Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
When Willie Weeks moved from Cheraw to Myrtle Beach in 2017, he was a newly minted graduate of Francis Marion University’s music industry program, which prepares students for careers within the business. "I was looking for something in the entertainment music kind of business to kind of get my feet wet and saw that the Carolina Opry had an opening for a stagehand position," Weeks said. He applied, got the job and stayed for a few years. But Weeks was always drawn to music and became interested in guitar because of a family friend named Larry Spears, who used to visit the family home for weekend get-togethers and steered Weeks to the instrument at age 12. Early on, Weeks played in a band in the Florence and Cheraw areas before trying his hand in the music program at the University of South Carolina. "I was just not prepared for college at that point in my life," he said. "I ended up back home working for my dad at his meat packing plant." He soon made up his mind to return to school, and that’s when Francis Marion came into the picture. While he was working as a stagehand, he began to miss performing. In 2020, he decided to set out and start a career as a solo performer on the Grand Strand. He’s been playing out ever since. Week’s first gig came from Adam Gerrits at the Pawleys Island Tavern, aka the PIT. "It was right when COVID hit," Weeks said. "Adam hooked me up when everybody was doing the livestreaming stuff during the shutdown – so my first gig was at The PIT with a live stream we did from there. I’m grateful for him." One day, Weeks was at The Boathouse in Myrtle Beach to see a band he loved, Acoustic Syndicate, when he was approached by a guy who noticed Weeks’ Grateful Dead shirt. That guy was bass player Rich Passigli. "He said, 'You look like you play music,'" and I said I did. He said we should play music sometime." They did, and they started performing Grateful Dead songs as a duo. Eventually, that grew into a Grateful Dead tribute called Thursday’s Dead. A recent notable show was at the 20th annual Jerryfest at The Boathouse in August. You might have seen them at regular gigs at Grand Strand Brewing Company for its Sundays on the Plaza music series. Thursday’s Dead is Weeks (guitar/vocals), Greg Dalton (lead guitar/vocals), Jonathan Rice (drums/vocals) and Rich Passigli (bass). You can catch Thursday’s Dead in Myrtle Beach at Foster’s Café and Bar on Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. On Nov. 13, Weeks returns to the PIT for a solo show from 7-11 p.m. Watch for a band called How ‘Bout Now with Weeks on guitar, Katelyn Rachels on lead vocals, Bryan Butner on drums and Passigli on bass. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/willie.w.weeks. BROADWAY HILARITY COMES TO GEORGETOWN "Come Blow Your Horn" was the first play written by Broadway icon Neil Simon. It debuted in 1961 and was followed by a screen adaptation by Bud Yorkin in 1963 starring Frank Sinatra. It’s the story of a bored sibling who decides to visit his bachelor older brother in his big-city apartment, and the shenanigans that ensue. On select dates and times from Nov. 13-23, enjoy a Swamp Fox Players production of this stalwart comedy, directed by Ellen Hart McKinstrie, at the Strand Theater in Georgetown. Reserved seats are $25. For tickets and details, visit www.swampfoxplayers.com. CELEBRATE THIS VERSITILE TUBER IN GEORGETOWN COUNTY As Thanksgiving approaches, consider the sweet potato. During the American Revolution, it was a staple crop that soldiers and civilians alike – and is still an important part of our region’s identity today. On Nov. 15, you can celebrate all things sweet potato – including history, tradition, living history demos, sweet potato pie contests, artisans and more – as a component Georgetown County 250 celebration, past of the statewide SC 250 Commission and under the umbrella of America250, an initiative to engage every American in the 250th anniversary of the United States. It’s free to attend and happens at Hasty Point Plantation – a historic rice plantation in Plantersville – on Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information, go to www.southcarolina250.com.
