Common Chords

The Serendipity Singers, Loving to Sing

Common Chords by Randall Hill

The Serendipity Singers

Flitting and out of the afternoon sun flowing into the Trinity Presbyterian Church sanctuary, the hands of Serendipity Singers director Diana Scroggins keeps the beat for the 30 artists who make up the all-female choral group.

“I felt there was a need to bring women together because women love to sing,” said Scroggins, who was directing one of their weekly practice sessions at the Surfside Beach church in preparation for one of two concerts for the year.

“This is a social organization made up of women and as witnessed by the number we have in the choir and the number of people that come to our concerts, there is a virtual need in the community,” said Scroggins, founder of the 6-year-old group.

She points out that there are challenges and advantages to having an all-female choir. “Women love to sing and they do so by singing to their children. The challenge is that there is not a lot of music for women’s voices so we’ve had to take music that includes men’s voices and incorporate it in with ours.”

California transplant Loni Eicholtz who joined the group after moving to the Strand, sees the singers as a way to help other women.

“There’s a bond that happens with us that goes well beyond the music,” she said. “We’ve laughed together and cried together through love affairs, through death of spouses and so forth. It’s the camaraderie, that community we’ve built that makes it extra special.”

On May 1st, the group will showcase their hard work in a free concert at Trinity Presbyterian.

“Heartland Hits Broadway” is the theme of the 3 p.m. concert, which will feature familiar tunes from two genres. The group will focus on Americana and Appalachian folk songs in the first section and Broadway hits during the second.

“I love to come here with these ladies,” said Harriet Blodis who also serves as the group’s public relations coordinator. “I really appreciate all the friendships and the good times we have. I sing every day of my life whether I’m here or not. I love to sing.”

Randall Hill

 

Watch this music only video of The Serendipity Singers performing "I Like Being A Girl".

Watch this music only video of The Serendipity Singers performing "Simple Gifts".

Jeff Watson, Living the Dream

Common Chords by Randall Hill

Jeff Watson

During a recent warm afternoon, guitarist Jeff Watson lifts his son Jonah in the air at the family’s basketball goal outside of their Conway home. The 2-year-old, the middle child of Jeff and Annie Watson, stretches his arms up and laughs uncontrollably as he dumps a basketball in the hoop.

The couple’s 6-year-old daughter Wren is nearby, drawing a hop-scotch pattern in chalk with a neighborhood friend.

They have raised their children while pursuing individual career dreams.

“He supported my dreams right off,” said Annie Watson from their daughter’s upstairs bedroom. The Marion native was taking a short break from straightening the house after returning home from work as a child psychologist with the Horry County Schools. “He supported me as I finished my degrees and would supplement our incomes with bartender jobs.”

“Now it is his turn,” she said with a large grin.

His role as father and musician are at different ends of the spectrum explained Watson as 4-month-old Garrett lies in his arms. The youngest Watson is enjoying a bottle of formula as his siblings play a dancing game nearby. “During the day, I’m like the house-husband taking care of these little rugrats as they go around the house,” he said. “I’ve got the kids running round and shuttling them to school, changing diapers and making bottles.”

After sundown, the roles change.

“At night I’m tuning guitars, playing gigs, dealing with club owners,” Watson said. “It’s about getting home late and getting up early. You gotta be like a Frankenstein sometimes and come out of bed and walk around and do what you gotta do.”

The 39-year-old Watson is excited about a new gig: lead guitarist and background vocalist for the local Josh Brannon Band. It’s his first experience with a country band, but Watson adds a little musical wisdom to the group.

“They are a little younger than me and in some cases a lot younger. But they have their heads on straight and keep everything together,” he said.” We’ve written some good songs and I’m enjoying the country guitarist role a lot.”

There have been good gigs and bad in his career as a guitarist along the Grand Strand, where he said he has played at almost every venue and bar.

“I know there’s a rainbow at the end of everything,” Watson said. “No matter how bad the night is going or how well, I’ve got this wonderful family waiting for me at home. You know when you reach down and give them a kiss or cover them when they are cold, nothing else matters.”

Randall Hill

 

Watch this music only video of the Josh Brannon Band song: "Hope This Feeling".

 

Watch this music only video of the Josh Brannon Band song: "Home in Carolina".