Cymarron was a short-lived American soft rock trio that briefly found national success with their 1971 hit single, “Rings.” The song reached the Top 20 on the Billboard pop chart and became a staple for soft rock and oldies fans. Although their follow-up efforts didn’t match that success, the group’s moment in the spotlight reflected the musical trends of the early 1970s—mellow, melodic, and radio-friendly.
| Band Name | Cymarron |
|---|---|
| Origin | Memphis, Tennessee, USA |
| Years Active | 1971–1973 |
| Members | Rick Yancey, Sherrill Parks, Richard Mainegra |
| Genre | Soft Rock, Pop |
| Main Hit | “Rings” – #17 Billboard Hot 100 (1971) |
| Record Label | Entrance Records (subsidiary of Columbia) |
| Debut Album | Rings (1971) – Billboard 200 #187 |
| Follow-up Single | “Valerie” – Billboard Hot 100 #96 |
| Post-Band Work | Yancey and Mainegra formed The Remingtons in the 1990s. Yancey also performed with Jimmy Griffin in the duo GYC. |
Band Formation and Early Roots
Cymarron was formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1971. The trio featured:
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Rick Yancey (born 1948) – vocals, guitar
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Sherrill Parks (born 1948, Jackson, Tennessee) – saxophone, keyboards, backing vocals
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Richard Mainegra (born 1948, New Orleans, Louisiana) – vocals, guitar
Rick Yancey had previously worked as a studio musician for American Recording Studios, owned by famed producer Chips Moman. The Memphis-based studio had already built a reputation for crafting hit records, producing artists such as Elvis Presley, Dusty Springfield, and B.J. Thomas.
While working there, Yancey met Parks, and the two began writing and recording demos together. They later brought in Mainegra to form a full trio. Inspired by the 1967 western television series Cimarron Strip, they named themselves Cymarron—intentionally spelling it with a “y” to make the name unique.
Breakthrough Hit: “Rings”
The group signed with Entrance Records, a subsidiary of Columbia Records. In 1971, they released their debut single, “Rings.”
Written by Eddie Reeves and Alex Harvey, “Rings” featured a blend of soft rock and pop elements. The lyrics spoke of love, commitment, and celebration, making it a popular wedding and romantic anthem. Its warm harmonies, acoustic instrumentation, and catchy chorus made it an ideal fit for AM radio during that era.
Produced by Chips Moman, the single performed well on the charts:
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#17 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#6 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart
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Also charted modestly in Canada
Encouraged by the single’s success, Cymarron released their debut and only album, Rings, later that same year. The album reached #187 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Follow-Up Attempts and Decline
After “Rings,” the group released several more singles, but none matched their breakout success.
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Their next single, “Valerie,” charted at #96—a modest showing that hinted at diminishing momentum.
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Other singles like “Start Again” and “Right Can Be So Wrong” failed to chart.
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Despite quality production and harmonies, these tracks didn’t receive the same radio airplay or listener response.
Their music, while pleasant and well-crafted, didn’t stand out in a rapidly changing music scene dominated by edgier rock, soul, and emerging disco.
By 1973, Cymarron had quietly disbanded, leaving behind a small but enduring musical legacy built on one major hit.
After Cymarron: New Projects and Later Work
Though Cymarron was short-lived, its members remained active in the music industry.
Rick Yancey and Richard Mainegra
In the early 1990s, Yancey and Mainegra reunited to form The Remingtons with Jimmy Griffin, a former member of the soft rock group Bread. The Remingtons leaned toward country-pop and recorded two albums: Blue Frontier (1992) and Aim for the Heart (1993). They scored several singles on the Billboard country charts.
Yancey and Griffin also performed as a duo under the name GYC (Griffin-Yancey-Cymarron) until Griffin’s death in 2005.
Phil Cody Cover Version
In 1993, singer-songwriter Phil Cody released a version of “Rings,” introducing the song to a new generation. While it didn’t chart, it confirmed the song’s lasting appeal among soft rock fans.
Legacy and Reappraisal
“Rings” remains Cymarron’s defining achievement. Despite their one-hit wonder status, the song has stood the test of time. It has been covered by other artists, including Lobo and Leo Kottke, and regularly appears on classic rock and ’70s-themed playlists.
Fans of soft rock still appreciate the group’s gentle harmonies and clean arrangements. Their music provides a nostalgic snapshot of early 1970s pop—simple, melodic, and heartfelt.
Discography
Albums
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Rings (1971)
Selected Singles
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“Rings” / “Like Children” (1971)
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“Valerie” / “Across the Kansas Sky” (1971)
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“Start Again” / “Keep Me Warm” (1972)
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“Right Can Be So Wrong” / “What’s a Little Dirt” (1972)
Promotional versions of “Start Again” and “Right Can Be So Wrong” were also issued in mono/stereo formats for radio play.