But because the KC Matchgirl has done the research, for those only familiar with the 1973 recording of the song by Black Oak Arkansas, the song was actually written in 1956. Composed by Lincoln Chase, it was recorded by LaVern Baker and went to the top of the R & B charts that same year. "Jim Dandy" is a name attached to a thing or person of outstanding nature, as in, "Isn't that just Jim Dandy?", and found in written accounts as early as 1844.
Now back to the tyke- one would probably think his name is Jim Dandy. But my research was inconclusive about that assumption. However, the hamburger he's holding is probably the trademarked "Jim Dandy", first introduced to burger-lovers in 1958.
Back in 1950, Harry Reasner purchased a small frozen custard stand in Tipton, Indiana named Polar Bear. In a few years, he had bought a few other drive-ins in nearby towns, all operating under different names. In 1964, he decided to build a new drive-in, named after the popular Jim Dandy burger in Tipton. One by one, the other locations changed to Jim Dandy. Currently there are 7 locations in middle Indiana operating under the Jim Dandy moniker. The tyke has been subjected to some different color schemes, such as this 1970's blue & green, but he's maintained his Dennis The Menace similarities.
Now, the KC Matchgirl has actually been to Tipton, IN and did not see a Jim Dandy restaurant- which would have prompted her to say, "Hey, I have that matchbook!" No, when we were driving north of Indianapolis and stopped to eat, we pulled into the other restaurant fronted by a mop-topped-burger-toting-tyke.... Big Boy.
