I know this question is frequently asked. Still, any suggestions would be appreciated.

I need to create a simple website. It is for a surfboard manufacturer that is involved with local music scenes. They often put together small tours and promote the surfboard company and the bands at the same time.

Anyway, people fill out stubs with email and contact information at the shows for raffles. They would like to be able to contact with these people to offer and sell shirts and such.

Can someone suggest a host which uses an email management panel fit for creating and managing these lists to contact them ?

The site will likely just use paypal for orders.

Any other suggestion - greatly appreciated.

......

Many hosts come with fantastico that allows you to easily install various scripts. I think fantastico comes with phplist, which is a mailer/newsletter script that allows you to import email lists and send scheduled newsletters. It has opt-in/opt-out options. Or, you could check out HotScripts.com to see if there is another similar script to use.

My knowledge is really limited to basic HTML/CSS. Will I need to understand php or have knowledge of functioning a database?

Am I wrong or does a host which utilizes Cpanel come with an email/list manager??

I believe cPanel comes with Fantastico but you may have to check with your host to see if it's included or if it's an extra addon. Most hosts include it.

You won't have to really know HTML or CSS for this. It's more about reading the howto and employing the suggested tactics.

You can read about PHPList here and see if it fits your needs.