Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Grand Ole Opry 40-03-09 – First Song: Good Old Mountain Dew
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Air Date: September 25, 2025 (original broadcast from March 9, 1940)

Overview of the Episode

This episode transports listeners back to the “Golden Age of Radio” with a full-length broadcast of the legendary Grand Ole Opry, originally aired March 9, 1940. Hosted by “the solemn old judge,” George Hay, the show features live performances by prominent country musicians of the time, classic American folk songs, rousing hoedowns, comedic moments, and lively banter between cast members. This episode’s focus is on celebrating traditional music, the joy of gathering around radio as a family, and the communal spirit of the Opry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Grand Ole Opry Introduction & Cast

• [01:00] The show opens with an enthusiastic greeting from Nashville, heralded as “the heart of the Southland,” and an introduction to the evening’s cast:
  • Roy Acuff and His Smoky Mountain Boys
  • Zeke Clements
  • Ford Rush
  • D. Ford Bailey (harmonica specialist)
  • Jack Shook
  • The Possum Hunters Band
• The host, George Hay (the “solemn old judge”), sets the tone by inviting listeners to join the “shindig” and enjoy “the real typical music of America that never grows old.”

Musical Performances & Song Highlights

• “Good Old Mountain Dew” – Roy Acuff and His Smoky Mountain Boys
  • [03:09] The featured opening number, celebrated for its toe-tapping rhythm and clever lyrics about the beloved homemade beverage.
    • Notable Quote:
      “They call it that old Mountain Dew and them that refuse it are few...”
      – Roy Acuff, [03:09]
• Audience and American Folk Tradition
  • [04:52] George Hay reflects on the Opry’s origins and national appeal, noting car plates from distant states and the program’s popularity across the U.S. and Canada.
    • Memorable Moment:
      “We believe that is one reason for our wide audience... hand[ed] down through the generations from the days before the American Revolution.” – George Hay, [04:52]
• “Darling Nellie Gray” – Ford Rush
  • [06:22] A heartfelt rendition of a sentimental folk ballad, echoing the themes of longing and home.
    • Memorable Verse:
      “Oh, my poor Nellie Gray, they have taken you away, and I'll never see my darling anymore.” – Ford Rush, [06:28]
• Instrumental Hoedowns & Band Features
  • “Sourwood Mountain” – Company Hoedown [10:10]
  • “A Love Knot in My Lariat” – Zeke Clements [12:05]
  • “How Many Biscuits Can You Eat?” – Possum Hunters Band [14:07]
• Signature Harmonica Act
  • “Tennessee Fox Chase” – D. Ford Bailey
    • [15:51] Little D. Ford Bailey wows with a harmonica piece mimicking the sounds of a Tennessee fox hunt.
    • Notable Quote:
      “The tune is his interpretation of a Tennessee fox chase. All right, D. Ford, get it?” – George Hay, [15:51]
• Classic Train Song
  • “Wabash Cannonball” – Roy Acuff
    • [19:26] A tour-de-force vocal performance celebrating the storied American train line and its legends.
    • Notable Lyric:
      “Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roll, as she glides along the woodland through the hills and by the shore...” – Roy Acuff, [19:27]
• “Just a Little Loving (Will Go a Long Way)” – Zeke Clements [23:18]
• Traditional Fiddle Tune & Closing
  • “Sleepy Loo” – Oscar Stone & the Possum Hunters [25:22]
  • “Take a Little Sugar Out of That Gourd” – Company [28:18]

Commentary, Stories, and Banter

• Homage to the Opry’s Roots:

  • George Hay shares stories about the early days of the Opry and the enduring legacy of tunes passed “from the days when I was knee high to a duck.” [25:22]
  • Discussion of folk tradition, community, and the ongoing argument among musicians about “how to play these old time tunes,” reinforcing the Opry’s informal and spontaneous charm.
    • Quote:
      “They’re just sort of handed down through the generations. Now and then somebody will add a few notes and a few words, but all of them come from the heart.” – George Hay, [25:44]

• Lighthearted Exchanges & Product Banter:

  • The judge and announcer Dave Stone exchange playful trivia and jokes, particularly about their cigar sponsors.
  • Sample Banter:
    • [18:04] “Okay, Judge, tell me, what does crimp cut tobacco mean?”
    • [18:08] “Very good, Judge.”
    • [18:11] “Tell me, what does the no bite process mean in smoking tobacco?”
    • [18:15] “To allow pipe smokers to enjoy all of the fine flavor of choice Prince Albert tobacco.”

Closing Remarks

• [29:28] George Hay closes the episode with gratitude:
  • “Well, friends, it’s time to slow down the horses and unhitch them for another week. We appreciate your interest in our Grand Ole Opry... This is George Hay, the solemn old judge, saying good night and good luck, everybody.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Opry’s Endurance:
  • “This real typical music of America that never grows old is all ready to make your feet shuffle and let you swing your partner to the old time breakdowns.” – Announcer, [01:36]
• On Audience Reach:
  • “Our mail ... comes from every state in the Union, Canada, and neighboring countries.” – George Hay, [04:52]
• On Musical Heritage:
  • “They were playing them when I was knee high to a duck. And that’s been a half century ago. And my dad told me that they had them long before he came along.” – Oscar Stone (via George Hay), [25:32]
• On the “National Joy Smoke”:
  • “A leading independent laboratory ... found the coolest smoking tobacco. ... Prince Albert burned 86 degrees cooler than the average...” – Dave Stone, [09:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:00] – Grand Ole Opry opening and cast introduction
• [03:09] – “Good Old Mountain Dew” by Roy Acuff
• [04:52] – Reflections on nationwide audience and Opry’s roots
• [06:22] – “Darling Nellie Gray” by Ford Rush
• [10:10] – Sourwood Mountain hoedown
• [12:05] – “A Love Knot in My Lariat” by Zeke Clements
• [14:07] – “How Many Biscuits Can You Eat?” by Possum Hunters
• [15:51] – Harmonica solo: “Tennessee Fox Chase” by D. Ford Bailey
• [19:26] – “Wabash Cannonball” by Roy Acuff
• [23:18] – “Just a Little Loving” by Zeke Clements
• [25:22] – “Sleepy Loo” by Oscar Stone & the Possum Hunters
• [28:18] – “Take a Little Sugar Out of That Gourd” by the company
• [29:28] – Closing remarks and farewell

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is warm, communal, and full of nostalgic joy, with a down-home Southern twang and old-time radio energy. The banter is light-hearted and neighborly, and the music is both infectious and comforting—a testament to the enduring spirit of American folk and country tradition.

This episode stands as a lively and authentic snapshot of the Grand Ole Opry’s role in American radio, offering musical time travel and a reminder of the simple joys of gathering, listening, and sharing in the rhythms of traditional music.