Thirty years of rock & roll in the "Land of 10,000 Beaches", and still Minnesota didn't have a beach party band to call it's own!

Bob was determined to make rock & roll history, and so it was that the original "Beachcombers" band debuted on December 7, 1986, with original members

• Doug "The Snake" Locken on lead guitar,
• Sally "Surfboard Sal" Westermeyer on drums,
• Dick "Bird Dog" Erickson on bass, and
• Bob "The Big Kahuna" Burtis on keyboards, sax, and guitar.

In no time at all, they were making waves, throughout the Twin Cities and the upper Midwest!

Next summer, the Beachcombers were the featured weekday attraction at the Valleyfair Amusement Park in Shakopee, Minnesota, with their original show, "Beach Party Summer"!

An ever-expanding list of special events, city celebrations, corporate clients, and public shows took them across the Midwest, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Minot, North Dakota and Bemidji, Minnesota, to Lincoln, Nebraska.

The following year, Doug Locken was replaced by Lee "The Sultan of Surf" Sherseth on lead guitar, and Sally Westermeyer left the group, with Lauren McArthur taking her place behind the drums.

A year and a half later, Lauren McArthur moved on to take a position with the "Rockin' Hollywoods" and was replaced by drummer, Edgar "Malibu" Murphy.

Lee Sherseth left to play the blues, and gave up his job to Bill "Bogus" Quirk, joining Bob and Dick in the strongest Beachcomber lineup yet.

Two new fully staged and costumed theme parties were introduced, called "Saturday Night Cruise!" and "Rock & Roll High School". The Minnesota Surf sound was coming into its own, and the Beachcombers began showing up on cable TV broadcasts throughout the Twin Cities area and the Beachcombers broadened their family entertainment format to include performances at everything from ECFE groups and daycare centers to company picnics and "Arts In the Parks" shows around the five state area.

The addition of the "Motown Magic!" theme party show made this band the most versatile show group in the Midwest.

It was the best "Beachcombers" yet, but eventually Dick left to devote full time to the "Teddy Bear Band" and Bill retired from the group to work as a solo act.

Steve "Moondoggy" Fuller signed on as lead guitarist and Daryl Eastburg took over on bass.

1995 was highlighted by their triumphant return to Valleyfair in their unique and original show called, "Summer Magic", along with the amazing "Magic of Dexter!"

After a few more years of traveling the Midwest with the Beachcombers, Daryl Eastburg decided to retire from rock & roll and took a full time position at a Twin Cities digital technology company. His position was filled by several bass players over the next couple of years, including Mike Barnett, Dave "Fuzzy" Garnett, Brian Beauchamp, Al Schilling and Steve "Woody" Wyss (pictured with the sax).

Steve Fuller was replaced by guitarist Mike Fischell (pictured) and later the very talented Steve Paris. Edgar Murphy hung in there awhile, but eventually took a day job that limited his ability to travel and had to retire from the band. He was replaced by Mark Buelow for two years, and later by Guy "Gar" Johnson, of "Rockin' Hollywoods" fame.

When Guy Johnson decided leave the Beachcombers to join a three piece combo and get off the road, Bob wasn't sure where to go next, as the busy summer season was right around the corner. His son, Shawn (formerly "Surfer Shawn"), overheard the phone conversation with the drummer, and said HE could play drums with the band. Shawn was now a college student at the University of Minnesota, and excellent percussionist and a member of the U of M Marching Band.

Al Schilling signed on as lead guitar and Brian Beauchamp took the position of bass player, and an exciting new "Bob & the Beachcombers" was born, we decided to call "The Next Generation of Beach Party Fun!"

Throughout the years, the Beachcombers have earned the reputation of being one of the top show and dance bands in the Midwest.

They won the 1990 Academy Award from the Minnesota Ballroom Operators Association for the best 50's and 60's band in Minnesota and since that time, have gone on to prove themselves time and time again at festivals, street dances, city celebrations, state and county fairs, corporate events, outdoor concerts, company parties, and national conventions.

The addition of their "Welcome to Minnesotaville!" tribute to Jimmy Buffett and their popular "Minnesotaville!" CD featuring original lyrics and recordings of Jimmy Buffett classics has brought "Bob & the Beachcombers" national attention and a growing fan base that now extends from coast to coast.

In late 2010 Shawn's band "Cedar Avenue" broke new ground with the release of their CD "Someday Soon", and concerts around the Twin Cities and across the Midwest. Shawn had been a terrific addition to the Beachcombers show, but we wished him well as he moved forward with his musical career.

We were fortunate that our good friend and former percussionist Edgar "Malibu" Murphy was available and willing to return to the "Bob & the Beachcombers" traveling fun show. With his great vocals, personality, charm, charisma and inimitable drum stylings, the Beachcombers were ready for their best summer ever in 2011.

With two successful seasons at Valleyfair, appearances at the Minnesota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota State Fairs, and their new shows and ideas, the Beachcombers continue to build on their reputation for first class entertainment, rock & roll family fun, original talent, and professional shows as they rock & roll into the future!