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The “BigTime” Party Band was formed in 2003 by long time friends Johnny Wilson and John Arthurs. Prior to that, the two had just finished up several reunion shows with their previous band "Bits & Pieces" which was a very popular regional band in the early to mid 80's. When it was decided that the "Bits & Pieces" reunion had gone as far as it was going to go, Johnny and John decided to keep performing together. The goal for their new band was to perform primarily "Beach Music" along with other party type music. The band had to be much tighter in every aspect than "Bits & Pieces" had been. Johnny and John split the lead vocals. John was also lead guitarist. Tom Cheek was hired to play bass and sing lead vocals on two or three songs plus falsetto and tenor harmonies. After an intense search for a drummer, they finally found Ernie Pryce, a local hairdresser with 40+ years experience in percussion. Ernie is the one who came up with the name “BigTime” Party Band. Dr. Mike Peele was gracious enough to play saxophone when he wasn't performing with his other band "Spoonful Of Soul". Dr. Gene Linfors also came in to provide saxophone, flute and clarinet. For the first year the band played mostly local shows. That soon grew to become regional. Within two years of their inception, the "BigTime” Party Band had developed a good reputation within the "Beach Music" world. During this time the first of several personnel changes began. Mahlon Hoard replaced Mike Peele in the saxophone department. Tom Cheek had been in a terrible automobile accident, which caused some medical issues, thus forcing him to leave the band. Bill Hancock, formerly with “The Castaways”, joined the band to play keyboards and add some vocals. Nick Alam, a bass vocalist with a gospel background and the youngest member, came to the band in late 2006. Even with the personnel changes, the “BigTime” Party Band kept moving forward. They went into the studio and recorded a five track promotional CD which was sent out to the "Beach Music" DJ's. "Drink Up", came from that CD. "Drink Up" was made available to the public on a compilation CD released by Repite/KHP Music called "I Could Dance All Night, Vol. 2". It was also made available to club and radio DJ’s on the promotional CD, “Sounds Of Spring”, through Craig Fleming and Beachmusic45.com.
Everything seemed to be going right for the “BigTime” Party Band. After acquiring a great sponsorship with “Fossilman Poker”, 2007 was looking to be a big year, with so many more opportunities to inform everyone in the "Beach Music" world that the “BigTime” Party Band would be a band to be watched. 2007 actually became a year of transition. Johnny developed throat problems that greatly diminished his vocal capability. Even after therapy and medication, the problem continued. Mahlon walked away to pursue other interests and more money in New York City, where he is performing live and staying busy doing studio work, which left Dr. Gene Linfors to play sax. John Arthurs was offered a position with "The Castaways" and after many weeks of decision making, left the “BigTime” Party Band in March of 2007 to play with them, leaving on extremely good terms. These changes left the remaining members unsure of the future. However, Johnny Wilson was not ready to give up. He enlisted his son, John Wilson, to come in and help with the vocals and secondary guitar. Rock Horton, who played bass with Johnny during the mid-80's in the band "Class Act", joined the “BigTime” Party Band. After several conversations, David Brooks, one of the hottest guitar players in the area, was convinced to take the lead guitar and vocal spot left vacant by John Arthurs. The band pushed forward through 2007 building a reputation as a great live act. By the end of the year, Johnny Wilson's daughter, Tiff Wheeler, got involved with the group on a part time basis. After having a modest solo success with her rendition of “Wade In The Water”, which was released on a promotional CD, “Sounds Of September” by Craig Fleming and Beachmusic45.com to the club and radio DJ’s, Tiff wrote a song called "Do Ya' Like". The band arranged and recorded the song with Tiff singing lead vocals. It was immediately picked up by Ripete/KHP Music and was released on a compilation CD, "This Is It, Carolina's Calling Me". As soon as the song hit the radio it became a hit, climbing as high as #4 in just 3 weeks on some of the charts. At one point, Tiff and the “BigTime” Party Band had three songs in the top 20 at the same time on many of the charts. As of April 2008, Tiff Wheeler has become a full time member of the "BigTime” Party Band and one of the top female vocalist in the beach music industry.
Bass guitarist Rock Horton left earlier in the year for personal reasons and was replaced for a short time by John Amero. Brian Terry, formally with the “Carousels” followed John Amero’s short stint and his talent and energy added just another dimension to the band. But as always, changes still occurred. Saxophonist, Dr. Gene Linfors, left to pursue other interest and because of the distance from where the band was located and where Brian Terry lived and the reforming of the “Carousels”, another bass guitarist, Michael Conn, joined the “BigTime” Party Band in July of 2008.
In April of 2008, the band had 3 songs released on the "gospel shag" CD entitled, "Swoop Down Jesus" volume 2, with Tiff having two songs, "Wade In The Water" and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and the band doing a shag version of "Have A Little Talk With Jesus".
The band's version of "Have A Little Talk With Jesus" received a standing ovation at the "Ripete/KHP New Release Party & Showcase" at N. Myrtle Beach during 2008 spring SOS.
With 8 performers, the style and sounds of the band are diverse and varied from song to song.
The 8 members are :
Bill Hancock-keyboards & vocals
Dave Brooks-guitar & vocals
Ernie Pryce-drums & vocals
Johnny Wilson-vocals & Operations manager (Job Do-er)
John Wilson- Vocals & secondary guitar
Michael Conn- Bass Guitar
Nick Alam-Bass Vocals & various percussion
Tiff Wheeler-Vocals & various percussion
AND
#9
Lynn Riley-Sound Engineer
With the talent and energy of these guys, there will be much great music to come from the "BigTime” Party Band in the future.

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