Page 16 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2026

COAST NOTE
story by Lynn Lofton
photos courtesy of Bill Hill
Coast Band is celebrating 50 years of music and they did it
with an event that holds special meaning to the family of the
group’s founder, Bill Hill. The band began with a group of St.
Martin boys, Hill, Hal Fountain, Noel Aucoin, and various other
musicians who were known throughout the St. Martin and Coast
community.
Glenn Lumpkin of D’iberville was added for vocals. “He was
the missing vocal the band was needing to up our game,” Hill
says. “During this time, St. Martin and D’Iberville were arch
rivals, especially on the football field. This brought many young
D’Iberville and St. Martin people together. For 50 years the Gulf
Coast community—and our understanding wives—have kept
Coast going. We’re grateful every day.”
He recalls that one of their first gigs was a birthday party for
which they spent $40 renting music equipment and were paid
with a $25 check that bounced.
The band has played country, blues, rock, and party music for
generations of neighbors, friends, and families. They’ve also
opened for some big names such as Billy Ray Cyrus, Travis Trill,
Shenandoah, and Marty Stewart.
These days they gather for church and school fundraisers,
community benefits when someone is sick, Mardi Gras balls, and
local events. However, nothing was more special than their 50th
Anniversary Concert with all proceeds benefitting Make-A-Wish
Mississippi.
“In 2016, my son, Jesse, organized the Coast 40th
Anniversary,” Bill Hill says. “We chose Make-A-Wish because it’s
such a good cause, but we didn’t have any personal connection.”
16 | October 2026 Fast Forward to 2023, Jesse’s daughter, Amelia, had to have an
emergency liver transplant at Ochsner Children’s Hospital in
New Orleans. During the recovery process, the doctors informed
Jesse’s family that Amelia would be granted a wish by Make-A-
Wish, and the family went to Disney World.
“Now in 2026, we have a personal connection to the
organization and wanted to raise funds to give back and grant
many wishes while honoring the legacy of the band and the
work that Make-A-Wish does,” Hill said. “Make-A-Wish
restored hope to our family by granting Amelia’s wish. Now, as
a wish family, it’s our responsibility to give back and help other
families in need. The event has come full circle.”
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living