Year in review: Classic rock music journalist Ray Shasho reflects on 2012

By Ray Shasho

Once again, it’s time to rank the most popular classic rock music articles for the entire year based on readership page views. In 2012 …Ray Shasho conducted (34) in-depth interviews with some of the greatest music and entertainment legends of our time, and reviewed numerous concerts and events around the Tampa Bay area.
Since joining examiner.com in December of 2010, Shasho has solely orchestrated and conducted (57) in-depth interviews with rock & roll and TV folklore. Ray’s only motivation is a bona fide respect for the artist and his never-ending compassion for the music.
2012 was another awesome year for classic rock music. The music legends continue to sell-out local venues, draw huge crowds at outdoor events, and perform on packed cruise liners sailing the seven seas.

 I had the great privilege of chatting with two important artists who sadly left us in 2012. Ronnie Montrose (Guitarist/songwriter/producer/Van Morrison/Edgar Winter Group/Gamma/Montrose) and Michael Hossack (Drummer/Doobie Brothers/U.S Navy Vet) … thank you for all the great music and so many wonderful memories.
We also say goodbye to these music artists and pioneers in 2012 … Ravi Shankar(Indian Sitar player/influential to George Harrison) Ed Cassidy (Drummer/Spirit), Dave Brubeck (Progressive Jazz pioneer), Michael Dunford (Composer/guitarist/Renaissance ), Andy Williams (Pop crooner/Christmas season icon), Mark Abrahamian (Guitarist /Starship), Larry Hoppen(Vocalist/guitarist/songwriter/Orleans), Hal David (Songwriter), Marvin Hamlish(Composer), Scott McKenzie (Singer/songwriter), Jon Lord (Founding member/ keyboardist/Deep Purple), Bob Welch (Guitarist/singer/songwriter/ Fleetwood Mac), Robert Nix(Co-founder and drummer/Atlanta Rhythm Section), Robin Gibb(Singer/songwriter/ Bee Gees), Donna Summer(Pop/ Disco/ singer/songwriter), Donald “Duck” Dunn(Bassist/ Booker T.& the MG’s), Adam Yauch (Founding member/ The Beastie Boys), Levon Helm (Vocalist/drummer/ The Band), Bob Birch( Bassist/Elton John),Greg Ham(Multi-instrumentalist/ Men at Work), Chuck Brown (“Godfather of Go-Go” music) Dick Clark( Rock & Roll pioneer),Jim Marshall(Inventor of the Marshall amplifier), Kitty Wells(Singer/songwriter), Earl Scruggs (Bluegrass pioneer/ banjo virtuoso), Davy Jones (Singer/ The Monkees), Michael Davis( Bassist/MC5), Whitney Houston( Singer/songwriter/actress), Jimmy Ellis( Lead singer/the Trammps), R. B. Greaves(Singer/songwriter/hit-maker), Don Cornelius(Soul Train/music pioneer), Pete Cosey(Jazz/Blues/guitarist), Mark Reale (Guitarist/Riot), Etta James( Multi-genre singer), Johnny Otis (Songwriter/musician/producer), Bob Weston(Guitarist/Fleetwood Mac), Larry Reinhardt(Guitarist / Iron Butterfly/Captain Beyond), and Fred Milano (Dion and the Belmonts). …Their spirit and music will live-on forever!
*The most read article for 2012 was about the passing of legendary guitarist Ronnie Montrose ...
NEWS FLASH: RONNIE MONTROSE Dead at 64
http://www.examiner.com/article/news-flash-ronnie-montrose-dead-at-64
Here are the Top 10 rankings for the most popular interviews of the year based on readership page views. (Note: Facebook likes/shares have been reset several times on many articles due to Examiner restructuring their look).
1 -Ian Anderson: A conversation with the Scottish Gent we attest as Jethro Tull
http://www.examiner.com/article/ian-anderson-a-conversation-with-the-scottish-gent-we-attest-as-jethro-tull
2 -Chris Squire: Squackett, Jon Anderson and ‘Yes’ on Broadway
http://www.examiner.com/review/chris-squire-interview-squackett-jon-anderson-and-yes-on-broadway
3 -Roger Fisher: HEART original guitarist: 'Being voted out saved my life'
http://www.examiner.com/article/interview-heart-original-guitarist-roger-fisher-being-voted-out-saved-my-life
4 - Roger McGuinn: David Crosby can reunite 'The Byrds' without him
http://www.examiner.com/article/exclusive-roger-mcguinn-says-david-crosby-can-reunite-the-byrds-without-him
5 -Tommy Roe: tried to get Beatles signed: Both rejected by ABC Records
http://www.examiner.com/article/interview-tommy-roe-tried-to-get-beatles-signed-both-rejected-by-abc-records
6 -Lou Gramm: Foreigner legendary vocalist embraces a second chance at life
http://www.examiner.com/article/lou-gramm-foreigner-legendary-vocalist-embraces-a-second-chance-at-life
7 -Greg Lake: of Emerson Lake & Palmer reveals: I really am a ‘Lucky Man'
http://www.examiner.com/article/interview-greg-lake-of-emerson-lake-palmer-reveals-i-really-am-a-lucky-man
8 -Johnny Winter: Rock ‘n’ roll was a disguise; I really wanted to play the blues
http://www.examiner.com/review/johnny-winter-rock-n-roll-was-a-disguise-i-really-wanted-to-play-the-blues
9 -An interview with music legends Micky Dolenz & Gary Puckett -Happy Together 2012
http://www.examiner.com/article/an-interview-with-music-legends-micky-dolenz-gary-puckett-happy-together-2012
10 - Annie Haslam: the enchanting songstress of Renaissance
http://www.examiner.com/article/an-interview-with-annie-haslam-the-enchanting-songstress-of-renaissance
Honorable Mention’s…
Suzi Quatro: rock ‘n’ roll heroine in an unzipped exclusive interview
http://www.examiner.com/article/suzi-quatro-rock-n-roll-heroine-an-unzipped-exclusive-interview
Frank Marino: legendary guitarist sidelined with severe pain
http://www.examiner.com/article/exclusive-frank-marino-legendary-guitarist-sidelined-with-severe-pain
Jim “Dandy” Mangrum: southern rock pioneer with Black Oak Arkansas
http://www.examiner.com/article/interview-jim-dandy-mangrum-southern-rock-pioneer-with-black-oak-arkansas
Peter Rivera: the heart and soul of Motown’s Rare Earth
http://www.examiner.com/article/peter-rivera-the-heart-and-soul-of-motown-s-rare-earth
‘Candice Night’: Medieval Princess: A fairytale journey with ‘Ritchie Blackmore’
http://www.examiner.com/review/candice-night-medieval-princess-a-fairytale-journey-with-ritchie-blackmore
Steve Hillage: The intergalactic musical evolution of a guitar rocketeer
http://www.examiner.com/review/steve-hillage-the-intergalactic-musical-evolution-of-a-guitar-rocketeer
Eric Johnson: An extraordinary and diverse guitarist with rock fusion mastery
http://www.examiner.com/article/eric-johnson-an-extraordinary-and-diverse-guitarist-with-rock-fusion-mastery
Paul Kantner: captain at the helm for Jefferson Starship
http://www.examiner.com/article/an-interview-with-paul-kantner-captain-at-the-helm-for-jefferson-starship
Gino Vannelli: Exclusive Interview with an international superstar
http://www.examiner.com/article/exclusive-interview-with-international-superstar-gino-vannelli
Henry McCullough: divulges divine intervention while with Paul McCartney & Wings
http://www.examiner.com/article/henry-mccullough-divulges-divine-intervention-while-with-paul-mccartney-wings
Andy Powell: talks about the longevity and mystique of 'Wishbone Ash'
http://www.examiner.com/article/andy-powell-talks-about-the-longevity-and-mystique-of-wishone-ash
Nils Lofgren: Springsteen guitar virtuoso: Review ‘Old School’
http://www.examiner.com/review/interview-nils-lofgren-springsteen-guitar-virtuoso-review-old-school
Ex Judas Priest Metal Master: Atkins May Project 'Serpents Kiss'
http://www.examiner.com/review/interview-ex-judas-priest-metal-master-atkins-may-project-serpents-kiss
Kim Simmonds: British blues of Savoy Brown –CD Review: ‘Voodoo Moon'
http://www.examiner.com/review/exclusive-british-blues-kim-simmonds-of-savoy-brown-cd-review-voodoo-moon
Tom Rush Interview: Celebrating 50 years of storytelling and music
http://www.examiner.com/article/tom-rush-interview-celebrating-50-years-of-storytelling-and-music
Maria Muldaur rekindles the spirit of 'Memphis Minnie' on her latest release
http://www.examiner.com/review/maria-muldaur-rekindles-the-spirit-of-memphis-minnie-on-her-latest-release
Michael Des Barres: Silverhead rocker & TV villain ‘Murdoc’ chats with Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/review/michael-des-barres-silverhead-rocker-tv-villain-murdoc-chats-with-examiner
What is a Merrell Fankhauser? The most interesting cult figure in rock history
http://www.examiner.com/article/what-is-a-merrell-fankhauser-the-most-interesting-cult-figure-rock-history
Review: New release Blue Moon Harem ‘FINLAND’ -Interview: Demetri Joannou
http://www.examiner.com/review/review-new-release-blue-moon-harem-finland-interview-demetri-joannou
Here are the Top 5 concert reviews for the year based on readership page views. (Note: Facebook likes/shares have been reset several times on many articles due to Examiner restructuring their look).
1 -The Zombies are brilliant for sold-out Largo Cultural Center
http://www.examiner.com/review/the-zombies-are-brilliant-for-sold-out-largo-cultural-center
2 -Happy Together Tour draws another packed house at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater
http://www.examiner.com/review/happy-together-tour-draws-another-packed-house-at-ruth-eckerd-hall-clearwater
3 -Blondie magnificent at Firefly Gala: Interview guitarist/songwriter Chris Stein
http://www.examiner.com/review/blondie-magnificent-at-firefly-gala-interview-guitarist-songwriter-chris-stein
4 -Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band superlative for sold out Ruth Eckerd audience
http://www.examiner.com/review/ringo-starr-and-his-all-starr-band-superlative-for-sold-out-ruth-eckerd-audience
5 -Summer concerts and rock and roll on the high seas
http://www.examiner.com/article/summer-concerts-and-rock-and-roll-on-the-high-seas
In 2011, Ray added a new segment to his column entitled ‘Classic Rock meets Classic TV’
Here was the top Classic TV interview for 2012 ...
Marty Ingels Interview: A Brooklyn wisecracker with hutzpah who became a TV Icon
http://www.examiner.com/article/marty-ingels-interview-a-brooklyn-wisecracker-with-hutzpah-who-became-a-tv-icon
As always ... I want to thank all the public relation firms, artist management, concert promoters, and venue staffers that I’ve worked with throughout the year, but especially to the Examiner readers who have graciously surfed their way to my column. Also special thanks to photographer Mark Weaver for some remarkable shots in 2012.
Contact classic rock music journalist Ray Shasho at rockraymond.shasho@gmail.com
GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT! Purchase Ray’s very special memoir called ‘Check the Gs’ -The True Story of an Eclectic American Family and Their Wacky Family Business … You’ll LIVE IT! Also available for download on NOOK or KINDLE edition for JUST .99 CENTS at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com -Please support Ray so he can continue to bring you quality classic rock music reporting. 

 ~~Pacific Book Review says Ray Shasho is a product of the second half of the 20th century, made in the USA from parts around the world, and within him is every trend in music, television, politics and culture contributing to his philosophical and comically analytical reflections collected in his fine book of memories. I found Check the Gs to be pure entertainment, fantastic fun and a catalyst to igniting so many memories of my own life, as I too am within a few years of Ray. So to all, I say if you have a bit of grey hair (or no hair), buy this book! It’s a great gift for your “over-the-hill” friends, or for their kids, if they are the history buffs of younger generations trying to figure out why we are the way we are.

© Copyright rayshasho.com. All Rights Reserved

Interview: Jim “Dandy” Mangrum southern rock pioneer with Black Oak Arkansas

By Ray Shasho

Black Oak Arkansas (population 286 as of the 2000 census) was the hometown of Jim “Dandy” Mangrum, one of the most flamboyant lead singers in the history of rock ‘n’ roll.

The roots of the band, which would eventually be named after their hometown, was formed in 1965 and originally named ‘The Knowbody Else.’ The group was arrested for grand larceny for stealing musical equipment from several local high schools. They were sentenced to 26 years by a judge who may have been a bit biased about long-haired rock musicians in a small Southern Baptist town. The sentence was eventually suspended and the band left Arkansas.
 
After stops in Mississippi, New Orleans, and Memphis, ‘The Knowbody Else’ signed their first record contract with Stax Records. Unfortunately, their debut album had very little commercial success. Upon arriving in Los Angeles in 1970, the band signed a record deal with Atco Records under the name ‘Black Oak Arkansas.’ Their self-titled debut album was released in 1971.


Black Oak Arkansas began touring extensively while establishing itself early on in their career as a hard-driving onstage presence and a rock ‘n’ roll force to be reckoned with. The fearless performances by a long blond haired- washboard strumming- flamboyant- sexually motivated- deep raspy voiced- backwoods frontman …backed by multi-guitarists and an inventive group of legitimate virtuosos who happened to smash their guitars onstage … paved the way for southern rock and became one of the most important bands in rock history.

In 1973, Black Oak Arkansas released their most commercially successful album to date entitled, High on the Hog. The album spawned the Lavern Baker remake “Jim Dandy” which became a huge hit for the band reaching #25 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The song was suggested by Elvis Presley and became the bands signature tune. Singer Ruby Starr contributed to the album and on the road. Starr had a significant and everlasting impact on the bands success. She would contribute to future albums and later began touring on her own. Sadly, Ruby Starr died in 1995.

In 1974, Black Oak Arkansas played the California Jam in Ontario, California for over 250,000 rock fans. The concert featured Rare Earth, Earth, Wind & Fire, Eagles, Seals & Crofts, Black Oak Arkansas, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Emerson Lake & Palmer.
The band also performed on the Midnight Special, Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert, and ABC’s In Concert.

Black Oak Arkansas in the 70s …( Black Oak Arkansas, Keep The Faith, If An Angel Came To See You Would You Make Her Feel At Home, Raunch ‘N’ Roll Live, High On The Hog, Street Party, Ain’t Life Grand, X-Rated, Live! Mutha, Balls Of Fire, Live On The King Biscuit Flower Hour, 10 Yr Overnight Success, Race with the Devil, I’d Rather Be Sailing).

Veteran rock drummer Tommy Aldridge (Pat Travers Band, Ozzy Osbourne, White Snake, Ted Nugent and Thin Lizzy) played with Black Oak Arkansas from 1972-76).

Some other notable tunes by Black Oak Arkansas include … “Hot and Nasty,” “Strong Enough to Be Gentle,” “Hot Rod,” “Happy Hooker,” “Lord Have Mercy On My Soul,” and “Mean Woman (If You Ever Blues)” to name just a few.
Throughout the 80s and 90s, the band had numerous lineup changes, but Jim “Dandy” Magrum largely remained in the spotlight.

Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth and Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses were said to be influenced by Jim “Dandy” Mangrum for his onstage antics.

Black Oak Arkansas 80s and beyond … (Rebound, King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents: Black Oak Arkansas, The Wild Bunch, Live, Keep The Faith, Live At Royal Albert Hall, The Complete Raunch ‘N’ Roll Live, The Knowbody Else).

Black Oak Arkansas has maintained a steady stream of faithful followers throughout the years. Most recently, Jim “Dandy” Mangrum and Black Oak Arkansas will once again be recording on the Atlantic Records label including a new album in the works for 2013.

Original guitarist Rickie Lee Reynolds is also in the bands current lineup.

Black Oak Arkansas will also be part of Rock Legends Cruise II. The event billed as sort of a Woodstock on the high seas, launches January 10th and returns January 14th 2013. The Liberty of the Seas from Royal Caribbean departs from Ft. Lauderdale, Fl with a single stopover in Labadee, Haiti. Rock legends set to perform onboard the luxury passenger vessel include … Foreigner, Paul Rodgers (Bad Company), Credence Clearwater Revisited, Kansas, Bachman & Turner, .38 Special, The Marshall Tucker Band, Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat, Molly Hatchet, Kentucky Headhunters, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Pat Travers Band, The Artimus Pyle Band (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Black Oak Arkansas.

For booking information visit http://rocklegendscruise.com/ or call 888-666-1499. Pricing begins at $699.00. The event is presented by Native American Heritage Association.

I had the great pleasure of speaking with Jim “Dandy” Mangrum last week from his home in Memphis.
Here’s my interview with singer/ musician/ southern rock pioneer/ legendary frontman for Black Oak Arkansas …. JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM.
Ray Shasho: Hi Jim how’s it going?
Jim Dandy: “Hey Ray …just another great day here in Memphis.”
Ray Shasho: Elvis land!
Jim Dandy: “Me and Rickie and Hal McCormack, my lead guitar player, and guitar player, we all three live here in Memphis, and of course it’s the closest city to the real Black Oak. My dad lives out in Jonesboro, I go back and forth to see him; he’ll be ninety in April …so what you up to?”
Ray Shasho: Did you ever in your wildest dreams ever think you’d be performing a rock concert on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean?
Jim Dandy: “I always thought maybe someday …“It’s funny; I’ve been on some six world tours and I’ve never been on a cruise ship, so I’m really looking forward to it and enjoy it a lot.”
Ray Shasho: This event is like Woodstock on the high seas, I’ve never seen anything like it.
Jim Dandy: “Twenty Five bands… play three times each … in three different locations … in three days. Chaos … sounds like home to me.”
Ray Shasho: I’m sure it’ll be great for you to see some old friends again too.
Jim Dandy: “We have a lot of friends who are going to be on it … Pat Travers, The Headhunters, Molly Hatchet, and just all kinds of people who we’ve known for a long time.”
Ray Shasho: I understand you guys played in Fort Myers recently?
Jim Dandy: “Just a couple of weeks ago. We had the greatest time… playing with Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot. We played out on the parking lot of the Ballyorney Irish Pub. An authentic club … everything shipped from Ireland, great food and drinks, we had a great crowd and it was good day.”
Ray Shasho: Besides the cruise …what’s new these day with “Jim Dandy” and Black Oak Arkansas?
Jim Dandy: “We’re signing back to Atlantic Records. They promoted us better than any other label and we’ll be recording here in Memphis … so 2013 is when it’ll be happening. We’ve also had some things in the vault; Tom Dowd had produced it and never got released, and we’re going to put that out also… it’s going to be from the past to present. And we’ve got a lot of new stuff too, so we’re excited about it.”
Ray Shasho: When the band was called ‘The Knowbody Else’ in Arkansas, you guys almost got into some major trouble for stealing music equipment?
Jim Dandy: “Yea … they got the meanest judge in Arkansas because they wanted to crucify us because we had long hair, we got suspended sentences and we served them. But we went on and had a great career, three gold albums, and one platinum. It was just a great adventure.”
Ray Shasho: I saw Black Oak Arkansas perform twice in the 70s around the Washington D.C. area and I was an instant fan when I first heard you guys.
Jim Dandy: “We loved what we were doing and still love what we do…me and Rickie are the two originals still together. I never expected the old guys to want to do it forever like I do. We’re still a strong fraternity … still frat brothers. As a matter of fact on the new album… it was the old guys who wanted to do one or two songs on there. I know they don’t want to be on the road or anything but I’m proud of the fact that we still love one another and still get along and everything. Not all the bands have that.”
Ray Shasho: “I’ve talked with so many guys who just flat out hate each other. After chatting with Mark Farner … they’ll never resolve their differences. And it’s a shame because bands like Grand Funk Railroad still have all the original members alive … just imagine the impact of a reunion.
Jim Dandy: “I know Mel, and relate to Mark a lot, he’s a good friend of mine, and Don Brewer… they sided with Terry Knight, and people like that …I hate that in the business, we all hear the same stories about managers. If they could play they wouldn’t need us, because they’re control freaks. They don’t leave room for the artistry and don’t give it any credit or respect. They try to cut them down to control them and they shouldn’t do that. I know a lot of great musicians that don’t know they’re even great, because mangers try and make them feel belittled like they’re not worth a crap.”
Ray Shasho: What are your thoughts about record companies?
Jim Dandy: “I’m going back to the one I had back in the 70s. (Laughing) They’ve gone through a lot of changes. Computers are just there …nobody has to be certified /qualified to have a computer, everybody owns everything, nobody owns nothing … I don’t have any say about what people do with my stuff …they really screwed up record companies. All I can say is that I’m happy to be back at Atlantic.”

“All these new labels… its very fertile ground for them, none of them have the seniority or savvy to know how to campaign product. It’s very important for the fans and the bands to have that bond for the songs. Everything has gotten smaller and smaller … down to CD’S, DVD’s and you can’t get much of a picture, no room for a poster in there, and can’t really put the words on there … but we’ll find a way. I love my fans … we were doing ‘Meet and Greets’ before they called it ‘Meet and Greets’. It’s just good to know your people.”

“People use to talk to me about stuff I didn’t know anything about, but that’s because I’m a conversationalist. I use to do fourteen interviews a day before a concert. That’s because I liked to have a conversation. I came from a place called Black Oak Arkansas which was nobody to talk to. I still like talking with people and having conversations.”
Ray Shasho: Jim do you have kids …grandkids?
Jim Dandy: “I have four boys, one girl, and three grandchildren. The grandchildren are eighteen, nine and six.”
Ray Shasho: Have you babysat the grandchildren?
Jim Dandy: “Hell no …I’m not a worthy grandparent, but I wasn’t a worthy parent either. I just liked to get hot and nasty, didn’t like wearing rubbers back then, so I had a lot of kids. But I kept up with them at least. I’m not trying to say I’m a saint and not trying to say that I’m evil …I am what I am.”
Ray Shasho: By the way “Hot and Nasty” was my favorite song.
Jim Dandy: “It was supposed to be like a joke you know, and everybody took it serious. But we still play it, and I still get hot and nasty …and I still love sex. I’m in good shape for 64. The amazing part to me is my dad use to say, “You’ve got to get into country music son because you can go over on your audience.” And that was true…but now you can do that with rock ‘n’ roll too. I’ve got them use to a stage show that’ll keep you in shape. (Laughing)”
Ray Shasho: Black Oak Arkansas use to smash up their instruments back in the day right?
Jim Dandy: “Yea, but they weren’t the real guitars. After the drum solo… those were Japanese hundred dollar specials. (All laughing) Then we’d give the guitars to radio stations or whoever and they’d give away the pieces or the parts.”
Ray Shasho: Every great band has a signature tune … of course yours is…“Jim Dandy.” I heard there was a connection with that song and Elvis Presley?
Jim Dandy: “It was George Klein a mutual friend that told me that Elvis was going to be calling me in exactly two hours, and he was always very punctual, and I had never met him yet. He told me I needed to do a song called Jim Dandy (to the Rescue). He had already told Ann Margaret to do it too. But he was into the Jim Dandy thing, and we put it in Hot and Nasty before that. I told him …You don’t say no to the ‘king of rock and roll’ and then I thought … that was corny, why did I say that for. Elvis said, “Rock ‘n’ roll was created by a disc jockey for his own pocketbook, I play rhythm and blues and gospel, and there ain’t but one king and I ain’t him.” But the coolest thing he said at the end of the conversation was… “Jim Dandy, it comes through us, not from us, we just got the best seat in the house.” …I thought, how noble.”

“But we did meet later on at Macon, Georgia at the Hilton. He was playing across the street and we were recording at Capricorn at the time. He was just a great person.”
“Him and Muhammad Ali …they are special and different than anybody else that filled that same position. They just ooze with personality. You could have your back to the door at the hotel and one of them walks in the lobby and you could feel it. Both of them are very exceptional.”
Ray Shasho: I got married in Henderson, Kentucky right over the bridge from Evansville, Indiana… and you first met Ruby Starr in Evansville?
Jim Dandy: “Yea, you’re right. We were playing an outdoor show … I think it was at a baseball stadium somewhere downtown and we walked by and heard her rehearsing with a band downstairs, I don’t know exactly where we were, and we got in touch with her and talked with her … and I love and miss her now so much. I miss her every day. We do a song for her every night when we play.”
Ray Shasho: I’ve talked with a lot of artists that played California Jam I and II, what was your impression of that huge event?
Jim Dandy: “It was wonderful, perfect for me, a crowd you can’t see the last row on, a gigantic PA, and I’m the master of ceremonies, a sacred gathering and ceremony, and it’s a sacred honor to be master of that ceremony, and it was perfect for me. Ozzie and Black Sabbath and Jim Dandy and Black Oak probably had more people than anybody because we played in the middle. I couldn’t understand why Deep Purple and Emerson, Lake and Palmer were fighting over who closed because people were worn out and there weren’t many people out there. Everybody there was headliners just about.”
Ray Shasho: Jim, are you a spiritual person?
Jim Dandy: “I’m a born Christian and my mama only had me born once. I definitely believe in Jesus and believe in God, but that’s all very personal stuff, I also believe in freedom of religion and freedom of choice and everybody do what they want to do. I don’t wish to bring my beliefs onto other people. If they seriously want to ask me about them I’ll answer them, I’m not going to hide anything I do. To me, it’s doing what I do, and God gave me the ability to do what I do. And I try to give him praise for what I do. But it ain’t going to be religious rock. We did, “Lord Have Mercy On My Soul” before there was religious rock… thank God.”

“Those self righteous sanctimonious sons of bitches always tried to put me down and they are so far from God, I can’t even tell you. And they do it in the name of God making lots of money. They just feel so good about themselves you know. Nobody should feel that good about themselves the way the world is today. The only thing we never seem to be able to do is the golden rule ….Love thy neighbor and do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
My daddy gave me the nickname, Elvis told me to do the song, and some things are thrust upon you, but if it weren’t for the people, we wouldn’t have the great job we got. It’s all about the people.”
Ray Shasho: You had a somewhat intimate conversation with John Lennon?
Jim Dandy: “I had the great pleasure of meeting John Lennon; he came across a room the size of three gymnasiums, put his hand on my shoulder and said can we go talk. He said I was ahead of my time but he wasn’t talking about our music. He was talking about the Bob Marley side of me. I had to go study up on Bob Marley …but it was the people stuff. I thought everybody talked to people through playing songs …and really everybody didn’t. (Laughing)”

“John Lennon himself told me … The Rolling Stones were the real band and The Beatles were the dream …and the dream was over. They wouldn’t even play after Shea Stadium, but the Stones went through all the imperfections of playing chaos… when you had bad PA’s, no monitors, and couldn’t hear themselves, and everything was terrible, but they kept on touring, and I love them for it.”

“Chuck Berry opened up for us once at the Palladium, and they were the surprise band for Chuck Berry. I was there when all that started. Keith ended up doing a movie with him. Chuck was the alpha male always, he came to our dressing room and was nice to us, but that’s not the kind of surprise you put on Chuck Berry.”
Ray Shasho: Jim, thank you so much for being on the call today and for all the great music you’ve given to all of us over the years.
Jim Dandy: “I really enjoyed talking to you … it was a great conversation. Just tell everyone to get ready … hope they’re ready for me, because I’m ready for them. We’re ready to give it all we can to please the people.”
Ray Shasho: I’m glad you guys are back with vengeance.
Jim Dandy: “Oh yea man, we got a reckoning coming! Thanks Ray.”

Special thanks to Tammy Hensley and also Jeff Albright of The Albright Entertainment Group for arranging this interview
Black Oak Arkansas on MySpace http://us.myspace.com/blackoakarkansas
Watch for a brand new album from Black Oak Arkansas in 2013!
Black Oak Arkansas will be part of Rock Legends Cruise II. The event billed as sort of a Woodstock on the high seas, launches January 10th and returns January 14th 2013. The Liberty of the Seas from Royal Caribbean departs from Ft. Lauderdale, Fl with a single stopover in Labadee, Haiti.
For booking information visit http://rocklegendscruise.com/ or call 888-666-1499. Pricing begins at $699.00. The event is presented by Native American Heritage Association.

Contact classic rock music journalist Ray Shasho at rockraymond.shasho@gmail.com

GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT! Purchase Ray’s very special memoir called ‘Check the Gs’ -The True Story of an Eclectic American Family and Their Wacky Family Business … You’ll LIVE IT! Also available for download on NOOK or KINDLE edition for JUST .99 CENTS at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com -Support Ray so he can continue to bring you quality classic rock music reporting.

~~Pacific Book Review says Ray Shasho is a product of the second half of the 20th century, made in the USA from parts around the world, and within him is every trend in music, television, politics and culture contributing to his philosophical and comically analytical reflections collected in his fine book of memories. I found Check the Gs to be pure entertainment, fantastic fun and a catalyst to igniting so many memories of my own life, as I too am within a few years of Ray. So to all, I say if you have a bit of grey hair (or no hair), buy this book! It’s a great gift for your “over-the-hill” friends, or for their kids, if they are the history buffs of younger generations trying to figure out why we are the way we are.

© Copyright rayshasho.com. All Rights Reserved

 

Tom Rush Interview: Celebrating 50 years of storytelling and music

By Ray Shasho

American folk and blues raconteur Tom Rush has been captivating audiences with his deep- rooted acoustic stylings and musical repartee for over a half century. And there is still nothing more profound then witnessing the simplicity of a lone performer onstage with an acoustic guitar and a story to tell. Tom Rush has that rare ability to interpret life stories in its most traditional and purest form.

Tom began his life as a troubadour by performing at Boston- area clubs while attending Harvard University in the early 60s. Rush released two albums by the time he graduated.

By 1965, he signed to Electra and recorded three albums for the record label.

The Circle Game album released in 1968, covered tunes by singer-songwriter counterparts Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, and James Taylor. The release also spawned the self-penned folk classic, “No Regrets.” The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years including … The Walker Brothers (#7 Hit -1975, UK Singles Chart), Emmylou Harris, Fairport Convention, Olivia Newton-John, Curtis Stigers, Waylon Jennings, and Shirley Bassey.  The album cover was photographed by Linda Eastman.

According to Rolling Stone magazine, The Circle Game ushered in the singer/songwriter era.

James Taylor was quoted saying, “Tom was not only one of my early heroes, but also one of my main influences.” 

Tom Rush in the 60s … (Tom Rush at the Unicorn, Got a Mind to Ramble, Blues, Songs and Ballads, Tom Rush, Take a Little Walk with Me, The Circle Game)

In the early 70s, Tom Rush recorded for Columbia Records.

Rush toured extensively throughout the 70s. He became a traditional act at renowned music clubs like The Cellar Door (Washington, DC) and The Bitter End (New York), but also played large arenas supporting legendary rock acts like Loggins and Messina, and Alice Cooper.  

Tom Rush in the 70s … (Classic Rush, Tom Rush, Wrong End of the Rainbow, Merrimack County, Ladies Love Outlaws, The Best of Tom Rush)

After taking a break from touring, Tom Rush triumphantly returned (1981) to a sold-out Symphony Hall in celebration of twenty years in music. The following year, Rush spearheaded what would become a traditional annual musical event at Symphony Hall in Boston. The event mirrored a concept from the Club 47 coffee house in Cambridge, Massachusetts of the early 60s- allowing established artists and newcomers to share the same stage. The concerts would spotlight well-known artists like Bonnie Raitt or Emmylou Harris, (along with then unknowns) Alison Krauss or Mark O’Connor. Tom took the Club 47 concert series on the road …where it’s been ever since. The show has performed at Boston’s Symphony Hall, The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and New York’s Carnegie Hall to name a few.

The Club 47 concert series continues to pack houses, delight audiences, and animate music critics.  Rush says … “It all comes down to a really good excuse for getting some friends together and throwing a party.”    

Tom Rush in the 80s … (Tom Rush: New Year, Tom Rush: Late Night Radio, Tom Rush: Blues, Songs and Ballads -re-release)

In 1999, Columbia/Legacy released a Tom Rush retrospective album that covers his recorded musical history from 1962 to the present.

Tom Rush in the 90s … (Work in Progress, Tom Rush: Wrong End of the Rainbow-re-release, The Very Best of Tom Rush: No Regrets)

In 2009, Tom Rush recorded his first studio album in 35 years. The album entitled, What I Know was recorded in Nashville. The release includes original material along with harmonies by Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Bramlett and Nanci Griffith.

Tom Rush 2000’s and present … (Merrimack County/ Ladies Love Outlaws –re-release, Live at Symphony Hall, Boston, Trolling for Owls, How I play(some of) My Favorite Songs, Judy Collins’ Wildflower Festival, What I know)

Most recently, a video surfaced on You Tube of Tom Rush performing the hilarious/ sad-but- true … Steven Walters penned ditty, “The Remember Song.”  The video has generated over six- million views.

Tom Rush will be embarking on a new tour beginning December 7^th from Portland, Maine. The tour lands at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl on January 10^th, the Largo Cultural Center in Largo, Fl on January 11^th and Big Arts- Schein Performance Hall, Sanibel Island, Fl on January 12^th.

Order tickets for the Ponte Vedra Beach show at http://pvconcerthall.sjcvenues.com/ or call (904) 209-0399 for more information.

Order tickets for the Largo show at www.largo.com or call (727) 587-6793 for more information.

Order tickets for the Sanibel Island show at www.bigarts.org or call (239) 395-0900 for more information.

I had the great pleasure of chatting with Tom Rush recently about the tour, and just about life in general.

Here’s my interview with a pioneer of the onstage concept of …a man, his guitar, and a story… singer, songwriter, and musician … TOM RUSH.

Ray Shasho: Thanks for being on the call Tom … so how are things?

Tom Rush: “Well, it’s snowing again now, it’s just blowing around in the air … but I think summer is finally over.”

Ray Shasho: Not down here in always sunny Florida.

Tom Rush: “Sure … go ahead and rub it in.”

Ray Shasho: But you’ll be down here soon performing three shows in the “sunshine state.”   Besides the upcoming tour, you’re also compiling the talent for an upcoming Symphony Hall concert.  

Tom Rush: “Yup, the 28th of December. This is my fiftieth year of recording and doing shows.

Ray Shasho: Congratulations!

 Tom Rush:  “Thank-you! It’s king of depressing actually. (All laughing)  We’re going to do the show to kind of put the end-cap on the fiftieth year.”

Ray Shasho: Have you lined-up all the guest artists that are performing at the show yet?

Tom Rush: “I’m getting there … pretty close. I’ve got Nanci Griffith, Jonathan Edwards, Buskin & Batteau, and trying to line up a couple of more. I’m hoping this will turn back into an annual event; I use to do these every year back in the early 80s, and then Symphony Hall started using the dates for Pop shows between Christmas and New Years and I couldn’t get a date from them. But now they’ve opened up again, so I’m hoping I can do it again next year and maybe keep doing it going forward. But we’ll have a good time.”

Ray Shasho: Tom, I’ve been disgruntled with the music scene for quite a long time. Growing up in the 60s, we had the best of the best, and most of us probably thought it would never end.

Tom Rush: “Well I think the good news is, these days there are a lot of music scenes, which has nothing to do with the industry … with a capital I, and the industry is kind of circling the drain. I’m sure you’re aware; a number one record today sells about ten percent of what it did about twenty years ago. It’s all gone over to the internet, and that’s good news for the working musicians and bad news for the superstars.”

Ray Shasho: And there aren’t many record companies left so it’s almost impossible to get a record deal.

Tom Rush: “Again, the good news is, sensible new musicians don’t want a record deal … they’ll do it themselves. They can connect with their audiences on the internet; sell their product on the internet. There are acts that can sell ten thousand seats today who have never been on the radio. So, it’s kind of exciting.”

Ray Shasho: I miss those days of hearing a song on the radio and running down to your local record store to buy the record.  

Tom Rush: “That was a good model, the record company, the radio stations, and the concert industry working together in symbiosis … but it doesn’t work that way anymore.”

Ray Shasho: I chatted with Roger McGuinn (The Byrds) and he seems to be happy with being in control and not depending on record companies.

Tom Rush: “It is hard to start out now; even though you’ve got an infinite amount of shelf space on the internet, it’s hard to get peoples attention. So Roger and I are fortunate that we’re going in with an existing audience. But given that we have an existing audience; it’s a great way to keep in touch with them. The Symphony Hall show for instance, I wondered how was I going to get a promoter to put up fifty or sixty grand to take a chance whether we could sell this Hall. And what am I going to have to give up in exchange for that investment. So I thought what about a kickstarter campaign … and we filled half the Hall before it went on sale. So we’ve got all the bills paid going in, and it’s a good feeling. They’ll also be doing a six camera shoot at the show; some folks will be doing a documentary on me. So it will be a lot fun. Tickets aren’t on sale yet but tomrush.com will have all the news soon.” 

Ray Shasho: Tom, were you part of that Greenwich Village music scene with Maria Muldaur … Bob Dylan, and all those great artists?

Tom Rush: “Not so much, I was up in Cambridge, Massachusetts … there was a different music scene up there. The Greenwich Village scene, everybody wanted to get matching shirts and go on the road. Up in Cambridge, it was much more of an amateur scene. They were just doing it for the love of the music. A few of us went on to become professionals but not very many. It was mostly typewriter repairmen, psychopharmacologist, and people who just loved to get together to play music for the fun of it, and really had no intention or desire to go professional.”

Ray Shasho: So what was your big-break leading you into a professional music career?

Tom Rush: “I had a couple of friends with radio shows on WBZ in Boston, and they were 50,000 watts clear channel, these guys would get fan mail from New Zealand, and had regular listeners in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, just a huge-huge audience. I didn’t understand that at the time … what 50,000 watts clear channel meant. They’d invite me to play some songs on their shows and had no idea what type of audience I was playing to. I still get a lot of people saying, “I use to hear you on WBZ!”

Ray Shasho: I associate timelines of my life with music. Like… where was I when I first heard a particular song being played on the airwaves etc. Or in your case, through my teen years … every time I’d pick up the Washington Post entertainment section … there you were performing at The Cellar Door in Georgetown.

Tom Rush: “I’m being told over and over… “You’re the soundtrack to my college years …or my time in Viet Nam …or whatever, so people are coming to hear the songs they are familiar with, and God bless them, but if you want to do new stuff, you’ve got to sort of shoulder aside some of the older stuff. I still do a lot of the old stuff onstage … some Joni material, The Circle Game, “No Regrets” …which is my song, “Driving Wheel,” songs that people associate me with, but I also manage to squeeze in new material, and the good news is that my crowd seems to love it.”

Ray Shasho: I truly believe …a lone singer onstage with a guitar and a story to tell imprints an everlasting impression that a band of musicians just can’t compare to.

Tom Rush: “I do agree, and there aren’t many people doing that anymore. It’s an interesting discipline to be able to get up with just a guitar and hold people’s attention for a couple of hours.”

Ray Shasho: “I enjoyed the “What’s Wrong with America” video on your website. Do you think musicians should publicly endorse and campaign for a candidate?”

Tom Rush: “I’ve avoided that. On the one hand, I think my job is to give a person a little vacation from everything that’s wrong with the world, so I try not to get political onstage; I have been doing this, “What’s Wrong with America” song, which is quite different. I think even rich people will get a laugh out of it. But I think in general, I shy away from politics onstage.”

Ray Shasho:  Tom, I ask everyone that I interview this particular question. If you had a ‘Field of Dreams’ wish to collaborate or play with anyone, living, or in the past, who would you choose? 

Tom Rush: “That’s a tough one …but I’d love to be able to sit in the audience and listen to Robert Johnson or Josh White. I did get to see Josh White play; he was one of my idols. I’d love to see Lead Belly and some of the old blues guys that aren’t with us anymore. That would be a treat.”

Ray Shasho: It’s a shame that many of those incredible blues players weren’t appreciated back in their day as much as they are now.

Tom Rush: “That was one of the interesting things about the Club 47 in Cambridge; they made a point of going out and finding these guys. A lot of them had retired, and most never played for a white audience before. They’d bring them up to Cambridge and these guys would be sitting in front of a bunch of white college kids. It must have been like going to Mars. But the kids loved it and a lot of the blues guys got a second career out of playing for college kids.”

Ray Shasho:  Tom, did you ever have it in your heart to pick up a ‘Strat’ and just wail away? (Laughing)

Tom Rush: “I tried playing electric for awhile and it just didn’t work out. My reflexes are centered on the six string acoustic. I just played the electric too hard and it sounded awful, so I gave it up.”

Ray Shasho:  I love “The Remember Song” because it’s so true … and based on the audience response, I think people can really identify with the lyrics. (Over 6-million views on You Tube) Are you surprised how popular that tune has become?

Tom Rush: “That was kind of a surprise …yea. My web guy was putting up some stuff on You Tube and I said …let’s put up “The Remember Song” people might like it. It didn’t cost anything, what the hell. And it’s the one that took off. It’s a song for our times.”

Ray Shasho: Do you have a favorite tune you like to perform onstage?

Tom Rush: “Not in particular, having been added it for fifty years; I have enough of a repertoire that if I get bored I can swap it out for something else. And then there’s new material coming along, either my songs or music I find on other peoples recordings. So, no, I don’t think I have a favorite. I like mixing things up, doing some silly stuff, along with serious stuff, up tempo, and some quiet things … it keeps me interested.”

Ray Shasho: What I Know is your latest release, do you have plans to record in the studio again soon?

Tom Rush: “I’ve got about three or four projects going at the same time and I don’t know which one is going to make it to the studio first. I wrote a kid song for the first time ever … and not necessarily kid songs but silly songs coming along. It would be a fun project to do; I could probably whip it off in a day. But then there are collections of other things, stuff that I’m writing, songs that I’ve learned from other people. I had so much fun working with Jim Rooney and his people down in Nashville, and I’d love to get back in the studio with him.”

Ray Shasho: They’ve got some amazing players down in Nashville don’t they?

Tom Rush: “Oh boy … working with these guys is like having a magic carpet ride. There are fifteen tracks on the CD and six of those are first takes. And I was actually disappointed they were first-takes because I wanted to do them over and over. (All laughing) It just felt so good. Every other house down there is a recording studio. You can get really top quality recording studio time for cheap.”

Ray Shasho: Your wife ‘Renee Askins’ is an author who wrote a book called “Shadow Mountain” …can you talk about her book?

Tom Rush: “It’s a good book … fifteen years working to get wolves restored to Yellowstone Park, and got the job done against overwhelming odds, because it was not popular with the ranchers who have a very disproportionate amount of power out there.”

“They had separate releases in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana; the wolves have flourished now and have been taken off the endangered species list in all three states. Each state is managing them very differently; Wyoming is managing them very badly. There basic policy is … just shoot them … every chance you get.”

“When she got the job done, Doubleday asked her to write a book about it, and she did, and it’s an excellent book. A women’s take on … why it was worth it, what it was really all about underneath it all, our relationship with wildness and wilderness … it’s a really a nice piece of work.”

Ray Shasho: Tom, thank you so much for being on the call today. But most of all … for the fifty years of great music and storytelling that you’ve given to all of us. We’ll see you in Florida!

Tom Rush: “Well thanks … I’ll keep doing it, if you keep listening!” 

Sign up for the Tom Rush Newsletter on Tom’s official website at http://tomrush.com/

Order the latest release from Tom Rush What I Know at amazon.com.

Order author Renee Askins (Tom’s wife) incredible journey … Shadow Mountain: A Memoir of Wolves, a Woman, and the Wild at amazon.com.

Tom Rush In Concert/ Florida dates …. Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl on January 10^th, the Largo Cultural Center in Largo, Fl on January 11^th and Big Arts- Schein Performance Hall, Sanibel Island, Fl on January 12^th.

Order tickets for the Ponte Vedra Beach show at http://pvconcerthall.sjcvenues.com/ or call (904) 209-0399 for more information.

Order tickets for the Largo show at www.largo.com or call (727) 587-6793 for more information.

Order tickets for the Sanibel Island show at www.bigarts.org or call (239) 395-0900 for more information.

Contact classic rock music journalist Ray Shasho at rockraymond.shasho@gmail.com

GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT! Purchase Ray’s very special memoir called ‘Check the Gs’ -The True Story of an Eclectic American Family and Their Wacky Family Business … You’ll LIVE IT! Also available for download on NOOK or KINDLE edition for JUST .99 CENTS at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com   -Support Ray so he can continue to bring you quality classic rock music reporting.

~~Pacific Book Review says Ray Shasho is a product of the second half of the 20th century, made in the USA from parts around the world, and within him is every trend in music, television, politics and culture contributing to his philosophical and comically analytical reflections collected in his fine book of memories. I found Check the Gs to be pure entertainment, fantastic fun and a catalyst to igniting so many memories of my own life, as I too am within a few years of Ray.  So to all, I say if you have a bit of grey hair (or no hair), buy this book!  It’s a great gift for your “over-the-hill” friends, or for their kids, if they are the history buffs of younger generations trying to figure out why we are the way we are.

© Copyright rayshasho.com. All Rights Reserved