Elise Testone has a voice that you know was meant to sing. If you are at the music club and the room is filled with a stirringly passionate voice belting out jazz, soul, and rock standards, or an original that you are beginning to fall in love with, then you have found Elise Testone. I suggest you stay for a while.

Elise delivers the goods with an amazingly soulful voice that cannot be learned; she was born with it. This kind of expressive singing is on display anytime she takes the stage with one of her bands. She fronts Elise and the Freeloaders which makes her feel like 1969 all over again, and has recently taken up residency with a young neo-soul funk act named Slanguage. Both highlight her amazing talent well. She also plays in Columbia for fun with Justin Smith and the Folk Hop band. “Playing in different bands keeps life interesting,” she says. “Nothing ever gets stale”.

She lists Sam Cooke and Tori Amos as some of her influences as well as Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, Erykah Badu, and Led Zeppelin. You will hear all these styles when she performs. She speaks of a really good energy about where she is in life right now. She is now noticed in clubs and even was recognized trying on clothes in a store fitting room. Her most remarkable recognition came recently when Snoop Dogg called and asked her to open up 4 shows for him. How many people can say they toured the Southeast and spent time in the Dogg house?

Her dad repairs and sells jukeboxes, and she grew up with a music filled basement leading to her love of old soul and rock tunes. She would visit Charleston often from her home in New Jersey and finally moved here 3 years ago. In between, she studied music at Coastal Carolina and was responsible for the biggest concerts held while she was there. As many as 400 people would show upShe loves playing on Folly Beach and describes the scene as laid back and accepting. The people of Folly want to have a good time and be happy and that is what she wants everyone to do at her shows.

She also teaches music classes at Music Unlimited in Mt Pleasant. She enjoys the awesome emotional feelings when one of her students is performing. She also gets to help kids discover music with helpful guidance, trying to block out some of the lesser talented acts of today. She acts as a friend to kids who are going through the typical middle school and high school complications. She enjoys every minute of her teaching.

She admits that previous performances in her younger years were reserved, but she now possesses the confidence that she has what it takes and is not afraid to show it. I could not agree more. You can catch her Nov 4^th at Blu with Tyler Ross and November 28^th at the Chill and Grill with Slanguage. Do not miss the opportunity

Follywood Stage
11:30 – 12:30 pm     Reid Stone & Jeff Davis
12:50 –1:50 pm        Folly Beach Bluegrass Society
2:10 – 3:10 pm         Shakin’ Martinis
3:30 – 4:50 pm         Concrete Jumpsuit

Chill & Grill Stage
Noon – 12:50 pm   Champagne with Friends
1:10 – 2:10 pm      Weigh Station
2:30 – 3:30 pm      Jupiter’s Garden
3:50 – 4:50 pm      Stereo Reform

The festival gets underway Saturday morning with The 2012 Tides Kickoff Classic Surf Competition. This is an Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) sanctioned event, sponsored by Tides Folly Beach and Avocet Properties. Competition divisions include shortboard, longboard, bodyboard, tandem & stand-up paddle-boarding. There will also be tandem demos and clinics offered by the East Coast Tandem Surfing Association Chapters from Cocoa Beach and Virginia Beach.

Also on Saturday morning will be the first-ever Coffin Island Scavenger Hunt. Online registration is available now, and visitors can register at 8:15 a.m. Saturday as well.

"This year, Sea and Sand is launching a unique adventure called the Coffin Island Scavenger Hunt," said Festival Director Toni Reale. "The hunt will send participants around Folly on a mission to solve clues, collect items and learn about the character and history of the Island. Prizes will be given in multiple categories and range from free stays on Folly from the Beachside Inn and Dunes Properties to gift certificates to Folly faves. This will be an adventure not to miss. Information and registration can be found online at www.follybeachseaandsand.com and the cost is $25 per person. Teams can have up to 4 people."

The Sea & Sand Street Party on Saturday will include over 100 street vendors will be set up on Center Street from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, offering concessions by Folly Beach restaurants, children’s games, a silent auction, locally made clothing and featured arts and craft selections by The Folly Art Guild. Also featured at the street party will be live music by Stereo Reform, a Jupiter’s Garden reunion featuring James Justin Burke, Concrete Jumpsuit, Weigh Station, Reid Stone and Jeff Davis of Guilt Ridden Troubadour, Champagne with Friends, the Folly Beach Bluegrass Society and the Shakin’ Martinis.

"Our music lineup is strong again this year," said Ben Bounds of Follywood Productions, music director and co-coordinator. "We have more legitimate touring artists than ever, as well as some local favorites. Stereo Reform has been touring nationally for over three years now and has become one of South Carolina's favorite party bands. They really have that college rock edge, but with an old school funky style that makes them a real fan favorite."

Stereo Reform will go into the studio immediately following the Sea & Sand Festival to cut their second album.

"We can't wait to play the 22nd Annual Sea & Sand Festival," Stereo Reform lead guitarist Will Evans said. "The music scene on Folly Beach is great, and the people from the area are some of the most inviting and friendly people around. The island just has a great vibe, which makes it one of our favorite places to play."

The Sea & Sand Festival committee said they are very excited about the Jupiter's Garden reunion as well.

"James Justin Burke has been on tour nationally the past two years with his band James Justin & Co., so there haven't been many Jupiter's Garden shows around here, but they were always a Folly favorite, and it's going to be great to see them on the big stage," Bounds said.

Jupiter's Garden plays 2:30-3:30 on the Chill & Grill stage, right after Weigh Station and before Stereo Reform.

"There's no place like home," said James Justin Burke. "It's an honor for Jupiter's Garden to reunite where we got our start - Folly Beach. Per capita, I'd say that Folly has the best music scene in the world. We can't wait to feel that energy."

Concrete Jumpsuit from Columbia has been building a strong following in this area since last summer when they started playing shows at the Pour House, Snapper Jack's and Island Bar & Grill.

"They have a newer psychedelic, jam-rock sound that has fueled their popularity on college campuses all over South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, Bounds said. "I'm really excited to have a touring band from Columbia on the bill this year. Weigh Station has that big Southern rock thing going that's perfect for festivals like Sea & Sand. They have really been making a name for themselves locally over the past two or three years, and we like the College of Charleston following that they bring to the table. Champagne with Friends is fairly new to Charleston, but they've been touring nationally for a couple years now. They are touring as far west as Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico this summer, so this may be one of the last chances to see the full band here in town for awhile. They do a really good job of combining reggae with cajun and Southern rock. Reid Stone & Jeff Davis' band Guilt Ridden Troubadour has been the house band at the Surf Bar going on about a year and a half now, and we're glad to have two more local favorites back this year, the Folly Bluegrass Society and Shakin' Martinis."

On Sunday, March 25 the festival will continue with the 2012 Tides Kickoff Classic Surf Competition finals at 8 a.m., the Folly Beach Sand Sculpting Contest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and culminate with the East Coast Party Band concert at the Tides Resort from 3-6 p.m.

"If you haven't ever been to the big Sea & Sand Festival finale, or afterparty, at Tides, you really ought to make it a point to either stay on the beach both nights, or come back Sunday. Between the surfing competition, the sand sculpting contest and the East Coast Party Band show, it's well worth it," Bounds said.

Coordinators for the event are still accepting sponsorship and vendor applications, volunteer sign-up forms and silent auction items. To donate a gift for the silent auction, sign up as a sponsor or vendor, contact Toni Reale at follybeachseaandsand@gmail.com or toni.reale@gmail.com. To sign up for the Tides Kickoff Classic Surf Competition, contact Nancy Hussey at 843-343-4047 or nancy@follywahine.com. To pre-register for the Sand Sculpting Competition, contact Vince Perna at vperna@dunesproperties.com.

"Sea & Sand Festival is the official opening of the spring and summer season," said Ron Hill, Folly Association of Business President. The festival offers visitors and locals alike to experience Folly Beach and all she has to offer. This year, the festival will offer something for everyone."

The Folly Beach Sea & Sand Festival is a family and child-friendly event presented by the Folly Association of Business, Follywood Productions and Blue Planet Green Events. More information can be found online at www.follybeachseaandsand.com.

5 properties sold on Folly Beach in February 2012, bringing the total to 10 for 2012.  The median price year-to-date is $397,500.  This compares to 16 sold for a median price of $392,500 for the same time period in 2011.  The highest priced property sold so far this year is $512,000, where 2011 had already sold 4 over $500,000.  There are 23 properties under contract currently, so I expect the closings to pick up steam in the near future.  There are 3 listings in the million dollar plus price range under contract, so that would be big news.  I feel prices beginning to stabilize and some of the less expensive property is being removed from the market.

To hear more details about what is selling on Folly Beach contact me here.

Some of the sales in February included a  Mariner's Cay condominium for $375,000, a 2nd row duplex with ocean access for $425,000, and a Shadow Race home for $512,000.  The property on Shadow Race was a foreclosure, bought at the courthouse steps.  I have found clients property through the county foreclosure sales, contact me for more information.  If you are interested in buying on Folly Beach, there could not be a better time.  Prices are still low and interest rates have nowhere to go but up.

Work with a Folly Beach professional real estate agent.

Parade Rules:

You must be in Mardi Gras costume to participate.

Decorated Floats, Golf Carts, Marching & Alternative transportation only.

Cars will be allowed if TOTALLY decorated in Mardis Gras fare.

Trucks only allowed if they are pulling a float.

We welcome decorated pets.

Must be on West Arctic by 1:30 pm for lineup.

Trophies will be given for:

Best all around Folly Gras Spirit

Best Golf Cart

Best Float

Best Costume

There will also be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies for "Best New Orleans Food"

Trophy winners will be announced at 4:30 pm in front of the Shakin Martinis.

Information on real estate sales activity for Folly Beach

Buyers can chose from four floor plans. They are the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath Abalone and Bull’s Eye models; and three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath Sandollar and The Conch plans. All models are three-story except for the four-level Bull’s Eye.

The townhomes are dotted with high-end appointments. Expansive windows overlook marsh and tributaries. Granite countertops, custom cabinets and stainless refrigerator, cooktop, microwave, dishwasher and wine cooler mark the kitchens. Each townhome has an elevator that can carry people to and from spacious two-car garages and the main and top levels. Hardwood floors distinguish the living areas, carpet blankets the bedrooms and ceramic tile accentuates the kitchens and bathrooms. Master bedrooms possess dual closets, while master baths showcase jetted tubs, oversize showers and granite countertops.

Other interior perks are a computer nook and stackable washer and dryer. There are full porches off the upper levels, while end-units sport covered decks.

All the townhomes are situated to provide views of marsh, creeks or wetlands on the south end of James Island.

Notable attractions of The Preserve at the Clam Farm include the pool with sundeck and cabanas. The facility is set up for entertaining and has space for a grill.

Contact me with any questions about Folly Beach Real Estate

No other agency in Charleston is as focused on out-of-state touring as Follywood - it’s their top priority.  Bounds recognizes this as his niche, and what he does well.  He also enjoys being on the road scouting new venues and bands.  

“I travel about 8-10 days out of each month for Follywood work, which puts me on the road about 100-125 days a year. That's what allows me to develop relationships with the talent buyers for the different venues all over the Southeast, get a first-hand view of the venue and the market, get to know the routing from town-to-town, and scout new bands. This year, the number of days that I'm on the road could actually increase, which gets me fired-up, because I live to be on the road, and I thrive in new and unfamiliar environments.”

Follywood is celebrating two strong years of existence with an anniversary party and oyster roast at the Charleston Pour House on Saturday, Feb. 4, featuring Bret Mosley, Guilt Ridden Troubadour, Weigh Station, Concrete Jumpsuit and Shonuff. For Bounds, the future looks very bright.

“We’re just about to start Year 3 of a three-year plan, and if we continue to improve at what we’re doing, we’ll be successful.  We’ve reached ‘regional agency’ status, and our next goal is for Follywood to become a national agency.” He is in the process of expanding and has the feelers out there for more agents and interns to add to his staff of about 20 people.  “I feel we’re maxed-out right now and could not effectively handle more artists. But we have plans to grow this year. We’re hiring part-time agents now.”

Another goal in the near future is to build the brand, Follywood Productions. Bounds envisions his company’s logo as the beacon for a good musical experience.  

“When someone walking down the street sees that Follywood logo, I want them to immediately think ‘this is going to be a good time,’ regardless of what bands are playing. It’s all about the fan experience and the live music lifestyle.”

This guides how he chooses which bands to add to the roster.  For the most part, Follywood targets bands who are tour-ready with new and original music. The genres Follywood works with include alt/country, americana, blues, bluegrass, folk, funk, jam, indie, and southern rock, but Bounds says the agency could expand in that area this year as well.

Follywood’s top earning bands for 2011 were Bret Mosley, Guilt Ridden Troubadour, James Justin & Co., Mac Leaphart and Stereo Reform, but he tells me to keep an eye out for Crowfield and Old You in 2012, who came on board late last year and have big-time potential. Also, Concrete Jumpsuit out of Columbia had an strong finish last year and the crowds grow bigger each time they play.

Follywood Productions started as a one-man show with Bounds and his desire to get back into the music biz after relocating to Charleston. A Jackson, Miss. native, he started his own 360 record label, Dirt Road Records, in Oxford, Miss., in 2003, which he owned with lifelong friend Locke Phillips. After more than two years out of  the music industry working for the press, a non-profit for the arts, economic development and tourism, and municipal government, he moved to Charleston with a job buying talent for the historic State Theater in Starkville, Miss. and jumped right back in. He wanted to concentrate on booking bands which was what he felt he did best. Now, all Follywood Productions does is bring out-of-state bands to Charleston, and tour Charleston bands out-of-state. Over the past year, the out-of-state touring has received the bulk of the workload and focus. He has booked as far West as Grand Junction, Co., but the most popular tour is through the Southeast from Charleston to New Orleans, and back. Bounds feels most comfortable booking the Gulf Coast region, as well as Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina, but they are now starting to work up the East Coast into Virginia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Michigan.

Bounds said he believes Follywood is filling a major need on a local and regional level as live music income and ticket sales are outpacing record sales. The record labels and management firms are taking it pretty hard, and the booking agent may play the most essential role in the business in 2012, with a bigger hand in making or breaking a band than in the past.

According to Bounds, the Charleston music scene is still under the radar, but has massive potential, and he feels the amount of quality musicians per-capita is unrivaled. There are two bands on Folly Beach alone that have charted nationally in the past year, not many cities in the country this size that can say that. Bounds says he loves the energy on Folly Beach and how everyone helps support the scene. Even being on the island a short time, he feels like part of the family, and has never felt this level of community support in any of his previous stops.

“Follywood doesn’t exist anywhere really other than the back of your mind or the bottom of a Captain Morgan bottle. People ask me all the time, ‘Where the Hell is Follywood?’ And I tell them, ‘It’s anywhere you want it to be, buddy.’”

Come out and lend your support at one of Follywood’s upcoming events - Mac’n At the ‘Drome: A Concert Film Experience Benefiting Mac Leaphart on Jan. 28 at the Hippodrome Theatre, or the Follywood 2-Year Anniversary Party & Oyster Roast at the Pour House on Feb. 4.

This event is put on by the Folly Beach Restaurant Association and the proceeds will go to benefit Folly Beach Parks and Recreation, more directly to the new dog park at 512 East Erie.  We look forward to a great Folly day to help our local Parks and Recreation and all that they do.
For more info on the chili cookoff, please email dropindeli@gmail.com.

For more info on the hot dog eating contest, email omar@bertsmarket.com.

Any other info, please feel free to email planet_follywood@yahoo.com.

Music by Louie D project & The Bindlestiffs.

A Canadian friend recently asked me what drew me to Folly Beach?  The truth is I was intrigued that an authentic beach town could be found among the elite of South Carolina resort destinations. Let me explain.  I'd been to Kiawah and Hilton Head too, but when I wanted to show a French friend a slice of life at Christmas in a true SC beach town and his single criteria that it be within driving distance of a book store, so I googled 'SC beach town near Barnes and Noble.'  Up came Folly Beach.  That was seven years ago and at that time there weren't very many photos of Folly on the web and even less information about the town.  It was as though they didn't want to be found which suited me fine. The pics I did find told me everything I wanted to know.  There was a photo of Center St. with a surf shop that had been there since the fifties, some photos of towns people looking pretty happy to be living where they were and some shots of several of the old beach cottages.

That December, seven years ago, we flew into Charleston from Geneva.  When we had crossed the last bridge into Folly we found that it was one of those winter nights when the fog is so thick you literally cannot see your hand in front of your face.  But the air smells so exotic that you don't really care.  The following three summers we barely took off our swimsuits.  We flip flopped our way to dinner.  When people smile here it's genuine.  Life is lived in slow motion and everybody seems comfortable with that.  Three years ago and still in Geneva, I had that once in a lifetime opportunity to choose anywhere in the world I wanted to live.  We researched everywhere from New Zealand to Kenya to British Columbia.  I wanted someplace colorful where our souls could rest.  In the end what felt right was to return to Folly.  It's Woodstock and Santa Ana, a little Up on Cripple Creek and some Tracy Feith.  It's San Francisco and Social Circle, GA.  Life is good.  Neighbors show up at your door asking for a bottle opener and you have two and give them one.  Right now it's after midnight and there is a songbird camped out in a tree a few yards from my window.  Every day and every night there he is singing his heart out and I never grow tired of it.

-Laurie Bruton

Search Folly Beach Real Estate listings

Interested in buying or selling on Folly Beach?  Contact me here.

Out of 94 sales this year, only 14 were $600,000 or over and only 2 were above $1 million.  These low prices make it affordable for many to own a property on Folly Beach.  Also, sellers in these price ranges are talking to less buyers and may be more aggressive with their sales plans.  Here is a chart showing transactions sorted by price for 2011.

The average price for an oceanfront home sale was $924,600 and the average oceanfront lot sold for $792,250.  In the condominium market of Folly the average oceanfront condominium sold for $565,333 with Charleston Oceanfront Villas selling 2 for an average of $634,500.

Out of 94 sales, 58 (62%) sold with the buyer obtaining a loan, and 36 (38%) sold for cash.  The average sold/list ratio was 91.82% for 2011.

There are currently 192 properties for sale on Folly Beach, which is off nearly 60% from the peak in Spring 2009.  The current inventory still represents a 24 month supply of inventory, at our current sales pace.  A normal market would have between 6-9 months inventory.  In some condominium complexes and micro-markets of Folly, inventory has dried up completely, pushing prices higher.

Any questions? or to learn more about specific market activity, contact me here.

Save the Light is a grass roots, non-profit organization that was formed to save the Morris Island Lighthouse from being lost to the sea. We bought the lighthouse from the previous owner in 1999, turned around and gave it to the State of South Carolina at the end of 2000 after working out a lease agreement by which Save the Light would transfer ownership to the State of South Carolina at no cost. Now all the citizens of the State own it. Save the Light retains all responsibility for planning, engineering, fund raising and execution of all aspects of the preservation of the Morris Island Lighthouse.

Wondering what is going on and where the party is at on Folly Beach this New Years Eve?  Here is a guide to all the events, music, and parties on the island. (12/26 - site in progress, updated information will be added)

	Giant Flip Flop DropMidnight New Years Eve - Center Street at Ashley.  Come count down 2011 while a pair of flip flops are dropped from the sky.  Have a Jolly, Folly New Year!
	New Years Eve Oceanfront Beach BashWant to party oceanfront on New Year's Eve?  Then there's no better place to be than Blu on Folly Beach.  Watch fireworks to bring in 2012.Saturday December 31, 2011 8:00 pm - 1:00 amLavish food buffet, open bar, champagne toast & spectacular fireworks show at midnight.Live entertainment by:DJ CNile (Downstairs)Tru Sol (Upstairs)Click Here for tickets.For special room packages call 888-984-3378 or email newyearsbash@blufollybeach.com
	Party in style at Loggerheads Beach Grill this New Years Eve.  There will be a lavish seafood buffet & carving station, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight.  Dinner will be served from 8-10. Come check out the music by Jamisun Trio from 10-1. Tickets are $30 per person if you choose to dine.  Admission is free to join the party and ring in 2012 at Loggerheads!! Limit of 75 tickets sold for the buffet. Call or stop by Loggers
	THE SAND DOLLAR IS ALWAYS FUN ON NEW YEARS EVE!  MAKE PLANS TO ROCK THE BLOCK THIS WEEKEND WITH THE HED SHOP BOYS. SATURDAY NIGHT 12/31 BE THERE TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH THE "FLIP FLOP DROP", FIRST TIME EVER ON FOLLY. AS ALWAYS, NO COVER AT THE DOOR, CHAMPAGNE TOAST AT MIDNIGHT.............COME GET YOU SOME
Woody's Pizza	Don't miss the world famous Meatball drop at midnight.  Could it be any bigger this year?
Folly Beach Crab Shack	Celebrate the New Year with some shaggin' with the Folly Beach Shag Club.  Food and Drinks will be served and the dancing will pick up steam as we head towards midnight!  The Raw Bar will have a party with favors and music with Estee Gobay.
Bowens Island	New Years Eve Party at Bowens Island HUE Jazz Group led by Bill Aycock and blues from Smoky Weiner And The Hot Links Starts at 8 pm $15 admission, cash bar, dinner til 10. What a gas!
Planet Follywood	Classic New Years Eve throwdown with food, drinks, and lots of party favors!

Wondering what is going on and where the party is at on Folly Beach this New Years Eve?  Here is a guide to all the events, music, and parties on the island. (12/26 - site in progress, updated information will be added)

	Giant Flip Flop Drop Midnight New Years Eve - Center Street at Ashley.  Come count down 2011 while a pair of flip flops are dropped from the sky.  Have a Jolly, Folly New Year!
	New Years Eve Oceanfront Beach BashWant to party oceanfront on New Year's Eve?  Then there's no better place to be than Blu on Folly Beach.  Watch fireworks to bring in 2012.Saturday December 31, 2011 8:00 pm - 1:00 amLavish food buffet, open bar, champagne toast & spectacular fireworks show at midnight.Live entertainment by:DJ CNile (Downstairs)Tru Sol (Upstairs)Click Here for tickets. For special room packages call 888-984-3378 or email newyearsbash@blufollybeach.com
	Party in style at Loggerheads Beach Grill this New Years Eve.  There will be a lavish seafood buffet & carving station, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight.  Dinner will be served from 8-10. Come check out the music by Jamisun Trio from 10-1. Tickets are $30 per person if you choose to dine.  Admission is free to join the party and ring in 2012 at Loggerheads!! Limit of 75 tickets sold for the buffet. Call or stop by Loggers
	THE SAND DOLLAR IS ALWAYS FUN ON NEW YEARS EVE!  MAKE PLANS TO ROCK THE BLOCK THIS WEEKEND WITH THE HED SHOP BOYS. SATURDAY NIGHT 12/31 BE THERE TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH THE "FLIP FLOP DROP", FIRST TIME EVER ON FOLLY. AS ALWAYS, NO COVER AT THE DOOR, CHAMPAGNE TOAST AT MIDNIGHT.............COME GET YOU SOME
Woody's Pizza	Don't miss the world famous Meatball drop at midnight.  Could it be any bigger this year?
Folly Beach Crab Shack	Celebrate the New Year with some shaggin' with the Folly Beach Shag Club.  Food and Drinks will be served and the dancing will pick up steam as we head towards midnight!  The Raw Bar will have a party with favors and music with Estee Gobay.
Bowens Island	New Years Eve Party at Bowens Island HUE Jazz Group led by Bill Aycock and blues from Smoky Weiner And The Hot Links Starts at 8 pm $15 admission, cash bar, dinner til 10. What a gas!
Planet Follywood	Classic New Years Eve throwdown with food, drinks, and lots of party favors!

My favorite English professor once told me, "Good things come in threes."  This to my protest of having to read Beowulf a third time.  But here we are to all who know us, three years after moving from Switzerland to Folly Beach and our lives are falling into place.  For better or worse we count our friends here in the dozens.  We still delight at seeing someone lazily riding their beach bicycle under the long stretches of oaks and hanging moss on the island or walking their dog through the distant dunes on the beach.  Christmas here is about finding someone who won't be going home for the holidays and making them your own.  It is sand and palm trees and sometimes a warm sun, a full moon big and creamy and low in the sky.  The stars are brighter and more plentiful it seems this time of year.  Who among us doesn't walk outside at night in their sleepwear to behold the magnificence only to rush back in and quickly shut the door on the night chill?  Friends bring wine, a small joke in a green bag or a tomato pie.  Christmastime on Folly warms our hearts and we think of all who stopped by with a kind word that year, it is a place that is very much alive even when the tourists are back home themselves, wherever home may be.  Merry Christmas, everyone.

Contibuted by Laurie Bruton

The Folly Beach Christmas parade will be held this Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 1:00 PM.  Be sure you are across the bridge by 1:00 as it will close to island traffic during the parade. Participants can begin showing up at 11:00 to line up in front of Marsh Winds on Folly Rd.  There is no registration, just show up with you float or vehicle decorated.  Meet Santa and the mayor at the Folly River park after the parade for trophies and awards.

There are trophies and monetary awards given for:

1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall

Best Golf Cart

Best Alternative Transportation

Most Funky Folly

Best Beach Theme

It is always fun for children of all ages, and a chance to see Folly friends old and new. The weather looks great so come out and see Santa and all of Folly's merry elves!

Contributed by Laurie Bruton

Long time Folly Beach resident Linda Price was out on the east side beach this morning lavishing in the balmy 74 degree weather, contemplating life and collecting shells to add to her ocean treasures which include dried starfish and sand dollars. Linda and her family have always only taken what is no longer alive to help keep the oceans bounty secure for generations to come. This wisdom is the Folly way.

Folly Beach at Thanksgiving, through the eyes of Laurie Bruton, contributer.

Through the past seasons and more and more, many of us are holding closer the values and traditions which exemplify our lives at Thanksgiving. We feel grateful for home, a shelter to secure us; for family and friends to laugh with and who uphold us; for food shared round a table; and for the natural richness of the ocean and living and playing on a barrier island such as Folly Beach with its warm, interesting and caring people. Yes, we are thankful, that's what our easy smiles are all about.

Keeping you current on real estate information, including home and condo sales, and market trends on Folly Beach, SC. 

For information on buying or selling on Folly Beach, click here.

The two sales in October give an interesting viewpoint of how to market your home in today's market.  A home on Folly was on the market for 214 days before selling, originally listed for $650,000, then lowered to $550,000, then selling after a couple of months for $468,000, 85% of list price.  The other sale was listed at $395,000 and sold in 4 days for full price.  Pricing in this market is everything.

That is why it is important to talk to a professional Folly Beach real estate adviser before buying or selling.  Prices are low and the time to buy is now, click here to get started.

Penrod grew up in Ohio, and remembers his parents always being supportive of his musical ambitions.  He started playing guitar at age 10, after listening to Eddie Van Halen’s shredding guitar solos, took music lessons growing up, and eventually studied at the University of New Orleans under Ellis Marsalis, where he mastered the classical and jazz styles.

He has lived all over, including New York and Chicago, and helped form the band Skinny, which toured all over the country.  “We were touring over 250 days a year.”  When the band split up, he remembered how cool Charleston was when he played here, and moved two years ago.  “It reminded me of New Orleans.”  Soon after, he discovered Folly Beach and knew it was right for him.  “I love the vibe on Folly Beach.  There are also so many killer musicians out here that could survive in any big city.  It’s interesting that so many great musicians are in such a small area.”

His influences are jazz and bossa nova music, and old blues including Muddy Waters.  He also loves Stevie Ray Vaughn, Pat Metheny, and The Black Keys.  His favorite local artists are Lee Barbour, “incredible guitarist” and Elise Testone, “awesome voice”.  He recently shot a video for “Be Alright”, which is a great song and features beautiful Folly Beach scenery, you can view it at www.ericpenrodmusic.com.  Check out the events page to see when Eric is playing on Folly Beach.

The Folly Beach Civic Club will once more be bringing family fun and excitement to our beach by organizing a Halloween carnival on Monday evening, October 31, 2011 at the Folly River Park on Center St. from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  There will be apple bobbing, trick or treat bags for children of all ages, and lots of fun and creepy games according to Pat Poole of the Civic Club.

Don't miss the children's costume contest starting at 7:30 pm. All age groups will be judged and prizes will be awarded. There may even be a family prize. Prizes will be for the funniest, scariest, most original and best in each age group. There will be hot dogs, drinks, roasted marshmallows, hot chocolate, arts and crafts, a spooky ghost walk, souvenir photos available and of course the popular cake walk.  Folly Beach City Clerk Marlene Estridge has been doing the Halloween cake walk for upwards of 25 years, rather putting it on for that long. "Some of the cakes that are given to us (as prizes for the event) are really, very good," she said.

The event is FREE!
Volunteers would be greatly appreciated, simply show up in the park at 5:30 pm, Monday.

He is the leader of the Graham Whorley Band, a name suggested by his bandmates to take advantage of his recognition, along with Carl Anderson on Drums and Will Ames on bass.  The band has included several lineups along the way, with Herb Shirey spending 10 years on bass until he retired.  His side projects include Stone Silicon, Gypsy Jazz with Will Austin, and a solo loop show.  Stone Silicon is a superband consisting of Whorley, Louis D, Carl Anderson, and Jaime Crisp.  It is a fun time when they all get together, which is rare considering they all have to juggle the schedule of their own bands to get a gig together.  When it happens, it’s a special occasion, so clear the schedule and bring your boogie shoes.

Click to buy the album

This month will bring the release of “Permission to Think”, Whorley’s 6th album since moving to Charleston, “It’s the best stuff I have ever done” he says.  It will be a pretty significant album, he wrote all the music and lyrics and plays all the instruments.  As he describes the sounds on the album to me, he is beaming with pride and joy, and he talks about the 2 years he spent crafting the album, with engineer Roger Reynolds, who recently followed Graham down from Virginia.  As the success of the album grows, he is planning an East Coast tour with the full band.

Buy the album here

Twenty years ago, Graham found himself stuck in a small town in Virginia, knowing his talent and music deserved a better venue.  On a bitterly cold and snowy day, he decided to follow his sister down to Charleston who had told stories of the great climate and cool culture.  He discovered Folly Beach and fell in love, now considering the area his home.  Later, his sister lost a battle to ALS, which sparked his interest in raising money to fight the disease.  A “Band Together” concert was recently held raising $10,000 for the newly formed SC chapter of the ALS society.  “It was a huge success and I would like to thank all the musicians that took part.  I will make sure this becomes an annual event.”

Graham is a family man, with a wife and two kids, and he does his best to separate music and family.  “Music can consume and overwhelm you, and my family is too important for that.”  He encourages his kids to get involved in music, teaching them how to play and inviting them up on stage.  “I believe music is a great tool to help teach you to overcome life’s struggles.  Folly Beach is a great place to raise kids, there are plenty of things for the kids and the family to do.”

Sitting and talking to Graham was like hearing the timeline of Folly music.  He tells me about how Folly Beach was less traveled when he arrived, Hugo had just happened and the beach had a completely different look.  There were a few hot spots to play music, but not nearly as many as there are today.  A tight knit group of musicians existed, and they would cross Center Street to sit in with each other during breaks in their own show.  It was a very organic environment, which dictated the sound of the music, interesting and laid back.

He began by running the open jam night at Robinson Carusoe’s, and playing the Pelican on Monday nights, launching the Graham Whorley Band.  “I remember , the crowd was so large, the fire marshall would shut down the Pelican nearly every time we played there.”  He remembers watching Everett Bigbee play, and his favorite band was Dunzip with Jesse Prichard and Hawke.  “Dunzip shows were the best.”  He identifies with Jesse in the way the pair have survived for so long on Folly.  “Folly has taken a slow gradual climb, which means it has deep, strong roots.  When I moved here, we were struggling to make a scene, now Folly bands are going national.”  He remembers the Sand Dollar always having great blues and rock music, telling me about a show where the “Sauce Boss” would perform while cooking Gumbo on stage, later serving it up to the crowd along with some tasty blues jams.  The Chill & Grill gets credit for contributing to building the scene, and now Loggerheads is a great music venue, so “The future is bright.”  “Whether you are born here or came here, this is a community with an interest in art and music and diversity, and wants to keep growing in good ways.”

You can see Graham Whorley October 22 at Follypalooza, and October 26th at the locals party at the Blu.  Make sure to get a copy of the new album “Permission to Think”.