A tribute to James (Sandy) Pinkard

Have you ever met someone that kind of got on your nerves but you still listened to them?

Well, this was a fellow I ran into in 2008. We were at a 12-step meeting and when this guy spoke it was unreal. He spoke with boldness and confidence.

He said he had made many records including “You’re the Reason God made Oklahoma”. I was like okay, got you.

At the next meeting he bragged and boasted about the fancy cars he had owned. So, I pulled him to the side and suggested he tone it down a little bit and that we were just some old country folks attending these meetings.

That’s when he asked me, “you don’t know who I am”? “I’m Sandy Pinkard of Pinkard and Bowden.”

So, I ran home to look him up and there it was. After what I read about him, he could brag all he wanted to. That was about the only star that had been in that 12-step program.

We went and had coffee and he told me that Mr. Bowden lived in Linden. We met with him several times. They played for the rotary club; lions club and performed at the Music City Theatre in Linden.

We talked and learned about each other. Sandy had some good ways and treated people right but also had his strange moments.

We watched some of his videos of the singing duo during the 90s at a Veteran’s cabin on Linden Highway where he was staying. He kept telling me they were going to make a comeback album.

I saw him stop drinking when the program was over and he told me he wanted to do good for others, so he decided to go back to West Virginia.

So, he packed up and I didn’t see him for a while. I tried to call him but it just went to voicemail. Then I heard he had passed away in late August. Rest well, my old buddy, I am very glad to have met you.