There are many things you can say about Pamela Dale, she loved her friends, loved and respected the people she made music with, loved her hometown and state. But the one truth that stands out as the best part of her is this, she loved music.
The road Pam walked was not always easy but there were defined moments of accomplishments, her voice was heard and recognized and her songs did make a difference to those who were willing to listen or needed to hear them. South Carolina has lost a brightly colored thread from her tapestry of music but the work has been laid down for us to hear and remember her by.
I had help from several outstanding women in putting this all together and I want to thank them for that and especially for their love and devotion to Pamela Dale…thank you Ladies.
Bio courtesy of PJ Brunson, Lisa Brillinger, and Denise Gardner:
Pamela Dale Baldwin was born in Elgin, South Carolina on May 29, 1961. An adopted child, she grew up in Elgin where she graduated from Lugoff-Elgin High School in 1979.
Her elementary school classmate, Sandra Branham, remembered Pam’s humble musical beginnings: “She made her singing debut at Show & Tell, in the second grade. Mrs. Ott’s class I believe it was. I was fortunate to be in her audience. She sang, “On Top of Old Smokey.” I remember the teacher telling her she had a great singing voice. She graced our classroom each week with her talent after that.”
Pam began her college career at Winthrop College (now University) in Rock Hill, South Carolina as a Psychology major. After two years, her college career was interrupted, and she returned to the Elgin and Columbia, South Carolina areas to work and pursue her music.
Pam’s songwriting evolved from introspective love songs in her early years to deeply spiritual and philosophical musings later in life, and she exhibited a profound wisdom and understanding of life and human nature. Some of her best songs were co-written with Columbia resident, Mira Taeger, who Pam met at a local songwriter group. One of their most powerful songs was titled “Mercy”, a deeply moving plea for spiritual direction and understanding.
She began her musical journey as a solo artist, and later as a duo called “Sketches” at Winthrop College with Denise Gardner of Rock Hill. In the early 1980’s, she would form a duo with fellow Lugoff-Elgin High graduate, PJ Brunson, then in the Charlotte-metro area. Their duo would form and dissolve and reform several times as each pursued other interests. In the 1980’s the duo “Pam & PJ” placed in the “WSOC Great Country Talent Hunt” contest and the Nashville Network’s “You Can Be A Star” talent show. The highlight for the duo was opening for country legend Lyle Lovett at Spirit Square in Charlotte, North Carolina (now the McGlohon Theater).
Pam would go on to form and lead several bands, including the all-girl four-piece band, “Traces” and later “Pamela Dale & Better Things” and "One Man Band". They performed Pam’s originals as well as rock, pop, and country covers, and always established themselves as local favorites. She was a versatile musician who kept a pulse on current musical trends, but never forgot her roots of country and gospel music.
Later in life Pam would return to her college pursuits and graduate from Columbia College with an Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies. She later returned to Columbia College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications.
Pam left us on May 24, 2023, hers was not an easy journey but she channeled her pain and heartaches into her music and was determined to overcome her challenges. Her former classmates and fellow musicians all remember her fondly as a devoted friend with a heart of gold. She was genuinely supportive of other artists and cared deeply for those around her.
Pamela Dale catalog of released works:
1994 - Better Things
2003 - I'm Still Here
2004 - Just Messin' Around (Live with PJ Brunson)
2004 - Oasis Rock & Roots Volume 28
2007 - Pamela Dale
