No red carpets on Folly: Marshall Tucker denied
By Ali Akhyari
As the South Carolina Film Commission continues its work of bringing “Hollywood” money to our State and local economies, the lowcountry, epitomizing natural and historic beauty, has become an increasingly popular locale for filmmakers. It’s inevitable, then, that stories featuring cultural icons on very local backgrounds will begin to surface. Folly Beach, has hosted the filming of
The Marshall Tucker Band got denied access to the Sand Dollar Social Club on Folly Beach during a recent visit.
at least two major motion pictures just in the last year. True to form, an interesting story has come out of it.
Fans are usually the ones turned away from a private party or backstage encounter, barring exposed cleavage and skimpy outfits, of course. Generally, the majority of fans who want nothing more than a picture with their musical idol go home with nothing but a dream of the next show as backstage doors are slammed in their face, reminding us that we are mere mortals in the presence of man-made gods. However, Marshall Tucker and his band got a reminder of what it’s like on the other side of the fence during a recent visit to Folly Beach, according to the rumor mill.
According to a local source, the “Marshall Tucker Band” was in town doing a gig for the movie Angel Camouflaged which is currently being filmed on Bowen’s Island. The film follows “Scottie” a failed musician who joins her brother in the Florida Keys to reopen a dilapidated bar called Kokonuts left to them by their recently deceased aunt Marie. After fixing the place up they try to figure out what type of music should be played at the bar and they “try out” several genres of music before deciding that Scottie should play the music herself. The Marshall Tucker Band could have been one of the musical acts representing Southern Rock as Kokonuts searches for an identity. Hopefully, we’ll get to see them perform in the film.
The story is that during the band’s stint in the area, they went to the Sand Dollar Social Club to hang out on Sunday, November 8. Of course, anyone familiar with Folly Beach knows that this is a very local, private bar to which you need a membership and is also a glove that fits the band perfectly. Either the bouncer didn’t recognize the group or the Sand Dollar doesn’t bend its rules for anybody; not even a legendary Southern musical group who used to play on the Folly Beach pier in the 60’s. Either way, Marshall Tucker and his band were denied access to our local, locals spot. I have to think they laughed as they turned away and walked the street as mortals for what was probably the first time in a long while. I also have to think the bouncer dislocated his own knee in order to kick himself in the crotch for that one. No offense, but I’d want to punch myself for missing an opportunity to share a drink with Marshall Tucker in my house.
This is interesting for a couple of reasons. First, the Marshall Tucker Band may be permanently burned into film performing at our local Bowen’s Island restaurant for the rest of the world to see. How cool is that? Plus, you heard it here first…hopefully. Second, when you’re watching Angel Camouflaged with a friend sometime in the future, you’ll have a little story to tell when you see the band playing at Bowen’s Island, I mean “Kokonuts” in the Floriday, Keys. You’ll look really cool to whoever you’re telling and you might be able to use it as a springboard to “second base” if the situation is conducive to such a thing. Your best friend might find it offensive. Who knows?
Anyway, congratulations to “Follywood” for owning the rights to the future Folly Beach.
