Happy New Year

Hello All-

Safe travels to all, thanks to all that have been part of our book in 2014, and I hope to see you soon in 2015.
-Daniel
December 31, 2014

New Store Carrying Our Book

Hello All-

If you're in Salisbury, NC, the Literary Bookpost (www.literarybookpost.com) is now carrying There Was A Time, as well as all of our fine Fort Canoga Press books. Stop by, check out the cool store, and check out our books. Thanks,
-Daniel
November 30, 2014

Huckleberry Mudflap, "Eyes Of Blue"

Hello All-

I've written previously about Huckleberry Mudflap, a great band from Beaufort, NC that formed in 1969. What we thought was their lone single, "Blue Surf", is a hands-down Carolina classic. Now, we've learned that there was at least one more Huckleberry Mudflap single. "Eyes Of Blue" recently showed up on Youtube, and the original 45 recently popped up on Ebay. This song definitely cements the band's status as North Carolina's own version of the Left Banke. Which is high praise from this fan. Listen on, and if this single's B-Side shows up, we'll post links to it. Thanks,
-Daniel
November 17, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d44drpjzvqQ

Photos from Saturday's show now online

Hello All-

Go to my own blog, danielcoston.blogspot.com, for pics from our big show last Saturday night. Thanks to all of you that came out, and we will do that again. Thanks, and talk to you soon,
-Daniel
November 17, 2014

RIP Tim Tatum of the Stowaways

Hello All-

Tim Tatum, lead singer of the Stowaways, has passed away. Tim and the Stowaways recorded their lone album In Our Time for Justice Records in 1966, and is available via Collectibles Music. We interviewed Tim for our book. A fine album, fronted by a very fine gentleman, and one that all of us who knew him will miss.

-Daniel

November 12, 2014

Upcoming Schedule For Where You Can Buy Our Book

Happy holidays! There’s a lot going on here. I’ve got a few book signings and discussions coming up throughout North Carolina. Here’s the schedule. Email me if you would like more info on any of these events. Thanks, and see you on the road.

-Daniel

November 15th- Double Door Inn, Charlotte, NC. MC’ing and playing with the Mannish Boys, and Shelia and Max of Arhooly. 9pm showtime. Books will be available at the show.

November 19th- Southern Christmas Show, Charlotte, NC. Christmas stage, 2pm to 3pm. 

November 22nd- Book talk! I’ll be talking about both my NC Musicians book, and my NC 1960s Rock & Roll book. Photos, and copies of all my books will be a available. 11:30am to 1pm. University City Library, Charlotte, NC, near UNCC. See flyer for more details.

November 29th- Literary Bookpost bookstore, Salisbury, NC, from 3 to 5pm. All of my books will be available for purchase.

December 20th- Mast General Store, Boone, NC, from 11am to 4pm. Talking about and signing my North Carolina Musicians book. 

-Daniel 

November 12, 2014

Mannish Boys/Max & Shelia of Arhooly show at the Double Door Inn on November 15th

Spread the word! November 15th at 9pm. The grand return of Max Drake and Shelia Carlisle of Arhooly to the Double Door Inn stage, with the fabulous Mannish Boys! The Boys will be on at 9pm, and will join in with Max & Shelia's set. Tickets are available at the door, and at the Maxxmusic.com website. See you on the 15th!
-Daniel
November 3, 2014

A Quick Note About A New Release From Myself And Fort Canoga Press

Hello All-

I'm proud to announce that my new book, The Briarhoppers: The Circle Rolls On, is now available. This project started three years ago as a collaboration between myself and Dwight Moody, featuring my years of photographing The Legendary WBT Briarhoppers. After Dwight's passing, I decided to finish the book, which features 12 years of my photos of the band from their original members, to the current lineup. This is the first time that Fort Canoga Press has released a book with full color photos, and also features my own recollections of the people that have made the band so special. Check it out at the link below. Thanks, and I hope to see you at one of my upcoming book signings.

-Daniel

October 30, 2014

http://www.amazon.com/The-Briarhoppers-Circle-Rolls-On/dp/0692312137

A couple of recent finds via the Carolinas Rock & Roll Remembered Facebook page

1970 Battle Of The Bands program, in Raleigh. The photos of the Prime Source and Chosen Few were accidentally switched, hence the notations.

And here's a very cool poster for a Huckleberry Mudflap show in the Outer Banks, circa 1970. Check out their single "Blue Surf" on this website.

More soon,
-Daniel
October 15, 2014

Kilgo's Canteen footage found!

Hello All-

Mike Dugo of 60sgaragebands.com emailed me this morning and asked, "Have you seen this yet?" A few days ago, someone posted footage from Kilgo's Canteen, the WSOC dance show in Charlotte, NC that ran from 1958 to 1970. The show is featured in our book, and includes an interview with its host, Jimmy Kilgo. Up until now, no footage was known to exist.

Here it is, the Myers Park High School Jug Band on the show in 1966. And it's in color! If you know of, and have more footage from this show, please contact us. We'd love to see it.
-Daniel
October 15, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDonXFuSPK4

Photos from our recent Woggles/Temperance League/Modern Primitives show

Hello All-

Check out our photos from our show here-

http://danielcoston.blogspot.com/2014/09/wogglestemperance-leaguemodern.html

Enjoy,
-Daniel
October 10, 2014

Reminder Of Our Big Kick Out The Garage Show Tonight At Snug Harbor

Tonight!!! It's time for our 2nd Annual Kick Out The Garage spectacular tomorrow night (September 27th) at Snug Harbor, with The Woggles,Temperance League and Modern Primitives. Doors at 9pm, show at 10pm. See you there.
-Daniel 
September 27, 2014

Young Ages video from our June show

Hello All-

Jan Jenson has posted this video on Facebook of the Young Ages performing at our show in June. Enjoy, and I hope to see you out at the Woggles/Temperance League/Modern Primitives show at Snug on September 27th.
-Daniel
September 17, 2014


https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152321435021711&set=vb.372360971710&type=2&theater

Poster Design For Our Kick Out The Garage Show On August 27th

Poster design by the awesome Shawn Lynch. Hope to see you there.
-Daniel
August 27, 2014

The Young Ages, "In My Own Time"

Hello All-

One of the joys of this project has been discovered songs that might have been otherwise lost to time. Such is the case with the "lost" Decca Records demo by the Young Ages. Formed at North Meck High in 1966, the sextet were one of Charlotte's most popular bands during the Summer Of Love. In 1968, the band won a Big WAYS (AM 610) Battle Of The Bands contest.  The band received a demo deal with Decca, and the chance to tour nationally.

The band recorded two songs at Arthur Smith Studios in the summer of 1968, The Four Tops' "Reach Out (I'll Be There)", and this song from the Bee Gees' first album. Soon after, two of the band members were drafted into Vietnam, robbing them of the chance to tour. The band was never the same, and their tape was later lost.

Through a series of circumstances, Melvin Cohen of Reliable Music ended up with the Young Ages demo. When Cohen passed away in 2004, the bulk of Cohen's collection was retrieved by Zan McLeod, who came up in the same Charlotte music scene as the Young Ages. It was McLeod that found the Young Ages tape, and personally delivered the tape to the band members from his current home base of Washington, DC.

In June of this year, I had the great honor of playing this song on WNCW, marking the first time that the song was played on the radio. And now, here it is online. Listen on, and enjoy.
-Daniel
August 20, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7m4kyPaLwo

Kick Out The Garage returns to Snug Harbor on September 27th

While I'm announcing my involvement with upcoming shows in Charlotte, let's announce another big one. Kick Out The Garage: From The 60s To Now returns to Snug Harbor on Sept. 27th, starring Garage Rock legends The Woggles, with Temperance League, and Modern Primitives. Doors at 9pm, show at 10pm. MC'ed by yours truly. Spread the word, and let Rock & Roll save the world.
-Daniel
August 11, 2014

Shirley Hughey, "Pink And Green"

Hello All-

While we're celebrating the announcement of our upcoming Mannish Boys/Sheila & Max of Arhooly reunion show at the Double Door Inn on November 15th, we decided to crank this Carolina nugget. Bandit Records, Asheville, NC, 1969. Is it psychedelia? Pop? Proto-funk? Why, yes. And the story behind the song is even funkier than we first knew. Check out our book for the full story on this song. Until then, play this loud, and let the groove wash all over you. Until next time,
-Daniel
August 11, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5TaHowMO4o

Announcement of Double Door Inn show on November 15th, 2014

Double Door Inn, November 15th, 9pm. The return of Max Drake and Shelia Grady Carlisle of Arhooly to the Double Door, co-headlining with the fabulous Mannish Boys. MC'ed by Daniel Coston. Spread the word, it's gonna be fun. More soon.
-Daniel 
August 11, 2014

The Marke 5, "Pay"

Hello All-

With our book promotion done for the moment, let's crank some of the songs that we feature in our book. This one comes from the fertile Fayetteville, NC scene, circa 1966. The Marke 5, and "Pay". You can also find this one of the Tobacco A Go Go Volumes. Enjoy.
-Daniel
August 5, 2014

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLP8GBENaPM

Shutter 16 Photos from Our Museum Of History Event Last Month

Thanks, Dianna!
-Daniel
July 25, 2014

http://shutter16.com/mannish-boys-play-charlotte-museum-of-history/ 

NC Battle Of The Bands program, Durham, NC, 1967

Hello All-

This recently popped  up on the Growing Up In Durham Facebook page. An original program from the 1967 NC Battle Of The Bands. Were you there? Were you in any of these bands? Please write us and let us know. Talk to you soon,
-Daniel

Thanks

Hello All-

Thanks to everyone that came out for last week's Charlotte 60s Reunion at Neighborhood Theatre. A good time was had by all, and we're looking at a third annual event next year. Stay tuned. Our book is now available on Amazon, or by contacting us directly. Your local bookstore should also be able to order our book for you, if you ask nicely.

In the meantime, my co-author Jake Berger and his Mannish Boys are now gearing up with more shows. Check them out on Facebook, or at www.blogger.com/mannishboysnc. You can also check out a new interview I did with James Lowe of the Electric Prunes on my blog, danielcoston.blogspot.com.

Happy Fourth, free your mind, and thanks again,
-Daniel
July 3, 2014

Another Nice Article About Our Show On Saturday

Hope to see you there.
-Daniel
June 19, 2014

http://bit.ly/1m1x0DZ

Playlist For My WNCW Appearance

Nova Local- If You Only Had The Time

Grifs- Keep Dreamin'

Paragons- Abba

Pink And Green- Shirley Hughey

Young Ages- In My Own Time

Psychic Motion- Big Teaser

Satyrs- Don't Be Surprised

Sundown- 18th Edition

Mannish Boys- Hey Rosalyn

Words Of Luv- I'd Have To Be Out Of My Kind

Thee Dirtybeats- Cool One

Sacred Irony- I See Love

Fabulous Wunz- If I Cry

Huckleberry Mudflap- Blue Surf

-Daniel

June 19, 2014

My Fox 46's Coverage Of The Book, And Last Week's Event

Enjoy! Thanks, David.
-Daniel
Jun 18, 2014

http://www.myfoxcarolinas.com/story/25764097/history-of-charlotte-rock-and-roll

We'll Be On WNCW Again This Wednesday, June 18th

Hello All-

I'll be on WNCW again this Wednesday, June 18th at 1pm, playing records that are featured in There Was A Time: Rock & Roll In The 1960s In Charlotte, And North Carolina. That's 88.7FM in North Carolina, or always online at www.wncw.org. See you on the radio.

-Daniel

June 14, 2014 

Our Big Events This Week, And Next Week

Here's a reminder of our upcoming events to celebrate the second edition release of There Was A Time. Hope to see you there. -There Was A Time book event at the Charlotte Museum Of History. June 12th, 6pm, free admission. Discussion by yours truly about the music featured in the book, and performance by the Mannish Boys. -2nd annual Charlotte '60s Rock & Roll Reunion. Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte, NC. With Thee Dirtybeats, the Young Ages, Good Bad & The Ugly, and the Mannish Boys. MC'ed by yours truly. $15. 7pm doors, 8pm show.
-Daniel
June 9, 2014

There Was A Time Second Edition Is Now Available

It's now available! The second edition of There Was A Time: Rock & Roll In The 1960s In Charlotte, And North Carolina is now ready for purchase. This new edition features a whole new design by Greg Russell, several new interviews, newly found photos, discography, index, and a more complete story of the Rock & Roll scene in North Carolina during that remarkable time. My thanks as always to my co-author Jake Berger, Donny Fletcher, and everyone that's been a part of this project. Please come out to our events at the Charlotte Museum Of History on June 12th, and our big release party/Charlotte 60s Reunion concert at Neighborhood Theatre on June 21st. Until then, safe travels. http://www.amazon.com/There-Was-Time-Charlotte-Carolina/dp/0615809405

Facebook Event Pages For Our Upcoming Book Reissue

Hello All-

Here's the event pages for the release of the second edition of There Was A Time. The June 12th event will feature a talk by yours truly, and is free to all. Afterwards, you'll be good and ready for our big blow-out release party at Neighborhood Theatre on June 21st, with the Mannish Boys, Young Ages, Good Bad & The Ugly (GBU), and Thee Dirtybeats. Spread the word, and see you there.
https://www.facebook.com/events/780324691986161/?context=create&ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming&source=49 https://www.facebook.com/events/540826286025956/?context=create&ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming&source=49

-Daniel
May 7, 2014

Tickets Are Now Available For Our June 21st Show

See you there,
-Daniel
April 24, 2014

http://www.neighborhoodtheatre.com/event/557055-charlotte-1960s-rock-roll-charlotte/

Standells In North Carolina on April 27th and 28th

One of the most influential Garage Rock bands was the Standells. Their biggest hit, "Dirty Water" has now been embraced my multiple generations as their own, and their catalog is a staple of Nuggets and 1960s music fans worldwide. 

The Standells have recently reformed, released a new album (entitled "Bump") and are making a rare stop in North Carolina next week. The band, which features founding members Russ Tamblyn and John Fleckenstein, will kick off their tour at Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte on Sunday, April 27th. The band will then headline at Local 506 in Chapel Hill the following night, April 28th. Opening for the Standells will be Thee Dirtybeats, featuring Tobacco A Go Go's legendary swami of Carolina coolness, Ken Friedman. Thee Dirtybeats will also close out our release party for our book's 2nd edition at Neighborhod Theatre in Charlotte on June 21st. (You hadn't heard that yet? Well, you just heard it here first.)

So, let's review. Standells. North Carolina. April 27th at Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte, and Local 506 in Chapel Hill on April 28th. Come one, come all, and I'll see you at both, if not both shows.

-Daniel

April 19, 2014

Announcement of release of 2nd edition of There Was A Time

Announcing the release of the second edition of There Was A Time: Rock & Roll In The 1960s In Charlotte, And North Carolina. Now with more interviews, more photos, a new design, and a more complete story of the music and people that defined what Rock & Roll was in North Carolina during the 1960s.

We have not one, but two big events to celebrate the new edition's release.

June 12th - Charlotte Museum Of History, 6pm. Co-author Daniel Coston will present a talk about the music of North Carolina during the 1960s, and show many rare and never-before-seen photos from that time. The evening will conclude with a short set by co-author Jacob "Jake" Berger and the Mannish Boys. Free admission.

June 21st - Neighborhood Theatre, 8pm. The 2nd annual Charlotte 60s reunion show. With the Young Ages, Good Bad & The Ugly (GBU), Mannish Boys, and one more awesome band to be announced soon. Tickets are $15, and will be available in advance, or at the door. 

Copies of There Was A Time will be available at both events. Look for event pages for both events on Facebook soon, and check out therewasatimebook.blogspot.com, or fortcanogapress.blogspot.com for more info. 

The Satyrs, "Don't Be Surprised"

"Have you heard of this record?" Ken Friedman, creator of the legendary Tobacco A Go Go series of 1960s NC Garage Rock, emailed me that question one Sunday morning, as I was finishing up work on the first edition of our book. To that point, I had largely struck out on information on bands from the Western NC area.

To my astonishment, searching out the record that Ken asked about led me to the motherlode that I had been looking for. The Satyrs were one of the most popular bands in Asheville during the 1960s. In the winter of 1965, the band spent an evening at a local department store, making a crude recording of two of their songs, "Don't Be Surprised" and "Blue Blue World".

Decades later, the bandmembers discovered that the single had not only reached people beyond Asheville, but that the single had been put on various compilations. When Miles Britton and Mountain Xpress Magazine began his seven-part series on Asheville bands of the 1960s, the Satyrs were part one, and deservedly so. These articles are remarkable for how much they document an amazing, albeit brief time in the musical history in Asheville. More cities and newspapers need to be doing things like this.

It has also come to light recently that the Satyrs recorded eight songs at Mark V Studios in Greenville, SC in 1966, and that the recordings had been found. In hearing these recordings, I can honestly tell you that these are some of the best recordings from that era that I've heard in some time, and I really hope that these songs find their way to the public soon.

For now, enjoy the original Satyrs 45, which sparkles with youthful energy and Rock & Roll glory. You can also find a link to the Mountain Xpress articles via this page. Will our second edition of the book feature more information on bands like the Satyrs? Don't be surprised.
-Daniel
March 6, 2014

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RXOgBUcLP4

Save The Dates, More Info Soon

June 12, 6pm

June 21, 8pm

More info soon.

-Daniel

February 24, 2014

Updated There Was A Time edition/Charlotte 60s reunion

Hello All-

I'm happy to announce that we're working on an updated edition of There Was A Time. So much new information has come in since we published the book last year, that we decided to put it all in a second edition, with some extra surprises. Stay tuned.

Also, for those of you who came to our Charlotte 60s Reunion concert last June, we're going to be doing that show again. Your favorites from last year will be back, along with some new reunions. I'll be announcing the lineup, and show date and time soon.

More soon. Safe travels,
-Daniel
February 7, 2014

Rock & Roll Of The Carolinas Facebook page

Hello All-

My friend Vance Pollock, who hosts the Riffin show on Ashevillefm.com, has started a Facebook page for Rock & Roll history in the Carolinas. If you dig this music, or were involved in the music of the Carolinas, please stop in and say hello at-

https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/ncrockhistory/

My thanks to Vance for the shout-out to the book, and this site. Lots more about the book coming soon. Stay tuned,

-Daniel

February 1, 2014

Grifs photos, and bandmembers found

Hello All-

One of the joys of working on this book is discovering bands like the Grifs. The band came from the town that I have lived in for 30 years (Charlotte, NC), yet I knew little about them. Their 1965 single "Catch A Ride" stakes a claim as possessing one of the heaviest Fuzztone sounds of that year, months ahead of what was happening in New York, San Francisco or London.

For years, people have heard this song, as well as follow-up "Keep Dreaming", on a variety of compilations. However, no one knew what the band looked like. Singer and main songwriter Barry Stacks had lost all of his photos and memorabilia in a flood in the 1980s, and he had lost touch with the other bandmembers. For a number of months, I have intended to solve these mysteries.

Last weekend, I finally put the pieces together. Within an hour of each other, I located bandmembers Robert Crawford and Roy Skinner. With much sadness, I also discovered that guitarist Mike Wingate had passed away in 2010, after years of playing in various bands around Charlotte. After getting in touch with Mike's widow, I look forward to having more of the band's history, and visual record documented soon.

In talking to Robert Crawford, it turned out that a Grifs promo pic has been posted on his Facebook page for some time. Not even he was aware of how popular the Grifs had become, all these years later. When he sent me this photo this week, I felt like a kid at Christmas. THIS was the Grifs. Here they are. Enjoy.

More on this, and the Grifs soon. Until then, keep dreaming. Rest In Peace, Mike Wingate.
-Daniel
January 25, 2014

PS., l-r, Mike Wingate, Robert Crawford, Roy Skinner, Barry Stacks

Ugly Things review/Booksigning In Shelby On March 22nd

Hello All-

I'm happy to report that the NC 1960s book got a very nice review in the new issue of Ugly Things Magazine. Ugly Things is a fantastic magazine that has supported the Garage Rock, Psychedelia and other genres since 1983. Check it out online, and pick up a copy. 

I'm also happy to report that I'll be doing a booksigning for both my NC 60s book, and the North Carolina Musicians photo/interview book at Fireside Books in Shelby, NC on March 22nd at 2pm. I'll talk, I'll sign books (hopefully) and maybe we'll play some records while we're there. I hope to see you there. Thanks,

-Daniel

January 20, 2014  

Barons photo, Charlotte, NC, 1966

Hello All-

Recently, a photo was discovered of Pat Walters' first band, the Sinclairs. Today, an almost-forgotten photo of Walters' next band, the Barons, was discovered and put up on Facebook. This photo dates from 1966. Walters and Tim Moore would join the Paragons later that same year, and record the legendary "Abba" single. Walters and Barons drummer Phil Lowe would also form the Good Bad & The Ugly in 1968. Here's that photo.

Do you have photos of Rock & Roll bands from North Carolina during the 1960s? Videos? MP3's? Please email me at danielcoston at aol dot com. Keep the awesomeness coming.
-Daniel
January 13, 2014

Sinclairs, Charlotte, NC, 1964

Hello All-

For those of you that have read There Was A Time, you'll recognize the name of the Sinclairs. This was the first band for Charlotte, NC legend Pat Walters, who went on to play with the Barons, Paragons, Good Bad & The Ugly, and the Spongetones, among others. Pat talked about the Sinclairs in our book, but no photos of the band had surfaced. Until now.

When I saw this photo online recently, I knew that a true gem had been discovered. The clothes, the gear, Pat (who in the center) looking over at his other guitarist. And yes, the Junior High school girls lined up in back. If you want to know what was going on in 1964, look no further than this photo. Awesome.

-Daniel
January 7, 2014