“Jim Dandy” by Black Oak Arkansas (f/Josh Ireson)

Doesn’t escaping into the hills to do nothing but write music with your friends sound like the ultimate dream? By the mid-60s, this was a reality for Black Oak Arkansas, a Southern rock band that refined their sound and mastered their instruments while living off the land. Led by charismatic frontman Jim “Dandy” Mangrum, they built a reputation for their wildly entertaining live shows. By early 1974, it was a cover of a 1957 LaVern Baker song that brought the band to the mainstream. The single, appropriately titled “Jim Dandy,” is a great needle drop in a Dazed and Confused chase scene, but does the song (or any of the other music from their impressively large back catalog) hold up? This week, we’re joined by special guest Josh Ireson to decide if Jim Dandy still comes to the rescue or if it’s just a relic of a weird and psychedelic time. One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder Buy some Merch Join our Patreon Join our Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices