Book Spotlight: The Embers: The Bobby Tomlinson Story by Chris Jones, Bill Benners, Skip Crayton

Dive into the heart and soul of Carolina Beach Music with The Embers: The Bobby Tomlinson Story. This captivating narrative, co-authored by seasoned writers Chris Jones, Bill Benners, and Skip Crayton, charts the illustrious journey of Bobby Tomlinson, the original drummer and driving force behind The Embers. From their formation in the late 1950s to their crowning as icons of beach music, this book offers an intimate look at the band’s rise to fame, their musical evolution, and their enduring impact on the Southern music scene. Packed with firsthand anecdotes, behind-the-scenes insights, and rare photos, this book is a treasure trove for anyone who’s ever shagged to the rhythm of “I Love Beach Music” or swayed to “Far Away Places.” Join us on a nostalgic ride through the golden days of beach music with Bobby and The Embers, and relive the magic that defined a generation.

About Author Chris Jones, Bill Benners, Skip Crayton

Author Bios: Chris Jones, Skip Crayton & Bill Benners
Co-authors of The Embers: The Bobby Tomlinson Story

Chris Jones is a journalist and first-time author based near Athens, Georgia. After a 40-year career in corporate public affairs, he returned to storytelling with his award-winning article “White Fraternities and Black Music in the ’60s,” later reprinted internationally. His early years as a radio deejay and reporter fueled his lifelong passion for music and Southern culture. The Bobby Tomlinson Story is his book debut, bringing depth and authenticity to the life of The Embers’ founding drummer.

Skip Crayton, a lifelong resident of New Bern, North Carolina, is a columnist, author, and Navy veteran. A UNC Chapel Hill graduate, Skip’s popular newspaper columns led to several books, including Remember When. He served as executive producer of The Embers: The Heart and Soul of Beach Music, the acclaimed PBS documentary. His warmth and storytelling skills helped shape this book’s emotional core, drawing on decades of firsthand Carolina experience.

Bill Benners, also from New Bern, is an accomplished playwright, novelist, and publisher. He spent 20 years in radio before writing the bestselling thriller My Sister’s Keeper, which sold over 500,000 copies. As CEO of McBryde Publishing, he co-authored and produced the 2015 Embers documentary. With a deep love of music and narrative, Bill helped craft The Bobby Tomlinson Story into a vibrant account of a band that defined a genre.

Together, Jones, Crayton, and Benners combine journalism, storytelling, and publishing experience to bring The Embers’ legacy to life with heart, humor, and historical precision.

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