Jim Thomas & Charlie Newell,Friends Through Music

Common Chords By Randall Hill

Jim Thomas and Charlie Newell

The two friends remember the day as if it were yesterday. Jim Thomas and fellow musician Charlie Newell were driving down 16^th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach in Jim’s Volkswagen in the late summer of 1967 when a song came on the radio that would change them emotionally and musically forever. “I remember the look on your face that day,” said Newell, “and I know I had the same look.” The song was “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix, and it became a day that they both honor. The music they heard for the first time that day solidified a friendship still immersed in music.

40 years later, the long-time friends are still playing music together, now as the founding members of the Myrtle Beach band The Chainsaws.

“The Chainsaws has been put together to be an entertainment vehicle,” said Thomas. But the band is more than that, he said. “It’s become instrumental in being a mobile reunion phenomenon as well.” On this Saturday night in May, the friends are preparing the stage for a Chainsaws gig at Bimini’s Oyster Bar in Myrtle Beach.

For Thomas, performing with the band is no small feat. An engineer with a large defense contractor, Thomas lives in Cherry Hill, N.J. To keep his dates with the band he must schedule them around his demanding career and fly to the Grand Strand. “It’s a hobby that keeps me going,” he said about playing music. “I’ve never lost the love of playing the guitar.”

Still living in Myrtle Beach not far from where he grew up, Charlie is retired after working for the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The two met in the 10^th grade at Myrtle Beach High School. “There’s always been this sense of knowing between us musically,” said Newell about his long-time band mate. “It’s a level of connection I’ve never experienced in another setting. We’re able to go in completely different directions but we know what the other is going to do.”

“How do you describe a friend?” asked Thomas. “Somehow you’re able to share things you can’t share with anybody else. With Charlie we’ve never lost it.”

Hear "The Chainsaws" perform 'I'm a Man'.

posted by 

Randall Hill

Comments

[Nell Ciaccio]

I'm the lucky girl that gets to play with these guys! What a great time we have. It's really rewarding working with them because they don't just play the music, they really want the end product to have quality, (and have fun doing it)! I've been blessed getting to be a part of this.
Thanks Randall for enlightening our community to the many music venues and talent we have in our area. Great job.

[Sam Hannaford]

I am extremely impressed with this and all the other Common Chords segments. As a lover of music of all kinds and the quality it addds to life, it is truly a blessing. I too am proud to be involved in this partnership between Charlie and Jim. Keep up the great work Randall!

[Sam Hannaford]

I am extremely impressed with this and all the other Common Chords segments. As a lover of music of all kinds and the quality it adds to life, it is truly a blessing. I too am proud to be involved in this partnership between Charlie and Jim. Keep up the great work Randall!

[Mark Callaway]

I can't wait to come down to S.C. and see your show . Mark Callaway ,Cary,N.C. a friend of Sam Hannaford . Take care !

[Marybeth]

Thanks for the piece, Randall. This is a great blog you're keeping! As a musician with a local background, it's wonderful to have a niche for displaying talent and special human interest stories.

[Nancy Moore]

Randall, you have done a terrific job of capturing the essence of Jeff, the Chainsaws, and Bob and Casey. These are all great clips!! It makes me so happy to see and hear these. I think of Jeff most every day, at the most random times. I will miss him always. He would love these!! Thank you so much for all your hard work.

[Pam Ridgway]

Hey Sam, isn't Neil McKnight in the picture of Common Chords?
I remember going to the Catholic church there (I think that's where)and watching them practice. Is Neil still there in MB?

Pam (Compton)Ridgway
frogswife@aol.com

[SAM HANNAFORD]

RANDALL...YOU HAVE DONE IT YET AGAIN. YOU ARE A TRUE ARTIST. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE HARD WORK. IT TOOK A LOT TO COVER A MAN THAT WAS AS BIG AS JEFF IN STATURE AND IMPACT...YOU MADE A DEPOSIT ON YOUR WINGS...GOD BLESS YOU-SAM

[daniel LIkes Best-Chain Saws]

Nice post.As a lover of music i am eager to see your show . i just love it.

daniel

Chain Saws Review