MEET OUR HOUSE BAND
Margie grew up in the hills around Monticello, Virginia, as a member of the Modems, a popular Blue Ridge style family gospel group. They toured with the Conway Twitty Show during the Sixties. Margie was the uncredited duet singer on Twitty's hit, "You had the last laugh on me (but it's the last laugh you'll ever have)". The Modems had a major gospel hit, - & a Grammy nomination = "Road Kill on the Devil's Two Lane Blacktop, " which they performed on the Grand Old Opry, & as guests on the Andy Griffith Show episode, "Opie Locks Himself in the Outhouse After Seeing Miss July on an Auto Parts Calendar."
The beloved family group broke up in 1970, with Margie retiring from show business to raise two children. The Modems briefly reunited in 1977 for the Public Television Special, "Peanut Jimmy's White House Gospel Hour," sharing the stage with Johnny Cash, Burt Reynolds, Minnie Pearl, George Beverly Shea & the Reverend Little Richard.
Inspired by the lounge music revival of the early Nineties, Margie returned to performing as the house organist at Captain Mel's Crab Heaven in Colonial Beach, Virginia. With her trusty Hammond organ & collection of vintage synthesizers, she was an instant attraction. She moved on to venues in Norfolk, Virginia Beach & Tangiers Island, building her versatile band, The Midiskirts, while creating her unique organ-marimba sound. A televised appearance at the Cape May Crab Races won her wide celebrity & the title of "Queen of the Crustaceans." From Long Island to North Carolina. no summer beach crab races are complete without music "Provided by Margie & the Midiskirts."
Fame has not come without criticism. Pat Robertson condemned her inclusion of gospel tunes in her repertoire & accused her of "promoting booze for Beelzebub." But that hasn't detered the Methodists from having Margie entertain at their annual Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Surf 'n' Turf Supper, where one is not permitted to "BYOB."
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MARGIE
& the MIDISKIRTS
