Jeffrey Miles Grimes shares a common trait with all the Legends of Beach . He has been playing professionally since high school . In fact, it’s all he’s ever done . Back in those days (early 70s), Jeff “sat-in” countless times with The Embers….but he was usually playing saxophone . As most Beach Music trivia buffs will know, The Embers horn section during most of the 70s consisted of 2 trumpet players….Johnny and Buck . Consequently, there was always room for a sax player . It was during these years that Jeff began a long frienship and association with Jackie, Bobby, and the Embers .
It was about 1973 that Jeff began “testing the waters” in NYC . By 1975, Jeff found himself working as a guitarist for Atlantic Records and recording or touring with The Jimmy Castor Bunch, Ben E. King, Sister Sledge, The Spinners, and others . But, as is so often the case with young talented musicians, he was unable to parlay this front-loaded success into a career in “The Big Time”. By 1978, Jeff was back in Nahunta, NC and forced to “re-evaluate” career choices that just weren’t working . He spent a couple of years trying to record original music and playing in a rock band named “10th Avenue” but ultimately decided to move again……this time to Florida .
The next 15 years were spent primarily in the Miami area where Jeff played “house band” jobs and worked in recording studios . The work was abundant and the musicians were great……but it wasn’t North Carolina . In 1995 the phone rang……..It was Bobby Tomlinson of The Embers ………and you know the rest of the story .
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree !
