Gerald was born with music in his soul !
He attended schools in Hampton County and always excelled in music.
While in high School, Gerald and the ,then superintendent, Robert F. Causey, wrote and arranged the Alma Mater for the new Wade Hampton High School.
From his early teens, Gerald played music with anyone who would allow him to play. He told stories of playing on an Augusta Georgia TV program with BRENDA LEE, who was just an unknown girl, with a big voice, at that time. Gerald also told stories of hiding in the ladies restroom when a bar fight would break out, he was in his very early teens at that time !! During this time, he was playing mostly COUNTRY MUSIC…BEACH MUSIC was not even a term in those days.
From high school, he went on to Newberry College, where he received a full music scholarship. During his college years, Gerald played in and was the student conductor of the Newberry College jazz band, Dance Band and Orchestra. In his senior year he received the President’s Award for Music.
Upon graduation, Gerald returned to his home town to teach band in the Hampton County Schools. He taught in many South Carolina public schools and also in Walterboro at the , then John C. Calhoun Academy, where he started a school band from scratch. The John C. Calhoun Academy Band went on to win first place in the state marching competition, 1978 & 1979. Gerald was proud to have taught many who went on to make music a career.
In the 1960”s Gerald played music with a popular group out of Beaufort, S.C…..THE MELODY MAKERS, it was with the MELODY MAKERS, that his son JERRY got his feet wet , barely being able to reach all the cymbals and drums. Jerry had to stand to play his drums !! Jerry was also born with music in his soul and never missed a chance to watch and learn!! The Melody Makers are still a popular group in the low country today. Gerald also formed several groups of his own, playing what we call BEACH MUSIC, in the low country. He played with the SWINGIN MEDALLIONS and traveled all over the U.S. entertaining on college campus’s and playing with some pretty big celeb’s.
After leaving the SWINGIN’ MEDALLIONS, Gerald returned to the low country. He began teaching school in Hannahan, S.C. and it was then he joined the group called THE RIVIERA’S.
From THE RIVIERA’S came the present group THE EAST COAST PARTY BAND. Gerald was proud to be a part of this group from it’s very beginning. He played his last GIG with THE EAST COAST PARTY BAND in December of 2002, at THE MILLS HOUSE in Charleston.
He was most proud to have been able to play music for many years with his son JERRY by his side and his best friends considered family,
THE EAST COAST PARTY BAND.
Though not able to play music with the group, the music in his heart never stopped !!


GERALD LEFT THE BUILDING in AUGUST 2003.……………….