THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 31, 1995 TAG: 9512280160
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
In his 1991 best-seller, ``Iron John,'' Robert Bly explored the psyche of the modern man. Bly wrote that a man often gives up something he loves to make a living or tend to a family, only to return to that love when he reaches midlife.
Chuck Thompson, 45, of Nags Head, agrees with Bly. Thompson recently returned to his first love: music. He leads the Tropics, a beach music/rhythm-and-blues band that plays New Year's Eve at Lance's Seafood Bar and Grill in Nags Head.
Back in the 1960s, Thompson was all over his hometown of Greensboro, playing in combos like the Von Dells and CC and the Souls. One of his bands, the Shifters, cut a 45 that made a Greensboro radio station's top 40.
Thompson's guitar playing and singing were good enough to land him jobs with several hit-making beach music groups: the Tams, the Drifters and the Embers. He first visited the Outer Banks in 1967, when the Tams played the Nags Head Casino.
But in the late '60s, something happened in rock 'n' roll:
``The drug scene got real bad,'' Thompson says. ``I just couldn't get into it.''
So Thompson dropped out. He got married and started a family. But he still loved rock 'n' roll.
``When I quit,'' he says, ``I knew I would one day put it back together.''
That day came in July 1994. Thompson was walking in his neighborhood when he heard guitar playing coming from inside a house.
Rodney Kroetsch was the musician. Thompson liked what he heard and invited Kroetsch to join him in his basement studio.
Thompson's two 20-something sons were part of the original Tropics. They have since left the warm Tropics to play in a couple of cool alternative bands.
In addition to Thompson and Kroetsch, the other Tropics are bassist Tray Hatcher and drummer Mickey Corbel.
Thompson plays keyboards and sings with the band. He also writes songs. So far, the band plays eight of his originals to go along with the batch of cover tunes by the Beatles, the Temptations, the Four Tops and Rare Earth.
The Tropics have an authentic '60s sound, complete with tube-type amplifiers. About 50 songs are on the band's playlist.
``If you sit there for four sets,'' Thompson says, ``you'll hear something that brings back a memory.''
Thompson has other plans for the group, including recording a CD and possibly joining the lucrative East Coast Beach Music circuit.
But for right now, Thompson is happy playing for the Outer Banks' movers and shaggers.
``Music is still in me,'' he says. ``There's something in me that hasn't been satisfied.''
Mild-mannered postal clerk by day, dancing disc jockey by night, ``Bouncing Bob'' Muller is back at Kelly's for the annual New Year's Eve bash.
Muller doesn't play as much as he once did. For about 10 years, he was the Outer Banks' busiest and brightest mobile disc jockey. Regular gigs included the Sea Ranch, Darolina Cove, Fishtails, the Rib Company and Kelly's.
In addition to the club appearances, Muller played for weddings, company parties and anywhere else disc jockey services were needed.
But in the early '90s, Muller began to slow down. He needed more time for his duties as a Nags Head town commissioner.
``Late nights were getting old,'' he says. ``I also wanted to spend more time with my wife, Carole.''
These days, Muller hand-picks his gigs. He plays mostly charity events. But he hasn't lost his skills. Muller is a virtual sultan of segues as he easily shifts from one musical genre to the next, all the while keeping his audience dancing.
``I try to play a wide variety,'' he says. ``Kelly's demands it. You might hear a set of oldies and then a set of modern rock. I think I can feel what is right for the crowd.''
This is Muller's seventh New Year's Eve appearance at Kelly's. He promises a special music set at midnight.
``It's no real secret,'' he says. ``I've done it a few times.''
And what about the nickname, ``Bouncing Bob?''
``Mike Kelly needed something to put on the marquee,'' Muller says. ``He tried a couple of things like `Bodacious Bob,' but `Bouncing Bob' just seemed to fit.''
Yes, it fits. Muller, wearing a stylish hat and tie, dances, lip-syncs and pantomimes as the music plays.
Still bouncing after all these years. MEMO: For a list of New Year's Eve events, see Club Hoppin' below, and the
Nightclubs list that starts on the following page.
by CNB