In the mid-sixties the group known as Band of Oz had its humble beginnings in eastern North Carolina. Then called The Avengers, it was a bunch of grammar and junior high school guys with a guitar and keyboard playing the sock hops at schools, private parties and an occasional club whenever the owner would risk having them.
The later part of the sixties saw the group bring in a horn section, featuring Freddy Tripp and Jimmy Smith, which brought a big change in the music. In 1970, Chuck French (trumpet), Gary Warren (sax), Randy Hignite (keyboards), and Jim Heidenreich (drums), joined original members Johnnie Byrd (bass), Buddy Johnson (vocals) and Keith Houston (guitar) to form the newly re-named Band of Oz.
In 1971, Billy Bazemore replaced Buddy Johnson on vocals. Through the early seventies they continued playing the frat parties, private functions, and clubs in the Southeast. In late 1976, the band decided to try it as a full time band with members were Chuck French (trumpet), Bob Lynch (sax), Ronnie Forbes (keyboards), Shep Fields (bass), Freddy Tripp (trumpet), Billy Bazemore (vocals), David Hicks (drums) and Keith Houston (guitar). They hit the road traveling extensively in the Southeast playing the club circuit.
In the late seventies, the band decided chose to concentrate on touring the Carolinas. They recorded and released their first single “Shaggin,” written by Billy Bazemore and Keith Houston, in 1978. The radio airplay and promotion catapulted the group to a new level. In 1979, they recorded their second single “Star of My Life,” written by Chuck French.
John Thompson and Butch Barnes joined the group in 1980. John’s baritone vocal gave the group a new facet and Butch’s sax and stage presence enhanced the show. In 1982, the group recorded “Ocean Boulevard,” written and produced by General Johnson and Warren Moise. “Ocean Boulevard” went on to be voted Beach Music Song of the Year and the Band of Oz won Best New Group at the Beach Music Awards. Their first album Keep Keepin’ It Up was released on Surfside Records.
In the early 80s, David Franks replaced Mickey Hardy on keyboards; Butch Barnes and Billy Bazemore were replaced by Chris Keaton (sax) and Doug Adams (vocals), who was then replaced by Gary Brown. The group completed and released their second album One More Step, containing ”Over the Rainbow.”
After the release of One More Step, the group continued performing 200 to 300 shows each year. In 1991, Butch Barnes returned and the Band of Oz began work on their third album, Let It Roll, featuring “Shama Lama Ding Dong,” which earned People’s Choice Song of the Year at the Cammy Awards in 1995 and remains one of the most requested beach songs of all time.
Jerry West replaced John Thompson in the late 90s, expanding the versatility of the group by adding a high tenor lead voice. The band’s lineup then included David Hicks (drums), Chuck French (trumpet), Butch Barnes (sax), Keith Houston (keys and guitar), Rick Strickland (bass), and Jerry West (guitar). Within months of the release of “Dancing in the Streets” Rick Strickland was replaced by David Franks. After working on their last project for more than a year, the Band of Oz released their latest album Over the Rainbow.
In March 2005, Band of Oz owners Keith Houston and David Hicks decided to bring a new, youthful sound to the band after Butch Barnes announced that he would be leaving in April 2005 — Scott Fine (vocals and trombone), Tim Morris (vocals and trumpet), and Daniel Morris (saxophone and vocals) joined the band to bring a new youth and a BIG new sound to the band.
