Jim Craine, known to many as “Atlantic City’s Singing Lifeguard,” is marking a major milestone: 50 years in show business.
Craine has entertained audiences along the East Coast, performing at casinos, hotels, and venues of all sizes. Over the years, he has opened for iconic artists including Frank Sinatra Jr., The Platters and Connie Stevens. He’s also hosted a long-running Saturday night radio show on WOND 1400 AM and famously led 33,000 Phillies fans in singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at Citizens Bank Park.
His entertainment career began on the Atlantic City Boardwalk in 1963, when he worked at the Steel Pier. “I did everything on the boardwalk,” Craine recalled. “Working at Steel Pier was the best job in the world.” From ushering concerts to helping with the diving horses and watching Barney Cipriani’s high-diving act, Craine immersed himself in boardwalk life.
The Steel Pier’s Grand Ballroom once welcomed acts such as The Rolling Stones, Chubby Checker, Duke Ellington, The Supremes and The Temptations. “That’s where it really bit me,” Craine said of his inspiration.
In December 1973, Craine traveled to Miami Beach to work at the Versailles Hotel, where he performed high-diving shows by day and serenaded guests poolside at night. “I was the singing cabana boy,” he joked.
He returned to New Jersey that summer and joined the Atlantic City Beach Patrol. Later that year, on Dec. 14, 1974, he performed his first cabaret show at the Versailles, singing “Rock-a-Bye Your Baby” by Al Jolson and “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” by Tony Orlando and Dawn. The performance earned him a standing ovation.
That show launched his professional music career. Television personality Sally Starr soon became his manager, buying him his first tuxedo and booking him at the Doral Hotel. “The rest is history,” Craine said.
Craine spent 25 years as a lifeguard in Atlantic City, often trading his lifeguard uniform for a tuxedo at night to perform on stage. One of his more memorable moments came at a Phillies game when he surprised fans with a rousing rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” including a tribute to legendary announcer Harry Kalas. “I finished singing and Larry Bowa came over and shook my hand. I was stunned,” he said.
Until recently, Craine hosted his weekly WOND 1400 AM radio show, featuring celebrity interviews, music and comedy. He now spends much of his time with his wife, Joanne, at the Pleasantville Music Shoppe — the oldest mom-and-pop music store on the East Coast.
This summer, Jim Craine and the Atlantic City All Star Band will perform throughout South Jersey. The band includes Tony DeLuca on keyboard, John Guida on saxophone, Ray Nunzi on drums and Andy Lalasis on bass. Upcoming appearances include:
Longport Father’s
Day Concert
Sunday, June 15, 6–8 p.m.
Kretchner Gazebo, 27th Street and Ventnor Avenue
Brigantine Summer Concert Series
Wednesday, June 18, 7 p.m.
Brigantine Community Center Lawn, 268 42nd St.
Additional performances are planned this summer, including stops at Lucy the Elephant in July, the Smithville Italian Festival on Sept. 27, and a special show at Steel Pier with an eight-piece band. More details will be announced
soon.
