Chapter 44

Arkansas

Thur, Oct 1, 1970

Moody Blues & Van Morrison, Day 3 of 6 @ Radio City Music

Hall, NYC, 8pm.

The Odd Couple, ABC-TV, 9:30-10pm, Episode #2, The Fight of the Felix.

“If you believe, I mean really believe follow me and find your way back through time from the power I possess I can see through the maze I can see man’s progress cause earth’s dyin days but if we go back to nature and live in the wilderness just another animal pure, earth’id live longer and we’d live less

Why do we need to live to be so old when we could live free to die young and bold man is an animal gone mad yes he’s turned into a monster our generation is his offspring yes mutants of the monster

My power is magic from a wish on a star yea earning the wish is karmic to help what good spirits there still are

But when you’ve been granted the privilege of bein’ heard yea take great care with this power and watch every word for when you know someone’s listenin your words can mean a great deal yea they can be the key to magic thoughts havin never been revealed

Why do we need to live to be so old when we could live free to die young and bold man is an animal gone mad yes he’s turned into a monster our generation is his offspring yes mutants of the monster We’re mutants of the monster”

Mutants of the Monster

By Black Oak Arkansas

As Ralf, I knew that Wal-Mart was due to have their 1st Initial Public Offering, IPO, on Oct, 1, 1970. As Pug, I had preempted that though. The Top-5 had worked out a Deal with the Founder of Wal-Mart, Sam Walton, in the last Month. We had reimbursed Wal-Mart, the 2 Million or so that they had to Pay, to Cancel the upcoming IPO.

That was due to get Wal-Mart about 6 Million to expand with. We could easily match that, but this time as 50% Partners, Top-5 & Wal-Mart equal Partners. Wal-Mart could now expand at will, as I trusted Sam Walton’s vision.

Sam had Founded Wal-Mart in 1962, the same year that both K-Mart & Target were Founded.

Sam started small, really pinching pennies, as he started with an old 5 & Dime Store.

For years, he demanded all of his Stores, have the Store Manager use a Door, sitting on a couple Saw Horses, as a Desk. He did the same for his own Desk, at the HQ in Bentonville. San said all Costs should go to the Sale Floor.

He was relentless at Researching his Competitors, as well as scoping out Future Expansion Locations.

He would annoy his Wife & Kids during Trips, as he would Stop as often as possible, Counting Cars in a Competitor’s Parking Lot, especially about 8pm on a Sunday Night. He felt that was a good measure of a Store’s success.

I had asked Warren Buffett, to make the overture to Sam Walton, in Bentonville, Ark. Warren lived his entire life in Omaha, Neb, & both of them drove a Beat Up old Pickup around Town. They never outgrew their Home Town, at least in their Minds, & that’s where it’s at folks.

I knew that Warren loved Rockabilly, & I bet Sam did too, so I asked Warren to look up a young Southern Rock Band. In 1970, the Knowbody Else were morphing into Black Oak Arkansas. I wanted to Sign them up to Asylum Records. I knew they were about to Record BOA’s new Record at Paramount, in Hollywood, so that would work out.

Well, it turned out that Black Oak Arkansas was currently Gigging each night in Fayetteville, Ark, as the House Band, at a funky Knife & Gun Club. Warren & Sam both fell in love with their new style, of mixing Rockabilly with Kick-Ass Rock.

BOA’s Lead Singer was Fully-Self-Expressed to be sure. “Jim Dandy” Mangrum, 22yo, was missing a Front Tooth, so when he grinned big, it was front & center, as was his Bare Chest, Skintight Leather Britches & a Washboard.

He was the perfect Frontman for the 1st Guitar Army, that would predate the Allman Brothers Band & Lynyrd Skynyrd. BOA had 3 Lead Guitarists, all weaving in & out a beautiful & intricate Tapestry of Searing Mind Blowing Bliss.

Fr, Oct 2, 1970

Moody Blues & Van Morrison, Day 4 of 6 @ Radio City Music

Hall, NYC, 8pm.

“Jim Dandy to the rescue!

Jim Dandy to the rescue!

Jim Dandy to the rescue!

Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!

I was sitting on a mountain top.

30,000 feet to drop.

Tied me on a runaway horse

Uh huh, that’s right, of course.

Jim Dandy to the rescue!

Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!

One day, I met a girl named Sue.

She was feeling kind of blue.

I’m Dandy, the kind of guy

Who can’t stand to see a little girl cry.

Jim Dandy to the rescue!

Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!

Jim Dandy to the rescue!

Jim Dandy to the rescue!

Jim Dandy to the rescue!

Go, Jim Dandy! Gooooooo!

I was riding on a submarine

Got a message from my mermaid queen.

She was hanging on a fishing line.

Mr. Dandy didn’t waste no time!

Jim Dandy to the rescue!

Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!

Once upon a time, I went to Maine.

Got a ticket on a DC plane.

Mr. Dandy didn’t need no chute!

I was high and ready to boot!

Jim Dandy to the rescue!

Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!

Jim Dandy to the rescue!

Jim Dandy to the rescue!

Jim Dandy to the rescue!

Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!”

Jim Dandy

By Black Oak Arkansas

Written By Lincoln Chase

A few of us flew into Drake Field, about 50 minutes South of Bentonville, Ark. With me were Ali, Ryder, Pug Red, Bill Graham, 39yo, D-Rock, 55yo, Harry Helmsley, 61yo & Bill Paley, 68yo, as well as their Wives, as we were ready to Pateee.

We were picked up in an old School Bus, that “Jim Dandy” Mangrum drove. Jim Dandy was 22yo. With Jim Dandy were new “Old-Pals” Warren Buffett, 39yo, Sam Walton, 52yo, & Sam’s younger Brother, Bud Walton, 48yo. They were already planning their next Fishing or Hunting Trip together. The old School Bus was how BOA were Touring.

Warren had already arranged for a newer Tour Bus for the Band to use, powered by Propane, of course. With us were Susan Buffett, 38yo, & Astrid Buffett, 23yo, as well as Sam’s wife, Helen Walton, 50yo, & Bud’s wife, Audrey Walton, 39yo.

We spent the day together, getting to know each other. Sam & Bud put us up in their homes, as well as at the Holiday Inn closeby.

We all headed South to Fayetteville, having Dinner with the Band. Bill Graham Signed them up as another PastTimesRadio Band, fully Sponsoring them from now on. They would Record under Asylum Records.

Black Oak Arkansas were ready to Record some of their future Classics:

1. Uncle Lijiah, 3:21

2. Hot & Nasty, 2:56

3. Lord Have Mercy On My Soul, 6:18

4. When Electricity Came To Arkansas, 5:35

Jim Dandy hadn’t evolved into the Sex Symbol Rock Star he would soon become, but his Voice was there, as well as the 3 Lead Guitars, heavy Bass & Solid Drums. All of us enjoyed ourselves, Dancing the Night away, aka Ediblaway.

Sat, Oct 3, 1970

Moody Blues & Van Morrison, Day 5 of 6 @ Radio City Music

Hall, NYC, 8pm.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show, CBS-TV, 9:30-10pm, Episode #3, Bess, You Is My Daughter Now.

“Oh Uncle Lijiah, Uncle Lijiah,

He’s still alive.

Oh, Uncle Lijiah, Uncle Lijiah,

A hundred and five.

There was a time early in life

When he gambled to gain

And he carried a knife

And he was winnin’ that very night.

He cussed the devil, yes he cussed him good;

He swore he’d lick ‘em,

Yes, he swore he could,

And he dared him to come to Him if he would. Yeah!

Oh Uncle Lijiah, Uncle Lijiah,

He’s still alive.

Oh Uncle Lijiah, Uncle Lijiah,

A hundred and five.

It was early in the mornin’ when he got to bed

To rest his weary gamblin’ head

When he heard the angry words his pappy said:

“Lijiah go and fetch some wood!”

He heard his words and up he stood.

Even though it hurt, he knew he should. Yeah!

Oh Uncle Lijiah, Uncle Lijiah,

He’s still alive. Still cookin’!

Oh Uncle Li--jiah, Uncle Lijiah,

A hundred and five.

Outside he heard the rattle of chains

And he ran from someone

He thought insane

As he heard the devil

Callin’ out his name.

The devil grabbed his suspenders well,

And he trembled

As he felt the hand from hell,

And he let out with a hairy yell.

He jumped in bed with his Maw and Paw.

And he told ‘em that the devil was in Arkansas,

And he told ‘em he’d quit gamblin’ or break the law. Yeah!

Oh, Uncle Lijiah, Uncle Lijiah,

He’s still alive. Still cookin’!

Oh, Uncle Li--jiah, Uncle Lijiah,

A hundred and five.Yeah!

Oh Uncle Lijiah, Uncle Lijiah

He’s still alive. Still cookin’, yeah!