04/20/2026
8 MORE DAYS until our second concert of our 2026 Spring Concert Series by the River with Band Of Oz!
Band of Oz has been a Carolina tradition for 50 years. In the mid 60s the group known as Band of Oz had its humble beginnings in eastern North Carolina (Grifton). 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. The group at that time was called The Avengers.
As the mid 60s 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. The latter part of the 60s saw the group bring in a horn section which brought a big change in the music, Freddy Tripp and Jimmy Smith were the first horn players. Until the name change around 1970, three members had remained the same, Johnnie Byrd, Buddy Johnson and Keith Houston.
Keith Houston is still a part of Band of Oz today, and he in our meet the band spotlight today.
Keith started playing guitar in 1964, at the age of nine. In the mid 60s, he put together the Avengers with some of his friends and school mates. He, along with David Hicks, owns Different Drummer Inc. which handles the Band of Oz. Keith originally played guitar with the group but through different personnel changes, now plays bass but still plays guitar on a few tunes. On the songs "Sh***in" and "Super Summer" Keith was co-writer with Billy and Butch. He owns Oz Music in Dunn, a Pro Audio retailer and full production studio. Keith has produced and worked on recording projects with numerous artists other than the Band of Oz in the beach, gospel and contemporary markets.
Be sure to join us next Thursday, April 23rd, from 6-9 p.m. at the Lillington River Park, as we host our second concert of the Spring Concert Series by the River! We can't wait to see you there!
Contact Christy Powers at (910) 893-0339 or [email protected] for more information.