On Sunday, November 27, 2022, David Hicks from the Band of Oz shared a message on his Facebook page that read: "I would like to quell a rumor before it gets spread. Rumor has it that we fired Dustin. This is completely false. Dustin has decided to pursue other interests in the coming year and we all remain good friends. We wish nothing but the best for Dustin and I am sure he wishes the same for the band."

Dustin also provided an update on his Facebook page which reads: "Some of you may have seen the news of my departure from Band Of Oz…I wanted to share from my heart about it for all the wonderful Carolina Beach Music family members I have met along the way… My decision to leave is one I sat on for months…it is not one I made hastily or easily…Read the full post below!

On Tuesday, November 29, 2022 David Franks also shared on his Facebook page about his retirement from the band. "Good morning beach music fans and friends of the Band Of Oz. I feel I must make a statement about my retirement and explain a few things. Let me say first that no, the band is not falling apart. It was quite a coincidence that Dustin and I both gave a notice to quit at the same time. We both will play till New Year's Eve. I cannot state Dustin's reasons for leaving, only mine. Over the last few years, I have started developing problems with my hands." Read the full post below!

We'd like to wish Dustin and David all of the best and we will certainly miss seeing them both on stage with BOZ. So much talent between the two and we know their band family will miss having them on stage and on the road. We had the pleasure of enjoying the band this past Sunday, November 27, 2022 at the Sunday after Thanksgiving Beach Music Festival where the Band of Oz closed out the show after the Feature Attraction Band and Blackwater. We know the Band of Oz will continue to do what they do best with the new additions to the band lineup and we can't wait to catch another show soon!
 

Original posts!
 

If you have trouble reading the shared articles above please find the text versions below:

From David Hicks - I would like to quell a rumor before it gets spread. Rumor has it that we fired Dustin. This is completely false. Dustin has decided to pursue other interests in the coming year and we all remain good friends. We wish nothing but the best for Dustin and I am sure he wishes the same for the band.


From Dustin Ahkuoi - Some of you may have seen the news of my departure from Band Of Oz…I wanted to share from my heart about it for all the wonderful Carolina Beach Music family members I have met along the way… My decision to leave is one I sat on for months…it is not one I made hastily or easily… When I am not working with BOZ I do a handful of other things independently as a creative. A large percentage of my “free time” is and will continue to be spent writing and recording for myself and others. Over the past year specifically…these efforts have ramped up significantly enough to where I need more time off than I currently have the ability to take. I reached out to David about a month ago and let him know my desire to move on and he was incredibly kind and receptive towards me…and everyone else in the band has been that way as well. My time in BOZ has been one I will cherish and remember always. I came into the Beach Music world not knowing a soul and I was so grateful for how I was embraced and treated like family right away. I have learned so much as a performer and also as a man. I am thankful to have played a tiny role in carrying on a huge legacy the Band of Oz has created and sustained for over 50 years!

From David Franks - Good morning beach music fans and friends of the Band Of Oz. I feel I must make a statement about my retirement and explain a few things. Let me say first that no, the band is not falling apart. It was quite a coincidence that Dustin and I both gave a notice to quit at the same time. We both will play till New Year's Eve. I cannot state Dustin's reasons for leaving, only mine. Over the last few years, I have started developing problems with my hands. I have growths underneath the skin that are causing my fingers to tighten and bend which is making it harder and harder to play. I have gotten arthritis in the joints which makes playing night after night painful. Along with this comes the bersitus in the shoulders. I am getting Physical Therapy on the shoulder but it's not helping much. In just a few months, I'll be turning 70. So, unfortunately I am aging out of this world of riding in cars and vans for hours then performing and riding again. I have to say that everyone in the band now and all those that I have ever played with are all still my brothers in music and friends for life. I have made many friends of the fans of Oz. Some are even best friends now. As for the band, all I can say is, there are things in the works right now. And just as a Phoenix rises from the ashes, Band Of Oz will only get better and stronger. I will miss seeing all your faces but I'll still be around. I can say that of all the musicians that have played in the band, other than the owners, I have put in the most time. I have played with the band for 28 years. So now, I have acquired a position at a DJ service in Raleigh. Bunn DJ Company has hired me to DJ weddings and corporate events. They offer a very flexible schedule and I can work as much or as little as I want. This is local work, so no long trips. If your getting married call Bunn DJ and request DJ Franker. I love you all and hope to see you on my next journey.

On Thursday, November 24, 2022 Rivermist announced the release of their newest single featuring Terri Gore and Doyle Wood titled: "Ocean Drive Christmas" on Daxwood Records. Be sure to check out the video release below and call your favorite djs and request the new single.

too MUCH SyLviA has released their newest single and it's a great song! We heard it during the 2022 Carolina Beach Music Awards show in N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Sunday, November 13, 2022 along with the video that you will find below.  Great job guys and we wish you all the best with this release!

Green Dot Records Presents…
“IT STILL IS CHRISTMAS”
by…
too MUCH SyLviA

Green Dot Records’ new Christmas release, “IT STILL IS CHRISTMAS,” is certainly NOT a Smoothie!
Lead vocalist, Steve Long, is on his “A Game” and Drummer Don Leonard lays down a solid groove that's gonna
entice listeners to shag around the Christmas tree. Eddy Howie again puts his stamp on some nice harmonies to
hopefully make this a memorable tune for years to come written by three-time CBMA Songwriter of the Year, Rick
Lee, who combines two story lines . . . the love of his life and the love of the season. The engineer, mix master, and
co-producer David Rhyne, pulls 2MS’s ideas together (as he ALWAYS does) for a great sounding 3:46 cut.

THANK YOU and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
GREEN DOT RECORDS “It’s all about the MUSIC!
 

The beach music community continues to send prayers to guitarist for the Catalinas and everybody's friend, Donald Jordan. On November 9, 2022 Donald suffered a serious heart attack and his wife Beth has kept his friends and beach music family updated on his condition thanks to his Facebook page. On November 11, 2022 Beth shared that Donald was moved out of CICU and into a regular room.

Earlier today, Friday, November 18, 2022 Beth shared: "Please continue to pray for Donald. We are back at the hospital. They are doing some tests to see what’s going on." and she provided another update that reads: "He is stabilized and being admitted back into the hospital. Donald has wanted to respond to all of your messages, kind words, posts and prayers but he just has not had the energy to do so. I have assured him that all of you would understand that he is unable to reply. He and I are both eternally grateful for the massive outpouring of love and prayers. We would appreciate it if you would continue them, they have made all the difference.May God richly bless you all for your kindness. We love you all"

Thank you Beth for keeping everyone updated and we will continue to send our love and prayers to you both.
 

The Catalinas shared the following post at 8:40PM on Friday, November 18, 2022 on their Facebook page: "We are asking for prayers for our guitarist Donald Jordan tonight. As he is back in the hospital and struggling with pneumonia.

As hard as it is to believe, the holiday season is upon us and we've added numerous events from shag clubs, bands, DJ's and venues. Be sure to stop by our calendar and see all of the upcoming events and make plans to enjoy great beach music throughout the holidays. Several of the events have ticket policies that require tickets are purchased in advance so be sure to read the details and don't miss out. The listed events are in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia and we're adding more daily so be sure to check back often.

If you're hosting an upcoming event and it's not included in the largest calendar dedicated to the beach music community you're missing out. Submit all of your events to us and let us help spread the word. You can view and submit your events here!

ring the 28th Annual Carolina Beach Music Awards weekend, Charlie's Place was the first building to ever be inducted into the Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame. We've compiled coverage from several news sources on the induction and you will find that information below.

The following was shared on the City of Myrtle Beach website

OCTOBER 25, 2022Myrtle Beach's Charlie's Place is being inducted into the Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame! The award is presented to groups or individuals who are devoted to promoting and preserving Carolina Beach Music. As many know, the historic Charlie's Place was a Myrtle Beach nightspot owned by Charlie Fitzgerald and his wife, Sarah, from the late 1930s to the early 1960s. The nightclub was on Carver Street in the Booker T. Washington Neighborhood, next door to their home and a small hotel they operated.

The following memorial video was played during the 2022 Carolina Beach Music Awards show on Sunday, November 13, 2022. Thanks to the Carolina Beach Music Academy (CBMA), the video is made available from their website in which we've embedded for you below. Please take a moment to watch this touching tribute!

What a great time we had this past weekend in N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the 2022 Carolina Beach Music Awards Weekend. So many friends, smiling facing and awesome music all weekend long. We'd like to congratulate all of the winners announced over the weekend and we've included the list for you in it's entirety below. The list was provided by the Carolina Beach Music Academy (CBMA) website.

2022 Carolina Beach Music Awards Recipients
(as listed by the CBMA)

Female Vocalist
Karen Clayton
 

Male Vocalist
Chuck French
 

Rising Star
The Pink Slips
 

Song of the Year
“Tequila On Ice”
Wayne Free

Group Album of the Year
“Coolin’ Out”
Band of Oz

Solo Album of the Year
“YBF”
Terri Gore

Entertainer of The Year
Craig Woolard

Smoothie of the Year
“That You Hear in A Song”
Too Much Sylvia

Compilation Album of the Year
“Another Day on Ocean Drive”
KHP Music

Radio DJ (Larry Crockett Award)
“Eric Bowman”
WDZD 99.1 FM
 

Syndicated Radio Show
“On the Beach”
Charlie Brown

Club (Bill Griffin Award)
OD Pavilion
North Myrtle Beach, SC

Live Music Venue (Cecil Corbett Award)
Deckerz
North Myrtle Beach, SC

Event of the Year
Ocean Drive Beach Music Festival
North Myrtle Beach, SC

Group of the Year
The Embers ft. Craig Woolard

National Dance Song
"Old Love Song”
Zack Brown Band

Radio Station
WDZD 99.1 FM
Monroe, NC

Club/Mobile DJ
“Johnny Barkley”

Producer
Rick Lee
“That You Hear In A Song”
Too Much Sylvia

Engineer
Keith Houston
“Coolin Out CD”
Band of OZ

Collaboration or Duo
“Summertime Memories”
Craig Woolard & Tim Cashion

Song Writer(s)
Rick Lee
“That You Hear In A Song”
Too Much Sylvia

Michael Branch Award
Andy Lucy & Jonathan Sharpe
Flip Flop Live

Instrumentalist
Camron Dudley
Drums
CAT5 Band

Live Production Award
Julio Eubanks
Embers ft. Craig Woolard

Internet Radio Show Award
“Carolina Beach Party”
Johnny B

Internet Radio DJ
Johnny B
Riptideradio.com

Internet Radio Station
Riptideradio.com
Scott, Henriksen & Dennis

Shag Club Event
OD Shag Club Golf Tournament
OD Shag Club
N. Myrtle Beach, SC

Radio Show of The Year (Larry Crockett Award)
Surf Countdown
Jay Kinlaw & Bo Gilbert

Concert Series of The Year
“Music on Main”
North Myrtle Beach, SC

Video of The Year
“That You Hear In A Song”
Too Much Sylvia

Starting at 3:00PM today you can listen to the results as they happen right here thanks to our friends Mike Brooks and Big Allan D. from WLUS 98.3FM during their weekly show "Carolina Ocean Drive". Click here to listen and click on the 98.3 player.

The 2022 Carolina Beach Music Industry Awards show will be held, Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 3:00PM at the Spanish Galleon in N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. If you're unable to attend in person you'll be able to listen live online thanks to Riptide Radio. You can listen on their website and we'll also have it streaming here on Flip Flop Live at this link and via the player below. Good luck to all of the nominees!

We hope that you'll be able to attend the Carolina Beach Music Awards in person but if you're unable to make it you can catch the results LIVE on Sunday. Mike Brooks and Big Allan D. will be broadcasting backstage at the Alabama Theatre during their weekly show "Carolina Ocean Drive" on WLUS 98.3FM beginning at 3:00PM. Allan D. says "this is the 20th year in a row from back stage at the Alabama Theater as they are announced".You will be able to listen on their website, on the tune-in and IHeartRadio apps and we'll also have it streaming on the Flip Flop Live website and app. Good luck to all of the nominees!

Cammy weekend is here!  Thousands are headed to N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the annual Carolina Beach Music Awards Weekend and we cannot wait to see everyone. The Carolina Beach Music Academy updates their weekend schedule on November 7, 2022 and we updated and released our 2022 Cammy Guide that includes the official CBMA events as well as a few others. You can view and/or download the guide on the Flip Flop Live mobile app and here on our website.

We hope to see you this weekend!

Cammy weekend is quickly approaching and we're ready to head down to N. Myrtle Beach for the biggest Beach Music party of the year. Starting Thursday, November 10, 2022 you can get your Daily Cammy Report direct from N. Myrtle every evening through Sunday, November 13, 2022. You can catch the update at 5:00PM by listening on the Flip Flop Live mobile app, on the Flip Flop Live Radio website, on your Amazon Echo devices and on the LIVE365 radio platform. We look forward to seeing everyone and if you will be travelling in the coming days, we wish you safe travels. Whoo...CAMMY WEEKEND 2022