April 18, 2001. Maurice Williams
received the Order of the Palmetto from Governor Jim Hodges this day in Columbia, SC.
The Order of the Palmetto is the highest honor that any civilian can receive
from the State of South Carolina. On hand were a number of Beach Music luminaries
and the press including Billy Scott, Drink Small, Harry Turner and Hilda Carter.
Maurice is also an inductee of the South Carolina Music and Entertainment Hall
of Fame, and will soon be inducted into the North Carolina Music and Entertainment
Hall of Fame.
latest news - back to basics
Maurice Williams' latest CD is called BACK TO BASICS.
It includes new performances of his gold records STAY, LITTLE DARLIN' and MAY I.
The songs on BACK TO BASICS, released on EMN Records, include:
Little Darlin'- Covered by Elvis on his LP "Moody Blue.
Stay - #1 in 1960 for Maurice and the Zodiacs, this song was also the
cornerstone for the biggest selling movie soundtrack in history, "Dirty Dancing."
YoungBlood - Youngblood was a smash for the Coasters in 1957, and then a standard
for the Beatles from their early rock days.
Sexy Ways - This song was originally done by Hank Ballard
and the Midnighters, both in the mid fifties and again in the 80s.
Sweet Bobie Jean - Another Maurice WIlliams original hit.
One Mint Julip - Originally done by the Clovers in 1954, Ray Charles
also had a hit on this one as an instruemental.
Tryin' to Live My Life Without You - A Bob Seeger classic.
Unchained Melody - This is one of Maurice's biggest songs when he performs
live. We remember it as a mega-hit from the soundtrack
of Ghost. This is Maurice at his best.
May I - Covered by Bill Deal and the Rondells, this Maurice classic
is truly a crowd-pleaser live.
Talk to Me - Maurice captures the very essence of this hit by Little
Willie John.
Against The Wind - Another Bob Seeger classic.
If You Gotta Make A Fool of Somebody - This 50s classic by James Ray was
recently recorded by JANICE. Now there is a third, more bluesy version.
Any Day Now - Maurice follows Chuck Jackson and Ronnie Milsap in making
this song a modern classic.
Brothers - More from the pen of Maurice WIlliams.
Hey Girl - Maurice does a spectacular performance of this monster
hit from the 60s by Freddie Scott.
We would like to thank music historian Harry Turner for his assistance in
preparing this information on the songs from BACK TO BASICS.
