Frontman Jim Dandy to Black Oak’s rescue once more

Back in the day, Black Oak Arkansas was considered one of the genuine arbiters of true Southern Rock. While the competition was formidable early on, especially given the fact that bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers, Molly Hatchet were also vying for the distinction of being proclaimed the foremost prominent of all the Dixie denizens. However, Black Oak Arkansas had one thing the others didn’t have, and that was a wild man frontman in the person of Jim Dandy Mangrum, an unmistakable presence who was both over the top and always in focus with the band’s diehard devotees.

While critics sneered at their insurgent attitude and rebellious redneck designs, they had plenty of support from those who mattered. They were personally signed to Atlantic Records by the label’s legendary president, Ahmet Ertegun, and they garnered an impressive roster of fervent fans, among them President Bill Clinton, First Lady Betty Ford, Fillmore impresario Bill Graham, the demented deejay Wolfman Jack, and were honored for their charitable contributions to the state of Arkansas with a pair of proclamations and permanent presence at the Arkansas State Museum.

Of course, that wouldn’t have meant much if the public hadn’t followed suit. Three of their albums were certified gold, while one was declared platinum. Their namesake single that ensured their success, the R&B hit first recorded by singer LaVern Baker in 1956, “Jim Dandy to the Rescue,” was suggested to them by Elvis Presley and further affirmed as a hit by the man who sat behind the boards, Atlantic’s iconic