Simply put, Black Oak Arkansas serves up a wild-ass high energy show with music unlike any other southern rock band. There is nothing predictable or cliché about them. Black Oak’s cocky and boisterous brand of southern boogie along with good natured blues, and mental metal made them one of the top five money makers in the world on the concert trail consecutively between ‘72 and ‘77. The Black Oak “Wildbunch” with their current line-up including 3 original founding members vows to revive the legend.

Frontman, founding member, and spectacle, Jim Dandy, blonde-maned and once resplendent in white spandex, served as a sort of role model for David Lee Roth, Vince Neal, and Jesse James Dupree. Born son of an Arkansas cotton farmer, his toad howl and acidic screech voice is reminiscent of Axl Rose of today. The band grew from a boyhood bond forged in Black Oak, Arkansas between Jim Dandy, Pat “Dirty” Daugherty, bass, and Rickie “Ricochet” Reynolds, 12-string, & rhythm guitar. Originally the band was known as “Knowbody Else” and were signed to Stax Records in Memphis. In 1968 they moved to Los Angeles, where their long-time friend, first manager, and now final choice for manager, Jerry Cohen, thought of the name Black Oak Arkansas to show they would always remember where they came from, and how small town boys anywhere might have a chance. They were also the last of 5 acts to be signed by Ahmet Ertegun, who is founder of Atlantic Records and is now cochairman/co-CEO with Val Azzoli, after seeing them at the Coral in Topanga Canyon, and the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Hollywood.

The initial Atco LPs were laden with driving guitar-based rock and mystical quasireligious lyrics. However, the group was hardly a gospel choir. In a hint of what was to come, the debut album contained the devoutly sexual “Hot and Nasty”, that soon became Black Oak’s trademark, and “Uncle Lijah”, which showed their respect for their back-porch country influences. Mystical concepts soon went by the wayside with the release of the ‘73 breakthrough LP, “High On The Hog”. This featured “Jim Dandy To The Rescue”, which was a suggestion from Elvis Presley, and mutual friend George Kline.

Over the next several years the band gained enormous touring success, and many critically acclaimed albums. With this hectic schedule it took a toll on Jim Dandy and the other members, which concluded to each going their separate ways.

Then in the spring of 1995 Jim Dandy, along with his oldest and dearest friends, Pat Daugherty and Rickie Reynolds were back performing again, even after Dandy suffered a broken back in a serious car accident in 1992, after falling asleep at the wheel. They added lead guitarist, Rocky Athas, who has come full circle with Black Oak after playing with them in the 80s and on the Ready As Hell release. Rocky has been honored as a member of the Texas Tornadoes, (a select handful of legendary Texas guitar players) for over a decade. He is a childhood and lifelong friend of Stevie Ray Vaughn and is mentioned several times in the book Stevie Ray: Soul To Soul.

Last but certainly not least is the addition of drummer Johnnie Bolin, who is brother to the late legendary guitarist and singer Tommy Bolin, who replaced Joe Walsh in the James Gang, and Richie Blackmore in Deep Purple as well as a solo career, with 2 highly acclaimed albums Teaser and Private Eyes. Johnnie has recorded with his brother Tommy and several other acts. He too played with BOA in the 80s and along with Rocky, they are a perfect match for Black Oak Arkansas.

Together Black Oak Arkansas is destined to rekindle all the success of yesteryear and beyond. They are respectfully determined to make it look as though the past was just a dress rehearsal for their future, which is now at hand.