The Embers

North Carolina's Official Musical Ambassadors

June 16, 2008

NC ENTERTAINMENT NEWS -- Since 1958, The Embers have been playing a mix of rhythm & blues and heart & soul. Commonly referred to as "Beach Music," but once you have heard The Embers you realize this is understatement of their true musical talent.

The Embers have produced seventeen albums, as many single releases, and perform an average of three-hundred dates per year throughout the U.S. and Canada. They are one of the most active musical group in this country, and they hail from our state of North Carolina. Moreover, The Embers have been named North Carolina's Official Musical Ambassadors when they were inducted into South Carolina Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.

The Embers are a seven-member band, but the Embers like many North Carolina groups, consider their crew members like family. The group is in it's second generation of performers as well as also celebrating fifty years of business. The founder and drummer, Bobby Tomlinson, to this day leads the band performing nightly. The newest member of The Embers, is Bass Player, John Ray. Joining the band in March 2008, John has 15 years of professional entertainment experience and a formal education in classical music from the NC School of the Arts. The trumpet player for The Embers is, Stephen Pachuta, formerly of The Coastline Band and The Main Event Band. Stephen is a well known and an accomplished musician. David Dixon plays lead guitar for the band. David started studying the classical violin at age of two. In 2003, David graduated from Berklee School of Music with degree in Guitar Performance. Formerly, a member of group "Dystonic" along with John Ray, he now runs a Blues night at Dr. Unks in Greenville, North Carolina every Tuesday. Wayne Free is The Embers multi talented as well as multi tasked lead vocalist. Not only does he sing, he also plays, Keyboard, Trumpet, Trombone, Guitar and handles Programming. Finally, we reach the last two members of the band, the lovely Debby Mac and the talented Jerry Tellier. Both Debby and JT are northern transplant from New York. Like me, they have now made North Carolina their home. Debby's musical talent lies in Vocals, Keyboard, Drums, Mallets, Accordion, Acoustic Guitar, and Bass Guitar. While JT. is a successful Broadway and Soap Opera actor whose energetic vocals only add to The Embers all-star musical aptitude.

The Embers most recent achievement is the release of their new CD "The Show Must Go On." The Embers partnered with Bluewater Recordings, Inc. of New York for the release of "The Show Must Go On," in which the sound turns the corner from past Embers albums. Vocalist and programer, Wayne Free said,

"The production is like nothing else I have ever been involved with. It has fully orchestrated arrangements reminiscent of that soul sound from Philly. Much like that of groups such as the Spinners. Fully orchestrated arrangements with a message of love and inspiration that you can sing to. Songs that will trigger a great memory. I am extremely proud of this project."

The first single release is called "The Last Time I'm Saying Goodbye." It was released in the United Kingdom in 2007, and charted at #4 within its first two weeks on the soul charts.

Another of The Embers most recent achievements, is a 2007 Christmas tour for our U.S. troops and their families in South Korea! The Embers played four shows at the Yongsan Garrison, Camp Walker, Camp Humphreys and Camp Casey. In one instance while on the tour, the Embers performing their musical skit of "Frosty the Snowman" at Seoul American High School, in Yongsan 8th US Army Garrison, they received a standing ovation.

Overall, these troop shows gave The Embers a renewed appreciation of our U.S. Military. They started the trip on December 15, 2007, and returned on December 21, 2007, and is no doubt the fastest tour they've ever done. The Band was original approached by Installation Management Command (IMCOM) for the opportunity to perform the tour after IMCOM was requested by Brigadier General Aycock that the band appear in Korea to perform during the Holidays. Brigadier General Aycock is from North Carolina and a huge Embers fan.

Drugs? The Ember are drug free, Wayne Free speaking on behalf of the band said, "No one in our group even gets close to using drugs. We all totally disagree with the idea of it. Bobby disapproves of alcohol consumption and it's legal. No one in our group would even want to work with someone that does drugs." (My kind of Carolinians.)

This is the first article in our new magazine section "NC Entertainment," and we look forward to following The Embers and other successful North Carolina entertainers as they progress in this fascinating industry. Please visit The Ember's homepage at: http://www.theembersband.net/

Published by:
Rob Cross
mailto:editor@357news.com

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