The group, originally called "The Knowbody Else", was formed in 1965 in Black Oak, Arkansas, by Jim "Dandy" Mangrum (vocals), Rickie Reynolds (guitar), Stanley Knight (guitar), Harvey Jett (guitar), Pat Daugherty (bass), and Wayne Evans (drums). Their first PA system was stolen from a local high school. Members of the group were subsequently charged in absentia with grand larceny and sentenced to 26 years at the Tucker Prison Farm (this sentence was later suspended). This led to their retreat to the hills of rural northeast Arkansas where they lived off the land and refined their musical style. Some of their influences during this time were The Beatles and The Byrds.
The Knowbody Else moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1969 and signed a record deal with Stax Records. Their debut album (and only album with Stax), The Knowbody Else, was largely ignored by the populace. During this time the band became interested in psychedelia and Eastern spiritualism which, combined with their Southern Baptist upbringing, contributed to their sound.
After several trips to Los Angeles, California, in 1970, the band was signed by Atco Records and rechristened "Black Oak Arkansas". Their new debut album, Black Oak Arkansas, was released in 1971 while the band toured extensively, gaining a reputation as a live act. The twin album releases that followed in 1972, Keep The Faith and If An Angel Came To See You, Would You Make Her Feel At Home, expanded on the group’s eclectic musical style.
In 1973, Black Oak Arkansas released their fourth album, Raunch 'N' Roll Live and introduced a new drummer, Tommy Aldridge. It was their fifth album, High on the Hog, released later that year, that established solid commercial success by peaking at number 52 on the Billboard charts. Vocalist Ruby Starr also toured with the band during this period. Her raspy voice can be heard on the group's remake of LaVern Baker's 1957 hit "Jim Dandy," which reached number 25 on Billboard's Hot 100.
The 1974 release of Street Party may have failed to maintain the momentum. However, another 1974 release, entitled Early Times, an overlooked Stax recording, made up for lost time. In 1975, the original lineup of Black Oak Arkansas (minus Harvey Jett, who was replaced by Jimmy Henderson) released their last album, Ain't Life Grand. A new version of the band, called Black Oak, was formed in 1977 around Jim "Dandy" Mangrum and Jimmy Henderson. Greg Reding (guitar and keyboards), Jack Holder (guitar), Andy Tanas (bass), and Joel Williams (drums) participated on the two Capricorn albums which were recorded in 1977 (Race with the Devil) and 1978 (I'd Rather Be Sailing). In 1978, guitarist Shawn Lane joined the band at age 14 and toured with the band for four years.
Released in 1984, Ready as Hell debuted a heavier sound with pinch harmonics and keyboards featured throughout. The album also marked the return of Rickie Lee Reynolds on rhythm guitar. In 1986, The Black Attack Is Back continued the heavy style of the previous album and featured the particularly adventurous track "I Want A Woman With Big Titties". Despite that lack of subtlety, the album is widely regarded as the finest of the band's long career, with the greatest lineup to date. Still, it made no commercial headway.
James Mangrum has continued recording and touring with a series of different Black Oak lineups up to present day. Black Oak Arkansas currently enjoys a loyal fan following. However, the later lineups have yet to duplicate the level of album sales that the original lineup generated in the early-mid 1970s. Jim Dandy is credited with inspiring Van Halen front-man David Lee Roth's image and onstage persona as well.
In 2008, Boston newspaper 'The Phoenix' named them the All Time Best Band from Arkansas.
Band Members
* James L. "Jim Dandy" Mangrum - lead vocals, washboard (1965-present)
* Rickie Lee "Ricky" "Ricochet" Reynolds - twelve-string guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 1984-present)
* Hal McCormack - lead guitar (2003-present)
* Johnnie Bolin - drums ( -present)
* George Hughen - bass guitar ( -present)
* Stanley Knight - lead guitar, steel guitar, organ, vocals (1965-1976)
* Pat Daugherty - bass guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 2000-2002)
* Harvey Jett - lead guitar, banjo, piano, vocals (1965-1974)
* Wayne Evans - drums (1965-1973)
* Tommy Aldridge - drums (1973-1977)
* Paul Simmons - drums (1985-1986)
* James Henderson - guitar (1975-1979)
* Jack Holder - guitar (1977-1979)
* Greg Reding - guitar, keyboards (1977-1979)
* Andy Tanas - bass (1977-1980)
* Joel Williams - drums (1977-1978)
* Marius Penczner - keyboards (1975-1977)
* Shawn Lane - guitar (1977-1981)
* Chris Craig - drums (late 70's - early 80's)
* Jon "Thunder Paws" Wells - drums (Ready As Hell)
* Dave Wilson - Bass Guitar (1979-1981)
* William Lemuel - bass guitar (Ready As Hell)
* Steve "The Axe" Nuenmacher - lead guitar, rhythm guitar (Ready As Hell)
* Billy Batte - keyboards, violin (Ready As Hell)
* Michael "Narley Dude" Martin (R.I.P.) - Lead Guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
* "Big" Mike Fowler - bass guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
* Biff Bingham - 2nd lead guitarist (Ready as Hell, The Black Attack is Back)
* Jerry A. Williams - drums (Ready as Hell, The Black Attack is Back) (1985-1986)
* Darrell Miller - drums (1970's)
* Les John - drums (1979-1980)
* Cozy Johnson - drums (early 80's)
* James "Little Jim" Mangrum Jr. - drum technician
* Danny Leath - lead guitar
* Rocky Athas - lead guitar (1996-2001)
* John Roth - guitar (mid 80's)
Let Us Pray
Black Oak Arkansas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was walkin' down the road a carryin'
The load that my father had a given me
The night before I packed and left the home
Of my childhood, home of my birth.
The place in the back of the store
Where we would work
Until the night time darkness
Now, Let Us Pray
When my brother was a kid
Well he often went and hid in the backyard
Settin' at the feet of my father
And my mother would appear
Oh to sooth away the fear
That my father had a started
Pretty soon the trouble parted
And while sittin' at the evenin' supper table
He'd say Now Let Us Pray!
Oh Pray For Me Burly
[Chorus]
Now I travel all alone
A thinkin' of the home
That my Mom and Dad were given
In the times they were livin'
And the backyard swing and the happiness
Is bringin' out a whole bunch of presents
For the holiday
Remember Mom and Daddy
Are livin' and it's time now to say
Let Us Pray
Our Religion Is Music
The song Let Us Pray by Black Oak Arkansas describes a person who is reminiscing about their childhood, particularly the moment when they left their childhood home to face the world alone. In the first verse, the person goes down the road with the load that their father had given them the night before. The load most likely represents the responsibilities and life lessons that they had learned from their father. The person talks about the place in the back of the store where they worked until the night darkness brought the end of the day. The person then speaks of a prayer, suggesting they could have been raised in a religious household, and he says "Now, Let Us Pray."
In the second verse, the person refers to his brother, who would often go and hide in the backyard of their home. He would do this to be comforted by their mother, who would soothe away any fear that their father may have started. The person speaks of how the trouble would eventually part and how their father would then invite them to the evening supper table and say "Now Let Us Pray." The prayer could represent their father's way of bringing the family together and acknowledging the importance of their beliefs.
Overall, the song seems to be a nostalgic look back at the person's childhood and how their parents taught them valuable life lessons, including the importance of prayer.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walkin' down the road a carryin'
As I journeyed through life, I carried the burdens placed on me.
The load that my father had a given me
The responsibilities and expectations imposed by my father.
The night before I packed and left the home
The night before I departed from my family.
Of my childhood, home of my birth.
The home that I grew up in, and where I was born.
The place in the back of the store
The location in the store where we worked.
Where we would work
The place where we laboriously toiled.
Until the night time darkness
Until the darkness of nightfall enveloped us.
Brought the end of day
Marking the end of a day's work.
Now, Let Us Pray
Now, let us turn to prayer for guidance and comfort.
When my brother was a kid
During my brother's childhood.
Well he often went and hid in the backyard
He frequently sought refuge in the backyard.
Settin' at the feet of my father
Sitting at the feet of our father.
And my mother would appear
And my mother would come into view.
Oh to sooth away the fear
To soothe the fear that my father instilled.
That my father had a started
That my father had initiated.
Pretty soon the trouble parted
Eventually, the tension dissipated.
And while sittin' at the evenin' supper table
While we were gathered at the dinner table.
He'd say Now Let Us Pray!
Our father would lead us in prayer at the end of the day.
Oh Pray For Me Burly
Oh, pray for me, dear brother Burly.
[Chorus]
Refrain of the song.
Now I travel all alone
Now I journey alone.
A thinkin' of the home
Reflecting on my childhood home.
That my Mom and Dad were given
That my parents were gifted.
In the times they were livin'
During the era they existed in.
And the backyard swing and the happiness
Recalling the joy of the backyard swing.
Is bringin' out a whole bunch of presents
Eliciting a multitude of wonderful memories.
For the holiday
In honor of the holiday season.
Remember Mom and Daddy
Remembering my parents fondly.
Are livin' and it's time now to say
They are still alive, and it is time to express gratitude.
Let Us Pray
Let us turn to prayer once again to thank the divine for the gift of life and our parents.
Our Religion Is Music
In conclusion, music is our religion, and it inspires us to pray and be grateful for all the blessings that life has to offer.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICK REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kelly Kruse
I love Kim Dandy and Rickie Lee wish i could have seen them in concert hey guys let's put them albums on cd and show the young people what music is
STHZ
Listened to these guys when i was 13 now i'm 61 they still sound raunch & roll as hell,anybody know who pkayed the harmonica on this track awesome.
Bumbles_Bounce13
Dandy played harmonica as well as tambourine and washboard.
STHZ
Love you guys 40 years have passed always come back and listen, hot and nasty that’s 70’s music nobody can replace this....
jimsky60
love this whole album! Use to have it! Jazzed you posted it! Thanks!
Michael Doyle
I still have it.
James Young
Black Oak rules
Database Dan
Funk it up BOA!
Russell Crawford
This is with the group was known as the nobody else. Probably 1969
Kevin Kelly
*Knowbody Else