In 1975, Blackfoot released its first album, No Reservations on Antilles Records; Flyin’ High came out on Epic Records the following year.  In 1977, the manager of Black Oak Arkansas, Butch Stone hired Blackfoot as the backing band for Ruby Starr.  She was a former back-up singer for Black Oak Arkansas who was emerging as a solo artist.  Ruby Starr previously performed with a backing band called Grey Ghost. 

Blackfoot front man Rickey Medlocke’s grandfather, bluegrass musician Shorty Medlocke (Blackfoot) wrote the band’s biggest hit single from their most successful album Strikes, “Train, Train” and played harmonica on the song.  Another track from this album, “Highway Song” was a hit later in 1979.  Shorty Medlocke wrote and also performed on several other songs for the band – “Railroad Man” (on No Reservations), “Fox Chase” (on Tomcattin’) and “Rattlesnake Rock ’n’ Roller” (on Marauder). 

(August 2013)