Andrews Sisters - Guest - Riders of the Purple Sage

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Andrews Sisters – Guest – Riders of the Purple Sage
Date: March 30, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Featured Guests: The Andrews Sisters, Riders of the Purple Sage, Kurt Massey, Vic Schoen & His Orchestra

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Episode Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio transports listeners to the golden era of radio variety shows, spotlighting an episode featuring the iconic Andrews Sisters, the western harmonies of the Riders of the Purple Sage, jovial host Uncle Jim, and interlocutor Kurt Massey. The show blends lively banter, swinging harmonies, western ballads, and touches of nostalgia from the post-war 1940s, emulating an “evening at the NK8-to-the-Bar Ranch.” The episode also pays tribute to soldiers overseas, reflecting the patriotic spirit of the time.

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Key Discussion Points & Musical Performances

Warm Welcome & Opening Number

[01:30] – "Every Time, Every Time" (Andrews Sisters)

• The Andrews Sisters open with their signature, foot-tapping vocal harmony on “Every Time, Every Time,” perfectly setting a lively, upbeat tone.
• Patty’s playful vocal inflections and the sisters’ tight harmonies capture the swing era’s charm.

Lighthearted Banter & Storytelling

[03:37] – Patty recounts their USO tour in Italy

• Kurt Massey: “When you were over in Italy on your USO tour, did you get to Venice?” (03:41)
• Patty: Tells a humorous tale about their first gondola ride: “Venice was so romantic… but the gondolier got stage fright. So we sang for him instead!” (04:07)

Romantic Melodies

[04:19] – "There Must Be a Way" (Kurt Massey, backed by Andrews Sisters)

• Kurt Massey’s sentimental vocal leads this heartfelt ballad about lost love.
• Notable lines sung:
  “There must be a way to help me forget that we’re through. There must be a way to stop me from dreaming of you…” (04:33–06:58)

Upbeat Swing & Playful Songs

[08:41] – "Gotta Be This or That"

• A catchy, swinging duet, with the Andrews Sisters alternating playful, nonsensical lyrics:
  • “If it ain’t wrong, you’re right. If it ain’t dark, it’s light… gotta be this or that…” (08:41)

Western Feature & Cowboy Atmosphere

[11:11] – Request for "Tumblin’ Tumbleweeds"

• Kurt Massey: “Up here at the NK to the Bar Ranch, I’d rather sit around the way we’re doing now and listen to songs like ‘Tumblin’ Tumbleweeds.’” (11:01)
• Transition to Riders of the Purple Sage performing the wistful western classic, evoking mesa sunsets and cowboy solitude.
• Lyrics: “See them tumbling down… drifting along with a tumbling tumbleweed…” (11:21–13:43)

Nostalgic and Sentimental Intermission

[13:45] – “Paper Moon” (Vic Schoen & His Orchestra)

• Patty reminisces: “That song takes me back a few years, Kurt… a boy and a girl strolling along the boardwalk, making love under a paper moon.” (13:55)
• The orchestra delivers a dreamy big band rendition, enveloping listeners in old-time romance.

Comforting Dreamscape

[16:59] – "Dream"

• The Andrews Sisters harmonize: “Dream when you’re feeling blue… Dream and they might come true. Things never are as bad as they seem…” (16:59–18:22)

Overseas Dedication & Polka for the GIs

[19:01] – "Pennsylvania Polka" Dedication

• Patty: “We promised the GIs overseas each week we would dedicate at least one song to them…”
• Rousing singalong: “Strike up the music, the band has begun, the Pennsylvania polka…” (19:14–20:41)

Heartfelt Blues

[23:13] – "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home?" (Patty & Kurt Massey)

• A bluesy duet with longing vocals and heartfelt delivery:
  • “Baby, won’t you please come home? ‘Cause your mama’s all alone…” (23:19–25:15)

Western Campfire & Closing Harmony

[25:44] – "Empty Saddles in the Old Corral" (All)

• Minketing the Western night, the hosts and Riders of the Purple Sage evoke the loneliness of the cowboy tradition:
  • “Empty saddles in the old corral, where do you ride tonight?” (25:52–28:52)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Patty (about singing for her gondolier in Venice):
  “No, he didn’t. He got stage fright. So we sang for the gondolier.” (04:07)

• Kurt Massey (on cowboy life):
  “Up here at the NK to the Bar Ranch, I’d rather sit around the way we’re doing now and listen to songs like Tumblin Tumbleweed.” (11:01)

• Patty (dedicating to GIs):
  “We promised the GIs that each week we would dedicate at least one song to them and sing it especially for them.” (18:53)

• Patty (describing a Western night):
  “We’re going out on the desert where all you can hear is the sound of the horses’ hoofbeats and the sand…” (25:44)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:30: Opening number – “Every Time, Every Time”
• 03:37: Andrews Sisters recount USO tour stories
• 04:19: “There Must Be a Way”
• 08:41: “Gotta Be This or That”
• 11:11: “Tumblin’ Tumbleweeds” by Riders of the Purple Sage
• 13:45: Vic Schoen & Orchestra perform “Paper Moon”
• 16:59: Andrews Sisters perform “Dream”
• 19:01: “Pennsylvania Polka” dedicated to soldiers
• 23:13: Duet “Baby, Won't You Please Come Home?”
• 25:44: “Empty Saddles in the Old Corral” campfire finale

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Summary Tone & Style

The episode radiates the warmth, camaraderie, and musical spirit of 1940s radio. Lively jokes, affectionate tributes to troops, and memorable harmonies mix with a gentle nostalgia, showcasing the enduring charm of the Andrews Sisters and their band of radio regulars. The banter is cheerful and familial, the music stirring and comforting—capturing an American moment where entertainment, patriotism, and fellowship met across the airwaves.

Transcript

[Sports Announcer]

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[Commercial Announcer]

When the news is new cars, the big news will be Nash. When the news is new home appliances, the big news will be Calvinator, Nash Calvinator Peacetime. Products of one of America's great independent companies. Present Sunday on the NK8 to the bar Ranch. With kurt massey, uncle jim boy willing and the riders of the purple sage, vic schon and his orchestra, and starring the andrew sisters.

[Singer]

Every time, every time Every doggone time I fall in love I get a shoving around Every time, every time, every time Every doggone time I try romance I'm taking a chance on losing my mind I'm gonna learn to be a hermit and live in a hermit's cave Until I lose those blues my sweetie gave to me Burn my bridge behind me I'm going to hate all you men you can look but you'll never find me behind it Fall again Every time, every time Every doggone time I fall in love I get a shovel around Every doggone time, every time, Every time, Every doggone time she falls in love Stop. Oh, baby, do I get a shovel around? Every time, every time every dog on time Every dime Every time, every dog on time I try romance I'm taking a chance on news in my mind Every time, every dog on time I'm gonna learn to be a hermit. No. And live in a hermit's cave so afraid Until I lose those blues my sweetie gave to. I'm gonna burn my bridges behind me I'm gonna hit all you men you can look but you never find me behind they fall again Every time, every time Every doggone time I fall in love I get a shovel and I run every dog. Hello, everybody.

[Patty]

Hello, Uncle Jim. Hiya.

[Commercial Announcer]

Good to see you girls again.

[Kurt Massey]

Oh, Patty.

[Patty]

Yes, Kirk?

[Kurt Massey]

When you were over in Italy on your USO tour, did you get to Venice?

[Patty]

Well, I should say we did. We had our first gondola ride in Venice. And Venice was so romantic.

[Commercial Announcer]

Must have been romantic.

[Patty]

Oh, it sure was. Just like in the songs. You know, the one called the Blue Lagoon and the Italian Moon. Only there was one thing missing.

[Commercial Announcer]

What was that, Patty?

[Patty]

Well, in all the pictures I've ever seen, the gondoliers always sang to the customers.

[Kurt Massey]

You're quite right, Patty. Didn't your gondolier sing?

[Patty]

No, he didn't. He got stage fright. So we sang for the gondolier.

[Kurt Massey]

Good deal? Good deal. But you've been working overtime, Patty.

[Patty]

Oh, you're not kidding, Kurt. So let's get a little overtime from you, huh?

[Kurt Massey]

All right, Patty, what'll it be?

[Patty]

Well, how about There Must Be a way?

[Kurt Massey]

Well, there must be a way.

[Singer]

Well, that's wonderful.

[Kurt Massey]

There must be a way to help me forget that we're through. There must be a way to stop me from dreaming of you. There must be a star in the

[Singer]

sky

[Kurt Massey]

that isn't reflecting your eyes I just don't know how to disguise how much I miss you There must be a song that doesn't remind me of you. There must be a kiss to thrill me like yours used to do. I look for a way to be happy Happy with somebody new oh, there must be a way But I can't find the away without you. I look for a way to be happy Happy with somebody new oh, there must be a way But I can't

[Singer]

find a way

[Kurt Massey]

without you.

[Commercial Announcer]

Destined to be the talk of America is the new Nash 600. Because it will embody basic engineering principles the whole automotive industry will undoubtedly follow. It will be a truly lightweight big car. It will deliver 25 to 30 miles to a gallon of gasoline at moderate highway speeds. A 500 to 600 mile trip on one tankful. The new Nash 600 will be a big car, amazingly easy to drive and park, with plenty of leg room, headroom and elbow room for six large people to ride in solid comfort. The new Nash 600 will feature a method of springing that smooths the bumps right out of any road. In the new Nash 600, instead of a separate body and frame bolted together like most cars you've had before, there'll be a single integral unit of welded steel, safe and strong, free from rattles and squeaks. It will be a whole quarter of a ton lighter. With the war over, it won't be long until the new Nash 600 and the new Nash Ambassador will be available at your Nash dealers. And when they are, you'll understand then why we say now Nash will be the news. When the news is new cars.

[Singer]

If it ain't wrong, you're right. If it ain't dark, it's light. If you ain't sure you might gotta be this or that if it ain't full, it's blank if you don't spare and you bang if it ain't me, it's me Gotta be this or that who can it be if it ain't me I know it's not your brother can't you see it's gotta be it one way or the other Tell me what I must know if you don't like, I'll go if it ain't yes, it's no gotta be this or that, Sam.

[Patty]

If it ain't old, it's new if

[Singer]

it ain't me, it's you if it ain't much, then gotta be few Gotta be this or that if it ain't, see it's land if you ain't praise your pants if it ain't fresh then it's gotta be can gotta be this or that who can it be if it ain't me I know it's not your brother can't you see it's gotta be one way One way or the other Tell me what I've just got to know if you don't like me, then I'll go if it ain't yes, it's no got to be this or that.

[Kurt Massey]

Now, that's the kind of music that makes me want to put on my dancing shoes.

[Patty]

Why, Kurt, don't tell us you're a hep cat been holding out on us, eh, Kurt?

[Kurt Massey]

Oh, I'm a pretty fair country dancer, but. But up here at the NK to the Bar Ranch, I'd rather sit around the way we're doing now and listen to songs like Tumblin Tumbleweed.

[Patty]

Ah, that's a very good suggestion, my good man. Let's get the riders of the purple stage to sing it.

[Singer]

How about it, fella?

[Commercial Announcer]

Be glad to.

[Patty]

Well, now you're talking. Now.

[Kurt Massey]

See them tumbling down Blessing their love to the ground Lonely but maybe I'll be found Drifting along with a tumbling tumbleweed Cares of the past are behind Nowhere to go but I'll find

[Commercial Announcer]

Just

[Kurt Massey]

where the trail will wind Drifting along with a tumbling tumbleweeds I know when night has gone that a new world's born at dawn I'll keep rolling along Deep in my heart is a song Here on the range I belong Drifting along with a tumbling tumbleweeds I know when night has gone that a new world's born adorn I'll keep rolling alone Deep in my heart is a song here on the range I belong.

[Commercial Announcer]

Say, isn't it time we heard from Vic Schoen and the boys.

[Patty]

Oh, it sure is. And I've asked them if they'd play Paper Moon.

[Kurt Massey]

Paper Moon? My, that song takes me back a few years, Patty. You know, it's an old favorite of mine, Kurt.

[Patty]

Today it's everybody's favorite.

[Kurt Massey]

You know, I remember when it first came out, it was in a show. And I'll never forget the scene. Coney Island. A boy and a girl strolling along the boardwalk, making love under a paper moon.

[Patty]

Oh, what a lovely picture that must have been. Come on, Vic, put some music to it.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, girls, how about bringing us up to date with that dream song I like so much?

[Patty]

Okay, here we go.

[Singer]

Dream when you're feeling drew. Just watch the smoke rings rise in the air you find your share of memories there so dream when the day is too. Dream and they might come true.

[Patty]

Things.

[Singer]

Never are as bad as they seem so dream, dream, dream, dream.

[Patty]

You know, when we were overseas, we promised the gis that each week we would dedicate at least one song to them and sing it especially for them.

[Kurt Massey]

Well, that's a swell idea, Patty. And I'm sure the soldiers will get

[Commercial Announcer]

a special kick out of it.

[Kurt Massey]

What song is it today?

[Patty]

Oh, a great favorite with our boys everywhere. The Pennsylvania Polka.

[Singer]

Strike up the music, the band has begun. The Pennsylvania polka Pick out your partner and join in the fun. The Pennsylvania poker started in Scranton it's the number one it's bound to entertain ya. Everybody has to do the polka from Pennsylvania. While they're dancing everybody's gets quickly gone Sweet romancing this goes on and on until the dawn they're so carefree, gay with laughter, happy as can be they stop to have a beer then the

[Patty]

crowd begins to chee. They kiss and then they start to kiss again.

[Singer]

Pennsylvania,

[Sports Announcer]

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[Commercial Announcer]

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[Kurt Massey]

Baby, won't you please come home?

[Singer]

Cause your mama's all. I have tried in vain I tried

[Kurt Massey]

in vain Never no more to call your name when you left you broke

[Singer]

my heart Because I never thought we'd part Every hour in the day you will hear me say Baby, baby, won't you please.

[Kurt Massey]

Won't you please come on home?

[Singer]

Baby, would you please come home?

[Kurt Massey]

Baby, won't you please come home? Cause your dad is all

[Singer]

alone

[Kurt Massey]

I have tried in vain Never no more to call your name oh, when you left you broke my heart Because I never thought we found

[Singer]

Every hour in the day you can hear me say Baby, baby, baby, won't you please come home?

[Kurt Massey]

Baby, won't you please come home? Baby, won't you please come home. Well, we've watched the sun go down Seen the cool shadows come over the

[Patty]

mountains and pretty soon it'll be time for the big weenie roast Already Laverne.

[Singer]

Uh huh. And don't forget about the moonlight ride, Kirk.

[Kurt Massey]

Oh, I won't do that.

[Patty]

We're going out on the desert where all you can hear is the sound of the horses hoofbeats and the sand.

[Singer]

Yeah, and the coyotes howling in the distance.

[Kurt Massey]

We'll all be singing. Empty saddles in the old corral where do you ride Ton? Are you rounding up for gogies the strays of long ago? Are you on the trail of buffalo? Empty saddles in the old corral where do you arrive tonight? Are there rustlers on the border band of Nevad Behold Are you heading for the Elamore?

[Singer]

Empty guns covered with r Where do you talk tonight? Empty go. Where do you want tonight?

[Patty]

Empty saddles in the old corral

[Singer]

My tears would be dry tonight if you'll only see and lonely as you carry

[Kurt Massey]

my old pal Empty shadows in the old chloral.

[Singer]

Will you ride tonight? Are you rounding up the doggies the strays of long ago Are you on

[Kurt Massey]

the trail of death and end oh, empty gas covered with r Where do you talk tonight?

[Singer]

Empty.

[Kurt Massey]

My tears will be dry tonight if you only stay I lonely as you

[Singer]

carry my own hand

[Kurt Massey]

Empty saddles in the old.

[Commercial Announcer]

When the news is new cars, the big news will be Nash. When the news is new home appliances, the big news will be Calvinator.

[Singer]

Well, folks, the little old gate leading

[Patty]

to the big MK8 to the bar Ranch is always open.

[Singer]

And don't forget, we'll be with you next Sunday afternoon.

[Commercial Announcer]

Nash Calvinator, makers of Nash motor cars, Calvinator and Leonard home appliances, invite you to join us again next Sunday afternoon on the NK8 to the Fourth Bar Ranch. There'll be Kurt Massey, the writers of the Purple Sage, Vic Shone and his orchestra, Uncle Jim, and of course, the Andrew Sisters.

[Singer]

Speaking.

[Commercial Announcer]

This program transmitted to our groups overseas through the facilities of the Armed Forces radio Service,

[Sports Announcer]

The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports. Right now. The NBA is heating up, March madness is here and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time. Scores, breaking news and highlights all in one one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment. Bubba Wallace here from 2311 Racing. You know what's slower than a pace car waiting at the car wash that's when I fire up Chumba Casino. It turns those slow minutes into fast fun. With new games every week, you'll never get bored. Next time you're stuck in the slow lane, speed up with Chumba. Play now@chumba casino.com let's Chumba.

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