![]() Within months of the release of ” Dancing in the Streets ” Rick Strickland left. The line-up at that time was David Hicks /drums, Chuck French /trumpet, Butch Barnes /sax, Keith Houston /keys and guitar, Rick Strickland /bass and Jerry West /guitar. Rick Strickland (Shag Time) from Columbia, SC replaced Jerry on bass and vocal. Work on this project was stopped mid stream when Jerry decided to leave for Nashville. Once the transition was made, the guys started working on a third CD. The change actually expanded the versatility of the group by adding a high tenor lead voice that was able to cover more and different types of material. Jerry West was brought in as his replacement. It is still one of the most requested beach songs of all time.ġ996 brought on big changes when John Thompson decided to get off the road. This CD ” Let It Roll ” contains “Shama Lama Ding Dong” the People’s Choice Song of the Year at the Cammy Awards in 1995. Work on their third CD began in the early 90′s this project was handled by the group themselves and recorded at CMC in Zebulon, NC, then released on Ripete Records in 1995. In 1991 after being gone since 1985 Butch Barnes returned. ![]() It was one of first regional projects released on CD.Īfter the release of ” One More Step ” the group continued performing 200 to 300 shows per year. The album ” One More Step ” was completed and released on Metro Records in 19. The group started working their second album containing ” Over the Rainbow ” which was arranged by Chris. Doug left and was replaced by Gary Brown. In 1985 Butch Barnes and Billy Bazemore left the group and were replaced by Chris Keaton (High and Mighty The Kings) on sax and Doug Adams (Entertainers, Bill Deal, Fat Ammon’s Band). In October of 1983 David Franks Replaced Mickey Hardy on keyboards. Their first album (real vinyl) “Keep Keepin’ It Up” ( title track written by Tommy Red of Nantucket) was released on Surfside Records. Ocean Boulevard went on to be voted Beach Music song of the year and the group won Best New Group at the BMA show. In 1982 (now working Mike Branch) the group recorded Ocean Boulevard written and produced by General Johnson and Warren Moise. John’s baritone vocal gave the group a new facet and Butch’s sax and stage presence only enhanced the show. The next big personnel change came in 1980 when John Thompson ( Monzas, Embers) and Butch Barnes (Songbird) joined the group. In 1979 they recorded their second single “Star of My Life” written by Chuck French. The radio airplay and promotion seemed to catapult the group to another level. ![]() They recorded and released their first single Shaggin’ written by Billy Bazemore and Keith Houston in 1978. In the late seventies the band decided to try and cut back on some of the traveling and concentrate more on the Carolinas. They hit the road traveling extensively in the Southeast playing the club circuit. Members were Chuck French /trumpet, Bob Lynch/sax, Ronnie Forbes/keyboards, Shep Fields/bass, Freddy Tripp (returning)Trumpet, Billy Bazemore/vocals, David Hicks /drums and Keith Houston /guitar. In late 1976 the band now comprised of members from Raleigh to Greenville decided to try it as a full time band. Through the early seventies they continued playing the Frat parties private functions and clubs in the southeast. Around 1971 another long time member Billy Bazemore replaced Buddy Johnson on vocals. When the name was changed to the Band of Oz in 1970 most of the group was from the Greenville area, Chuck French / Trumpet, Gary Warren/sax, Randy Hignite/Keyboards, Jim Heidenreich/drums, all of Greenville and Johnnie Byrd/bass, Buddy Johnson/vocals and Keith Houston /guitar. Until the name change around 1970 three members of the group had remained the same Johnnie Byrd, Buddy Johnson and Keith Houston.Īs area available players (school mates of members) ran out, the band got its first player from the Greenville, NC Chuck French on trumpet. Freddy Tripp (Band of Oz, Dynamic Upsetters, Embers, Shakers, Breeze Band etc.) and Jimmy Smith were the first horn players. The later part of the sixties saw the group bring in a horn section which brought a big change in the music. The group at that time was called The Avengers.Īs the mid sixties would have it the band was a guitar and keyboard group playing the sock hops at area schools, private parties and an occasional club whenever the owner would risk having them. It was a bunch of grammar and junior high school guys ( because no one was old enough to drive) being hauled around in Ray Houston’s Chevy station wagon pulling a little red trailer. In the mid sixties the group known as Band of Oz had its humble beginnings in eastern North Carolina (Grifton).
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