Beachin’ Fridays

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.

The Shag Doctorz | June 5, 2020 | 7 p.m.

By way of the fresh water coast,The Shag Doctorz hail from the Upstate South Carolina,in and around the Greenville-Spartanburg area. A favorite among the shaggers and beach music crowd,this five piece band pumps out live Carolina Beach Music and some of your favorite oldies. From Edisto Island to Myrtle Beach and all around North and South Carolina,The Doctorz are out trying to do their part in preserving and keeping this music alive.

The Shag Doctorz have been nominated twice for the “Rising Star” award by the CBMA (Carolina Beach Music Association). The band members are a diversified group of musicians who love to entertain and, along with their sound production crew Music Maker, are ready to see you smile and shag the night away!

“We don’t have fans, we have friends.” — The Shag Doctorz

Split Shot | June 12, 2020 | 7 p.m.

Country, Rock, R & B, Dance and Beach music are just a few of the genres you can find Split Shot rocking out to. Performing or on the street, Split Shot are the kind of guys you genuinely want to call friends. With the charm only true Southerners can possess, they bring their talent to the stage with a quick-witted, knee-slapping sense of humor coupled with a clear love for the music.

Since its inception, Split Shot has grown to be one of the most popular variety bands in the Carolina’s! With emphasis on vocal harmonies, tight musicianship and a party atmosphere, they have also gained the reputation as the hardest working band in the Upstate! After scoring a #1 hit with CashBox Magazine, the band began working a lot of fairs and city festivals in 2019. Split Shot also signed with Grand Strand Entertainment in Myrtle Beach to expand their touring reach. With the release of their new CD, Ready to Roll, the sky is the limit for these seasoned musicians! O’Dell Scott, Mark Ensley, Scott Cely and Chris Lee are Split Shot!

Carolina Coast Band feat. Rhonda McDaniel | June 19, 2020 | 7 p.m.

The Carolina Coast Band evolved in 2013 from the efforts of six of the eight former members of The Out-Of-Towners Band as well as other well-known regional beach music bands from the Upstate. The band delivers a combined 90 years of experience in Beach, Motown, R&B, and Oldies music to satisfy the demands of today’s party requests. Their popularity continues to grow as they span the East Coast performing and promoting Carolina Beach Music.

The band is a member of the Carolina Beach Music Association, (CBMA), and several band members have been nominated for awards by CBMA during past years. The Carolina Coast Band travels with a seven piece band, which includes an award-winning horn section that has backed artists such as Chicago and the Temptations. They provide an action packed, high-energy stage presence along with great entertainment.

This year, they’ll be accompanied by five-time Carolina Beach Music Awards female vocalist of the year, Rhonda McDaniel.

The Entertainers | June 26, 2020 | 7 p.m.

Beach Music has long been a tradition in The South, and The Entertainers are proud to have shared in that tradition for over 30 years.

The Entertainers were founded In 1980 and scored their first regional smash hit with “Living For The Summer” that same year. This song helped propel the group to the forefront of beach music, which led to their playing the finest clubs along the grand strand of Myrtle Beach, corporate conventions, weddings and festivals from Washington, DC to Naples, Florida.

While staying true to their R&B and Beach Music roots, the group also satisfies the most diverse audiences by playing selections from the latest Top 40, Classic Rock & Roll and Country music. The group’s years of performing experience and recording prowess culminated in the release of their latest album entitled, “The Inside Story”. This record, which contains the #1 Beach Music hit, “Thank Goodness She Cheated” and Classic Beach and Soul hits, will surely lead you to the dance floor with a smile on your face.

The Holiday Band | July 3, 2020 | 7 p.m.

For those who haven’t seen The Holiday Band, you don’t know what you are missing. They’ve experienced a few changes over the last few years, but are the strongest they’ve ever been. The band is standing tall with Mike Taylor (Vocals, Guitar & Keyboards), Bob Martin (Saxophone), Tim Taylor (Vocals, Bass Guitar), Ronnie Farrington (Vocals, Bass Guitar, Keys, Guitar), Wayne Moore (Drums, Vocals), and Lucas Cook (Keys). They’ve recently added Chase Given (Vocals, Trumpet, Keys, Guitar) and Maurice Leggett running sound. This line-up provides the strongest and most diverse band that the Holiday Band has seen ever, and it shows in the faces that see the band play.

The Catalinas | July 10, 2020 | 7 p.m.

The Catalinas began in 1957 and celebrates their 62 Anniversary in 2019! The band’s popularity is based primarily in southeastern U.S. However, their music is played on radio stations in the UK, Greece and Australia to name a few. Known for their quality, tight sound and energy onstage, they are one of the “in demand” groups for city festivals, weddings and private parties, always playing a variety of music that suits all ages. Though known primarily for Beach music, regionally and nationally for the mega hit “Summertime’s Callin’ Me,” they play all styles to a high standard of excellence. “Summertime’s Callin’ Me” has become the anthem of North and South Carolina beach goers as they struggle through the winter waiting on summer to arrive.

The band’s latest CD, Dancin’ Romancin’, was nominated for “Album of the Year” at the year’s Carolina Beach Music Awards. The band’s latest single, “Beyond the Sea,” is near the top 10 on Fess Hooks chart on JukinOldies.com. The Catalinas recently welcome their newest member, Angela Resignalo as a lead vocalist in the band! Angela is from Mt Airy, NC and was recently a star performer at the Rudy Theater in Selma, NC since 2006. Be listening and watching out for new recordings featuring her very soon!

Rhythm City Band | July 17, 2020 | 7 p.m.

Rhythm City Band is the Upstate’s most versatile band performing music from all genres.

The Tams | July 24, 2020 | 7 p.m.

To hear it, you might think you just stepped into Motown. To breathe it, you smell a tropical breeze caressing a sandy beach. To feel it, you let the rhythm grasp your body and whirl it into motion. To see it, is like an extravaganza of light and energy. But to experience it, you must say it… ”I want the Tams!”

The Tams are one of America’s all time favorite recording acts. World renown for their special blend of music that makes up the Beach Music sound, the Tams entertain crowds around the globe nearly 300 days a year! Probably best known for their 1968 gold hit, “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy”, the Tams are celebrating the recent success of their newest single, “Ain”t Nothing Like Shagging”, which reached number 8 on the European charts.

The group began performing in local taverns and nightclubs for wages of $1.25 each. To them this money was from heaven. Imagine – getting paid to sing. Initial pay of these early days only provided enough money to buy matching multi colored Tam O’Shanter hats on stage – in which local patrons of the night spots nicknamed them The Tams, a name that would eventually be known around the world.

In 1962, producer Bill Lowery agreed to cut one demo single on the group. To his surprise, the record gained much regional success, allowing him to negotiate a major recording contract with ABC records. Their first album, “Presenting the Tams”, produced a number one record, “What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am)”. This propelled The Tams into professional status and national popularity. They soon found themselves playing to sold out auditoriums from The Howard Theater in Washington, DC to the famed Apollo Theater in New York City.

A string of hits followed, including “You Lied To Your Daddy”, “Hey Girl”, “I”ve Been Hurt”, “It”s Better To Have Loved A Little”, and “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy”. During this time, the Tams developed a spectacular revue touring with their own 14 Karat Gold Band.

After years of appearances and 10 albums The Tams have been honored with two Gold Records. In 1986 the group received the coveted award and title “Beach Band of the Decade”, at the Beach Music Awards. In 1988, The Tams were spotlighted as the Outstanding Black Musical Group by the Atlanta Black History Awards. In 1992, The Tams were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

The Tams are a group that has bridged the generations of music. Their unique sound spans all ages, styles and regions. They are classic with an exhilarating stage show. Charles Pope, original member, brother to the late Joe Pope, Lil Redd has been with the Tams for 35 years, since he was 6 years old and Ronnie Hat, Reginald Preston, Robert Arnold and Elton Richardson has been a members for over 15 years. They are the Beach, they are good times, they are simply rock and roll at its finest.

Cat 5 | July 31, 2020 | 7 p.m.

TONIGHT’S SHOW WILL END IN A FIREWORKS DISPLAY

Cammy Award winning artist Jerry Thomas West is a vocalist and guitarist who worked for 24 years with the Band of Oz and the 80s rock band SugarCreek – contributes his amazing vocals to Cat5. Best known for his hits “Somewhere Over The RainBow” and “Build Me Up,” Jerry has won multiple Cammy Awards, including “Vocalist of the Year” and “Instrumentalist of the Year.”

Camron Dudley, percussionist formally of the band Jim Quick and Coastline, won the CBMA Instrumentalist Of The Year Award at the CBMA’s in 2014. Attending College in Elon N.C., he studied jazz and was a member of the All State Band. Camron is well known for his amazing drum solos (performed nightly) and is a first call session drummer for the North Carolina recording scene, having recorded 100 plus songs for various artist.

Glen Tippett, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, has won Multiple Cammy Awards during his 16-year tenure with Jim Quick and Coastline, including two Instrumentalist of the Year Awards in 2008 and 2015. He sung the lead Vocals on the hit song remake of “Something Like Olivia.” Glen makes his home in the greater Myrtle Beach Area.

Hugh Blanton, vocalist and bass guitarist, is a multi-Cammy Award winning artist. His many credits include being an original member of the Entertainers and the Breeze Band, as well as the recipient of Song of the Year with the Breeze Band and Instrumentalist of the Year in 2017 during his stint with Jim Quick and Coastline. His resume also includes time with Foxfire, Spare Change, the Embers, David Caudle, and Emily Minor. Hugh has toured all over the nation with Unknown Hinson.

Tim Sidden, vocalist, keyboardist, and a master of the harmonica, has performed with the band Hip Pocket for the past four years. In 2018, he released the song “Carolina Queen,” which went to number one in the Beach Music World and spawned the creation of its own merchandise including shirts, mugs and other items. Tim’s credits include a 14 year stint at the World Famous Carolina Opry in Myrtle Beach, S.C., as well as touring with National 90’s “Hit” Makers; Rhett Akins; Daryle Singletary; John “Bo Duke” Schneider; T. Graham Brown; Tom “Luke Duke’ Wopat; Jimmy Fortune; Grayson Hughes; and many others. Tim Currently co-owns Sand-City Productions in North Myrtle Beach. His recorded work has produced multiple national number one hits and more than forty Top 40 Hits.

Bosco’s Baby’s

Roll-In Cuban Food Truck

Nard’s Backyard BBQ

Chocolate Artworks

Bosco’s Baby’s

Smoke & Sweets

One Love Fusion Foods

Bosco’s Baby’s

The Noodle Lady

Tacos & Bla Bla Bla

Chocolate Artworks

Bosco’s Baby’s

Chef on the Run

Nard’s Backyard BBQ

Chocolate Artworks

Bosco’s Baby’s

Roll-In Cuban Food Truck

Smoke & Sweets

Bosco’s Baby’s

One Love Fusion Foods

Nard’s Backyard BBQ

Chocolate Artworks

Bosco’s Baby’s

Chef on the Run

The Noodle Lady

Chocolate Artworks

Bosco’s Baby’s

One Love Fusion Foods

Tacos & Bla Bla Bla

Chocolate Artworks

Bosco’s Baby’s

Nard’s Backyard BBQ

The Noodle Lady

Chocolate Artworks

Bosco’s Baby’s

Roll-In Cuban Food Truck

Chef on the Run

Smoke & Sweets

Black Thai

Chocolate Artworks