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

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.

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.

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..."

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 |

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.

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.