On August 12 at Lenoir County Fairground the Band of Oz will perform a live event. The gates open at 5:00 pm, and the cost of entry will be $15 per person or $40 for a carload of up to six people. There will be food vendors on-site and guests are invited to bring their own coolers.

“We're tired of everyone being shut up without any entertainment,” said DJ Fred Rouse.

The event is sponsored by Capps Trailers, C/A Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Lenoir County Agricultural Fairground. Radio station 102.9 out of Kinston hopes to do future events based on the success of the drive-in.

Band of Oz performs well over two-hundred shows per year for corporate events festivals, concerts, wedding receptions, and many other public and private events. The North Carolina native band is one of the most successful groups in the Southeast.

“If you’re going to start off, start off with the best,” said Rouse in the hopes that the success of Band Of Oz’s performance at the fairgrounds will lead to more opportunities for live entertainment.

Their first single, ‘Shaggin’, written by Billy Bazemore and Keith Houston in 1978, catapulted the group’s success. Their second single ‘Star of My Life’ was written by Chuck French.

“The biggest thing about doing this, is the way we’re doing it,” said Rouse. “We’re maintaining the social distancing set forth by the governor.”

Gov. Cooper extended Executive Order 141's Safer At Home Phase 2 measures until at least Sept 11, 2020. Executive Order 141's Safer At Home requires people, with some exceptions, to wear face coverings in public when social distancing is not possible.