BY KIRSTEN BALLARD

Staff Writer

Summer is a magical time, a time of beach trips and lazy days. A time to "be young, be foolish, be happy."

Known for embodying the very sounds of summer into music is the hit group the Tams.

The Tams will be performing their greatest hits Thursday, July 5, at the Fair Barn as part of a fundraiser for the Carolina Performing Arts Center.

The CPAC is a nonprofit organization that teaches -classical dance training. Fundraiser tickets are $15, and the event is from 7 to 11 p.m.

There will be -inexpensive food and drink, along with a silent auction. The auction will include a child's bedroom makeover.

Gena Smith, CPAC board member, describes the event as a family outing. She wanted an event that is affordable but still fun for all ages.

Smith is excited to host the iconic band. "Shag music is so indigenous to this area," she says.

The Tams became famous in the 1960s for their easy beach music that lent itself well to the popular dance.

The secret to the Tams' popularity?

The group's liaison Dianne Pope thinks it's their music.

"It's high energy and makes people happy," she says.

The Tams will be performing a musical set of their famous hits, blending Motown and beach music in their songs like "What Kind of Fool" and "I've Been Hurt."

Both Smith and Pope indicate hopes to turn this into an annual event. The Tams have not performed locally in years and are very excited to return to the area.

"They'd love to come back," says Pope.

At the event will be the Original Tams, with the addition of Charles Pope and Little Redd. The Tams have been through some group changes throughout their history but have never lost their identity as a lynchpin to the beach music community.

The Tams were founded in 1962. Their members were Joseph Pope and Charles Pope (founders), Horace Key, Floyd Ashton, and Robert Lee Smith. They were looking to make some money by having fun singing and dancing.

The Tams have traveled the world.

"The Tams are a national recording group with national hits," says Pope.

Their music was the ticket into the Beach Music Hall of Fame.

Beach music is commonly known as Carolina music, so Smith views it as a treat to host the Tams here. Many locals grew up shagging to the Tams.

"Wear your dancing shoes," advises Smith.

Tickets are available at www.seat yourself.biz, the Arts Council of Moore County at (910) 692-2787, Edible Arrangements, in Pinecrest Plaza, and Plan B in downtown Aberdeen.

For further information, call (910) 585-1794.

Contact Kirsten Ballard at kirsten @thepilot.com.