10-2-4 Ranch 430226 174 1st Song - 'A Cowboy Has to Sing'

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: 10-2-4 Ranch 430226 174
Date: October 11, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio revives the wholesome family entertainment of the pre-television radio era with a classic broadcast of the “10-2-4 Ranch.” Featuring musical performances, lighthearted banter, sentimental dedications, and classic sponsor messages, listeners are transported back to a golden age of Americana, cowboy culture, and living room gatherings around the radio.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Musical Performances and Cowboy Life (00:21–01:52)

• Opening Song – "A Cowboy Has to Sing"
  • The episode begins with Dick Faran performing a heartfelt cowboy ballad, evoking imagery of wide-open plains and the emotional routines of a cowboy's life.
    • Notable Quote:
      "For a cowboy has to sing, love, and a cowboy has to yell or his heart would break inside of him at the gates of the home corral."
      — Dick Faran, (01:01)

2. Sponsor Segment: The Enchantment of Dr. Pepper (02:08–02:53)

• Art Gilmore’s Vivid Endorsement
  • Art Gilmore delivers a poetic ode to Dr. Pepper, characterizing it as more than a drink—an experience full of “enchantment.”
    • Notable Quote:
      "If you want to collect alone, just put that Dr. Pepper bottle close against your lips. Take a long deep drink. Brothers and sisters, I’m telling you, it’s a thrill to remember and one to repeat whenever you’re thirsty, hungry and tired."
      — Art Gilmore, (02:26)

3. Friendly Banter and Musical Variety (04:27–06:33)

• Lighthearted Exchange
  • Characters banter with “Miss Peggy” (Martha Mears) making fun suggestions and Tim Spencer engaging in gentle self-deprecation before sharing a serious side.
    • Notable Exchange:
      "Now, Miss Peggy, you're making fun of me. Oh, believe it or not, I'm really a serious artist. And I want to sing something serious for a change."
      — Tim Spencer, (04:50)
• Tim Spencer’s Performance – "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
  • A touching rendition of the spiritual classic, underscoring the versatility of the show’s musical offerings.

4. Sentimental Dedications: "The Golden Wedding Waltz" (06:33–10:28)

• Dedication Segment
  • Martha Mears reads a heartfelt dedication written by Tim Spencer, honoring a couple’s 50th wedding anniversary in Oklahoma City—drawing a direct emotional bridge to listeners.
    • Notable Quote:
      "Now, maybe they don't remember Tim Spencer very well. I was just a tow-headed kid then, about like my own youngster now. But I remember them. I remember them as two of the grandest people I have ever known."
      — Martha Mears (reading Tim Spencer’s dedication), (07:25)
  • The “Golden Wedding Waltz” follows, encapsulating nostalgia and sincere well-wishes.

5. Fun Facts and Additional Sponsor Information on Dr. Pepper (10:28–11:39)

• Origins and Clarifications
  • Art Gilmore offers a brief history: Dr. Pepper’s name is not medicinal, and it was invented in 1885 in Waco, Texas. The segment highlights its healthful properties and low cost.
    • Notable Quote:
      "Dr. Pepper is just a fine, wholesome soft drink not claimed as a cure for anything except temporary relief from hunger, thirst and fatigue."
      — Art Gilmore, (10:36)
  • The famous instruction: “Drink a bite to eat at 10, 2 and 4 o’clock every day it surely does help.” (11:29)

6. Closing Song and Farewell (11:39–14:50)

• "Beautiful Dreamer" Performance
  • Dick Faran sings "Beautiful Dreamer," carrying the episode to a dreamy, wistful close.
  • Final goodbyes are shared with calls to “saddle up” and encouragement to enjoy Dr. Pepper and support the war effort.
    • Notable Quote:
      “Drink Dr. Pepper and you’ll enjoy life more.”
      — Dick Faran, (14:21)
    • “Remember to buy all you can of Uncle Sam’s war bonds and stamps.”
      — Martha Mears, (14:50)

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Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Cowboy Philosophy:
  "For a cowboy has to sing, love, and a cowboy has to yell or his heart would break inside of him at the gates of the home corral."
  — Dick Faran, (01:01)

• Dr. Pepper Enchantment:
  "Enchantment in its rich, full bodied substance that satisfies more than thirst... I'm telling you, it’s a thrill to remember and one to repeat whenever you’re thirsty, hungry and tired."
  — Art Gilmore, (02:26)

• Tim Spencer’s Dedication:
  "I dedicate this song to them and to their first 50 years together. The Golden Wedding Waltz."
  — Martha Mears (reading Tim Spencer’s dedication), (07:55)

• Product Wisdom:
  "Dr. Pepper is just a fine, wholesome soft drink not claimed as a cure for anything except temporary relief from hunger, thirst and fatigue."
  — Art Gilmore, (10:36)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|-------------| | Opening Song: "A Cowboy Has to Sing" | 00:41–01:52 | | Enchantment of Dr. Pepper | 02:08–02:53 | | Banter and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" | 04:27–06:33 | | "Golden Wedding Waltz" Dedication & Song | 06:34–10:28 | | Dr. Pepper Origins and Product Wisdom | 10:32–11:39 | | "Beautiful Dreamer" & Closing Announcements | 11:39–14:50 |

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Conclusion

This 10-2-4 Ranch broadcast captures the warmth, gentle humor, musical talent, and sponsor-centric Americana that defined the golden age of radio. Listeners are invited into a friendly, musical radio “ranch,” uplifted by cowboy songs, heartfelt stories, and the ever-present promise that life is made better with music, loved ones, and the “enchantment” of Dr. Pepper—preferably at 10, 2, and 4.

Transcript

[Amazon Music Announcer]

From unsolved mysteries to unexplained phenomena, from comedy gold to relationship fails, Amazon Music's got the most ad free top podcasts included with Prime Download the Amazon music app today.

[Narrator / Host]

Hello, folks. Welcome to the 1024 Ranch.

[Art Gilmore]

Yes, the 1024 Ranch. Starring your radio and screen favorites, Dick Faran, Martha Mears and the Sons of the Pioneers. Transcribed and brought to you by your Dr. Pepper bottler and the thousands of Dr. Pepper dealers from coast to coast.

[Narrator / Host]

And here's our foreman, Dick Varan, to sing for you.

[Dick Faran]

When a new day is born I go riding on the wide open plains I roam and the sun through the hills goes hiding There'll always be someone glad when I come home.

[Art Gilmore]

End of.

[Tim Spencer]

Day, home we go.

[Dick Faran]

Or a cowbo. He has to sing, love, and a cowboy has to yell or his heart would break inside of him at the.

[Tim Spencer]

Gates of the home corral Now's a.

[Dick Faran]

Long day through on the prairie and the low hanging sun in the sky Home corral we will tarry and we'll sing of the roundups in the days gone by For a cowboy has to sing and a cowboy has to yell for his heart would break inside of.

[Tim Spencer]

Him at the gates of the home.

[Art Gilmore]

Corral.

[Dick Faran]

And the day home we go thanks, boys. Thanks. Now here's Art Gilmour with a little lecture on the subject of enchantment. Okay, Art.

[Art Gilmore]

Thanks, Dick. Speaking of things enchanted, I'd like to recommend that cold, frosty Dr. Pepper bottle one gets from a nearby cooler. The one with a clock dial on its side with that rich, deep mahogany hued elixir inside. Enchantment. I'll say there's enchantment in its dry and tart yet sweet and mellow flavor. Enchantment in its rich, full bodied substance that satisfies more than thirst. They say distance lends enchantment. But I say if you want to collect alone, just put that Dr. Pepper bottle close against your lips. Take a long deep drink. Brothers and sisters, I'm telling you, it's a thrill to remember and one to repeat whenever you're thirsty, hungry and tired.

[Narrator / Host]

The spring, the fall, in fact, most anytime at all is right for falling in love. Just give me music in the evening in the night flickering shadow in the embers glowing with love's delight. Twilight will soon fade away and within will blow the chaos of the day. Oh, give me me in the.

[Dick Faran]

Mighty.

[Tim Spencer]

Fine well now, Miss Peggy, if you really want someone to give you music, how about me singing for you?

[Narrator / Host]

I suppose you'd want to sing one of your Song titles like Grandpa was.

[Martha Mears]

Born on March 1.

[Narrator / Host]

That's why he always comes in likely a lion. And when Grandma gets through with him, he goes out like a lamp.

[Tim Spencer]

Now, Miss Peggy, you're making fun of me. Oh, believe it or not, I'm really a serious artist. And I want to sing something serious for a change.

[Narrator / Host]

Well, all right, Foghorn.

[Martha Mears]

What do you want to sing?

[Tim Spencer]

Well, I want to sing the Swing Low, Sweet Cherry off.

[Narrator / Host]

Well, bless your heart, Foghorn.

[Martha Mears]

You go right ahead.

[Tim Spencer]

Swing low, swing lows we carry on oh, I looked over Jordan and what did I see Coming for to carry me home A band of rain angels are coming after me Coming for to carry me home Swing low, swing low Sweet chariot Coming for to carry me home Swing low, Sweet Carry on Coming for to carry me home Coming for to carry me home.

[Narrator / Host]

And now, Tim.

[Martha Mears]

Spencer has written something special in the way of a number. And I think he has something very special in the way of a dedication for it. Is that right, Tim?

[Tim Spencer]

Yes, Miss Peggy. I've written out what I want to say, but, gosh, I wish you'd read it for me.

[Art Gilmore]

Will you?

[Martha Mears]

Why, you know I will, Tim. Let me see what you've written. Oh, yes, Tim. Most of the music I write here on the 1024 ranch reflects the west as I see it. But when this particular number came to mind, I was thinking of two people I remember as a youngster back in Missouri. And even then they were known as the happiest couple in town. Last week, my mother sent me a little newspaper story which says they will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary today. Now, maybe they don't remember Tim Spencer very well. I was just a tow headed kid then, about like my own youngster now. But I remember them. I remember them as two of the grandest people I have ever known. Right now they're listening to this program over station WKY in Oklahoma City. And so I dedicate this song to them and to their first 50 years together. The Golden Wedding Waltz.

[Tim Spencer]

Little lady turning grave Let me thank you for a sweet Roman Heaven bless our golden wedding day Darling, remember a long time ago on our first anniversary.

[Art Gilmore]

Day.

[Tim Spencer]

We went romancing and dancing till dawn Love was so young and gay now in the sunset of life's golden dream While light and shadow draw near in my arms Let me hold you and waltz once again For I've something to tell you, my dears While redempts are golden Wedding ball Little lady Curtain and grave Let me thank you for a sweet Roman. Let go. Sweeter day by day let behold you flow Wildlife's on Let me kiss your tears away While we dance our golden wedding Wall Heaven blessed heart golden wedding oh, swell, Tim, swell.

[Dick Faran]

It's really fun. And now, here again is Art gilmore.

[Art Gilmore]

The name Dr. Pepper is not intended to imply medicinal claims. No, the name is just a happenstance. Somebody dubbed it Dr. Pepper away back in 1885 in Waco, Texas, where it was originated, and it stuck. Dr. Pepper is just a fine, wholesome soft drink not claimed as a cure for anything except temporary relief from hunger, thirst and fatigue. Dr. Pepper truly is a delicious liquid bite to eat. It does give you a flashlight energy lift. And it does give you a needed drink of crystal pure sparkling water. Now, that water is important to your health, especially in winter when we all are prone to forget to drink enough. A wonderful combination of advantages. Yes, indeed. Health, pleasure and motive power. All for one little nickel. Drink a bite to eat at 10, 2 and 4 o' clock every day it surely does help.

[Dick Faran]

You Awaken to me Starlight and dew drops are waiting for thee Songs of the rude world Heard in the day Lullaby the moonlight have all passed away Beautiful dreamer Queen of my song Blest while I owe thee with soft melody Gone are the cares of life's busy throng Beautiful dreamer Awakeome at once to me Beautiful dreamer Awaken to me your. Well, boys, saddle up. Time to be a riding.

[Narrator / Host]

Come on. Here we. When you want a welcome drink that picks up energy, just ask for Dr. Pepper and you'll sing along with me.

[Dick Faran]

Drink Dr. Pepper and you'll enjoy life more.

[Tim Spencer]

Remember Dr. Pepper silent two and four.

[Dick Faran]

Well, that's all for now, folks, but we'll be seeing you.

[Art Gilmore]

Dick Ferran appears on the 1024 ranch through the courtesy of Universal Pictures. The Sons of the Pioneers by arrangement with Republic Studios. Martha Mears is Miss Peggy and this is Art Gilmore wishing you good luck and good going with Dr. Pepper at 10, 2 and 4.

[Martha Mears]

And remember to buy all you can of Uncle Sam's war bonds and stamps.

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