A LOT TO TALK ABOUT this, week as the results of the Carolina Beach Music Awards (CAMMYS) were revealed last weekend, while a lot to mention on the Billboard Hot 100 as one song extends its record, just holding off a perennial Halloween song. Several Halloween songs peak at new highs, while we have the first two Christmas songs on the chart. So let's get with it.
On November 8, the annual Carolina Beach Music Awards were held at the Alabama Theatre. Probably to no one's surprise, if you've been following the regional charts down here, "Pretty Lady" by North Tower, a cover of a 1973 song by Canadian jazz-rock band Lighthouse, nabbed the "Song of the Year" honors. The song hit #1 on many charts here, including Pat Gwinn's "At the Beach" listing for almost one calendar year, where it still resides in the top 10. The song set a record here on my SNS 100 chart as well, hitting #1 for 12 weeks, smashing the old record of 8 set by The Black Keys' "Fever" in 2014. As a result of the win, the song jumps back on my chart at #100, in its 48th week.
Meanwhile, speaking of setting records, Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" won the National Dance/Shag Song, adding to its already lengthy list of accomplishments. The song got significant airplay in the beach music community and recently had a four-week run at the top on John Hook's Beach Music Top 40, where it's now #2. On the Hot 100 the song keeps rolling along, logging a record-extending 27th week at #1. The song also resurges on the SNS 100 back into the top 20, re-gaining Impact honors, moving 25 to 19 in its 42nd week here. More on that song later.
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| Vaughan Penn was named "Rising Star" at the annual Beach Music Awards show held at the Alabama Theatre in North Myrtle Beach on November 8. |
As for other award winners, as I predicted, Vaughan Penn won Rising Star honors. While the singer-songwriter has had a lengthy list of credentials, her arrival into the beach music community this year was a raging success, often appearing at the local venues, not only as a gig headliner, but to assist others who performed. And as I suggested, she did perform "Bands on the Beach" at the show. That enabled the song, which hit #1 on SNS for five weeks in May and June of this year, to advance 48-45 in its 31st week.
Other winners included Laura Kepley of The Tonez for Female Vocalist; Too Much Sylvia's Steve Long won Male Vocalist, and the band itself nabbed Group of the Year as well as Music Video for "I'll Be There". Album honors went to Rivermist's Right Place Right Time, and Craig Woolard of The Embers won as Entertainer of the Year. Charlie Sattenfield, who is a red-hot songwriter these days, won Songwriter honors with Brad Cox for The Tams' "I Tried". "Love is What I'm Talking About" by The Castaways featuring Karen Clayton won several awards, including Smoothie, Producer (Guy Brooks and Karen Clayton), and Engineer (Brooks and Hubert Dean).
The Collaboration/Duo award went to "Wait For Me" by Jim Quick, Allie Privette, and R. Mark Black, beating out two Deb Browning duets in the process. As for live venue, that went to Deckerz in North Myrtle Beach, while the Bill Griffin Club Award went to the OD Arcade, also in NMB. The Michael Branch Award went to OD Mafia's own Melissa Hinson.
Here is the list of winners and their categories, with the winners in RED.
FEMALE VOCALIST:
Deb Browning
Karen Clayton ( The Castaways)
Laura Kepley (The Tonez)
Lesa Hudson
Rhonda McDaniel (Carolina Coast Band)
Terri Gore (Classic Soul)
MALE VOCALIST:
Allen Pier (Rivermist)
Gary Lowder (Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot)
Jonathan Treece (The Tonez)
Rickey Godfrey (Carolina Coast Band)
Rick Strickland
Steve Long (Too Much Sylvia)
RISING STAR:
Groove Harbor Band
Jennifer James
Mac Daddy’s Band
Vaughan Penn
ENTERTAINER:
Craig Woolard w/ Embers feat. Craig Woolard
Gary Lowder w/ Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot
Jim Quick w/ Jim Quick & Coastline
Karen Clayton w/ Castaways
Lesa Hudson w/ Rick Strickland Band
Townsend Link w/ The Pink Slips
Steve Long w/Too Much Sylvia
SMOOTHIE:
“Every Road" Rick Strickland & Lesa Hudson
“Forevermore” Gary Lowder & Smoking Hot
"I’ll Be There" Too Much Sylvia
“Love Is What I’m Talking About" The Castaways ft Karen Clayton
“Soul Full of Sunshine” Gary “Alex” Alexander
“Wait For Me” Jim Quick & Allie Privette
SONG OF THE YEAR:
”Every Road” Rick Strickland & Lesa Hudson
“I Can’t Wait For The Weekend” Rhonda McDaniels
“I Tried” The Tams
" I’ll Be There" Too Much Sylvia
”Love Is What I’m Talking About” The Castaways
“Pretty Lady” North Tower
”Pretty Women Everywhere” Craig Woolard
NATIONAL SHAG DANCE SONG:
“Choosin’ Texas” Ella Langley
“Honey” Lenny Kravitz
"I Just might" Bruno Mars
“Just One More” California Honeydrops
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
“Best Of The Band” Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot
”Power of Two” Rick Strickland & Lesa Hudson
”Reaching For The Top” Rhonda McDaniel
”Right Place Right Time” Rivermist
GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Band of Oz
The Castaways
Embers ft Craig Woolard
Gary Lowder & Smokin' Hot
Jim Quick & Coastline
North Tower
Too Much Sylvia
COLLABORATION OR DUO
“Getaway Car” Deb Browning & Michael Fite
“Jump On It” Rhonda McDaniel & Gary Lowder
”My Heart Is Not A Toy” Jim Quick & Gary Lowder
“Suspicious Minds” Jennifer James & Brad Cox
“The Sea Sand & You” Deb Browning & Townsend Link
“Wait For Me” Jim Quick, Allie Privette & Mark Black
SONG WRITER:
Charlie Sattenfield and Brad Cox “I Tried” The Tams
Guy Brooks “Love Is What I’m Talking About” The Castaways
Jim Quick “Wait For Me” Jim Quick, Allie Privette & Mark Black
Jonathan Treece “NMBSC” The Tonez
Rick Strickland “Every Road” Rick Strickland & Lesa Hudson
Wayne Free “I Love Kissing You” Wayne Free
MUSIC VIDEO:
“Forevermore” Gary Lowder & Smokin Hot
“I’ll Be There’” Too Much Sylvia
“Lady of The Island” Rivermist
”No Place Like New Orleans” Sylvia Johns Ricthie
”Someday at Christmas” Craig Woolard & Jackie Gore
“The Sea Sand and You” Deb Browning & Townsend Link
HOT 100: Okay, let's get back to the big chart, where there's a lot to talk about. "Choosin' Texas" by Ella Langley dodged yet another bullet as the song logs its record-extending 27th week on the Billboard chart, just holding off Michael Jackson's "Thriller", which reaches not only a new Halloween-season peak of #2, but an all-time one as well. The song, originally released as the seventh single from Jackson's landmark album of the same name, originally peaked at #4 in 1984. Many were predicting that the song could hit #1, but, like many other songs this year, "Choosin' Texas" was just too strong. However, the chart measuring period for the November 14th-dated list was October 29-November 4, so that included the strongest dates for Halloween-themed play.
"Dracula", another song that many predicted would vie for the top, reached a new peak of #3. The Tame Impala featuring JENNIE song was around for last Halloween as well, and has been on the charts since, racking up 58 weeks to date. The song re-entered the SNS 100 last week and moves to #89 this week. Two other perennials that hadn't debuted last week did re-enter this week: "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr at #12 and "Monster Mash" (Bobby Boris Pickett and the Crypt-kickers) at #13. Both of these are new seasonal highs, although both were originally #1 hits. "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell moves 24-14, and "This Is Halloween" from The Nightmare Before Christmas moves 41-21. And this year we have a new Halloween song: "Spooky, Scary Skeletons" by Andrew Gold, debuting at #35 for the first time. The song was originally released in 1996 on Gold's album Halloween Howls: Fun and Scary Music. Gold, who passed away in 2011 had been known for his hits "Lonely Boy" in 1977 and "Thank You For Being a Friend" the following year, which had served as the theme from the 1980's sitcom Golden Girls.
While this was the peak of Halloween songs, which most likely will fall off next week (except for possibly "Dracula"), we have the first invasion of Christmas songs this week with Wham!'s "Last Christmas" re-entering at #37 and Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" right behind at #39.
This might be the earliest in memory that these holiday classics have entered. And it's interesting to note that "Last Christmas", which some have predicted to unseat Mariah this year, having had a new peak of #2 last year before falling back at the end, debuted higher than "All I Want". While that also actually happened last year, where "Last Christmas" entered a week before "All I Want", that was because of a previous chart policy that the number of weeks on the chart dictated the position it could re-enter in, as "All I Want" had too many weeks logged, thus had to get into the top 20 to enter. While that policy is still true, it was since amended for holiday songs, which can enter if in the top 50 regardless of the number of weeks on the chart, as Mariah had considerably more weeks than Wham! did.
So, what's going to happen regarding the next two months on the chart? Will Mariah Carey continue her reign as she's done pretty much every year? Will Wham!, as it's the 10th anniversary of George Michael's passing on Christmas Day, 2016 make it to the top? Can "Choosin' Texas" withstand both of them and dodge more bullets? Adding to the confusion is that Ella Langley is releasing another song, "Here Then We're Gone ", from the soundtrack to the upcoming Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. With "Choosin' Texas" now five weeks more than "All I Want", there's a good chance that the record will survive the season now, but with an early debut this year for the holiday songs, is that really true, in that "All I Want" could peak more than four weeks? Of course, if "Last Christmas" gets a week or so at #1, that would keep down the number of weeks the Mariah song logs.
SNS 100: Moving to my chart, "Shirley, You're Kidding" by The Mac Daddy's Band racks up a third week at the #1 slot, as it continues to move up many charts; it is now top 5 on John Hook's Beach Musci Top 40. Inching up to the runner-up spot is Sir Prize and the Twomorrow Knightz' bubblegum-flavored "Hilltop High", in its 17th week. The Jay Vons' "Want You Tomorrow" moves up a notch to #3 becoming the sixth song from its The Word album to make top three. Only Fitz and the Tantrums' More Than Just a Dream had done that prior. That album yielded five #1's and a #3; The Jay Vons' set has four number one's and a number two to go along with "Want"'s number three showing. Marlisa Kay Small's "In Way Over My Heart" jumps from #8 to #4. While Marlisa has had two prior number ones, they were both part of duets; if this one reaches the top, it would be her first solo effort to top the list. "Rein Me In", a former #1 by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean, rounds out the top five. The one new entry in the top 10 is Colorjoy's "Woman" (11-8).
In the second ten, Rick and Lesa's "Smack Dab (In the Middle of Love)" continues to advance (14-11), with The Colliflowers, Nicole Willis, and Gotts Street Park featuring Pip Millett bulleting upward. As mentioned above, "Choosin' Texas" moves back into the top 20 to grab its second Impact award (25-19); it had accomplished the feat also on February 1. Jennifer Licko lands her second top 20 as "Carolina Scot" advances 26-20. Last week's Top Debut, Starbuck's "If I Ever" lands the Mover award in a 76 to 58 move. Bruce Blackman responded to my question from last week about its promotion. He said that he planned to promote the song in January (presumably after his new Christmas song "You're My Merry Christmas" runs its course), but "If I Ever" is already getting some significant airplay and streams even without the promotion.
NEW: The Top Debut this week is Tilde's "What If You Leave". Born in Sweden, Tilde Ingram has released two albums, 2018's Nothing Gold Can Say, and 2021's Pink Moon. "What If You Leave" is the first one to make my chart. This is a cool, rather jazzy vibe with an Amy Winehouse-style soulful flair. It's definitely bone-chilling and sounds like an immediate hit. The vibe here is perfect and worthy of multiple plays. It debuts at #64 and should be a quick riser to the top.
U2 follows up its "Street of Dreams" with "Silencio". This quartet has been around continuous for 45 years and still puts out fresh music. "Street" should have gotten higher than the #41 position it achieved (although it was an alternative hit). This one is a chugger that keeps on going. Bono's voice is still intact, although a bit understated. But the guitar work is still top-notch. Should be another good jaunt up the charts. It enters at #76.
Next, at #78 is "Grace" by Shantaia. Born in Canada, she is now Nashville-based, and the song is blues-flavored country and is very addictive. She is very soulful as well and is recognized as a rising country star, and once to watch. The guitar work is excellent, too.
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| Debbie Harry of Blondie which released "Spectral Eyes", its first new music in nine years. |
Blondie is back. Yes, the outfit headed by Debbie Harry has returned with "Spectral Eyes". It's the band's first output since 2017 and from the band's forthcoming album High Noon, due in February 2027. Hawthorne NJ's Ms. Harry, now 81 has a voice that it a bit different from prior work but still holds up fairly well, especially for her age. The song reminds me a bit of "Dreaming" but it's their own work. This gets better with repeated listens, and you'll realize this is vintage Blondie. The band made my chart twice with their last album, 2017's Pollinator, with "Long Time" (#24), and "Fun" (#46) and should at least equal those with this one.
Also debuting are Irish band Bell X1's "Atlas", a rather melodic thing that perhaps echoes a bit of Fleetwood Mac (#82) although more in a folk-ish vein...The Amplifier Heads follow-up to "A Song Called Sha La La", "They Don't Dance Anymore", a rather folkish song with strong alt-rock guitar backing to it (#84); and finally, The Rainy Day Outlaws' "Demon Inside" a rather haunting, bluesy thing with a southern blues backing (#88).
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
November 8, 2026
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  Single Release (3 Weeks at #1) |
12 |
|
2 |
3 |
17 |
|
|
3 |
4 |
11 |
|
|
4 |
8 |
8 |
|
|
5 |
2 |
14 |
|
|
6 |
6 |
17 |
|
|
7 |
5 |
11 |
|
|
8 |
11 |
5 |
|
|
9 |
7 |
12 |
|
|
10 |
10 |
16 |
|
|
11 |
14 |
5 |
|
|
12 |
9 |
15 |
|
|
13 |
12 |
18 |
|
|
14 |
16 |
10 |
|
|
15 |
20 |
Nicole Willis and the Soul Investigators - If This Ain't Love |
5 |
|
16 |
19 |
7 |
|
|
17 |
18 |
11 |
|
|
18 |
13 |
14 |
|
|
19 |
25 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  Album: Dandelion |
42 |
|
20 |
26 |
8 |
|
|
21 |
15 |
14 |
|
|
22 |
17 |
14 |
|
|
23 |
22 |
27 |
|
|
24 |
32 |
4 |
|
|
25 |
31 |
6 |
|
|
26 |
21 |
15 |
|
|
27 |
37 |
5 |
|
|
28 |
30 |
8 |
|
|
29 |
24 |
15 |
|
|
30 |
23 |
13 |
|
|
31 |
28 |
17 |
|
|
32 |
34 |
8 |
|
|
33 |
36 |
4 |
|
|
34 |
33 |
16 |
|
|
35 |
39 |
7 |
|
|
36 |
35 |
9 |
|
|
37 |
40 |
9 |
|
|
38 |
51 |
3 |
|
|
39 |
42 |
7 |
|
|
40 |
27 |
12 |
|
|
41 |
44 |
4 |
|
|
42 |
41 |
36 |
|
|
43 |
50 |
7 |
|
|
44 |
29 |
13 |
|
|
45 |
48 |
31 |
|
|
46 |
49 |
7 |
|
|
47 |
38 |
12 |
|
|
48 |
43 |
15 |
|
|
49 |
58 |
4 |
|
|
50 |
52 |
8 |
|
|
51 |
53 |
6 |
|
|
52 |
56 |
8 |
|
|
53 |
47 |
19 |
|
|
54 |
69 |
3 |
|
|
55 |
46 |
12 |
|
|
56 |
45 |
7 |
|
|
57 |
57 |
6 |
|
|
58 |
76 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  (Single Release) |
2 |
|
59 |
64 |
3 |
|
|
60 |
67 |
3 |
|
|
61 |
66 |
4 |
|
|
62 |
68 |
4 |
|
|
63 |
63 |
5 |
|
|
64 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  (Single Release) |
1 |
|
65 |
62 |
6 |
|
|
66 |
81 |
2 |
|
|
67 |
54 |
21 |
|
|
68 |
75 |
3 |
|
|
69 |
61 |
28 |
|
|
70 |
72 |
4 |
|
|
71 |
78 |
3 |
|
|
72 |
79 |
2 |
|
|
73 |
55 |
10 |
|
|
74 |
87 |
2 |
|
|
75 |
84 |
2 |
|
|
76 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
77 |
85 |
2 |
|
|
78 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
79 |
60 |
13 |
|
|
80 |
59 |
14 |
|
|
81 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
82 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
83 |
89 |
3 |
|
|
84 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
85 |
77 |
6 |
|
|
86 |
82 |
13 |
|
|
87 |
86 |
23 |
|
|
88 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
89 |
94 |
26 |
|
|
90 |
65 |
9 |
|
|
91 |
70 |
16 |
|
|
92 |
93 |
30 |
|
|
93 |
71 |
13 |
|
|
94 |
74 |
9 |
|
|
95 |
83 |
7 |
|
|
96 |
73 |
6 |
|
|
97 |
91 |
Sylvia Johns
Ritchie and Doyle Wood - I've Got the Just Can't Help Its |
27 |
|
98 |
99 |
2 |
|
|
99 |
88 |
19 |
|
|
100 |
RE ENTRY |
48 |
Tremors:
101. Too Much Sylvia - I'll Be There
Tremors: Songs which have steady or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS 100.
Murmurs:
Murmurs: Songs which are in the queue for future adds onto the Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist.
Holiday Songs:
Starbuck - You're My Merry Christmas
Sir Prize and the Twomorrow Knightz - Little Jolly Joseph/Rudolph's Disco Party
Deb Browning - Christmas Is
Olivia Rodrigo - Take Me Home (4 Christmas)
|
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
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