| The History of Gaston Shaggers, Inc. |
A Look into the History of Gaston Shaggers, Inc.
For many southerners, the Carolina Shag Dance is a way of life. The dance, the music, the people, and the
easy-going, “beach bum” lifestyle has provided a wonderful social outlet for people of all ages over the past
five decades. We’ve all heard the stories on how the shag dance began and its roots stemming from the
jitterbug, swing, and lindy hop – just to name a few. We’ve also heard the infamous story of the “message in
a bottle” written by Swink Laughter calling his beach buddies back to the beach for a reunion and the birth of
S.O.S.
What often goes unnoticed, however, are the humble beginnings of the one hundred shag clubs that are the
heart of the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs. Each club has their own unique story consisting of
dedicated individuals motivated by the desire to promote the Shag and provide a local gathering place to do so
with their friends.
As locals and natives of the piedmont of North Carolina and upstate region of South Carolina, Gaston
Shaggers, Inc. was formed in 1989 with the same objectives in mind.
“It all started in March 1989, when Becky and Charlie Johnson and Bobby and Gail Brown wanted to open a
club. In order to do this, some of the shaggers had to appear before the Gastonia City Council to help them
get their permit to open the club. The problem with opening this club was that there had been another club at
the same location with a history of late night rowdiness, shootings and other trouble. The new owners and
the shaggers had to convince the City Council that we were not the same kind of organization. We did such a
good job of persuasion that the ‘Jazzy Lady’ opened shortly thereafter.”
“Gaston Shaggers was also formed in March 1989 by a group of shaggers who wanted to form a non-profit
club in order to meet and dance together and to occasionally do something for the community. The first
meeting was held at the Jazzy Lady on a Sunday afternoon. It was agreed that our goal was to preserve and
practice the ‘shag’ and to promote business at the Jazzy Lady which had become home to us. We also
wanted to give something to the community when we could. It was nice to have a place to go dancing and
not have to drive out of town.”
“It was decided that we would meet on the third Sunday afternoon of each month. Our first Board of
Directors was chosen at the first meeting. Sonny Carver was President, Jane Yarbro was the Vice-President,
Judy Fowler the Secretary, Joan Drayton the Treasurer, Runt Lineberger was the Sergeant at Arms and the
Members-at-Large were Marshall Lafar, Sharon Tatlock, and Mike Goins. Ray Standridge was designated as
our first photographer. Also discussed was the need for a club newsletter. Steve Cloninger was appointed
the first newsletter chairman. Susan Harman was the co-chair.”
“Early in March the Gaston Shaggers hosted the Shag Celebration at the Jazzy Lady with Mike Lewis as the
D.J. We had a great turnout from surrounding clubs.”
“The club immediately grew to 79 members. The first published treasurer’s report reflected a balance on
hand of $265 that grew quickly to $1185 by the end of the month. Being that the club was not incorporated,
we discussed having an official logo. The board decided to present this to the club as a contest with a prize
of $25 to the best club logo design. The logo had to represent the textile influence of Gaston County. Scott
Summitt won the contest with the logo we still use today. The club colors were voted on as being teal and
white.”
“Gaston Shaggers joined the ‘S.O.S.’ organization which was owned by the Association of Carolina Shag
Clubs. As some of you remember, S.O.S. was purchased for $100,000 ($10,000 per year for 10 years) until
paid in full. Jim Koonce encouraged Gaston Shaggers to join the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs. For a
fee of $50, we joined. At that time, A.C.S.C. had 32 clubs with 6,000 members from Virginia to Florida and
all over North and South Carolina. We also had to send a copy of our by-laws, a list of club officers, and a
club representative.”
“At the April 1989 meeting, the club decided to participate in the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon…the first of
many ‘walks’ for Gaston Shaggers. The event was held on April 22 at Lineberger Park. A cookout was also
held in honor of the walkers at Jazzy Lady. The club also discussed participation in the upcoming Fish Camp
Jam and also the annual Christmas parade. Plans were laid for both events. The monthly meetings were
changed from Sunday afternoon to the third Friday of each month.” The club membership grew to 98.”
“At the May meeting, Gaston Shaggers met with some bad news. Charlie Johnson announced that the Jazzy
Lady would permanently close on May 27.” However, the board meeting met at Charlie’s home for the June
meeting. By July, membership grew to 108 and “the need for a meeting place was discussed. It was
arranged to meet at the club El Condor and that management would let us meet any time with no charge.”
“In August 1989, the first Chicken Pickin’ came down. It was held at the Mt. Holly Community Building.
The time was from 3:00pm until midnight and the cost was $10 for non-members, free to members. The
purpose of the party was to raise funds for Randall Rabb who needed a bone marrow transplant. The menu
was chicken, baked beans, slaw, and corn on the cob.”
“At the November meeting, club attorney Marshall Lafar presented the club’s official Bylaws.” The election
of the 1990 club officers were decided as Jack Brown (President), Bobby Brown (Vice-President), Edith
Humphries (Treasurer), Judy Fowler (Secretary) and Sharon Tatlock, Jane Yarbro, and Marshall Lafar as
Members-at-Large. Three years later, Gaston Shaggers officially became incorporated in September 1993.
From 1990 to 1995, Gaston Shaggers called multiple venues “home” including the Sports Nest (the old Webb
Theater), Rockin’ Robin’s, the Belmont Moose Lodge, the Gastonia Athletic Club, and the Gastonia Moose
Lodge until finding it’s permanent home at the Gastonia VFW off of Franklin Boulevard.
GSI has made many charitable donations over the years to organizations such as Holy Angels, The Empty
Stocking Fund, and The March of Dimes, just to name a few. In 1995, GSI presented Holy Angels with a
check for $16,500 from their Junior Shag Contest and was named the Holy Angels “Volunteer Group of the
Year.” In addition, GSI purchased a block of pavers in front of the ice cream shop on Ocean Drive to help
contribute to the revitalization of the downtown area.
In 1999, GSI celebrated its 10th anniversary with membership totaling 250 and average monthly party
attendance of 180. Today, Gaston Shaggers enjoys their 18th year as an organization by hosting its 18th
Cotton Pickin’ Chicken Eatin’ and its first ever Gaston Hospice Benefit and Amateur Shag Contest. With
membership at approximately 140, Gaston Shaggers continues to meet once a month at the Gastonia VFW
and welcomes excellent DJ’s as well as visiting clubs and new shaggers.
Gaston Shaggers is dedicated to continuing its history of promoting the dance, music, and beach culture,
while helping the community and providing a fun place to gather with friends.
We hope that you will visit us soon and come see why Gaston Shaggers is still going strong after 18
wonderful years!
-----
Gaston Shaggers, Inc. historical information written and provided by Carolyn Jones & Judy Fowler.
(Information organized by Amber Moon).
For many southerners, the Carolina Shag Dance is a way of life. The dance, the music, the people, and the
easy-going, “beach bum” lifestyle has provided a wonderful social outlet for people of all ages over the past
five decades. We’ve all heard the stories on how the shag dance began and its roots stemming from the
jitterbug, swing, and lindy hop – just to name a few. We’ve also heard the infamous story of the “message in
a bottle” written by Swink Laughter calling his beach buddies back to the beach for a reunion and the birth of
S.O.S.
What often goes unnoticed, however, are the humble beginnings of the one hundred shag clubs that are the
heart of the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs. Each club has their own unique story consisting of
dedicated individuals motivated by the desire to promote the Shag and provide a local gathering place to do so
with their friends.
As locals and natives of the piedmont of North Carolina and upstate region of South Carolina, Gaston
Shaggers, Inc. was formed in 1989 with the same objectives in mind.
“It all started in March 1989, when Becky and Charlie Johnson and Bobby and Gail Brown wanted to open a
club. In order to do this, some of the shaggers had to appear before the Gastonia City Council to help them
get their permit to open the club. The problem with opening this club was that there had been another club at
the same location with a history of late night rowdiness, shootings and other trouble. The new owners and
the shaggers had to convince the City Council that we were not the same kind of organization. We did such a
good job of persuasion that the ‘Jazzy Lady’ opened shortly thereafter.”
“Gaston Shaggers was also formed in March 1989 by a group of shaggers who wanted to form a non-profit
club in order to meet and dance together and to occasionally do something for the community. The first
meeting was held at the Jazzy Lady on a Sunday afternoon. It was agreed that our goal was to preserve and
practice the ‘shag’ and to promote business at the Jazzy Lady which had become home to us. We also
wanted to give something to the community when we could. It was nice to have a place to go dancing and
not have to drive out of town.”
“It was decided that we would meet on the third Sunday afternoon of each month. Our first Board of
Directors was chosen at the first meeting. Sonny Carver was President, Jane Yarbro was the Vice-President,
Judy Fowler the Secretary, Joan Drayton the Treasurer, Runt Lineberger was the Sergeant at Arms and the
Members-at-Large were Marshall Lafar, Sharon Tatlock, and Mike Goins. Ray Standridge was designated as
our first photographer. Also discussed was the need for a club newsletter. Steve Cloninger was appointed
the first newsletter chairman. Susan Harman was the co-chair.”
“Early in March the Gaston Shaggers hosted the Shag Celebration at the Jazzy Lady with Mike Lewis as the
D.J. We had a great turnout from surrounding clubs.”
“The club immediately grew to 79 members. The first published treasurer’s report reflected a balance on
hand of $265 that grew quickly to $1185 by the end of the month. Being that the club was not incorporated,
we discussed having an official logo. The board decided to present this to the club as a contest with a prize
of $25 to the best club logo design. The logo had to represent the textile influence of Gaston County. Scott
Summitt won the contest with the logo we still use today. The club colors were voted on as being teal and
white.”
“Gaston Shaggers joined the ‘S.O.S.’ organization which was owned by the Association of Carolina Shag
Clubs. As some of you remember, S.O.S. was purchased for $100,000 ($10,000 per year for 10 years) until
paid in full. Jim Koonce encouraged Gaston Shaggers to join the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs. For a
fee of $50, we joined. At that time, A.C.S.C. had 32 clubs with 6,000 members from Virginia to Florida and
all over North and South Carolina. We also had to send a copy of our by-laws, a list of club officers, and a
club representative.”
“At the April 1989 meeting, the club decided to participate in the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon…the first of
many ‘walks’ for Gaston Shaggers. The event was held on April 22 at Lineberger Park. A cookout was also
held in honor of the walkers at Jazzy Lady. The club also discussed participation in the upcoming Fish Camp
Jam and also the annual Christmas parade. Plans were laid for both events. The monthly meetings were
changed from Sunday afternoon to the third Friday of each month.” The club membership grew to 98.”
“At the May meeting, Gaston Shaggers met with some bad news. Charlie Johnson announced that the Jazzy
Lady would permanently close on May 27.” However, the board meeting met at Charlie’s home for the June
meeting. By July, membership grew to 108 and “the need for a meeting place was discussed. It was
arranged to meet at the club El Condor and that management would let us meet any time with no charge.”
“In August 1989, the first Chicken Pickin’ came down. It was held at the Mt. Holly Community Building.
The time was from 3:00pm until midnight and the cost was $10 for non-members, free to members. The
purpose of the party was to raise funds for Randall Rabb who needed a bone marrow transplant. The menu
was chicken, baked beans, slaw, and corn on the cob.”
“At the November meeting, club attorney Marshall Lafar presented the club’s official Bylaws.” The election
of the 1990 club officers were decided as Jack Brown (President), Bobby Brown (Vice-President), Edith
Humphries (Treasurer), Judy Fowler (Secretary) and Sharon Tatlock, Jane Yarbro, and Marshall Lafar as
Members-at-Large. Three years later, Gaston Shaggers officially became incorporated in September 1993.
From 1990 to 1995, Gaston Shaggers called multiple venues “home” including the Sports Nest (the old Webb
Theater), Rockin’ Robin’s, the Belmont Moose Lodge, the Gastonia Athletic Club, and the Gastonia Moose
Lodge until finding it’s permanent home at the Gastonia VFW off of Franklin Boulevard.
GSI has made many charitable donations over the years to organizations such as Holy Angels, The Empty
Stocking Fund, and The March of Dimes, just to name a few. In 1995, GSI presented Holy Angels with a
check for $16,500 from their Junior Shag Contest and was named the Holy Angels “Volunteer Group of the
Year.” In addition, GSI purchased a block of pavers in front of the ice cream shop on Ocean Drive to help
contribute to the revitalization of the downtown area.
In 1999, GSI celebrated its 10th anniversary with membership totaling 250 and average monthly party
attendance of 180. Today, Gaston Shaggers enjoys their 18th year as an organization by hosting its 18th
Cotton Pickin’ Chicken Eatin’ and its first ever Gaston Hospice Benefit and Amateur Shag Contest. With
membership at approximately 140, Gaston Shaggers continues to meet once a month at the Gastonia VFW
and welcomes excellent DJ’s as well as visiting clubs and new shaggers.
Gaston Shaggers is dedicated to continuing its history of promoting the dance, music, and beach culture,
while helping the community and providing a fun place to gather with friends.
We hope that you will visit us soon and come see why Gaston Shaggers is still going strong after 18
wonderful years!
-----
Gaston Shaggers, Inc. historical information written and provided by Carolyn Jones & Judy Fowler.
(Information organized by Amber Moon).