The Counts
THE COUNTS are
One of Charleston’s all-time favorite bands from the 60’s-80’s is back again and ready to play for your wedding, company party and reunion. Playing the Greatest Hits from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s like Hall and Oates, Van Morrison, Todd Rundgren, Bee Gees, Eagles, Smokey Robinson, Spinners, AWB, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Barry White, Tarvaras, The Beach Boys and even Frank Sinatra, The Counts Charleston SC are the perfect band for all ages that will have the crowd up dancin’ in no time!!
The Counts Charleston SC still play all the great Carolina Beach songs too, including several originals that have charted on the Grand Strand including their 80’s beach hit Four Leaf Clover that was nominated for the Beach Music Association song of the year in 1983!
Meet the members:
Frankie McNeill – Drums/Vocals
Frankie began singing in Charleston with The Malibu’s, in 1965. Later that year he joined his first R&B horn band, The Skylarks. In 1966, he started performing with the Singin’ Swingin’ Counts from Columbia, SC. During this era this 12 piece band would travel the southeast and played on shows with “The Ice-Man" Jerry Butler, Motown's The Contours (Do you Love Me) and opened for Soul Brother #1, Mr. James Brown and The Famous Flames.
In 1968, Frankie and Pete Ridgeway started The Counts from Charleston, SC. They played full time while opening one of Charleston's first recording studios, Vanguard Sound, on East Bay St. They recorded lots of jingles including the first jingle for a new up and coming sun tan lotion company, Hawaiian Tropic. Ironically, Mike Suggs played steel guitar on that session. They also recorded an original 45 single, "Four Leaf Clover" that was nominated for Single of the Year in 1983 by the Beach Music Association in Myrtle Beach.
The Counts continued playing into the 90's. In 2014, Frankie, Mike Suggs and John Ramsey started organizing The Counts Charleston SC return. They have since been joined by Tommy Easterlin and Art Benton. They hope to see you all on the dance floor soon!!
Mike Suggs – Lead Guitar/Vocals
Mike started out on steel guitar back in 1954 and won 1st place at the World Music Festival in 1956. He has been picking a Tele since 1958 and played lead for The Dardenells until 1971.
Under a recording contract with "Cameo-Parkway", Mike performed on the same venue with many great artists including Fats Domino, Chubby Checker, Joey Dee, Stan Kenton and The Rascals to name a few. Mike played the "Peppermint Lounge” in NY twice in 1963 and in numerous bands in the 70’s and early 80’s playing in his own local Charleston nite-clubs, The Xanadu and The Mirage.
Mike continued playing with local groups leading to his current role with The Counts Charleston SC while also recording in his home studio. Mike and Frankie released two albums “Six Pack To Go” and “Best Of The Beach Brothers”. Mike recently completed his first solo album, "Before The Rising Sun". All these albums can be purchased on CD Baby, iTunes and Amazon. More information about Mike and his work is available on his website, "www.mikesuggs.com".
John Ramsey – Sax/Keyboards/Vocals
Performing on keyboards, sax and vocals, John is veteran of both the Carolina Beach Music scene and classic rock. Over his musical career, John has been a member of several popular groups alongside former members of the Swingin’ Medallions, Sensational Epics, Black and Blue and Doug Clark and the Hot Nuts. His resume includes stints with the BelAirs, the original Swingin’ Singin’ Counts, Julius Cobb and the Soul Messengers, the Funky Bunch, Lighthorse Harry, Special Occasion, Prince Taylor and the Tides, the Lids and the Shades of Blue.
Art Benton – Keyboards/Vocals
The versatile Art Benton (keyboard & vocals) began playing accordion at age 15 in restaurants and private parties. He first worked with The Blue Notes in Augusta GA which was a James Brown tribute band. He then performed R&B with The Pagans working for Ted Hall out of Charlotte. Art achieved nationwide recognition with the band The Pallbearers who had a contract with Mercury Records in 1967 having two nationwide releases (Getting Fired Up and Music with Soul).
These songs were played on The Dick Clark Show and are still getting airplay in England today. Art later went on to perform with The Platters, Drifters, Sam The Sham, Billy Joe Royal, and later on worked with many local bands in Charleston. Prior to joining The Counts, Art performed with The Rick Strickland Band and showcased his keyboard talents on most of Rick Strickland’s biggest hits and CD’s. He was nominated for a CBMA award in 2015 for instrumentalist of the year.
Tommy Easterlin - Bass
On bass, Tommy anchors the group’s rhythm section. Charleston born and raised, Tommy started playing in the early 60’s as bassist for groups such as The Coachmen and Blue Notes eventually leading to his role as bassist with The Rivieras throughout various periods of the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s.
More recently Tommy has played venues with The Cruise-O-Matics and The Breakers. Tommy truly enjoys playing bass and is delighted in his role as a member of The Counts Charleston SC.
One of Charleston’s all-time favorite bands from the 60’s-80’s is back again and ready to play for your wedding, company party and reunion. Playing the Greatest Hits from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s like Hall and Oates, Van Morrison, Todd Rundgren, Bee Gees, Eagles, Smokey Robinson, Spinners, AWB, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Barry White, Tarvaras, The Beach Boys and even Frank Sinatra, The Counts Charleston SC are the perfect band for all ages that will have the crowd up dancin’ in no time!!
The Counts Charleston SC still play all the great Carolina Beach songs too, including several originals that have charted on the Grand Strand including their 80’s beach hit Four Leaf Clover that was nominated for the Beach Music Association song of the year in 1983!
Meet the members:
Frankie McNeill – Drums/Vocals
Frankie began singing in Charleston with The Malibu’s, in 1965. Later that year he joined his first R&B horn band, The Skylarks. In 1966, he started performing with the Singin’ Swingin’ Counts from Columbia, SC. During this era this 12 piece band would travel the southeast and played on shows with “The Ice-Man" Jerry Butler, Motown's The Contours (Do you Love Me) and opened for Soul Brother #1, Mr. James Brown and The Famous Flames.
In 1968, Frankie and Pete Ridgeway started The Counts from Charleston, SC. They played full time while opening one of Charleston's first recording studios, Vanguard Sound, on East Bay St. They recorded lots of jingles including the first jingle for a new up and coming sun tan lotion company, Hawaiian Tropic. Ironically, Mike Suggs played steel guitar on that session. They also recorded an original 45 single, "Four Leaf Clover" that was nominated for Single of the Year in 1983 by the Beach Music Association in Myrtle Beach.
The Counts continued playing into the 90's. In 2014, Frankie, Mike Suggs and John Ramsey started organizing The Counts Charleston SC return. They have since been joined by Tommy Easterlin and Art Benton. They hope to see you all on the dance floor soon!!
Mike Suggs – Lead Guitar/Vocals
Mike started out on steel guitar back in 1954 and won 1st place at the World Music Festival in 1956. He has been picking a Tele since 1958 and played lead for The Dardenells until 1971.
Under a recording contract with "Cameo-Parkway", Mike performed on the same venue with many great artists including Fats Domino, Chubby Checker, Joey Dee, Stan Kenton and The Rascals to name a few. Mike played the "Peppermint Lounge” in NY twice in 1963 and in numerous bands in the 70’s and early 80’s playing in his own local Charleston nite-clubs, The Xanadu and The Mirage.
Mike continued playing with local groups leading to his current role with The Counts Charleston SC while also recording in his home studio. Mike and Frankie released two albums “Six Pack To Go” and “Best Of The Beach Brothers”. Mike recently completed his first solo album, "Before The Rising Sun". All these albums can be purchased on CD Baby, iTunes and Amazon. More information about Mike and his work is available on his website, "www.mikesuggs.com".
John Ramsey – Sax/Keyboards/Vocals
Performing on keyboards, sax and vocals, John is veteran of both the Carolina Beach Music scene and classic rock. Over his musical career, John has been a member of several popular groups alongside former members of the Swingin’ Medallions, Sensational Epics, Black and Blue and Doug Clark and the Hot Nuts. His resume includes stints with the BelAirs, the original Swingin’ Singin’ Counts, Julius Cobb and the Soul Messengers, the Funky Bunch, Lighthorse Harry, Special Occasion, Prince Taylor and the Tides, the Lids and the Shades of Blue.
Art Benton – Keyboards/Vocals
The versatile Art Benton (keyboard & vocals) began playing accordion at age 15 in restaurants and private parties. He first worked with The Blue Notes in Augusta GA which was a James Brown tribute band. He then performed R&B with The Pagans working for Ted Hall out of Charlotte. Art achieved nationwide recognition with the band The Pallbearers who had a contract with Mercury Records in 1967 having two nationwide releases (Getting Fired Up and Music with Soul).
These songs were played on The Dick Clark Show and are still getting airplay in England today. Art later went on to perform with The Platters, Drifters, Sam The Sham, Billy Joe Royal, and later on worked with many local bands in Charleston. Prior to joining The Counts, Art performed with The Rick Strickland Band and showcased his keyboard talents on most of Rick Strickland’s biggest hits and CD’s. He was nominated for a CBMA award in 2015 for instrumentalist of the year.
Tommy Easterlin - Bass
On bass, Tommy anchors the group’s rhythm section. Charleston born and raised, Tommy started playing in the early 60’s as bassist for groups such as The Coachmen and Blue Notes eventually leading to his role as bassist with The Rivieras throughout various periods of the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s.
More recently Tommy has played venues with The Cruise-O-Matics and The Breakers. Tommy truly enjoys playing bass and is delighted in his role as a member of The Counts Charleston SC.
