Castaways close out concert series

Beach music legends The Castaways will play the final installment of the popular Town Square Concert Series in Clayton on Thursday from 7-9 p.m.

The band is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and plans a varied show to appeal to a variety of tastes.

"We are looking forward to playing in Clayton for the first time," said bassist/vocalist Guy Brooks, who also serves as the band's manager. "We will mix it up. We are primarily beach music, but we'll play some older rock and roll, disco, party music and maybe a couple of current country songs."

The final Town Square Concert also coincides with the town's annual Harvest Festival.

The Castaways are still based in Durham, having formed in 1961 by buddies Claiborne "Skeets" Brady and Bill Carden, who were freshmen at Northern Durham High School.

In those days, the group played mostly high school parties and sock hops, performing popular rock and roll tunes from the late 1950s and early 60s.

The sound progressed as the music progressed, and members came and went.

"The band added a horn section so they were able to pick up songs that were influenced by Motown," Brooks said. "They played a lot of older R&B and the stuff that was around then - tunes that eventually ended up being called Carolina Beach Music."

There are no original members left in the current incarnation of the group. In addition to Brooks, the band consists of lead vocalist Karen Clayton, saxophonist J.T. Long,.trumpet player Alex Almasy, drummer Barry Brantley, keyboardist Randy Smith and guitarist John Arthurs.

Long is the elder statesman of the band, having joined 34 years ago. Brantley has been with them 20 years and Brooks 14. Smith is the most recent new addition, having joined nine months ago.

"Not many bands have been together as long as we have," said Brooks, who also graduated from Northern Durham. "There are only a few bands like us, The Embers and The Catalinas that have been around that long."

Brooks said it is typical in beach music that members move on to different bands. "We've had different members play with people with Terry Gore and others," he said. "A couple of the guys in the Craig Woolard Band used to play with us."

Brooks said a rivalry exists between groups because they are in the same market but added there is a sense of camaraderie.

"Yeah, we are all after the same jobs," he said, "But we play a lot of jobs together like the big beach music festivals. We all get along really well."One of those events is the Carolina Beach Music Awards in Mrytle Beach, held every November. The Castaways have won CAMMYS (the award), the most recent in 2009 for Best Collaboration.

The group is planning a 50th anniversary show next month in Durham, and three of the original members are expected to perform, Brooks said.

So why continue to play and record after five decades?

"We love playing and performing," Brooks said.

Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome at the free concert, but no coolers are allowed in the Town Square. A number of local vendors will provide light refreshments and food, and the Downtown Development Association will serve beer and wine.

Downtown restaurants, including The Flipside, Mulberry on Main, Festejos Mexican Grill, Clayton Steakhouse and Lucky Chicken Peruvian Restaurant will offer pre-concert specials.