I remember taking my senior trip to Hilton Head Island, about 20 years ago (man I’m getting old.) Mike, Skip, Rich and I were walking around HarbourTown and came upon a crowd gathered ’round the old oak tree. There was a guy playing guitar, singing songs and entertaining kids. Here we were, almost in college, too cool for everyone there and definitely above any kind of “wholesome” entertainment. Yet, we sat there for the next hour or so laughing our butts off. Fastforward to this week. 20 years later. Family vacation. My wife, our two kids, my mom and Me. All sitting under the oak tree. Listening to…. you guessed it.

Gregg Russell has been a fixture of that oak tree in Harbourtown for over 30 years. And is still going strong. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, he entertains a couple hundred kids and adults every night, except on Saturdays. He has a brilliant formula. And its been basically the same since day one. The kids all sit on stage with him, the adults fill the benches. He makes fun of moms. He makes fun of dads. Grandparents don’t get off easy either. He sings a few songs, tells a few stories and then gives the mic to the children to sing their favorite songs. I’ve heard anything from the ABC song to Aerosmith (that was a little weird). Then toward the end the evening he makes all the kids take a pledge to “drive their parents crazy.” And they do. Religiously.

Gregg has shared the stage with top-shelf acts (including Stephen Curtis Chapman), recorded numerous CDs and has now made a name for himself in the movie industry. His latest effort, and independent film called “Come Away Home” won the Best Picture Honor from the International Family Film Festival along with an Award of Excellence from the Film Advisory Board.

So, what’s he do for the community? Well, in 1998, he and his wife Lindy started a charity called “Hilton Head Heroes.” It’s purpose is to bring children from the ages 4 to 16 with life threatening illnesses, along with their families to Hilton Head for a free, resort-style vacation.

So, if you ever make it to Hilton Head and run out of things to do, take your kids over to the oak tree in HarbourTown. It may be the most enjoyable two hours you spend on the island.

Feel free to comment on Gregg if you’ve already seen him or others like him.