On December 3, 1968 the O’Kaysions, a pop music group, earned a gold record for their hit, “Girl Watcher.”
Originally from Wilson, the blue-eyed soul group is generally known as a beach music band. With Donnie Weaver as the lead singer, the band first formed as the Kays in 1959, but it wasn’t until 1968 that they scored their biggest hit with “Girl Watcher.” The song remained in the top 10 for nine weeks.
“Girl Watcher” was recorded at Pitt Sound Studio in Greenville on a local label but was released nationally by ABC Records. The song’s catchy tune and lyrics have made it ripe for parody, and in 1987, it was reworked as “I’m a Wheel Watcher” to promote the game show “Wheel of Fortune.”
Incarnations of the band still perform, but the original members have only reunited one time to be inducted into the Carolina Beach Music Awards Hall of Fame in 2003. Wayne Pittman, the group’s guitarist, is the only original member still playing. He serves as the band’s manager as well.
Other related resources:
- North Carolina Art Trails
- Resources for exploring performing arts from the N.C. Arts Council
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