Town & Country Time xxxxxx 047 1st Song - 'Blue As A Heartache'

Summary

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Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Town & Country Time xxxxxx 047
Date: October 5, 2025
First Song: "Blue As A Heartache"
Host: Jimmy Dean (guest host, replacing Connie Begay), Private Mark Hamilton
Special Guests: Johnny and Jack, Buck Ryan
Theme: Live country and folk music presented by U.S. Army/Air Force radio

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Town & Country Time," a vintage radio program featuring live performances and friendly banter, transports listeners to the golden age of radio before television. The episode shines a light on classic country and folk tunes, showcasing musical greats like Johnny and Jack (of Grand Ole Opry fame), Buck Ryan, and Jimmy Dean with his Texas Wildcats. The show is interspersed with lighthearted conversation, a focus on community, and messages encouraging enlistment in the U.S. Army, underlining its roots as both entertainment and recruitment.

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Key Discussion Points and Musical Highlights

1. Opening Welcome & Show Introduction

• [00:02] Private Mark Hamilton greets listeners, setting a warm, inviting tone:

  "It's town and country time."

• Explains the show's Army sponsorship and introduces the musical lineup: Jimmy Dean and the Texas Wildcats, special guests Johnny and Jack, and in Connie Begay's absence, Jerry Dean takes over as "music man."
  [00:32] Private Mark Hamilton:

  "...features the best in country and folk music and of course, the biggest stars..."

2. First Song: "Blue as a Heartache"

• [01:10] Jimmy Dean launches into the broadcast:

  "A whole bushel. Good to be back with another session of Town and Country Time..."

• [01:33–03:23] Johnny and Jack perform "Blue as a Heartache," a melancholy ballad of loss and longing.
• Memorable lyric:

  "I'm blue as a heartache, sad as a tear, feeling so lonely, I wish you were here..."
  (Performed throughout [01:33] - [03:23])

• [02:49] Jimmy Dean, after the song:

  "Oh, that's so sad."

3. Guest Performance: Johnny and Jack

• [04:02] Jimmy Dean:

  "Right now we're tickled plumb to death to have two of the finest entertainers from the Grand Ole Opry, Johnny and Jack."

• Johnny and Jack share a tune "we kind of put together," a lively, upbeat number about New Orleans ("Down South in New Orleans").
  [04:23] - [06:39] Song celebrates New Orleans' charm, love, and the longing to return home:

  "We make the love to the rumble beat down south, New Orleans, down south in New Orleans, the prettiest girl I've ever seen..."
  (Johnny or Jack; [04:23]) "The moon is lighter and hearts are too, a mighty good place to lose my blues..."
  (Jimmy Dean; [06:10])

4. Army Recruitment Interlude

• [06:47] Army Recruiter:

  "The US army needs men. Men who take a special pride in being part of a man's army..."
  (Army recruiter shares technical training opportunities and sense of pride; [06:47] - [07:28])

5. Return to Music: "Ashes of Love"

• [07:36] Show pivots back to music. Johnny and Jack, joined by Buck Ryan, perform their next classic:

  "Ashes of love, cold as ice. You made the debt, I paid the price. Our love is gone, there's no doubt. Ashes of love, ever flame burned out..."
  (Buck Ryan & Johnny or Jack sharing vocals; [07:49] - [10:02])

6. Lighthearted Banter

• [10:09] Jimmy Dean, joking about record sales:

  "The only difference between his and Johnny and Jack's is the fact that Johnny and Jack's records sell. That's the only thing."

• Sets up Buck Ryan to perform "Lehighway Swing," a fiddling number.

  "Buck Ryan's gonna fiddle one for you now that he's got on record called the Lehighway Swing."
  ([10:09]) "Let her go." (Private Mark Hamilton; [10:31])

7. Show Wrap-Up & Final Army Message

• Army recruiter and Mark Hamilton deliver another engaging, practical pitch on Army life and benefits.

  "Young man, join the army and start drawing dividends right away. Food, clothing, quarters, training in a technical job..."
  (Army Recruiter; [11:45])

• Jimmy Dean brings the program to a close:

  "That kind of does it up for us this time. We hope you enjoyed our little show. We hope you'll be back with us next week."
  ([12:02])

8. Closing Song

• [12:15–12:39] Johnny and Jack reprise the upbeat western ballad, "Riding Down to Santa Fe," bringing the program full circle.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jimmy Dean, [01:10]:

  "Nice to have you people with your dials turned our way. Right now, we'd like to start it off with... 'Blue as a Heartache.'"

• Johnny or Jack, [04:23]:

  "We make the love to the rumble beat down south, New Orleans, down south in New Orleans, the prettiest girl I've ever seen..."

• Army Recruiter, [06:47]:

  "Young men between the ages of 18 and 34, men who look to the future are now choosing the United States Army..."

• Jimmy Dean, [10:09] (playful jest):

  "The only difference between his and Johnny and Jack's is the fact that Johnny and Jack's records sell."

• Jimmy Dean, [12:02]:

  "We hope you'll be back with us next week. Our thanks to Johnny and Jack..."

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|---------------------------------| | 00:02 | Opening, Mark Hamilton intro | | 01:10 | Jimmy Dean intro & welcome | | 01:33 | "Blue as a Heartache" | | 04:02 | Johnny and Jack welcome | | 04:23 | Down South in New Orleans song | | 06:47 | Army recruitment interlude | | 07:36 | "Ashes of Love" | | 10:09 | Banter about records | | 10:31 | "Lehighway Swing" fiddle tune | | 11:45 | Army benefits message | | 12:02 | Show wrap-up, closing remarks | | 12:15 | Closing song, Riding Down to Santa Fe |

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Tone and Style

The episode’s tone is warm, homey, and full of camaraderie, with a mix of gentle humor and earnestness. The musical numbers are heartfelt, echoing themes of love, longing, and homecoming, while the conversations maintain a genuine, neighborly air.

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Summary

This lively installment of "Town & Country Time" epitomizes classic radio variety: tightly woven musical performances, cozy down-home hosting, a dash of playful banter, and earnest appeals for civic duty. The episode offers both a sentimental time capsule and a testament to the enduring charm of live country music, delivering tunes and warmth for new and nostalgic listeners alike.

Transcript

[Private Mark Hamilton]

It's town and country time.

[Johnny or Jack]

Riding down.

To Santa Fe Soon I hit the valley Then I'm on my way See that sun shaking low in the west on the trail I'm loving the best Here we go Mouth and boat gonna.

See a preacher by the cow Riding down to Santa Fe Riding down to Santa Fe Hey. Riding down to Santa.

[Private Mark Hamilton]

Hi there. This is Private Mark Hamilton speaking, saying welcome to Town and Country Time. Presented transcribed by your United States army in cooperation with your local radio station. Town and Country Time features the best in country and folk music and of course, the biggest stars. As usual, Jimmy Dean and his Texas Wildcats are on hand to set the musical pace. And our special guest today, Johnny and Jack, RCA Victor recording stars and stars of WSM's Grand Old Opry. Once again, Carnegie Begay isn't with us, so taking his place is Our music man, Mr. Jerry Dean.

[Jimmy Dean]

Thank you very much, Mark Hamilton.

[Johnny or Jack]

Thank you.

[Jimmy Dean]

A whole bushel. Good to be back with another session of Town and Country Time. Nice to have you people with your dials turned our way. Right now, we'd like to start it off with a little bit of a tune, a real old one called Blue as a Heartache.

[Johnny or Jack]

I'm blue as a heartache Sad as.

[Jimmy Dean]

A tear.

[Johnny or Jack]

Feeling so lonely I wish you were here where did you wander? Why did you go? How did I lose you I'll never.

[Jimmy Dean]

Know.

[Johnny or Jack]

I miss you more at sundown Than I cry the whole night through I haven't been happy in over a year Blue as a hearty, sad as.

A tear.

[Jimmy Dean]

Oh, that's so sad.

[Johnny or Jack]

I miss you more at sundown Then I cry the whole night I haven't been happy in over a year Blue as a hearty, sad as a tear all.

[Jimmy Dean]

Right, a little bit of an old one called Blue is a Heartache. Right now we're tickled plumb to death to have two of the finest entertainers from the Grand Ole Opry, Johnny and Jack. Howdy, fellers. Howdy, Jimmy. We'd like to do you a little tune here that we kind of put together, me and Jack. Little tune here goes something like this. We make the love to the rumble.

[Johnny or Jack]

Beat down south New Orleans down south in New Orleans the prettiest girl I've ever seen Mark Den so sweet we make the round the beach ships and ankle master gates tank a one way ticket I ain't coming back Life's a pleasure belongs on dreams down south in your ear My dark eyed baby I'm on my way back into your arms.

[Jimmy Dean]

To say I'm Tired of work I.

[Johnny or Jack]

Want to play and I love uniting days down south in New Orleans the prettiest girl I've ever seen Sparkling eyes, her lips so sweet we make her up to the rumble beach ships that anchor my culmin ain't coming back Life's a dream down south if you I crave your smile, it shines so bright your beautiful teeth lights up tonight. Come on, skipper, I'm ready to ride I'm only waiting for the pie up in your prettiest girl I've ever seen Mar so sweet we ran collapse to the r be ships of anchor Master day back one day ticket I ain't coming back Life's a pleasure love no dreams down south in New Orle the.

[Jimmy Dean]

Moon is lighter and hearts are too A mighty good place to lose my.

[Johnny or Jack]

Blues Wrapped up in my baby's arms Telling her off her mini charms down south in New Orleans the prettiest girl I've ever seen. Sparkling eyes, lips so sweet we make love to the rumble beach ship's an anchor mysterious Max One way ticket I ain't coming back Life's a flail, a love stone dream down south in the old way.

[Jimmy Dean]

Johnny and Jack down south in New Orleans and a mighty fine job Right now's a fellow that does a mighty fine job too. Private Mark Hamilton.

[Army Recruiter]

Thank you, Jimmy Dean. The US army needs men. Men who take a special pride in being part of a man's army. If you're a high school graduate, you can join now and after basic training, apply for assignment to any army school for the finest technical training. If you qualify for the school you select and come within the quota, you'll be assigned to it. But however you choose to serve, it's service that means a special pride, the sense of a job well done in a man's army. Young men between the ages of 18 and 34, men who look to the future are now choosing the United States Army. Visit your nearest U.S. army and U.S. air Force recruiting station right away and grow with the world's greatest army and the opportunities it offers you.

[Jimmy Dean]

Almighty fine words, Mark. Now then, we're going to turn back and listen to some mighty fine music saying hello to Johnny and Jack once again.

[Army Recruiter]

Thank you a lot, Jimmy.

[Jimmy Dean]

We're gonna go back here for a couple of years.

[Army Recruiter]

Also a tune that we wrote here and recorded Bless To Wilburn.

[Jimmy Dean]

And kindly take it off on the.

[Army Recruiter]

Bass fiddle one called Ashes of Love.

[Buck Ryan]

Ashes of love, Cold as I. You made the dead, I paid the price. Our love is gone. There's no doubt Ash in the bl.

[Johnny or Jack]

Ever flame burned out.

[Buck Ryan]

The love life of green in your eyes has gone out to my surprise.

[Johnny or Jack]

Our love is gone.

[Buck Ryan]

My heart blends I can't revive your love estate. Ashes of love cold and bright. You made the dead, I paid the price. Our love is gone, there's no doubt. Ashes of love.

[Johnny or Jack]

The flames burn out.

[Buck Ryan]

I trusted you, your love would stand. Your everywhere wish was my command. My heart tells me I must forget. I loved you then I love you. Ashes of love, cold as ice. You made the dead, I paid the pride. Our love is gone, there's no doubt. Ashes abrupt the flames burn out. Ancient blood cold as I. You make a dead, I make a bright. Our love is gone, there's no doubt. Ashes of love.

[Johnny or Jack]

The flames burned out.

[Jimmy Dean]

Johnny and Jack. And another one of their very fine RCA Victor recordings by Granny. And a good job as always. We got a feller now that has also got a tune on a record. The only difference between his and Johnny and Jack's is the fact that Johnny and Jack's records sell. That's the only thing. Buck Ryan's gonna fiddle one for you now that he's got on record called the Lehighway Swing.

[Private Mark Hamilton]

Let her go.

[Army Recruiter]

S.A.

[Johnny or Jack]

All right, Buck.

[Jimmy Dean]

And a mighty fine job of fiddling. Right now, we got a fellow with a fine word, Mark Hamilton.

[Army Recruiter]

Thank you, Jimmy.

[Private Mark Hamilton]

Young man, join the army and start.

[Army Recruiter]

Drawing dividends right away. Food, clothing, quarters, training in a technical job. Life insurance, retirement benefits and a monthly check to your dependents. Of course, that security in the army goes double. It helps make America strong. The army sergeant at the nearest recruiting station can tell you all about it. Right, Jimmy?

[Jimmy Dean]

All right, Mark. That kind of does it up for us this time. We hope you enjoyed our little show. We hope you'll be back with us next week. Our thanks to Johnny and Jack. Until next week, thank you very much for listening. So long, everybody.

[Johnny or Jack]

Riding down to Santa Fe tonight the valley that I'm on the way.

See that sun sinking low in the west on the trail I'm loving the best. Here we go, My open door Gonna.

See a creature by the gal Riding down to Santa Fe Riding down Santa B hey, Riding down Santa B Town.

[Private Mark Hamilton]

And country Time is presented, transcribed each week by your United States army and United States Air Force Recruiting Service in cooperation with your local radio station. Your master of ceremonies today, in the absence of Connie Begay, was Our music man, Mr. Jimmy Dean of Country Time is produced and directed by Major Joseph Gigante. This is Private Mark Hamilton speaking, reminding you that this year more than ever before. In the army, you serve your country and yourself out.

[Jimmy Dean]

It.