Roy Acuff Show 5x-xx-xx (06) First Song - Hillbilly Fever

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Roy Acuff Show 5x-xx-xx (06) – "First Song: Hillbilly Fever"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode Date: August 20, 2025
Featured: Roy Acuff, the Smoky Mountain Boys, Cousin Louis Buck, Bashful Brother Oswald, Jimmy Riddle, and others
Main Theme: A nostalgic musical variety broadcast featuring country classics, comic banter, and old-time radio charm, centered on community, music, and humor from the golden days of radio.

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Episode Overview

This episode recreates a classic Roy Acuff Show, channeling the energy and warmth of 1940s/50s radio. The show unfolds with live musical performances, playful banter between cast members, homespun jokes, and a strong sense of radio as family entertainment. The featured “Hillbilly Fever” song sets a jubilant, toe-tapping tone, with flowing dialogue and recurring comedy sketches, leading up to a hymn and more musical numbers.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening and Setting the Scene

• (00:00–00:45) The show opens with spirited advertiser jingles and musical snippets, evoking the Golden Age radio tradition. RC (Royal Crown) Cola ads are woven throughout with musical flair.

• Quote:
  “Drink a good old RC every single day. Chicken in the bread pan sticking out raw Crown Cola everywhere you go.” [00:12, Group]

• Host introduces Roy Acuff, “Mr. Grand Ole Opry himself” and the team, including Brother Al, Jimmy Riddle Tap, the Judd man, and Cousin Louis Buck.

2. Musical Feature: "Hillbilly Fever"

• (01:00–03:10)
  The first big song, “Hillbilly Fever,” bursts forth with lively fiddles and classic country harmonies.

• Lyrics highlight the irresistible spread of “hillbilly fever”—the infectious enjoyment of country music at the jukebox or on the radio.

• Quote:
  “When you walk up to a jukebox and you slip a nickel in... you’ll hear a fiddle and a guitar with a honky donkey sound. It’s that hillbilly fever spreading all around.”
  – Roy Acuff [01:20]

• A playful narrative about the music’s impact: “Girl mouth music got me down…hillbilly fever going round.”

3. Comic Segments and Heartfelt Anecdotes

• (05:34–07:49)
  A comedy bit led by the “John Henry of the hillbillies,” discussing love and courtship with country wit.

• Anecdotes about love:

  • “Love is like riding a bicycle. It’s more dangerous to have dark, you know.”
  • “Life is just like one fool thing after another, you know. And love is just two darn fool things after each other.”
    – [05:40-06:20, Paducah/Judd Man]

• Folksy punchlines about proposals, hard times, and courtship.

• Memorable Moment:
  “I asked her again she said, ‘How much of that thousand dollars have you got saved up?’ I said, ‘$35.’ She said, ‘Come on, let’s get married. That’s near enough for me.’” [07:22]

4. Individual Musical Features & Comic Commentary

• Bashful Brother Oswald takes the stage for a humorous solo, furthering the show’s variety style with a blend of comedy and music.

  • Song excerpt: “Night time when he came home I heard a bunny rapping on my door…” [08:24–09:40]

• Banter follows:

  • “He's doing all right though, long as he can furnish us with a few laughs.” [07:52]
  • “Bashful Brother Oswald doing all right. He’s improving along anyway.” [09:49]

5. Return to the RC Cola Theme

• Throughout, Royal Crown Cola is promoted with enthusiastic testimonials that blend seamlessly into show content.
• Quote:
  “Be wise. Choose the cola that gives you the most for your money. RC Best by taste test, Royal Crown Cola.” – [03:19, RC Announcer]
  “You can shop from now till doomsday and you'll never find more for your money.” – [10:05, RC Announcer]

6. Devotional: The Hymn

• "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be" is performed, lending a spiritual and soulful note to the show.
  • “God’s light is forever there shining — How beautiful heaven must be.” [12:25]

7. Old-Time Fiddle Tune & Closing Remarks

• The episode nears its end with a rollicking fiddle tune by Howdy Foster, celebrating the joy of music and dancing.

• Quote:
  “Ain't nothing I like better than dancing, Roy. But I see Oswald can't dance anymore. The boys done put his shoes on him.”
  – Closing banter [13:44]

• Show concludes with thanks to the listeners and the cast, reiterating the Royal Crown Cola message and wishing the audience luck and happiness.

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Drink a good old RC every single day.” – Jingle [00:14]
• “Hillbilly fever going round.” – Roy Acuff [01:20]
• "Love is just two darn fool things after each other.” – Judd Man [06:05]
• “Come on, let's get married. That’s near enough for me.” – Judd Man’s story [07:22]
• "God’s light is forever there shining — How beautiful heaven must be." – Hymn segment [12:25]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–00:45 – Show opening, intro, and sponsor jingle
• 01:00–03:10 – “Hillbilly Fever” musical performance
• 05:34–07:49 – Paducah/Judd Man’s comedic riff on love and marriage
• 08:24–09:40 – Bashful Brother Oswald’s solo and follow-up banter
• 11:07–13:04 – Devotional hymn “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be”
• 13:44–14:11 – End-of-show fiddle tune and final messages

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Episode Tone & Style

The episode is playful, homespun, and filled with warmth—a true showcase of country variety entertainment. The language blends humor with sentiment, capturing the lively, communal spirit of classic country radio.

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In Summary:
This Roy Acuff Show episode is a cheery tapestry of toe-tapping music, cornball humor, and spirited dialogue. It not only delights with vintage songs and gags but also immerses listeners in the comforting ritual of families gathering around the radio—evoking the joys of music, faith, laughter, and community spirit that defined a golden era of American entertainment.

Transcript

[A]

Royal Crown Scholar presents The Roy Acuff Show.

[B]

20.

[C]

Fart around, around. Right foot up, left foot down. When you're drying thirsty, Drink a raw brown turkey in the straw. Turkey in the hay. Drink a good old RC every single day. Chicken in the bread pan sticking out raw Crown Cola everywhere you go.

[A]

Yes, sir. Best bite, taste test, RC Royal Crown Cola. Bring to the king of the Grand Ole Opry stars Roy Acuff and all the Smoky Mountain boys. The Duke of Anuka, Brother Al, Jimmy Riddle Tap, and the Judd man. And many others, including your truly cousin Louis Buck. And now, neighbors, here he comes, Mr. Grand Ole Opry himself, Roy Akam.

[D]

All right.

[B]

Thank you a lot. Thank you, fellas. Thanks, Cousin Louie, and welcome to another Royal Crown Cola show. Would you boys kindly get the thermometer and put on.

[E]

Howdy's hung over there.

[B]

Maybe the barometer lay up on his head.

[E]

There's something about hillbilly fevers that's getting around you.

[C]

Hillbilly fever soaring round.

[D]

Girl mouth music got me down.

[C]

Got me robin tassels throwing rides and slipping around. Hillbilly fever going round.

[B]

When you walk up to a jukebox and you slip a nickel in.

[D]

You can bet your bottom dollar when.

[B]

The record starts and spin you'll hear a fiddle and a guitar with a honky donkey sound. It's that hillbilly fever spreading all around.

[C]

Hillbilly fever going around.

[D]

Girl mouth music got me down.

[C]

I sent a Sunday down in Tennessee.

[B]

And this is what I found.

[C]

Yeah, it feels.

[B]

When the love bug buzzes around you and you don't know you've been stung. You go to see your doctor and.

[D]

He says poke out your tongue. But when he looks into that canyon.

[B]

Tells you, brother, I've got news you're the victim of.

[D]

Sweet daddy, you've got the love stick blue.

[C]

Yeah, there's fever going round.

[D]

Come on, you got me down.

[B]

Stopped in Chattanooga's got a shining. I heard this sound.

[C]

Going round.

[B]

That's wonderful. Thank you, boys. Well, I don't know.

[E]

The fever wasn't too bad.

[B]

You know, Cousin Louie, I've always heard.

[E]

It said that a word to the wise is sufficient.

[B]

What do you think?

[F]

I don't think so. No, sir. Roy takes three words, takes Royal Crown Cola. Those three words are all you need to say to a really wise person. Royal Crown Cola, folks. Those words stand for a great deal when you stop to think about it. Just think, cool refreshment. Not one, but two full glasses from each bottle. Finest quality obtainable. And best of all, the one and only best by taste test Flavor. Yes, sir. Just add them all up and it means that RC makes you feel like new. Be wise. Choose the cola that gives you the most for your money. RC Best by taste test, Royal Crown Cola. Compare Royal Crown Cola with any other cola for quality, for generous servings, for taste, and you'll never choose anything else. You'll call for RC every time. There are many colas on the market, but there's only one best by taste test Cola. Rc. Royal Crown Cola.

[D]

Sam. Thank you, Jimmy.

[E]

Jimmy Riddle doing that ever popular number, John Henry the Steel driver man. And speaking of an ever popular gentleman, who's the guy that slipping in the.

[B]

Door over there, boys, huh?

[D]

I know who that is. Paducah. Paducah.

[B]

The John Henry of the hillbillies. Oh, man, today I'm going to talk about love, you know. Yeah, you don't have to knock yourself out over this, but I just want to give you a few definitions here of love. You know, love is like riding a bicycle. It's more dangerous to have dark, you know. And then they say true love never runs smooth. I found out it stops and parched a little myself. And only a wise man knows how to make love. But that never discourages a fool from crying, you know, Life is just like one fool thing after another, you know. And love is just two darn fool things after each other. You know, when a woman really loves a man, he can make her do anything she wants to do. That's the way I found it the other day. A boy and a girl was making love. And the girl kissed the boy and the boy looked at her and he said, hey, you kissed me and you never asked my intention. She said, who wants to look under the hood when the motor's still running?

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And this boy, he says, you know, every time I kiss you, it makes me a better man. She said, well, I'm glad to hear that, but. But there ain't no use to try to go to heaven. The first day.

[D]

You know, when I.

[B]

Was a courting my big fat wife one day in February, I said to her, I said, will you marry me? She said, I can't marry you till you've saved up $1,000. And I said, $1,000? And she said, yeah. So I took off. I'll never forget it. And along about the 1st of May, when the flowers was in bloom and.

[E]

The birds was singing and the bees.

[B]

With the buzzing, you know, and young man's fancy and all that kind of stuff, you know. And I asked her again she said, how much?

[E]

She said, ben, that's my maiden name.

[B]

She said, how much of that thousand dollars have you got saved up? I said, $35. She said, come on, let's get married. That's near enough for me. I think I already get my song ready today, don't you think? Oh, hit me a chord over there. Something's happened to me. I'm going to the wagon. These shoes are killing me. That's what's wrong.

[D]

I wonder.

[B]

I just wonder if I can ever.

[E]

Get his voice kindly cultivated enough so he can get the same. He's doing all right though, long as he can furnish us with a few laughs. Well, speaking about a few laughs, here's a fellow that the first time I. I laughed. And I've been laughing ever since.

[B]

It's bashful Brother Oswald is fostering Bashful.

[D]

Day night time when he came home I heard a bunny rapping on my.

[C]

Door.

[B]

To me.

[D]

What'S going to be.

[B]

My.

[D]

Down and down fooling around no one to hold my Anyone hear you all right? How are you, Warner is all I got A dollar bill is all I crave I don't want this wild world gonna take us to my grave O me, where am I? Horn's gonna be five hearts for me I'm down in town rolling around. Oh, that's fine.

[B]

Bashful Brother Oswald doing all right.

[E]

He's improving along anyway. You know, speaking of those RC Cola taste tests, Louis, the boys and girls don't need to be told they take the best tasting Royal Crown Cola like a duck takes the water.

[A]

Yes, sir.

[F]

And the preference of the boys and girls for Royal Crown Cola speaks mighty well for RC too, Roy, These young folks have a keener sense of taste than the older persons. You can't fool the kids, no siree. Now friends, there's a reason of plenty for you to keep Royal Crown Cola at home in the refrigerator. So when you shop, take home a 24 bottle case, a best buy taste test Royal Crown Cola. Your dealer will be glad to place a case in your car for you. Or if you ladies shop on foot, pick up the handy six bottle carton. Six, serve 12 for any occasion. You can't go wrong when you serve the one and only cola with the best by taste test flavor, Royal Crown Cola. Look for the big tall bottle with the red and yellow label and the letters rc. You can shop from now till doomsday and you'll never find more for your money. Cool refreshment. Not one but two full glasses and the one and only Best by taste test flavor that's rsp. The cola that makes you feel like new. Royal Crown Cola.

[E]

Here's our hymn for the day.

[B]

And how beautiful heaven must be we.

[D]

Read of a place that's called Heaven it's made for the pure and the.

[C]

Free.

[D]

These truths and God's wordy as gifts how beautiful heaven must be.

[B]

How.

[C]

Beautiful heaven must be with all of the happy and free.

[D]

My heaven our.

[C]

Breath for.

[D]

In heaven no drooping or.

[B]

Pining.

[D]

No we sing for else swear.

[F]

To be.

[D]

God's light is forever there shining how beautiful heaven must be.

[B]

How.

[C]

Beautiful heaven must be Sweet heart of the happy and free.

[D]

The heaven of.

[C]

Rest for the weary how beautiful heaven.

[F]

Must be.

[C]

Thank you friends.

[B]

Well, here is howdy fostered to do for you. A very popular old time fiddle tune. Kenneth B. Wagner.

[A]

Well, I said, ain't nothing I like better than dancing, Roy.

[F]

But I see Oswald can't dance anymore. The boys done put his shoes on him. Time to go home, friends.

[E]

We'd like to ask you to compare.

[B]

Royal Crown Cola with any other cola.

[E]

And if you will, you'll take home a case today.

[C]

Drank a good old RC every single day.

[A]

Now friends and neighbors, till next time we'll meet. This is cousin Louis Buck speaking for best by taste test RC Royal Crown Cola for Roy Acup and all these Moki Mountain boys.

[F]

And for the Duke of Meduca. And all the gang saying so long and lots of good luck everybody.