Published: May 14, 2008 10:53 pm            

Swingin' Medallions to open new amphitheater

As a young drummer growing up in Greenwood, S.C., Robby Cox said it was natural for him to eventually join The Swingin’ Medallions.

“It’s a small town where everybody knew everybody,” Cox said. “If you were a musician from Greenwood, chances are you played with the Medallions at one time or another.”

The Swingin’ Medallions — billed as “The Party Band of the South — will perform Friday night during an outdoor concert at Heritage Point Park sponsored by the city of Dalton’s Recreation Department. The concert marks the opening of the new park amphitheater, the Rotary Pavilion, and will serve as a kickoff to the summer season.

“It’s for the whole family,” said Brooke Bennett, city communications director. “There is no alcohol allowed in the park and kids will be able to play on the playground equipment while the band is on stage. We just want to make it family fun entertainment.”

The Swingin’ Medallions were formed in Greenwood in 1962 by a group of guys attending Lander College. Early in their career, the group played at fraternity houses and local college parties. Their rousing blend of shag, beach music, R&B and frat rock caught on throughout the South. By 1966 the band scored its first No. 1 hit, “Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love),” a song that endures on the radio today. Follow up hits included “Hey, Hey Baby” in 1967 and “She Drives Me Out of My Mind” two years later.

As time wore on, members of the band began to retire to other pursuits. But one of the original members, John McElrath, kept the spirit of The Swingin’ Medallions alive.

“John kept the band going all of these years,” Cox said. “When his sons (Shawn and Shane) got old enough, they kind of took things over. He does travel with us every now and then, but he won’t be in Dalton. He has Parkinson’s disease so he can’t really travel all that much.”

The eight current members range in age from 22 to 40. The Swingin’ Medallions play about 150 gigs a year mainly in the Southeast, including outdoor festivals, corporate events, weddings and private parties. Cox said the music won’t be confined to sounds of the 1960s, although “Double Shot” is still the final song of the evening. The Swingin’ Medallions of today cover almost every type of genre, from Otis Redding to ’70s funk to recent country hits.

“It seems to be a type of music that transcends the generations, so to speak,” Cox said. “It’s not for everybody, but a lot of people from 8 to 80 enjoy it. I think that’s why we end up playing a lot of these town festivals and concerts because there’s such a wide variety of people in attendance, this music pleases a lot of people.”

Cox, now 39 and with two children, said he doesn’t come from a musical background. He began playing drums in the junior high school band when he was 12. Since Shawn and Shane lived down the street, Cox started with the band when he was only 17 and continued playing through college.

“It was for me,” Cox said. “Shawn and Shane are the same way. I think it’s the only job we’ve ever had. You can’t beat it.”

The Swingin’ Medallions have played in Dalton four or five times, most recently at a fundraiser for the Dalton Education Foundation at the trade center.

“We get out there and have a good time with the people and they can see that we really enjoy what we’re doing,” Cox said. “A lot of times that kind of comes on over to them. It’s kind of a symbiotic thing. We’re having a good time, they are, so we feed off each other to try to make it a memorable night.”

Gates open at 5:30 p.m., while music by disc jockey Rick Zeisig starts at 6. The Swingin’ Medallions will perform from 8 to 10 p.m. Admission is $5, but children 10 and younger will be admitted free. People attending can bring chairs and picnic dinners.

Bennett said several nonprofit groups will have informational booths at the event. For information, call (706) 278-5404.



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What: Outdoor concert featuring The Swingin’ Medallions

When: Friday night. Gates open at 5:30. The Swingin’ Medallions take the stage at 8.

Where: Heritage Point Park, 1275 Cross Plains Trail

Cost: $5, although children 10 and younger will be admitted free

Why: Opening of the park amphitheater, the Rotary Pavilion

        

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