What's Your Beach Jam?

When most people think of the beach - particularly North Myrtle Beach, they evoke memories of what youd expect: warm sunny days, the smell of salt in the air, or feel of sand between your toes. Theres also plenty of wonderful and unique restaurants, attractions, and natural beauty here in North Myrtle Beach that make for lasting and profound experiences. One of the most powerful, overlooked, and tucked-away in the back of our minds feeling is that of Musical Memory.

We all have that favorite artist, song, or genre that plays in our minds when we think of Myrtle and North Myrtle Beach. I bet if you closed your eyes right now and thought about one of your trips to the beach, you could hear the soundtrack of your experience playing. Music is tied to so many important events and helps to create sticky notes in our memories that help us hold on to the best of times. The Grand Strand is the perfect year-round drive-to destination on the East Coast and has several seasons that bring travelers looking to escape their worries and relax. During these times, we listen to positive, upbeat music that help us set the mood for our trip. Whether you are coming down for a graduation, Spring Break, a golf outing, a romantic getaway, or the classic family vacation - theres always that one song that we hear that imprints on our memory. No matter your age, you have that one song (or more) that instantly puts your feet in the sand. Some folks might hear Bob Marley, are transported to a beach chair, and can feel the warm waves lazily lapping over their feet. Others might hear Call Me Maybe and remember how it was played practically EVERYWHERE that one summer (Seriously - it was on loop at Barefoot Landing, The Boardwalk, and EVERY miniature golf course down here!). What baby boomer doesnt want to jump in the car and go to Ocean Drive when they hear I Get Around by the Beach Boys?

The Grand Strand is famous for many great things, however its main artistic contribution comes from the fantastic genre of Beach Music, which originated in the 60s and is still very popular today. Beach Music finds its roots in Motown and is extremely upbeat, is easy to Shag to (our official state dance!). It features lyrics, horns, and a style that just makes folks feel good. To thousands of yearly travelers who make several pilgrimages to the Ocean Drive Area for S.O.S. (Society of Stranders) celebrations, there is no better musical memory than Beach Music. Older artists like the TAMS and Catalinas are still making fantastic music and touring today. They help to keep the memories rolling. Many newer artists like Rick Strickland, Gary Lowder, Tim Clark, Blackwater, and the Band of Oz are becoming the soundtrack for great new memories and experiences.

Now that we have a good idea of how important Musical Memory is to our Myrtle and North Myrtle Beach experiences, lets take a look at some of the Avista Resort staffs favorite Beach Jams:

Jason - Cruel Summer - Bananarama

Kaila - Surfin USA - The Beach Boys

Kitty - Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffett

Neka - I Love Beach Music - The Embers

Jim - Under the Boardwalk -  The Drifters

Cindy - Under the Boardwalk - The Drifters

Lee - Crusin - Smokey Robinson

Don - "Brown Eyed Girl" - Van Morrison

Tracey - I Love Beach Music - The Embers

Danielle - "Island in the Sun" - Weezer

Heather - No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem - Kenny Chesney

Aro - Paradise City - Guns N Roses

What is YOUR Beach Jam? Let us know and well choose one lucky winner to receive a fabulous Avista prize! Let us know in a reply below or under this post on Facebook. Keep making those memories and crankin up those tunes!