The Band of Oz is a popular beach music band that formed in 1967 in Raleigh, North Carolina. They are known for playing classic beach music and shag dancing tunes. Over the decades, the band’s membership has evolved as members have come and gone. Today, the Band of Oz continues touring and recording new music with a lineup of talented musicians. In this article, we’ll take a look at the current members of the Band of Oz and learn about their musical backgrounds.
Current Band Members
Here are the current members of the Band of Oz:
John English – Keyboards & Vocals
John English is one of the founding members of the Band of Oz and has been with the band since its formation in 1967. English plays keyboards and provides vocals. He has written and co-written many of the band’s biggest hits over the years. English studied music at Appalachian State University and is considered one of the premier keyboardists in beach music.
David Dunham – Guitar & Vocals
David Dunham joined the Band of Oz in 1998 after the departure of long-time guitarist Joe Bunn. Dunham is known for his energetic guitar playing and smooth vocals. Prior to joining the Band of Oz, Dunham played with several other North Carolina-based bands. He is a versatile musician able to play rock, country, and beach music styles.
Butch Barnes – Bass Guitar
Butch Barnes has been playing bass guitar for the Band of Oz since 2011. He is an experienced bassist having previously played with The Embers, the Eastbound Train Band, and the Holiday Band. Barnes brings a solid, grooving bass sound and backing vocals to the band. His bass playing helps anchor the rhythms and melodies.
Jeff Grimes – Trumpet
Trumpeter Jeff Grimes has been with the Band of Oz since 1998. His crisp trumpet playing is a signature part of the band’s sound. Grimes studied music at Appalachian State University. In addition to the Band of Oz, he has also played with the Temptations, Four Tops, Embers, and Tams over his long career.
Bert Ray – Saxophone
Saxophonist Bert Ray joined the group in 2009 after long-time sax player Larry Myrell retired. Ray is well-versed in sax and woodwinds playing tenor, alto, soprano, clarinet, and flute. Prior to joining the Band of Oz, he played with the Temptations, Coasters, Embers, Tarns, and Sunshine Band.
Tommy Morse – Drums
Drummer Tommy Morse rounds out the Band of Oz lineup on drums and percussion. Morse has been with the group since 2005 bringing over 40 years of drumming experience. In addition to precise drumming, Morse sings backing vocals. He has recorded and performed with many artists from the Beach and jazz genres.
Past Notable Members
While the current members keep the Band of Oz’s music alive, it’s important to recognize influential past members who helped shape the band’s distinctive sound over the decades:
Joe Bunn – Guitar
Joe Bunn was the lead guitarist and a founding member of the Band of Oz from 1967 to 1998. He wrote many of their classic tunes including “Shaggin’,” “Toe Up,” and “Shama Lama Ding Dong.” Bunn’s smooth vocals and guitar grooves defined the Band of Oz sound for over 30 years.
Gary Lowder – Saxophone
Gary Lowder spent 25 years as the group’s saxophonist from 1980 to 2005. He co-wrote many songs with John English and Joe Bunn and toured extensively with the band. Lowder was well-known for his energetic stage presence and captivating sax solos.
Leon Lewis – Keyboards
Leon Lewis was the original keyboardist and founding member, playing with the Band of Oz from 1967 to 1969. He helped get the group started and made contributions on their early recordings. Lewis left to pursue other opportunities but his early work helped launch the band.
Jim Heffernan – Drums
Drummer Jim Heffernan was with the Band of Oz for over 20 years from 1986 to 2007. His steady beat can be heard on many of their most popular albums and live shows from this era. Heffernan’s driving percussion and showmanship were a hallmark of the band’s concerts for many years.
History of the Band
To better understand the evolution of the Band of Oz over the decades, here is a brief history of the group from their formation to today:
1960s
The Band of Oz was formed in 1967 by a group of young musicians from Surry County, North Carolina including Joe Bunn, Leon Lewis, Richie Gaither, Billy Bazemore, and John English. The band played predominantly at high school proms and weekend fraternity parties at nearby Wake Forest University and UNC-Chapel Hill in their early years.
1970s
The group went through some lineup changes in the early 1970s and began to focus more on Beach music and R&B covers. As the shag dance craze took off along the Carolina coast, the Band of Oz tailored their sound and became popular on the growing beach music circuit. They recorded their first album “Shaggin'” in 1978.
1980s
The 1980s marked the Band of Oz’s emergence as stars on the national beach music scene. With Joe Bunn and John English leading the way, they recorded acclaimed albums like “Step to the Rear” and “Shama Lama Ding Dong.” Their prolific songwriting and energetic live shows made them favorites on the shag dance and beach party circuit.
1990s
The 1990s brought more personnel changes but the Band of Oz continued releasing new music and touring heavily each year. They incorporated more contemporary songs into their setlists but still featured their classic shag dance tunes at every performance. The group also began headlining major rock & roll and oldies shows during this era.
2000s – Today
The Band of Oz continues to evolve in the 21st century while staying true to their musical roots. Longtime members English and Grimes still anchor the group while new additions have come aboard. They still play around 100 shows a year for shag dance clubs and festivals across the country. Even after 55 years, the Band of Oz remains a beloved staple of the beach music scene.
Musical Style & Influences
The Band of Oz has always had a signature sound built on several key musical influences and styles:
Beach Music
Beach music is the core of the Band of Oz’s repertoire and their most well-known style. Uptempo shag rhythms mixed with R&B horns and melodies define the beach music sound. The band has written and recorded many beach music hits over the decades and are still a top draw on the beach circuit today.
R&B
Rhythm and blues is a major influence in the band’s style. They cover classic R&B hits in their own style and incorporate elements like call-and-response vocals, sax solos, and blues shuffles into much of their original material. The R&B flavor helps give the Band of Oz their dancefloor appeal.
Rock & Roll
While known mostly for beach and R&B, the Band of Oz includes many favorite rock & roll oldies in their sets. Tunes from the 50s, 60s, and 70s by artists like Chuck Berry, The Temptations, and Beach Boys keep their shows upbeat and appealing to broad audiences.
Southern Rock
The Southern rock genre has flavored some of the Band of Oz’s harder-edged tunes. Their songs sometimes showcase heavier guitar riffs, boogie rhythms, and bluesy vocals reminiscent of groups like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers Band.
Country
While not pure country music, the Band of Oz includes just enough country elements at times to give their music extra crossover appeal. Fun country covers and occasional banjo or fiddle solo help attract country fans to their unique blend of musical styles.
Legacy & Influence
Over an impressive 55-year career and counting, the Band of Oz has made a tremendous impact on beach music and established a meaningful legacy:
Key Contributors to Beach Music Genre
The Band of Oz is considered one of the most important and influential groups in the canon of beach music history. Their popularity and prolific songwriting helped beach music grow from regional niche to national prominence and shaped the genre’s style.
Perfected & Popularized the Carolina Shag
The fast-paced shag swing dance is synonymous with beach music. The Band of Oz’s steady grooves, bent notes, and rhythmic chords provide the perfect tempo for shag dancing. They are arguably the number one shag band in the world.
Inspired Future Generations of Bands
Numerous successful beach bands who came after them point to the Band of Oz as major inspirations including The Embers, The Catalinas, and The Coastline Band. They helped launch the beach music circuit that still thrives today.
Broad Fan Base Spanning Generations
From the 1960s through today, the Band of Oz attracts passionate fans of all ages to their shows. Their music appeals to everyone from the original shag dance crowd to newer young listeners discovering beach music.
Left Enduring Mark on Carolina Music Scene
Beyond just beach music, the Band of Oz has made an indelible impact on the overall music landscape of the Carolinas. They are woven into the fabric of Carolina music and culture and remain active today.
Key Albums & Songs
Throughout their prolific recording career, the Band of Oz has released countless albums and singles. Here is a look at some of their most essential albums and most popular songs:
Notable Albums:
- Shaggin’ (1978)
- Keep Keepin’ It Up (1982)
- Step to the Rear (1983)
- Shama Lama Ding Dong (1986)
- Do It All Over Again (1990)
- Live at Sandy’s (1995)
- Still Rockin’ (1999)
- Solid Gold Hits (2004)
- Forty (2007)
Biggest Hit Songs:
- “Shama Lama Ding Dong”
- “Toe Up”
- “I Haven’t Got a Pot to Cook In”
- “Shaggin'”
- “Am I Blue”
- “My Baby Loves Me”
- “Leaving Me Behind”
- “Yes Indeed”
- “Swing that Thing”
- “Steppin’ Out”
Where to See Them Live
The Band of Oz continues to tour extensively each year bringing their iconic beach music everywhere from intimate clubs to large festivals and civic centers. Here are some of the best places to catch a live Band of Oz show:
Beach Music Festivals
The band headlines major beach music festivals like Carolina Beach Music Festival, Sun Fun Festival, Beaver Creek Festival, and others where big crowds gather to dance shag.
Shag Club Events
Local shag clubs up and down the coast frequently host Band of Oz concerts for their members to dance the night away.
State & County Fairs
Fairs in their home state of North Carolina and across the south bring the Band of Oz in for concerts as popular grandstand entertainment.
Community Music Events
Band of Oz frequently plays free public concerts held in downtown parks and outdoor venues funded by cities and sponsors.
Nightclubs & Bars
Smaller local beach music nightclubs and bars from the Outer Banks to Myrtle Beach to Alabama bring in the Band of Oz for more intimate shows and late-night dance parties.
The Future
What does the future hold for the Band of Oz? Though they are now in their sixth decade, there is no sign of them slowing down anytime soon:
Continuing Extensive Yearly Touring
Fans can count on the Band of Oz to keep their busy touring schedule playing 100+ shows every year at all their familiar favorite spots.
More New Music
In the studio, the band plans to continue periodically recording new albums of original songs and covers that showcase their signature sound.
Welcome New Fans
The band aims to keep spreading their beach music to reach new young listeners while still satisfying their loyal long-time fans. Generational appeal is key.
Cultivate Next Generation of Bands
As elder statesmen of the genre now, they hope to mentor and inspire talented new bands to carry on the beach music tradition into the future.
Preserve Beach Music Heritage
As champions of this distinct cultural music phenomenon born in the Carolinas, they intend to preserve and promote the history and integrity of beach music.
Conclusion
For 55 years and counting, the Band of Oz has entertained millions with their feel-good dance music rooted in the sand and surf of the Carolinas. With new members now carrying the torch of founding fathers like Joe Bunn and John English, they are poised to keep the band’s legacy thriving for years to come. Their energized live shows prove that beach music is timeless. So let’s all “Shag On!” because as the Band of Oz would assure us, the party has just begun.