Bringing the beach to the ‘Pep

Culpeper may lie in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but next week residents will get a taste of South Carolina’s sandy shores.

The fourth and final installment of Culpeper Renaissance’s Third Thursday concerts will feature Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs, famous for his beach music and hit singles, “Little Darlin’,” “May I,” and “Stay.”

Originally from South Carolina, Williams was born April 26, 1940 and moved to Charlotte, N.C. in 1965, where he still lives today. He said in a phone interview Thursday that his teen sweetheart inspired him to write “Little Darlin’” when she left him because she learned about his other girl. He won her back, then wrote “Stay,” for the her. He recorded “Little Darlin’” when he was 16.

“Stay” saw a resurgence in popularity in 1987 when it was included in the wildly popular “Dirty Dancing,” starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.

“My songs are inspired by love,” Williams said. “Most doo-wop songs are like that — beautiful and happy. It was a happy time; most of us were younger and in love.”

Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs performed in Culpeper about three years ago, and concertgoers can expect a selection of music from the ’50s through the ’70s.

“We’re looking forward to being there,” Williams said. “We did real well up there. Great audience.”

Recently, Williams has been working on an anniversary album for “Little Darlin’,” which should be done next week and in stores by the end of the year, he said. He is also writing a book, “sort of an autobiography,” he said, which should be finished by the first of the year.

“He is just a great all-time favorite when it comes to beach music,” said CRI Director Diane Logan. “He loved Culpeper and Culpeper loved Maurice Williams, so he was a natural to invite back. Everyone keeps asking, ‘Where is the Carolina beach music?’ And I know that’s my agenda — to add more beach music.”

Not only does Logan want to add similar acts next year, but CRI has decided to have the concerts “stay just a little bit longer” in the season. That’s right: next year Culpeper will have five Third Thursday concerts, running from May through September.

“The community has been extremely supportive,” Logan said. “In spite of the thunderstorms, it’s really been a great season.”

Catherine Amos can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 138 or .

Who’s playing?
Who: Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs
What: The season’s final Third Thursday concert
Where: The Depot
When: Aug. 21, 5 to 9 p.m.
Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 at the door.