The Catalinas
Encyclopedia
The Catalinas are an American
beach music
band from the late 1950s.
Since the Catalinas formed in Charlotte, North Carolina
, in late 1957, over 60 accomplished guitarists, keyboardists, trumpet players, drummers, bass players & singers have been a part of the band. Most have come from communities along the Interstate 77
corridor from Statesville to Charlotte.
Gary Barker, a Statesville resident who plays guitar and sings, is the current owner of the band. He started with the band in 1965, and has been the steadying influence for the last thirty years. In his own words, "I just did not get it into my head that I was getting paid to do something I love."
Barker attributes the band’s long success to the ongoing popularity of beach music and the great tunes that the band has composed and recorded over the years. Some of their classics include, "You Haven't The Right," "Facts Of Love," "Dancin'-Romancin'," "Hey Little Girl (aka Rainy Day Sunshine)," and their signature song "Summertime’s Calling Me" from 1975.
The band has had its down moments including the death of lead vocalist, Tommy Black in a plane crash in 1968 and the death of band member Ronnie Gittens on October 28, 2005. Gary Barker has been the band’s glue, keeping it going even when rock & roll in the late '60s & early '70s threatened to submerge the Catalinas and beach music. The Catalinas had little choice but to play their share of Crosby, Still & Nash, Grand Funk Railroad
, etc. "You either played it or you didn’t get any work," said Gary Barker Fictitious.
A rare song by the Catalinas is entitled "Boss Barracuda", which is a song about the Plymouth Barracuda
.
Members:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
beach music
Beach music
Beach music, also known as Carolina beach music, is a regional genre which developed from various musical styles of the forties, fifties and sixties. These styles ranged from big band swing instrumentals to the more raucous sounds of blues/jump blues, jazz, doo-wop, boogie, rhythm and blues,...
band from the late 1950s.
Since the Catalinas formed in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, in late 1957, over 60 accomplished guitarists, keyboardists, trumpet players, drummers, bass players & singers have been a part of the band. Most have come from communities along the Interstate 77
Interstate 77
Interstate 77 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. It traverses diverse terrain, from the mountainous state of West Virginia to the rolling farmlands of North Carolina and Ohio. It largely supplants the old U.S...
corridor from Statesville to Charlotte.
Gary Barker, a Statesville resident who plays guitar and sings, is the current owner of the band. He started with the band in 1965, and has been the steadying influence for the last thirty years. In his own words, "I just did not get it into my head that I was getting paid to do something I love."
Barker attributes the band’s long success to the ongoing popularity of beach music and the great tunes that the band has composed and recorded over the years. Some of their classics include, "You Haven't The Right," "Facts Of Love," "Dancin'-Romancin'," "Hey Little Girl (aka Rainy Day Sunshine)," and their signature song "Summertime’s Calling Me" from 1975.
The band has had its down moments including the death of lead vocalist, Tommy Black in a plane crash in 1968 and the death of band member Ronnie Gittens on October 28, 2005. Gary Barker has been the band’s glue, keeping it going even when rock & roll in the late '60s & early '70s threatened to submerge the Catalinas and beach music. The Catalinas had little choice but to play their share of Crosby, Still & Nash, Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad is an American rock band that was highly popular during the 1970s. Grand Funk Railroad toured constantly to packed arenas worldwide. A popular take on the band during its heyday was that, although the critics hated them, audiences loved them...
, etc. "You either played it or you didn’t get any work," said Gary Barker Fictitious.
A rare song by the Catalinas is entitled "Boss Barracuda", which is a song about the Plymouth Barracuda
Plymouth Barracuda
The Plymouth Barracuda is a 2-door car that was manufactured by the Plymouth division of the Chrysler Corporation from 1964-1974.The first-generation Barracuda, a fastback A-body coupe based on the Plymouth Valiant, had a distinctive wraparound back glass and was available from 1964-1966.The...
.
External links
Members:
- Gary Barker (lead vocals, guitar)
- Tim Shaw (piano, vocals)
- Dale McCaskell (lead and background vocals)
- Bobby Nantz (trumpet, vocals)
- Jeppy White (trombone)
- Darren Watts (bass)
- Jody Rumple (drums/percussion, vocals)