The Embers

IFor decades The Embers have been making music by playing a mix of rhythm and blues and heart and soul.

Rhythm and Blues became the foundation and essence of SOUL music and the Motown sound, but in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Florida and Alabama the name that applies is “Beach Music”. Bobby Tomlinson, drummer and the leader of the band, believes that Beach Music is music with a memory. Others believe that Beach Music is simply lyrics that are easy to sing with and simple melodies and pretty harmonies that accompany them.

To say “The Embers play Beach Music” is an understatement. After seventeen albums and numerous single releases, THE EMBERS are one of the most popular bands as well as one of the most active groups in the country. THE EMBERS boast an average of three-hundred dates per year all ranging from Toronto to Florida and westward to California and Hawaii.

Over the years they’ve played for presidents and princes, students and bankers, ate the beach and in the city, on record and in concert.

A musical marvel, The EMBERS have survived disco, punk, new wave, and hip-hop and continue to take the stage as one of the most entertaining bands to ever perform.

They’ve been inducted into the South Carolina Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame and were named North Carolina’s Official Musical Ambassadors. They’ve done commercials for National Sponsors Budweiser and Pepsi, played for the Olympics and have appeared with everyone from Jackie Wilson to The Rolling Stones creating the soundtrack for endless summers. THE EMBERS were involved in a video/commercial for the Sands Hotel in Atlantic City where their captivating, premier performance resulted in a return engagement for the past New Year’s Eve.

Due to the addition of the newest Ember Members Wayne Free and former band mate Johnny Barker, The EMBERS are currently re-recording a few tracks on their new album, “Beach Music, Super Collaboration”, a collaboration album of internationally known recording artists, and upcoming future stars. This album will evoke the best of memories and emotions for anyone who has been touched by the magic of Beach Music and introduce newcomers to the same passion that has made these enchanting melodies one of the greatest music phenomena of all time. The album is being produced by Charles Waller (George Benson, O.C. Smith. The Main Ingredient, Dionne Warwick, Cuba Gooding, etc) with compositions by Wallert (“Brenda”) and multi-Grammy nominee Jimmy George (“I’ll Always Love You”, “Just to See Her”) among others.

In 2003 Pepsi sponsored The Embers and released a commercial performed by The Embers to the title tune of their new CD, “Beach Music”

THE EMBERS of today consist of: Bobby Tomlinson (leader/drummer), Gerald Davis (Bass/Vocals), Johnny Barker (Keyboards/Vocals), Johnny Hopkins (Horns/Guitar/Vocals), Jeff Grimes (Guitar/Vocals), Jerry Tellier (Lead Vocalist) and Wayne Free (Lead Vocalist and Horns). THE EMBERS are truly one of the finest entertainment experiences of our lifetime.

If you’ve seen their show once, you’ve undoubtedly come back for more.