The Swingin’ Medallions formed in Greenwood, South Carolina, in 1962 (originally as The Medallions ) with John McElrath (keyboards), Jim Doares (guitar), Carroll Bledsoe (trumpet), Charles Webber (trumpet), Brent Forston (sax, flute), Steven Caldwell (sax), James Perkins (bass), and Joe Morris (drums).
The group’s energetic, brass-heavy live act soon developed a strong following, and their single Double Shot (of My Baby’s Love) became a million seller in 1966, hitting #17 on the Billboard charts and staying there for 23 consecutive weeks. It has remained a party classic for decades.
Riding on this success, their debut album – also titled Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love) – was propelled to #88 on the Billboard 200.
She Drives Me Out Of My Mind (1966) and Hey, Hey, Baby (1967) were both top 40 hits, and in 1968, the band featured in the film Mondo Daytona.
The Swingin’ Medallions continued to perform shows into the 2000s, albeit with an ever-changing lineup.
Steve Caldwell died of pancreatic cancer on 28 January 28 2002. Charlie Webber died of cancer on 17 January 2003.
Gary “Cubby” Culbertson died on 27 March 2014. Jimbo Doares died on 7 September 2022. He was 78.
John McElrath died of Parkinson’s disease on 9 June 2018, aged 77.
John McElrath
Keyboards Jim “Jimbo” Doares Guitar James Perkins
Bass Carroll Bledsoe
Trumpet Charles Webber
Trumpet Brent Forston
Saxophone, flute Steven Caldwell
Saxophone Joe Morris
Drums Gary “Cubby” Culbertson
Guitar Perrin Gleaton
Guitar Freddie Pugh
Saxophone
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Riding on this success, their debut album – also titled Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love) – was propelled to #88 on the Billboard 200.
