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Into a New Millennium of Beach Party Summertime Fun!
THE BOB & THE BEACHCOMBERS WING OF THE MUSEUM OF ROCK & ROLL HISTORY
1998 - 2001
Bob & the Beachcombers
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After a few more years of traveling 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 in the band was filled by a succession of talented bass players over the next couple of years, including Mike "Barney" Barnett, Brian Beauchamp, Dave "Fuzzy" Garnett, Al Schilling, and Steve "Woody" Wyss (pictured with the saxophone).
Steve Fuller left the band to perform the lead role in a traveling off-broadway theater adaptation of the cartoon strip "Crankshaft" and was replaced by guitarist Mike Fischell (pictured) who in 2001 was recognized by the Guitar Center music store as the Midwest performer with the most instrument pedals, effects, buttons, dials, switches, signal processors, and controls in the industry. Eventually, Mike was replaced by the extremely talented Steve Paris. Edgar Murphy played on, but eventually took a day job that limited his ability to travel and had to retire from the beach. He was replaced by Mark Buelow for two years, and later by Guy Johnson, of Rockin' Hollywoods fame.
The Baby Boomers continued to age, while families cacooned, and casinos continued to suck ever-increasing revenues out of the entertainment industry in the Midwest, but the Beachcombers played on whenever and wherever they could. | |
2001 - 2004
Bob & the Beachcombers
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The next couple of years were difficult for the Beachcombers, as corporate parties became few and far between, street dances and city celebrations cut their budgets, and D.J.'s and country bands encroached upon what used to be primarily a classic rock & roll entertainment market. Even casinos cut back and many stopped using regional groups altogether. Meanwhile, several area booking agenicies closed their business offices in the Twin Cities, cut their staff, and began working out of their homes, using the Internet, fax machines and cell phones to ply their trade.
Guitarist Steve Paris played lead guitar and sang for the Beachcombers during this difficult time, and his extraordinary voice and amazing guitar stylings received standing ovations from audiences throughout the Midwest. Drummer and vocalist Mark Buelow laid down a solid beat and sang a great variety of songs and styles that made him a valuable member of the band. The Beachcombers #1 substitute and fill-in during this time was Brian Beauchamp, who was a great singer and could sit in on either drums or bass guitar. Once he became available for a permanent position with the band, the Beachcombers had one of their strongest and most telented line-ups in years.
The band bought all of its Hawaiian leis, beach balls, inflatable dolphins and fish, and a wide variety of plush animals and plastic toys from a company called "Sally Distributing" in New Hope, Minnesota. And when Sally Distributing was looking for a theme for their 2001 wholesale catalog, they set-up a photo shoot at their corporate warehouse and invited the Beachcombers to pose for the cover.
And if Mark couldn't make the show, Brian went back on the drums and their friend, Al Schilling, took over on the bass. Al, Brian and Steve had worked together for several years in one of the Midwest's most popular and successful groups called "Rave On" (along with Steve Wyss). These three friends and talented musicians gave the Beachcombers a renewed feeling of energy, power, enthusiasm, and professionalism that had been missing over the last couple of years.
And right then and there Bob began making plans for a change, a fresh start, and a new beginning for "Bob & the Beachcombers".
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2005
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