Bandana (country band)

Bandana was an American country music band composed of Lonnie Wilson (lead vocals), Jerry Fox (bass guitar), Tim Menzies (guitar), Joe Van Dyke (keyboards), and Jerry Ray Johnston (drums).[1] After Menzies, Johnston and Van Dyke left, they were replaced with Michael Black and Billy Kemp on guitars, and Bob Mummert on drums. Between 1982 and 1986, they were signed to Warner Bros. Records,[2] on which they charted ten singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles (now Hot Country Songs) charts, including the top 20 hits "The Killin' Kind" and "Outside Lookin' In". The latter also appeared on a self-titled album.[3]

Bandana
The original Bandana lineup signed to Warner Bros. Records. L to R: Jerry Ray Johnston, Tim Menzie, Lonnie Wilson, Jerry Fox, Joe Van Dyke.
The original Bandana lineup signed to Warner Bros. Records. L to R: Jerry Ray Johnston, Tim Menzie, Lonnie Wilson, Jerry Fox, Joe Van Dyke.
Background information
OriginU.S.
GenresCountry
Years active1982–1986
LabelsWarner Bros. Nashville
Past membersMichael Black
Jerry Fox
Jerry Ray Johnston
Billy Kemp
Tim Menzies
Bob Mummert
Joe Van Dyke
Lonnie Wilson
The 1986 personnel lineup: L to R: Bob Mummert, Lonnie Wilson, Jerry Fox, Billy Kemp, Michael Black.

After disbanding, Menzies assumed the name Tim Mensy. He began a solo career, and later wrote hit singles for other artists. In 2019 his country gospel music CD "His Name is Jesus" was nominated for a Grammy. [2] Wilson found work as a session drummer. Johnston's son, Jaren Johnston, founded the Southern rock group American Bang, which disbanded and re-established as The Cadillac Three.[4] Jerry Ray Johnston died on January 9, 2022.[5]

Discography edit

Singles edit

Year Title US Country[1] Album
1982 "Guilty Eyes" 37 single only
"Cheatin' State of Mind" 61
"The Killin' Kind" 17
1983 "I Can't Get over You (Getting over Me)" 29
"Outside Lookin' In" 18 Bandana
1984 "Better Our Hearts Should Bend (Than Break)" 26
"All I Wanna Do (Is Make Love to You)" 52 single only
1985 "It's Just Another Heartache" 46 Bandana
"Lovin' Up a Storm" 37
1986 "Touch Me" 54 single only

References edit

  1. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 39. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  2. ^ a b "Tim Mensy biography". Tim Mensy.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  3. ^ "Bandana". Discogs. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  4. ^ "Nashville Songwriter Series: Jaren Johnston | American Songwriter". Archived from the original on 2015-01-21. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
  5. ^ "Former Grand Ole Opry Drummer Jerry Ray Johnston Passes". MusicRow.com. 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-07-11.