Who Will Be My Friend?

In the course of beginning the work for the next book, I’m rediscovering the music from the artists who’ll be included. One of them is Andy Pratt. If the name is unfamiliar, an introduction is in order.

As I mentioned in the afterword to God’s Not Dead (And Neither Are We), it was 1972 when I first heavily immersed myself in music, this being sparked courtesy of the song “Dreidel” by Don McLean. Details are in the book (hint hint). Anyway, one of the radio stations I listened to for hours on end was KJOY, an AM station in Stockton. Its format was a mix of Top 40 and assorted FM rock cuts. Sort of a precursor to adult alternative. Anyway, in 1973 for several weeks they had a song on their playlist that fascinated me as it came squeaking out the speaker on my clock radio, the one that had tubes and would occasionally start blasting nothing but a screeching sound until I slapped it on its top. Which I did too hard one day and broke the case. But I digress; back to the song in question.

It was an piano-based Americana singer/songwriter epic telling the story of a woman who had hooked up with an outlaw and subsequently took revenge on him for the suffering he put her through. Or at least that’s what it sounded like it was saying. Discerning lyrics through the aforementioned clock radio was a bit of a challenge. Anyway, the song was loaded with hooks and melodies; genuinely brilliant stuff.

There was just one problem.

I never learned who did it.

Either the DJs who in retrospect were probably too stoned to have the slightest idea what they were doing never announced it or I never caught the name. Even worse, although I had a pretty strong hunch what the song’s name was, much to my dismay it apparently never registered high enough on the singles charts to be included in the 45s carried at the local Woolworths or Value Giant which were the record stores in my hometown. So I never bought a copy.

In following years, once in a great while the song came to mind. Usually whenever I heard the name featured prominently in the song, given that outside of cartoon strips and a musical it wasn’t all that common.

Annie.

Avenging Annie, to be precise.

Well, there was Annie Herring of 2nd Chapter of Acts fame, although she didn’t exactly fit the profile of an outlaw. Although I should try to get in touch with her and see if she’d be interested in being in the book. Thanks for reminding me, me! But back to our story.

Fast forward several years to 1982. I read in CCM magazine (this was years before I did any writing for them) about this secular musician who had become a Christian and recorded a New Wave-ish EP titled Fun In The First World. Which naturally I ordered from my local Christian bookstore. It arrived. Listened to it. Loved it. Played it to death, lamenting its brevity and looking forward to a full-length release.

Never heard another word about the artist.

Two decades plus later, and I’m mulling over Christ – Soul – Rock & Roll. I say to myself, “Self… wonder whatever happened to that guy who recorded Fun In The First World. Gotta be something on the Internet.” So off to Google I go.

Oh, yeah, that’s his name. Andy Pratt.

Oh look, he has a website. Still making music.

Oh look, here’s his bio.

Oh look, here he is talking about a song he recorded in 1973…

Yup. “Avenging Annie.”

And all these years I never connected the song with the artist who did Fun In The First World.

Dagnabit!

Anyway, I’ve been making up for lost time ever since. Been filling in my collection with his catalog as swiftly as finances permit. Made contact. He’s graciously agreed to be in the book.

Hopefully when it comes out, it’ll encourage others to discover this marvelous, pathetically overlooked artist.

It’s thoughts like this that keep me going.

P.S. Here’s Pratt doing a achingly beautiful solo version of “Who Will Be My Friend?” from Fun In The First World:

\”Who Will Be My Friend\” – Andy Pratt

And of course the song that started this whole quest for me, “Avenging Annie”:

\”Avenging Annie\” – Andy Pratt