Chuck Wagon Jamboree xx-xx-xx First Song - Deep in the Heart of Texas

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Chuck Wagon Jamboree – "First Song - Deep in the Heart of Texas"
Air Date: October 11, 2025

This episode of Chuck Wagon Jamboree takes listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio, with Ken Curtis and the "Novelty Aces" (Suzy, Emmy Lou, Art West, Hal, Jerry) delivering a lively blend of Western favorites, nostalgic ballads, whimsical medleys, and a heartfelt hymn. The group showcases both musical variety and a homespun sense of humor, inviting listeners to gather 'round and join a journey through classic Americana.

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Key Discussion Points & Episode Flow

1. Opening Welcome and Theme Song

• [00:00-00:11]
  • Ken Curtis warmly welcomes the audience, setting a friendly, communal tone.
  • Quote:

    "Let's be happy, gather round. Cause it's time for you and me, we sing a song as we jog along to the Chuck Wagon Jamboree." — Ken Curtis (00:00)

2. Feature Song: "Deep in the Heart of Texas"

• [00:11-01:21]
  • Festive group performance; Emmy Lou and Ken Curtis exchange verses, highlighting the group's playful interplay.
  • Engages audience in classic Western imagery: starry nights and prairie skies.
  • Quote:

    "Stars at night are big and bright... Deep in the heart of Texas..." — Emmy Lou (00:34)

3. Ballad Segment: "Old Dog Tray"

• [01:21-03:48]
  • Jerry, introduced as the bass singer and multi-instrumentalist, leads a heartfelt version of Stephen Foster's “Old Dog Tray.”
  • The segment is marked by gentle ribbing about stage fright, creating an easy, family-like rapport.
  • Quote:

    "I'll never never find a better friend than Old Dog Tray." — Jerry (02:24)

4. Memory Medley & Classic Folk:

a. "Mother Goose Hoedown" and "Ba Ba Black Sheep"

• [03:48-04:32]
  • The group transitions to a whimsical medley, riffing on schoolyard classics.
  • Emmy Lou comments on the novelty of performing childhood songs as adults.

b. "Frankie and Johnny"

• [04:32-05:44]
  • Emmy Lou leads a dramatic rendition of the classic ballad "Frankie and Johnny," capturing the story’s tragic twist with expressive vocals and narrative flair.
  • Quote:

    "This story only goes to show There ain't no good in man—no, he was her man but he done her wrong." — Emmy Lou (05:30)

5. Barbershop Quartet: "Alabama Bound"

• [05:44-06:28]
  • A lively, bright number featuring call-and-response; Jerry shines as lead vocalist.
  • The distinctly Southern imagery and rhythmic swing animate the performance.
  • Quote:

    "I'm Alabami bound, there'll be no heebie jeebies hanging round." — Jerry (05:49)

6. Special Arrangement: "Gold Mine in the Sky"

• [06:28-08:46]
  • Art West introduces a “special arrangement” performed with the full group, led by Ken Curtis.
  • The song’s dreamlike optimism and Western romanticism evoke themes of hope and companionship.
  • Quote:

    "Where the skies are always blue, Palomin', take your time, old mule. I know you’re growin’ late but you’ll pasture in the stars when we strike that claim." — Art West (07:07)

7. Humorous Banter

• [08:46-08:56]
  • Emmy Lou jokes about being “devastated” by the previous song, displaying the troupe's warm chemistry.
  • Quote:

    "Mister, can you devastate me? That there was quite a shuck." — Emmy Lou (08:46)

8. Hymn and Reflection: "Come Thou Almighty King"

• [08:56-11:02]
  • Suzy takes to the “tinkle box” (Celeste), and the group performs a reverent, richly harmonized hymn.
  • The segment highlights the show's ability to blend sacred and secular traditions.
  • Quote:

    "Come Thou Almighty King, help us Thy name to sing..." — Jerry (09:19)

9. Closing Remarks and Theme Reprise

• [11:02-11:20]
  • Ken Curtis thanks the listeners and bids them a sincere farewell.
  • The group reprises the "Chuck Wagon Jamboree" theme, reinforcing the episode's warm, communal atmosphere.
  • Quote:

    "It’s nice being with you. Yours most sincerely, Ken Curtis." — Ken Curtis (11:15)

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Theme Song:

  "Let's be happy, gather round. Cause it's time for you and me, we sing a song as we jog along..." — Ken Curtis (00:00)

• On Texas:

  "Stars at night are big and bright... Deep in the heart of Texas..." — Emmy Lou (00:34)

• Classic Ballad:

  "I'll never never find a better friend than Old Dog Tray." — Jerry (02:24)

• Folk Wisdom:

  "There ain't no good in man—no, he was her man but he done her wrong." — Emmy Lou (05:30)

• Southern Swing:

  "I'm Alabami bound, there'll be no heebie jeebies hanging round." — Jerry (05:49)

• Western Hope:

  "Take your time, old mule... you'll pasture in the stars when we strike that claim..." — Art West (07:07)

• Playful Banter:

  "Mister, can you devastate me? That there was quite a shuck." — Emmy Lou (08:46)

• Hymn Reflection:

  "Come Thou Almighty King, help us Thy name to sing..." — Jerry (09:19)

• Farewell:

  "It’s nice being with you. Yours most sincerely, Ken Curtis." — Ken Curtis (11:15)

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Episode Highlights by Timestamp

• Opening Theme & Welcome: 00:00–00:11
• "Deep in the Heart of Texas": 00:11–01:21
• "Old Dog Tray" Ballad: 01:21–03:48
• Medley ("Mother Goose", "Frankie and Johnny"): 03:48–05:44
• "Alabama Bound": 05:44–06:28
• "Gold Mine in the Sky": 06:28–08:46
• Segment Banter: 08:46–08:56
• Hymn – "Come Thou Almighty King": 08:56–11:02
• Closing & Theme Reprise: 11:02–11:20

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Summary

This episode is a showcase of Western music, folk traditions, and good-natured camaraderie. Listeners are transported to a bygone era, enjoying a blend of humor, homespun wisdom, and heartfelt performances—all guided by the easy, affable presence of Ken Curtis and his talented group. The "Chuck Wagon Jamboree" provides a musical tonic for nostalgia lovers, with memorable group chemistry and a timeless setlist.

Transcript

[Ken Curtis]

Let's be happy, gather round. Cause it's time for you and me we sing a song as we jog along to the Chuck Wagon Jamboree.

Well, howdy friends and hello, neighbors. Welcome again to another Chuckwagon Jamboree. Starring those top notch novelty aces, Suzy, Emmy Lou, Art West, Hal, Jerry, and of course yours sincerely, Ken Curtis. And I'll guarantee you'll like the opening event and stay for the entire show. It's deep in the heart of Texas.

[Emmy Lou]

Stars at night are big and bright.

[Ken Curtis]

Deep in the heart of Texas the.

[Emmy Lou]

Prairie sky is wide and high Deep in the heart of Texas the sage in bloom is like perfume Deep in the heart of Texas Reminds me of the one I love Deep in the heart of Texas the cowboys cry ki.

[Ken Curtis]

Yippi yi Deep in the heart of.

[Emmy Lou]

Texas the dogies ball and ball and.

[Ken Curtis]

Ball Deep in the heart of Texas Deep in the heart of Texas.

Well, yes indeed. And our chuck wagon jogs along to ballad time. Time for a sweet song from the Novelty Aces. Jerry, he's our bass singer and violin and steel guitar student. Jerry, would you like to give with the information? Yep, if I'm not too scared. It's Stephen Foster's tribute to his friend, Old dog Trey. Good. Let's have a chord, Hal, and get it going.

[Jerry]

The morn of life is past and evening comes at last it brings me a dream of a once happy day of merry forms I've seen upon the village green Sporting with my old O praise all dark praise ever faithful Grief cannot drive him away he gentle, he is kind I'll never never find a better friend than wold O truly grief cannot drive him away he's gentle, he is kind I'll never never find a better friend than who no TR now.

[Ken Curtis]

If that wasn't nice novelty aces. There ain't a sidewalk in New York. Old Dog Tray, one of Stephen Foster's homiest tunes. Hey, you know, Jerry, sometimes I think it sounds better that way when you're tuning up. As soon as you get set, you can lead off our memory medley with a Mother Goose hoedown. Ba ba Black sheep.

[Emmy Lou]

To sang this and then scoot.

[Jerry]

Why, sure.

[Hal]

There it is.

[Emmy Lou]

We didn't do this in school.

[Ken Curtis]

Emmy Lou. Let's hear that, old timer. Frankie and Johnny.

[Emmy Lou]

Frankie and Johnny were lovers oh Lordy, how they could love.

[Ken Curtis]

Yes, tell us about it.

[Emmy Lou]

They said they'd be true to each other Just as two with the skies above he was a man he wouldn't do her own But Frankie pulled back a kimona and she pulled out a little fold I guess I better go There gonna be some shit oh, Ruda TikTok three times she shot right through that hard miss door she shot her man I'm shot cause he was doing her wr now this story has no moral this story has no end the story only goes to show There ain't no good in man no, he was her man but he done her wrong.

[Ken Curtis]

Now we'll turn our barbershop quartet loose so they can be off Alabama bounds.

[Jerry]

I'm Alabami bound There'll be no heebie.

[Ken Curtis]

Jeebies hangin round Just pay the meanest.

[Jerry]

Ticket man on earth All I'm worth.

[Ken Curtis]

To put my tootsies in an upper berth Just hear that choo choo sound and soon I know I'm gonna cover.

[Jerry]

Ground I'm gonna holler so the world will know Here I go, I'm Alabama. All right.

[Ken Curtis]

All right indeed. And folks, I'd like you to know that Art west has worked out a special arrangement of Gold Mine in the sky so that the novelty aces can sing right along with me. And it's sure a dandy too. Well, thank you, Ken. And so you're gonna hear it right now. There's a gold mine in the sky.

[Art West]

There's a gold mine in the sky Far away we will find it, you and I Some sweet day There'll be clover just for you down the line where the skies are always blue Palomin. Take your time, old mule. I know you're growing late but you'll pasture in the stars when we strike that claim. And we'll sit up there and watch the world roll by when we find that long lost gold min in the.

[Jerry]

Sky.

[Art West]

Far away Far away in the sky.

[Emmy Lou]

Mister, can you devastate me? That there was quite a shuck.

[Ken Curtis]

Ah, now you're just kidding me. Thanks to all of you for your support. Now, Susie.

[Jerry]

Yes, mister?

[Ken Curtis]

Can if you'll seat yourself at our little tinkle box, the Celeste will settle ourselves down and sing for the folks. Our hymn for this day and our selection is that majestic sacred song of praise. Come thou almighty King Come thou almighty King.

[Jerry]

Help us thy name to sing Help us to praise Father of glorious O' er all victorious Come and reign over us ancient of days.

[Hal]

Come, holy conqueror Thy sacred witness bear.

[Art West]

In this.

[Jerry]

Glad hour.

[Hal]

Thou who almighty art now rule in every heart and every most depart Spirit of power.

[Jerry]

To the great one in three eternal praises be and evermore his sovereign majesty May we in glory see and to eternity love and adore.

[Ken Curtis]

Come Thou Almighty King. Truly one of the great hymns of all time. And we hope you enjoyed the listening. Well, friends and neighbors, don't go yet. But right now for the Novelty Aces. Myself and the whole Chuck Wagon Jamboree gang, I want to say it's nice being with you. Yours most sincerely, Ken Curtis.

Let's be happy, gather round. Cause it's time for you and me to sing a song as we jog along to the Chuck Wagon Jamboree.