The Tams - Ramshackle Shack (Sparkling Brown Eyes)

How this old Roy Acuff tune ended up in the repertoire of The Tams is a story I'd love to hear someday, but the fact that it did demonstrates that The Tams knew their audience. The popularity of Carolina Beach Music is somewhat rooted in the "song of the common folk", and I think The Tams realized this.
You'd sometimes have to ask them to sing it, but when they got around to it, the Carolina audiences in particular loved it, "Ramshackle Shack", aka "Sparkling Brown Eyes".

Category:

Music

Tags:

• The Tams
• Carolina Beach Music
• Country
• Shag
• Ramshackle Shack
• Sparkling Brown Eyes

[DebiNga]

I have a question if you can answer....Robert L. Smith I know was one of the original backup singers with The Tams...but he has since created his own The Original Tams groups...you can see their video on here...he is trying to pass himself off as a lead singer...it is my understanding that Joe...did the lead singing...as you can't mistake his voice on their music...I know Charles did some leads...what is the deal here?

[Nocaro]

@DebiNga Joe was an integral, irreplaceable part of the Tams, and although there will continue to be a Tams group, in some cases with original or long-time members, you cannot replace Joe's voice. There are touring groups out there calling themselves The Platters, The Coasters, The Drifters, etc. but without the original lead voices, it's never going to be the same. I don't know what to say to you about this situation other than this.

[cmisgood]

GREAT song. Takes me back to 1967, Independence High School after the prom with Kathy. What a beautiful person and a wonderful memory always. We set the LP to play this song over and over. all night long. Thank you Tams, thank you Kathy.

[VitaminseaFL]

One of the great Tams songs, hadn't heard it in years. Thanks for posting!!

[mothergrace1]

i had the pleasure of being in a "beach music " band for many years and opened for at least two versions of the drifters.the real deal was bill pinkney--as far as the tams go --to me anyway-- is joes son carrying it on

[DebiNga]

@Nocaro Thanks for responding...it's aggravating to know I have followed The Tams for years and I met Joe and I know Charles and his son and wife Diane.....to know that others are passing themselves as them...and when you call them out on it...they get nasty or defensive like you caught them with their hand in the cookie jar...so many of the back ups have changed...but to know the difference in the leads...

[cotton25th]

One of the great groups in SOUTH...... !! my favorite song !

[VA24541]

Not sure how the Tams came to include this country song, but I am sure glad they did. It's a good song, no matter who is singing it, so I guess that is the bottom line, plus the Tams always knew how to make a song their own.