RIP Joe Pope

Hilton Head Island

May 13, 2025

This is an esoteric post.

Forty years ago my friends, Tom, Ron, Jack, Pete and Perry and I descended on Myrtle Beach for a bit of sun and fun. I arranged the accommodations which turned out to be much less than expected, but that’s a different story. Hmm, I wonder where that one-arm photo ended up? That’s also a different story.

One night we went to see the Tams perform. We all were big Tams’ fans. They were Carolina beach music royalty with almost all of their songs being beach music classics.

As I recall the story, Tom saw the lead singer Joe Pope at intermission and asked him if the Tams could sing their song “Dancing Mood” — or more accurately “Dancin’ Mood.” Joe seemingly didn’t remember the song. It’s not like the Tams song list was that long! I don’t recall whether they ended up singing the song, but I do recall this story!

I was reminded of Mister Pope and the Myrtle Beach story this morning when I drove by this cemetery. Fairly sure this Joe Pope is not the one from the Tams, but it’s fun to think it might be!