# Dick Flood

Richard "Dick" Flood (November 13, 1932 – January 9, 2023), also known as Okefenokee Joe, was an American country music singer-songwriter, entertainer, and environmentalist. In the mid-1950s he was part of the duo The Country Lads and made regular appearances on CBS' The Jimmy Dean Show. In 1959, Flood's cover version of "The Three Bells (The Jimmy Brown Story)" reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. His songs have been recorded by other artists, including Roy Orbison, Anita Bryant, Billy Grammer, Kathy Linden, and The Wilburn Brothers. In 1962, The Wilburn Brothers recorded his song "Trouble's Back in Town", which peaked at number 4 on the US Country Chart and was named Cashbox Magazine’s "Country Song of the Year". In 1973, Flood moved to Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp and became a professional naturalist and environmentalist.
In 1981, Flood changed his name to Okefenokee Joe, and in 1989 he hosted and narrated the Emmy award-winning documentary Swampwise on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

## Early life

Richard Flood was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, and began playing music while working as a counselor at a YMCA summer camp in the Blue Mountains. After the campers were in bed, he would practice guitar and perform for his fellow counselors.

## Career in music
### Military tours

After serving in Korea with the U.S. Army, Flood organized his first country music band, The Luzon Valley Boys. During this time he also began writing songs, some of which were performed by the band. The Luzon Valley Boys played at the various military clubs on Clark Air Force Base in the Philippine Islands. On one occasion they performed for the Philippine president, Ramon Magsaysay.

### The Jimmy Dean Show

A few years later, Flood and army buddy, Billy Graves, auditioned for The Jimmy Dean Show. Dean asked them to perform together, so they formed the duo The Country Lads. In 1956, The Country Lads were given a regular spot on The Jimmy Dean Show, which aired on CBS every weekday morning. Like most of the Jimmy Dean Show performers, The Country Lads participated in a USO tour of Europe and Africa. In 1957 the Country Lads signed a contract with Columbia Records and released the single, “Alone In Love”/“I Won’t Beg Your Pardon” (Columbia #4-41062) and in 1958 they released the record “Anything”/”Lonely Lover” (Columbia #4-41212). The Country Lads remained on the Jimmy Dean show for three years until 1958 when the show ended.

### Performing in Nashville

The Country Lads split up in 1958, and in 1959 Flood moved to Nashville to pitch his songs to the popular recording artists he had met on The Jimmy Dean Show. His preference was for songwriting, but his work as singer and entertainer was more profitable. While in Nashville, Flood landed a spot on the radio show Ernest Tubb Record Shop, and from there earned a spot performing on Friday Night Frolics (a Friday night spin-off of the Grand Ole Opry). In 1960–61, Flood was invited to sing almost every Saturday night for the Grand Ole Opry.

### Recording artist

In addition to songwriting, Flood also found success as a recording artist. In 1959, he recorded a cover version of The Browns' song "The Three Bells (The Jimmy Brown Story)", which was released almost a month after The Browns' version was released (RCA Victor #47-7555). Both versions found simultaneous success on the charts with The Browns' version reaching number one, and Flood's peaking at number 23. His follow-up singles at Monument, “It Only Costs A Dime” (Monument #45-414) and “Cowpoke,” (Monument #45-427-V) received little airplay.
In October 1961, his single "The Hellbound Train" / "Judy Lynn" was released on Epic Records (Epic #5-9479). Each year, Columbia Records held a disc jockey convention in Nashville and invited disc jockeys from across the US to listen to Columbia artists perform their newly released music. Flood sang "The Hell Bound Train," and received considerable praise from his audience. However, because the lyrics included references to drunkenness, hell, and the devil, the song was banned from radio stations. It received little exposure and failed to chart.
In 1962, he released the single "King or a Clown" / "Never Has So Much Been Lost (In Just a Little While)" (Epic #5-9500). The same year he was voted by Cashbox as the “Most Up and Coming Male Vocalist in Country Music.” Flood also recorded the song "I'll See You to the Door" with Epic Records, but to Flood's dismay, they never released it. (In 2015 it was released on the album One Bright Morning by Fervor Records).

### Dick Flood and the Pathfinders

In 1964, Flood organized a three piece group named Dick Flood and the Pathfinders. In addition to recording and performing in the U.S., the band also toured the military club circuit. They visited Okinawa, Guam, The Philippines, and Vietnam. While on tour, Flood contracted Dengue Fever and became seriously ill. It took several years for him to fully recover.
When he returned to the U.S., Flood created his own music label, Totem Records. In 1967, Totem Records released two songs "Miung Sun Lee" / "Willow In The Wind" (Totem T-1). During 1968–1971, he had one single released on Nasco Records, entitled "Slow It Down" (written by Kris Kristofferson) / "Speak My Name" (written by Flood) (Nasco 025), and another release on Nugget Records, "Woman Leave Me Alone" / "Home Was Never Like This" (Nugget NR-1026). None of these songs did well in the charts and Flood was becoming discouraged.

### Songwriting and major label success

In 1958, Flood and Fred Foster co-wrote the Billy Graves' single "The Shag (Is Totally Cool)" (Monument Records -#45-MN.401) which reached number 53 on Billboard's Hot 100. Due to the song's success, Billy Graves was invited to tour with Dick Clark.
In 1959, Flood's song "Gee" was recorded by George Hamilton IV and released on his album Gee! (Hilltop JS-6161) as well as on his single "Gee" / "I Know Your Sweetheart" (ABC-Paramount 45–10028). "Gee" hit number 73 on the US charts.
In 1960, Roy Orbison recorded Flood's song "Here Comes That Song Again" for Orbison's album Lonely and Blue (Monument M 4002). The song was also released on Orbison's single "Only the Lonely" / "Here Comes that Song Again" (Monument #45-421).
In 1961, Anita Bryant recorded Flood's song "Cold, Cold Winter" on her single "Cold, Cold Winter" / "Step By Step, Little By Little" (Columbia #4-42257). It was later released on her 1963 album Anita Bryant's Greatest Hits (Columbia CS-8756).
In 1962, "Trouble's Back in Town" (Decca Records DL 4391) was recorded by The Wilburn Brothers and made it to number 3 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart, and number 4 on the US Country charts. It was also named Cashbox Magazine's Country Song of the Year.
Flood's songs were often found on the B-side of popular singles, such as "Only the Lonely" by Roy Orbison, and Billy Grammer's "Gotta' Travel On" / "Chasing a Dream" (Monument #45-400) which led his friends in the music business to nickname him ‘Flip Side Flood’.

## Life as Okefenokee Joe
### Environmentalist

In 1973, Flood's second marriage was ending and his music career was struggling. Flood decided to leave it all behind and move to Georgia. He camped alone for four months until he found a job as the animal curator of the Okefenokee Swamp. For eight years he lived on the northern edge of Cowhouse Island. In 1976 he met Cindy Yeomans, who would become his third wife. After the wedding, the couple moved to Odum, Georgia.
In 1981, Flood changed his name to Okefenokee Joe. He became an expert on wildlife and ecology and began to teach lessons through his ballads and wildlife demonstrations.
Okefenokee Joe, an 11-foot-long alligator, named after him, lived and dominated in the Okefenokee Swamp, died at almost 80, in 2021.

### TV host and narrator

In the late 1980s, he narrated and hosted two documentaries Swampwise and The Joy of Snakes.. He also created a DVD field guide Know Your Snakes – Venomous Snakes of the Southeastern United States. Beginning in 1991 he made several appearances on the Georgia Outdoor series produced by Georgia Public Broadcasting. He speaks and performs for schools, libraries, and seminars.

## Legacy

In November 2015, Flood was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. In recent years, Flood has worked with Fervor Records to release many of his previously unreleased recordings. The independent music label has also placed his music in television and film. Flood also owns his own record label, Cowhouse Island Records, and continues to write and record songs and albums about nature, simple living, and his faith.

## Personal life and death

Dick Flood had 5 boys and was the step father to 2 girls. He died in Augusta, Georgia, on January 9, 2023, at age 90.

## Discography

| Performing Artist | Title (Format) | Label | Cat# | Country | Year |
| The Country Lads | Alone in Love/I Won't Beg Your Pardon | Columbia | 4-41062-c | US | 1957 |
| The Country Lads | Lonely Lover/Anything (7", Single) | Columbia | 4-412 | US | 1958 |
| The Country Lads | Lonely Lover/Anything (7", Single) | Columbia | 4-41212 | US | 1958 |
| Billy Graves | The Shag (Is Totally Cool) (Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single | Monument | 45-401 | US | 1958 |
| Billy Graves | The Shag (Is Totally Cool)/ Uncertain (7", Single) | Monument | 45-401 | US | 1958 |
| Billy Graves | The Shag/ Uncertain (7", Single) | Monument | 45 MN. 401 | Canada | 1958 |
| Billy Graves | The Shag/ Uncertain (7", Single) | Monument | 45-401 | US | 1958 |
| Billy Graves | The Shag/ Uncertain (7", Single) | Monument | 45-401 | US | 1958 |
| Kathy Linden | Allentown Jail/ That's What Love Is (7") | Monument | 45-420 | US | 1960 |
| Kathy Linden | That's What Love Is (CD, Compilation, Remastered) | Golden Sandy Records | GSR-90127 | | 1994 |
| George Hamilton IV | Gee/I Know Your Sweetheart (Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Promo) | ABC-Paramount | 45-10,028 | US | 1959 |
| George Hamilton IV | Gee/I Know Your Sweetheart (7", Single) | ABC- Paramount | 45-10,028 | US | 1959 |
| George Hamilton IV | Gee! (Vinyl, LP, Album) | Hilltop | JS-6161 | US | 1975 |
| George Hamilton IV | Gee! (Vinyl, LP, Album) | Hilltop | JS-6161 | Canada | 1975 |
| Roy Orbison | OnlyThe Lonely (Know the Way I Feel) / Here Comes that Song Again (7") | London Records | 45-HL-1671 | Australia | 1960 |
| Roy Orbison | Only The Lonely (Know the Way I Feel) / Here Comes that Song Again (7", Single, Mono) | London Records, London American Recordings | FLX 3133 | Netherlands | 1960 |
| Roy Orbison | OnlyThe Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)/Here Comes that Song Again (7", Single) | London Records | 9.5.190 | unknown | 1960 |
| Roy Orbison | Only the Lonely / Here Comes That Song Again (7", Single) | London American Recordings | 45-HL-U 9149 | UK | 1960 |
| Roy Orbison | Lonely and Blue (Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Mono) | Doxy Music | DOK 314 | Russia | 2012 |
| Roy Orbison | Lonely and Blue (CD, Album, Ltd, RE, Pap) | Monument | SICP 3113 | Japan | 2011 |
| Roy Orbison | Lonely and Blue (CD, Album, Reissue) | Monument, Legacy | 82876855722 | Europe | 2006 |
| Roy Orbison | Lonely and Blue (CD, Reissue) | Monument, Legacy | M 4002, 8287685572 2 | US | 2006 |
| Anita Bryant | Cold, Cold Winter/Step By Step, Little By Little (Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single) | Columbia | 4-42257 | US | 1961 |
| Anita Bryant | Cold, Cold Winter (7", Single) | Philips | PB.1214 | UK | 1961 |
| Anita Bryant | Anita Bryant's Greatest Hits (Vinyl, LP, Compilation) | Columbia | CS 8756 | US | 1963 |
| Anita Bryant | Anita Bryant's Greatest Hits ( LP, Compilation, Mono) | Columbia | CL 1956 | US | 1963 |
| Anita Bryant | Anita Bryant's Greatest Hits (LP, Compilation) | Columbia | CS 8756 | Canada | 1963 |
| Anita Bryant | Anita Bryant's Greatest Hits ( LP, Compilation, Mono, Promo) | Columbia | CL 1956 | US | 1963 |
| The Wilburn Brothers | Trouble's Back In Town (Vinyl, LP, Mono) | Decca | DL 4391 | US | 1963 |
| The Wilburn Brothers | Trouble's Back In Town (LP) | Decca | DL 74391 | US | 1963 |
| The Wilburn Brothers | Trouble's Back In Town (LP, Mono) | Brunswick | LAT 8555 | UK | 1963 |
| The Wilburn Brothers | Trouble's Back In Town- The Hits of the Wilburn Brothers (CD, Compilation) | Edsel (subsidiary of Demon Music Group) | EDCD 540 | UK | 1998 |
| Dick Flood | Far Away/The Three Bells (7") | Felstead Music Corp. | 45-AF. 125 | Finland | 1959 |
| Dick Flood | Far Away/The Three Bells (7") | Monument | 45-408 | US | 1959 |
| Dick Flood | Far Away/The Three Bells (7") | London Records | 45-AF 125 | Denmark | Unknown |
| Dick Flood | It's My Way/It Only Cost a Dime (7") | Monument | 45-414 | US | 1960 |
| Dick Flood | Cowpoke/Carita | Monument | 45-427-V | US | 1960 |
| Dick Flood | Judy Lynn/ Hellbound Train (7", Promo) | Epic Records | 5-9479 | US | 1961 |
| Dick Flood | King or a Clown/Never Has So Much Been Lost (In Just a Little While)(7") | Epic | 5-9500 | US | 1962 |
| Dick Flood | Another Stretch of Track/(Someone Was Standing) Outside Your Door (7", Single) | Epic Records | 5-9556 | US | 1962 |
| Dick Flood | (Same Old Crazy Me) Same Old Cheatin' You (7") | Nugget Records | NR-2200 | US | 1964 |
| Dick Flood | I Need All the Friends I Can Find/These Things Make a Heartache (7") | Kapp Records | K-640 | US | 1965 |
| Dick Flood | Woman Leave Me Alone/Home Was Never Like This (7", Promo) | Nugget | NR-1026 | US | 1968 |
| Dick Flood | The Best of Dick Flood 1961–1967 | Fervor Records | FVRCD06201 | US | 2014 |
| Dick Flood | One Bright Morning | Fervor Records | FVRCD06211 | US | 2015 |
| Dick Flood | The Incomparable Dick Flood | Fervor Records | FVRCD06203 | US | 2015 |
| Dick Flood | Up Close and Personal | Fervor Records | FVRCD06204 | US | 2007 |
| Dick Flood | The Way it Used to Be | Black Water Music Company | | US | 2014 |
| Dick Flood | Cowpoke (Remastered, Single) | Bacci Bros Records | | UK | 2015 |
| Dick Flood | It's My Way (Remastered, Single) | Bacci Bros Records | | UK | 2015 |
| Dick Flood | Slow it Down/Speak My Name | Nasco Records | 025 | US | 1972 |
| Dick Flood and the Pathfinders | Between Two Worlds/From Warm to Cool to Cold | Kapp | K-681 | US | 1965 |
| Dick Flood and the Pathfinders | Trouble's Back In Town/Don't Sweetheart Me (7", Single, Promo) | Kapp Records | K-754 | US | 1966 |
| Dick Flood and the Pathfinders | Willow in the Wind/Miung Sung Lee (7") | Totem | T-1 | US | 1967 |
| Dick Flood and the Pathfinders | Sure Gets Dark/I Didn't See You Standing There (7", Single, 45 RPM,Vinyl) | Totem | T-7, T-8 | US | Unknown |
| Various | Hillbillies in Hell (Vinyl, LP, Album, Compilation, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Remastered, Internal Red) | The Omni Recording Corporation, The Iron Mountain Analogue Research Facility | IMAR-109LP | Australia | 2017 |

## TV and film

| Artist Name | Song Title | Show Title | Episode | Program | Production | Air Date |
| Dick Flood | "Everything Happens for the Best" | Last Man on Earth | 212 | TV | Fox | 3/13/2016 |
| Dick Flood | "Everything Happens for the Best" | Big Tips Texas | -- | TV | MTV | 12/1/2013 |
| Dick Flood | "Everything Happens for the Best" | Rachel Zoe Project | 401 | TV | Bravo | 9/6/2011 |
| Dick Flood | "Everything Happens for the Best" | Saddle Ranch | 104 | TV | VH1 | 5/8/2011 |
| Dick Flood | "Everything Happens for the Best" | Preacher | 104 | TV | AMC | 6/19/2016 |
| Dick Flood | "Everything Happens for the Best" | Preacher | 105 | TV | AMC | 6/26/2016 |
| Dick Flood | "Looking Around" | Aquarius | 106 | TV | NBC | 6/25/2015 |
| Dick Flood | "A Fool For Loving You" | 11-22-63 | 107 | | Hulu | 3/21/2016 |
| Dick Flood | "Willow in the Wind" | The Astronaut Wives Club | 108 | TV | ABC | 8/6/2015 |
| Dick Flood | "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" | The Astronaut Wives Club | 107 | TV | ABC | 7/30/2015 |
| Dick Flood | "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" | Van Helsing | 209 | TV | SyFy | 12/7/17 |
| Dick Flood | "Warning Signs" | Children's Hospital | 612 | TV | Adult Swim | 6/6/2015 |
| Dick Flood | "Warning Signs" | The Frontier | | Film | Independent | 4/18/2015 |
| Dick Flood | "Warning Signs" | The Good Wife | 604 | TV | CBS | 10/12/2014 |
| Dick Flood | "Warning Signs" | The Leftovers | 301 | TV | HBO | 4/16/2017 |
| Dick Flood | "I'll See You to the Door" | iZombie | 201 | TV | The CW | 10/5/2015 |
| Dick Flood | "Without Your Love" | The Astronaut Wives Club | 105 | TV | ABC | 7/16/2015 |
| Dick Flood | "Livin' in the Lonely Zone" | The Driftless Area | | Film | Independent | 4/18/2015 |
| Dick Flood | "Livin' in the Lonely Zone" | Preacher | 102 | TV | AMC | 6/5/2016 |
| Dick Flood | "Listen to Me Self" | The Leftovers | 209 | TV | HBO | 11/29/2015 |
| Dick Flood | "Home Was Never Like This" | Katie Says Goodbye | | Film | Independent | 9/11/2016 |
| Dick Flood | "Blue Blue Party" | Preacher | 105 | TV | AMC | 6/26/2016 |
| Dick Flood | "Blue Blue Party" | Preacher | 106 | TV | AMC | 7/6/2016 |
| Dick Flood | "I'll Never Be the Same After You" | Wynonna Earp | 207 | TV | SyFy | 7/21/2017 |
| Dick Flood | "Out of Sight Out of Mind" | The Man in the High Castle | 102 | | Amazon | 10/23/2015 |
| Dick Flood | "Out of Sight Out of Mind" | SMILF | 107 | TV | Showtime | 12/17/17 |
| Dick Flood | "Run For Your Life" | Preacher | 108 | TV | AMC | 7/17/2016 |
| Dick Flood | "Sure Gets Dark When the Sun Goes Down" | Preacher | 102 | TV | AMC | 6/5/2016 |
| Dick Flood | "Sure Gets Dark When the Sun Goes Down" | Aquarius | 207 | TV | NBC | 7/14/2016 |
| Dick Flood | "I'm Going Home" | This is Us | 211 | TV | NBC | 1/9/18 |
| Dick Flood | "A Place Called Happiness" | Van Helsing | 211 | TV | SyFy | 12/21/17 |
| Dick Flood and The Pathfinders | "I Didn't See You Standing There" | I'm Dying Up Here | 106 | TV | Showtime | 7/16/2017 |
| Dick Flood and The Pathfinders | "Jammin' the Blues" | The Astronaut Wives Club | 104 | TV | ABC | 7/9/2015 |