The Beach Buoys were formed in 2017 by Shawn Bryant and Nelson Bragg.

Shawn Bryant started his professional career playing bass for legendary surf guitarist and Wrecking Crew member and for Jan Berry's . Since that time, Shawn has played bass and guitar for a number of other icons including Chubby Checker, Roger McGuinn and Ral Donner.

In 2007, Shawn began playing live and recording with and . They, along with Jerry Cole, played on many of the most important Beach Boys recordings from 1964-76.

Shawn, Don, Hal, Jerry and Nelson re-recorded eight classic "Wrecking Crew" tracks for the upcoming documentary "MAKAHA, The Story of the Originator". In addition: Hal, Don and Shawn have performed together at the NAMM convention, the LA premier of the "The Wrecking Crew" and a date at Don's legendary club "Baked Potato" in Hollywood. Shawn continues to work with Hal and Don on current projects.

Nelson Brag is best known for his 14 year tenure with THE BAND and as a member of 2012 Anniversary Tour.

In 2003, Nelson joined Brian Wilson's band as a percussionist-vocalist for live performances of Wilson's unreleased Smile. The February 2004 premiere in and subsequent tour was followed by a formal recording of "Smile", released in September 2004. "Smile" received multiple nominations for the 2004 Grammy Awards, including Best Pop Vocal Album[4] and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical (for Mark Linett).[5][6] The album later won a single Grammy, in the category of Best Rock Instrumental Performance, for the track "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow".[7]

Bragg continues to perform many tours worldwide, including performances from the "Smile" album. This includes a total of twelve nights at London's Royal Festival Hall, two nights at Carnegie Hall (broadcast on NPR radio, nationally on Thanksgiving Day 2004), two nights at The Sydney Opera House, The , three nights with The Philharmonic in 2008, , The Montreaux Festival, The New Orleans Jazz Festival, The Newport Folk Fest, Brandenburgh Gate - Berlin for the worldwide Live 8 benefit and at The 2005 Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom, setting attendance records.

Bragg has also performed with Brian Wilson's band on several television appearances, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and on The Late Show with Conan O'Brien.

Bragg's recordings include Brian Wilson's Christmas album “All I Really Want For Christmas” released in 2005 and “That Lucky Old Sun” released in 2008. Between 2006 and 2007, the band performed the album in the U.S. and Europe celebrating its 40th anniversary. Beach Boy joined the band for the U.S. leg of the tour.