5 Career Achievements Of Black Oak Arkansas

In the late 1960s, Black Oak Arkansas faced numerous challenges, including legal troubles due to theft – their desperate means of funding instrument purchases. Overcoming these hurdles, the band established itself as Knowbody Else in New Orleans before evolving into Black Oak Arkansas in 1970 through a contract with Atco Records, an Atlantic subsidiary facilitated by Ahmet Ertegun.

1. Five Decades, 22 Albums
Black Oak Arkansas remains active after five decades, defying any inclination to slow down. Their discography boasts an impressive 22 albums, encompassing studios, live performances, and compilations. The pinnacle of their production lies in the ’70s, where half of their albums showcase the group’s prowess. Live performances from this era and the cutting-edge LPs set in the early ’70s are noteworthy.

2. Discography Highlights
The self-titled debut album, Black Oak Arkansas (1971), marked their Atco debut, followed by successful releases like “Keep The Faith” and “If An Angel Came To See You, Would You Make Her Feel At Home” in 1972. The peak of their success came with “High On The Hog” (1973), featuring the iconic single “Jim Dandy,” securing the 25th position on the Billboard 100 gold record chart. However, subsequent albums like “Ain’t Life Grand” (1975) faced challenges, leading to a change in their name in 1977.

3. Rebound at Capricorn and Unexpected Comeback
Despite challenges, Black Oak Arkansas rebounded with key members, including Jim Dandy, joining forces with Jim Henderson, Greg Reding, Jack Holder, Andy Tanas, and Joel Williams. The move to Capricorn, a renowned southern rock label, signified hope for a resurgence, but it didn’t significantly impact the band’s record quality.

4. RIAA Gold Record Award
The band received the Black Oak Arkansas RIAA Gold Record Award, commemorating the sale of over one million dollars worth of the ATCO Records album Black Oak Arkansas. This accolade affirmed their success in the industry.

5. Arkansas House of Representative Citation Awards
In April 2020, Republican state Rep. Johnny Rye awarded Black Oak Arkansas frontman Jim “Dandy” Mangrum with two achievement awards. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the awards recognized the band’s records that achieved platinum and gold status, with sales exceeding five million and one million copies, respectively. Rye personally presented the honors at Mangrum’s home, celebrating the enduring legacy of Black Oak Arkansas.