“A TIMELESS TRADITION”
Tradition is defined as “The handing down of a belief, legend, or custom from generation to generation”. The Swingin’ Medallions, a 49-year Southern tradition, are a living definition of the word.
How does a band endure the generations? The group’s signature high-energy style delights audiences of all ages. Their act, as well as their music, is indeed timeless. The band was founded in 1962 by John McElrath and now includes his two sons, Shawn and Shane. The band also features Jake Bartley, the son of original Medallion, Hack Bartley. Jimmy Perkins, an original member of the group has been back traveling fulltime with the band since July 2011! Featuring an ever-popular horn section, the group effectively blends the sounds and music of yesterday and today. The band has performed throughout the nation in thousands of venues. Their diverse repertoire has made them overwhelming favorites with college audiences as well as the more mature rock and rollers.
The band was made famous by its 1.5 million selling hit album, “Double Shot of My Baby’s Love”, in 1966. It remains the signature song of the band. The song, in fact, continues to demonstrate its timeless quality on radio, television and in motion pictures. “Double Shot” was followed with another hit, “She Drives Me Out of My Mind”, in 1967. In 1969, they released yet another hit, “Hey, Hey Baby”, the song featured at their 2004 Gator Bowl Half-Time Show performance. The band released countless other singles through Capitol and Smash Records and continues recording new music today, including their latest tune, “Large Time”, which was released in September 2011.
In September 2009, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band invited the Medallions on stage at theBi-LoCenterinGreenvilleSCto join in for on rendition of “Double Shot”. This was definitely an historic moment and one of the highlights of the show. This was quite an honor for the Medallions!! Bruce has even labeled “Double Shot” as “The greatest fraternity rock song of all time”.
In early 2008, they were invited by the United States Ambassador to Canadato perform in Ottawa, Canadafor a July 4th Celebration. In 2007, they were chosen to headline the Inaugural Party for the Governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford. Also in 2007, they performed for the Governor of Georgia, Sonny Perdue’s Inaugural Ball. In 2003, they joined forces with Coors Brewing Company, Sterling Marlin and hundreds of fans for a Cruise of the Caribbean.
The cast of the hit television series Aly McBeal sang along with the original recording in a 1998 episode. Bruce Willis sang the song in an episode of “Moonlighting”. In 1999, it was again featured in the NBC miniseries, “The 60’s”. It was heard on the big screen in the movie, “Sorority Boys” and most recently it was used in the NBC series, “American Dreams”.
Lewis Grizzard (Southern humorist and writer) labeled the Medallions as “THE PARTY BAND OF THE SOUTH”, a moniker that has become forever synonymous with the Medallion name. In 1993, Grizzard wrote in a nationally syndicated column, “Even today, when I hear “Double Shot of My Baby’s Love”, it makes me want to stand outside in the hot sun with a milkshake cup full of beer in one hand and a slightly drenched coed in the other”.
On October 6, 2005, The Medallions performed live on the FOX 5 Atlanta Television show, “Good Day Atlanta” and played “Double Shot” to an audience of over 400,000.
In June of 2001, Chicago Tribune nationally syndicated columnist Bob Greene wrote an article entitled The Swingin’ Medallion View of U.S. History. He summed up America’s love affair with “Double Shot” with his discovery of the song being played and sold in the gift shop of the Smithsonian Institute. When inquiring as to why it was available in the nation’s foremost repository of history, the clerk replied, “Because it’s as much a part of our history as anything else we sell”.
The book, “Heeey Baby Days of Beach Music”, was officially releasedOctober 6, 2006at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame inMacon,Georgia. It is a comprehensive history of the Southeastern Music Scene of the 1960’s. It is 552 pages long with over 800 images and weighs over 10 pounds! This book features the story of the Swingin’ Medallions!
Songlist:
Double Shot of My Baby’s Love
Hey Hey Baby
She Drives Me Out of My Mind
Hang on Sloopy
Round and Round
How Do You Stop
Oleander
Shaggin’ In The Moonlight
Large Time
Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy—The Tams
Mustang Sally—Wilson Pickett
With This Ring—The Platters
Under The Boardwalk—the Drifters
Baby, I Need Your Lovin’—Four Tops
Honky Tonk Women—Rolling Stones
Midnight Hour—Wilson Picket
Ain’t Too Proud To Beg—The Temptations
It’s All Right—JJ Jackson
Some Kind of Wonderful—Grand Funk Railroad
Carolina Girls—Chairmen of the Board
Shakey Ground—Delbert McClinton
My Girl—The Temptations
I Feel Good—James Brown
Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You—Wilson Pickett
Stay—Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs
Domino—Van Morrison
Brown Eyed Girl—Van Morrison
Margarittaville—Jimmy Buffet
Ms. Grace—The Tymes
Hard To Handle—Otis Redding
Shotgun—Junior Walker and the All Stars
Old Time Rock and Roll–Bob Segar
39-21-40 Shape—The Showmen
Shout—Otis Day and the nights
Louie Louie—The Kingsmen
Let It Whip—Dazz Band
She’s A Bad Mama Jama—Carl Carlton
Ride That Train—Quad City DJ’s
Boogie Shoes—KC and the Sunshine Band
YMCA—Village People
Brick House—The Commodores
Wonderful Tonight—Eric Clapton
When A Man Loves Woman (instrumental)—Percy Sledge
Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay—Otis Redding
Get Ready—The Temptations
What I Like About You-The Romantics
Play That Funky Music White Boy—Wild Cherry
Johnny B. Goode—Chuck Berry
Sweet Home Alabama-Lynard Skynard
Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy—Big and Rich
Fire—Bruce Springsteen
Celebration—Kool and the Gang
Meet Me With Your Black Drawers On—Gloria Hardeman
Wonderful World—Louis Armstrong
Hip Hop Hooray–Naughty by Nature
Honky Tonk Women—Rolling Stones
1999—Prince
All Right Now—Free
Hold on I’m Comin’—Sam and Dave
Devil with a Blue Dress—Mitch Ryder
Hungry Heart—Bruce Springsteen
Ladies Night—Kool and the Gang
I’m yours—Jason Mraz
Piece of the Rock—Mothers Finest
Forget You—Cee Lo Green
Drift Away—Dobie Grey
What Kind of Fool—The Tams