To hear it, you might think you just stepped into Motown. To breathe it, you smell a tropical breeze caressing a sandy beach. To feel it, you let the rhythm grasp your body and whirl it into motion. To see it, is like an extravaganza of light and energy. But to experience it, you must say it…”I want the Tams!” The Tams are one of America”s all time favorite recording acts. World renown for their special blend of music that makes up the Beach Music sound, the Tams entertain crowds around the globe nearly 300 days a year! Probably best known for their 1968 gold hit, “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy”, the Tams are celebrating the recent success of their newest single, “Ain”t Nothing Like Shagging”, which reached number 8 on the European charts. This live, party band began performing in local taverns and nightclubs for wages of $1.25 each. To them this money was from heaven. Imagine – getting paid to sing. Initial pay of these early days only provided enough money to buy matching multi colored Tam O”Shanter hats on stage – in which local patrons of the night spots nicknamed them the Tams, a name that would eventually be known around the world. In 1962, producer Bill Lowery agreed to cut one demo single on the group. To his surprise, the record gained much regional success, allowing him to negotiate a major recording contract with ABC records. Their first album, “Presenting the Tams”, produced a number one record, “What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am)”. This propelled The Tams into professional status and national popularity. They soon found themselves playing to sold out auditoriums from The Howard Theater in Washington, DC to the famed Apollo Theater in New York City. A string of hits followed, including “You Lied To Your Daddy”, “Hey Girl”, “I”ve Been Hurt”, “It”s Better To Have Loved A Little”, and “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy”. During this time, the Tams developed a spectacular revue touring with their own 14 Karat Gold Band. After years of appearances and 10 albums, The Tams have been honored with two Gold Records. In 1986 the group received the coveted award and title “Beach Band of the Decade”, at the Beach Music Awards. In 1988, The Tams were spotlighted as the Outstanding Black Musical Group by the Atlanta Black History Awards. In 1992, The Tams were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. The Tams are a dance band that has bridged the generations of music. Their unique sound spans all ages, styles and regions. They are classic with an exhilarating stage show. Charles Pope, original member, brother to the late Joe Pope, Lil Redd has been with the Tams for 35 years, since he was 6 years old and Greg Gallashaw, Reginald Preston, Robert Arnold and Elton Richardson has been a members for over 15 years. They are the Beach, they are good times, they are times, they are simply rock and roll at it”s finest. For booking information on The Tams or to book or hire this band for your wedding reception, college event, corporate function or concert, click on the Request Booking Information tab below.

Reviews:

“Saw the TAMS at the Plaza jam. A great show, could not ask for anything more. I go war back with the TAMS playing at the Coachman & Four club back in 1969 and up. Great entertainers.”

“Saw The Tams first time ever, at Panama City Beach on Friday, September 23, 2016. Was totally caught by surprised! Lil Red has super energy and the Tams overall performance was nothing short of spectacular!! GREAT JOB FORKS! COME BACK TO PANAMA CITY. Yay!”

“I loved seeing the tams with the drifters little red jumped off the stage and sang walking through the audience. he stopped next to my friend patsy who had hurt herself falling recently. he sang I’ve been hurt to her and said he would not forget her. he picked a member of the audience to sing on stage. he couldn’t sing but he danced with the tams. I enjoyed the show patsy and I want to see them again.”