are in store for Karen Wallo, who once again advanced to the next round by finishing first once again, in her group. She thus advances to the top five. Keep on supporting her. Once again, you can vote via this link: Karen Wallo | The People's Artist presented by Johnny Depp, and here to see her artwork: Artist,Vocalist, Animal Advocate| home|karenwallo-fineart.com/
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
May 31, 2026
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  (Single Release) (2 Weeks at #1) |
9 |
|
2 |
2 |
20 |
|
|
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
|
4 |
4 |
14 |
|
|
5 |
6 |
9 |
|
|
6 |
5 |
16 |
|
|
7 |
11 |
5 |
|
|
8 |
10 |
8 |
|
|
9 |
7 |
10 |
|
|
10 |
12 |
7 |
|
|
11 |
9 |
14 |
|
|
12 |
8 |
10 |
|
|
13 |
15 |
12 |
|
|
14 |
17 |
10 |
|
|
15 |
23 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  (Single Release) |
6 |
|
16 |
14 |
12 |
|
|
17 |
13 |
13 |
|
|
18 |
19 |
11 |
|
|
19 |
22 |
37 |
|
|
20 |
21 |
8 |
|
|
21 |
35 |
3 |
|
|
22 |
31 |
5 |
|
|
23 |
28 |
10 |
|
|
24 |
20 |
15 |
|
|
25 |
44 |
4 |
|
|
26 |
26 |
18 |
|
|
27 |
25 |
10 |
|
|
28 |
16 |
15 |
|
|
29 |
33 |
6 |
|
|
30 |
34 |
7 |
|
|
31 |
36 |
7 |
|
|
32 |
37 |
6 |
|
|
33 |
18 |
16 |
|
|
34 |
40 |
6 |
|
|
35 |
46 |
5 |
|
|
36 |
58 |
2 |
|
|
37 |
62 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  "Where There's Smoke There's Fire" Album: Peaches! |
2 |
|
38 |
51 |
5 |
|
|
39 |
56 |
3 |
|
|
40 |
32 |
17 |
|
|
41 |
43 |
10 |
|
|
42 |
27 |
20 |
|
|
43 |
45 |
9 |
|
|
44 |
53 |
4 |
|
|
45 |
50 |
7 |
|
|
46 |
24 |
16 |
|
|
47 |
52 |
5 |
|
|
48 |
29 |
13 |
|
|
49 |
63 |
3 |
|
|
50 |
30 |
18 |
|
|
51 |
65 |
3 |
|
|
52 |
38 |
13 |
|
|
53 |
64 |
3 |
|
|
54 |
42 |
17 |
|
|
55 |
39 |
11 |
|
|
56 |
59 |
6 |
|
|
57 |
41 |
14 |
|
|
58 |
60 |
19 |
|
|
59 |
61 |
7 |
|
|
60 |
47 |
8 |
|
|
61 |
67 |
5 |
|
|
62 |
71 |
4 |
|
|
63 |
66 |
12 |
|
|
64 |
80 |
2 |
|
|
65 |
68 |
5 |
|
|
66 |
70 |
5 |
|
|
67 |
73 |
3 |
|
|
68 |
55 |
17 |
|
|
69 |
82 |
3 |
|
|
70 |
69 |
7 |
|
|
71 |
93 |
2 |
|
|
72 |
49 |
13 |
|
|
73 |
79 |
4 |
|
|
74 |
48 |
15 |
|
|
75 |
54 |
9 |
|
|
76 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  Album: Cloud 9 |
1 |
|
77 |
97 |
2 |
|
|
78 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
79 |
75 |
5 |
|
|
80 |
92 |
2 |
|
|
81 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
82 |
89 |
2 |
|
|
83 |
95 |
2 |
|
|
84 |
57 |
17 |
|
|
85 |
100 |
2 |
|
|
86 |
83 |
4 |
|
|
87 |
91 |
2 |
|
|
88 |
101 |
1 |
|
|
89 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
90 |
72 |
17 |
|
|
91 |
104 |
1 |
|
|
92 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
93 |
77 |
21 |
|
|
94 |
103 |
1 |
|
|
95 |
105 |
1 |
|
|
96 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
97 |
102 |
1 |
|
|
98 |
84 |
17 |
|
|
99 |
86 |
21 |
|
|
100 |
--- |
1 |
Tremors:
101. Phoebe Ryan, Yours
102. Grace Potter, Love Me Not
Tremors: Songs which have steady or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS 100.
Murmurs:
sombr - Potential
Murmurs: Songs which are in the queue for future adds onto the Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist.
|
Songs with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week
●Songs garnering 25 plays on Spotify (“Scrobbles”) according to Last.Fm (effective October 2024) ▲ Songs garnering 50 plays.
Songs on the SNS 100 are included on the following public Spotify playlists
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves Top 40: Contains songs in positions 1-40 on the SNS 100
Scenes 41-100 and Newbies Songs in Positions 41-100 on the SNS 100 plus new additions
Scenes Recurrents: Songs which had been in the top 20 and/or songs on the chart 25 weeks or more, that have dropped off the SNS 100.
(Rob Sheldon is a music fan who has followed music trends the past 60 years, and covers new and classic music, specializing in pop, rock, alternative, beach, soul and country genres). He can be contacted at rsheldonx4804@gmail.com
