WLS Barn Dance 42-12-12 (x) First Song - If You Always Keep Your Love Alive

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – "WLS Barn Dance 42-12-12 (x) First Song - If You Always Keep Your Love Alive"

Episode Overview Released on July 24, 2025, Harold's Old Time Radio presents a nostalgic recreation of the Golden Age of Radio with the episode titled "WLS Barn Dance 42-12-12 (x) First Song - If You Always Keep Your Love Alive." This episode captures the lively atmosphere of pre-television family gatherings around the radio, featuring beloved characters, engaging skits, and memorable musical performances reminiscent of classics like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, and Dragnet.

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1. The Barn Dance Begins (00:33 - 01:55)

The episode kicks off with the familiar voices of the hosts, Jack, Joe Kelly, and Pat Buttram, setting a cheerful and inviting tone for the evening's festivities.

• Jack: "Hello everybody everywhere." (00:34)
• Joe Kelly: "Hello, hello, hello. Yes indeed. Hello everybody everywhere. How's mother and dad and the whole." (00:56)

Joe humorously chides Jack for interrupting his lines, establishing a playful dynamic among the hosts. The conversation quickly shifts to the anticipation of the gang’s arrival, who are humorously depicted as being "skating on the pond and not gonna listen."

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2. Skating into the Action (01:55 - 03:35)

As the hosts prepare for the night's entertainment, they encourage listeners to join in the fun, metaphorically inviting them to "skate right along here in the old WLS aloft."

• Joe Kelly: "Take off your coats, mittens, caps and earmuffs. Gang. We're going to skate right along here in the old WLS aloft." (01:55)

Pat introduces the first song, setting the stage for an evening filled with music and camaraderie.

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3. Musical Opening: "If You Always Keep Your Love Alive" (03:35 - 05:15)

Pat delivers a heartfelt rendition of "If You Always Keep Your Love Alive," a romantic tune that resonates with listeners.

• Pat Buttram: "Through the winter days. You find a place to keep your love all night." (01:40)
• Pat Buttram: "If your heart is tugging by a little hugging on the curve. You and your love will find paradise." (01:58)

The song emphasizes enduring love and companionship, themes that are central to the night's festivities.

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4. Hezzy's Grand Entrance (05:15 - 09:20)

The narrative introduces Hezzy, a beloved character whose delayed arrival adds comedic flair to the show.

• Joe Kelly: "Say, I'm sorry I'm late, Joe, but the old horse pulling the bobsled got stalled halfway over." (02:57)
• Hezzy: "Only a hay cart. Only a haybird." (03:35)

Hezzy's humorous explanation for his tardiness—blaming a hay cart—adds a lighthearted touch, keeping the audience entertained and engaged.

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5. "Deep in the Heart of Texas" Performance (07:13 - 09:20)

The Dinning Sisters take the spotlight with a spirited performance of "Deep in the Heart of Texas," infusing the episode with lively Texas charm.

• Pat Buttram: "Deep in the heart of Texas the sage in bloom the bright perfume Reminds me of the one I love." (07:13)
• Joe Kelly: "I got a touch of Texas in my hair he's got too much of Texas in his hair yeah." (08:24)

The song celebrates Texas's vibrant culture and natural beauty, resonating with listeners' sense of place and community.

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6. Tales of Sledding and Romance (09:20 - 18:49)

The hosts transition into a delightful skit that intertwines humor with heartfelt storytelling about sled rides, romance, and camaraderie.

• Joe Kelly: "I remember one time I traveled a thousand miles by dog team just to tell a girl I loved her." (11:20)
• Pat Buttram: "I'm in love with you. Keep the love light glowing in your heart." (25:00)

This segment highlights the bonds between characters and the lengths they go to express affection, blending humor with genuine emotion.

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7. Wartime Rationing Skit: "Help Win the War" (20:28 - 25:31)

Amidst the festive atmosphere, the show incorporates a wartime-themed skit promoting rationing, reflecting the era's historical context.

• Pat Buttram: "We'll give the green to the brave marines if it's gonna help win the war." (24:51)
• Joe Kelly: "A civilian on a diet helps a soldier on attack." (24:52)

Through witty dialogue and catchy lines, the skit encourages listeners to contribute to the war effort by adhering to rationing guidelines, blending patriotic duty with entertainment.

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8. Closing Musical Farewell (25:31 - 27:33)

As the evening winds down, Pat delivers a romantic plea encouraging love and connection.

• Pat Buttram: "As long as you're not in love with anyone else why don't you fall in love with me now?" (25:31)

This heartfelt performance serves as a fitting conclusion to the episode, leaving listeners with warm sentiments.

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9. Notable Quotes

Throughout the episode, several quotes stand out for their humor, warmth, and reflection of the show's spirit:

• Joe Kelly: "We don't want to melt that old ice right now." (02:57)
• Pat Buttram: "She can keep it a secret all right." (09:44)
• Jack: "You said a little about. And say, by the way, folks, you can get your copy of the February issue of Radio Mirror magazine with the pictures of all your Haloff favorites and any newsstand now." (13:24)
• Joe Kelly: "It's certainly warming up here in the old red barn now." (09:20)

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Conclusion

"WLS Barn Dance 42-12-12 (x) First Song - If You Always Keep Your Love Alive" offers a charming glimpse into the past, combining engaging host interactions, spirited musical performances, and relatable skits that capture the essence of community and togetherness characteristic of the Golden Age of Radio. Through its blend of humor, romance, and patriotic themes, the episode remains a delightful homage to a bygone era of family entertainment.

Transcript

[Joe Kelly]

Alka Seltzer for headaches. Alka Seltzer for acid indigestion. Alka Seltzer for cold.

[Jack]

Ask your druggist for Alka Seltzer.

[Pat Buttram]

Hello, hello.

[Jack]

Hello everybody everywhere.

[Joe Kelly]

Hey, wait a minute, Jack. Wait a minute guys. Joe Kelly's supposed to say that.

[Jack]

Well, I know Arky, but Joe and most of the gang haven't shown up yet. They're all out there skating on the.

[Joe Kelly]

Pond and not gonna listen. Jack, here they come. Here's Joe and the gang now.

[Jack]

Oh, it's a shock. I've always wanted to introduce the Alka Seltzer National Barn Dance. This is my big chance.

[Joe Kelly]

Hello, hello, hello. Yes indeed. Hello everybody everywhere. How's mother and dad and the whole.

[Pat Buttram]

Oh stop.

[Joe Kelly]

Well thanks Jack. But you ought to know this gang wouldn't miss tonight's party. We're late. But we're all here, aren't we gang? Everybody been hesitant? Well, when Heavy will show up. He probably got lost on one of the bobsleds on the way over here from the old mill pond. But come on now, take off your coats, mittens, caps and earmuffs. Gang. We're going to skate right along here in the old Wls aloft. So get ready for here we go.

[Pat Buttram]

Through the winter days. You find a place to keep your love all night.

[Joe Kelly]

Get your favorite date in land escape.

[Pat Buttram]

Keep your love on ice Walter around and help them to all family kind of deep in line and show her what she's missing.

[Jack]

Give her all the kissing she deserves.

[Pat Buttram]

If your heart is tugging by a little hugging on the curve. You and your love will fight paradise. If your home keep your love on all riding on the cloud. Merrily we bo water around and welcome every day. You and your love will fight paradise if you always keep your love on high forever.

[Joe Kelly]

Well careful now, we don't want to melt that old ice right now. Say, if Hezzy were only here, we'd have. Well sharpen my skates and call me son. Here's Heavy now. Say, I'm sorry I'm late, Joe, but the old horse pulling the bobsled got stalled halfway over. The horse got stalled? Uh huh. Now don't tell me the horse ran out of gas. Just about, Joe. You see, he only had a hay cart. Oh my, oh my. But no worse darling. Come on you Hoosier hotshot skate into something quick. Only a hay cart. Only a haybird.

[Pat Buttram]

Are you ready, Hezzy?

[Joe Kelly]

Okay, let's jingle. Jingle, jingle, jingle all you silvery bells.

[Pat Buttram]

Sounds so granite pizza fan.

[Joe Kelly]

When that sleep music swell tales of loves and bells are ringing through the hills and hills Listen to the sound. Stick around, stick around all you silver bell.

[Pat Buttram]

Cuddle up a little closer Love be mine. Cuddle up and be my little clanging vine. Like to feel your cheeks so rosy. Like to make you comfy cozy. Cause I love from head to to be.

[Joe Kelly]

Look out now, Gabe. Very cozy and very warm. Hoosier hot jobs. And to keep it that way, here's a toe tick.

[Pat Buttram]

Oh, beat you to it, Joe. Grab your burgers, everybody.

[Jack]

Have you ever noticed, friends, that frequently the first warning you get of an approaching cold is when your throat becomes sore and scratchy? Well, if you'd only gargle right then and there with Alka Seltzer, we believe you could save yourself much discomfort because the analgesic in Alka Seltzer can help ease that throat soreness in short order. Then, if your sore throat actually develops into a cold, you will welcome the prompt, comforting relief Alka Seltzer offers for that dull ache all over misery of a cold. Of course, you will want to take good care of yourself, too. Get lots of rest, eat sensibly, dress wisely, get ample vitamins. But for real relief, don't forget the Alka Seltzer. Get a 30 or 60 cent size package of Alka Seltzer from your druggist at the first sign of a sore throat or a cold and see how helpful it can be.

[Joe Kelly]

And take a home running. Well, that was a real foot warmer, folks. In fact, I don't know anything hotter unless it's A Touch of Texas. So what about hearing from the Denning sisters and the Hoosier hot shots, huh?

[Pat Buttram]

All right, girl, let's go. At night of thick and bright Deep in the hotter Texas the dreary sky is white and high Deep in the heart of Texas the sage in bloom the bright perfume Deep in the heart of Texas Reminds me of the one I love Deep in the heart of.

[Joe Kelly]

Texas Come on, Ezz. In my talk he's got too much of Texas in his talk Ah, this place will be my ruin. Ki YIPPING and wahooing oh, take him back to New York I got a touch of Texas in my hair he's got too much of Texas in his hair yeah, the stand from Amarillo Keeps us scratching on my pillow oh, take him back to Times Square For I've.

[Pat Buttram]

Seen every part of a body steam in the heart of.

[Joe Kelly]

I got a picture of Texas in my tonk he's got too much of Texas in his walk I rode a bronco down To Dallas so be careful of my callous Carry me back to.

[Pat Buttram]

New York Take him back to New York the cowboys like a yippee I yippee Deep in the heart of P.

[Joe Kelly]

The dog did fall and fall and ball.

[Pat Buttram]

Why am I lonely? My only guess is lar beyond protection.

[Joe Kelly]

Well, it's certainly warming up here in the old red barn now. But wait a minute. Seems to me I feel a draft around here. I thought so. It's that wacky cold wave from Winston county, folks. Alabama's pride and joy, Pat Buttram. Well, hello, Jody. How you doing? Oh, say, Pat Butram, where in the world have you been? I've been getting here where you think I've been. Yeah, but the rest of us arrived long ago, Pat. And you were in the bobslep with us when we left. I know because I remember making you sit in the bottom of the sled. Yeah, and that's the reason I'm late, too. That is a dirty trick. Well, what do you mean? You knew darn well there was a hot brick in the bottom of that sleigh. I had had to jump out of the sleigh and sit in a Snow bank for 30 minutes to cool myself off. Well, Pat, anyway, we're glad you made it. Oh, say, I tell you, it's nice to take a sleigh ride in the good old winter time and then get inside where the girls can sit around and the boys hug the stove and smoke. Yeah, but down in Winston county, the boys sat around and hugged the girls and let the stove smoke. Say, Joe, speaking of girls, who is that pretty little blondin over there? That new girl? Which one? The one with the rosy painted cheeks. Oh, Pat, her cheeks aren't painted. It's just that she's been out in the crisp winter air. That's a natural healthy color. Yeah, well, she's a little healthier on one side than she is on the other. Dave. Pat, tell me, why didn't you bring your own girl, Sunel Coonrod, to the skating party? Well, I was feared she'd tell that me and her is engaged and then none of the other girls would skate with me. Oh, but she wouldn't have to tell anybody, Pat. Can't she keep it a secret? Oh, she can keep it a secret all right. We was engaged for three weeks before I even knew about her. I took her with me on our sleigh ride down home the other night, though, Joe. Yeah? Well, how did your sleigh ride ride turn out, Pat? Lots of fun. Oh, yeah, we had A faster horse than you did tonight. Uncle Herkimer's got just the horse for pulling the sleigh. You see, it's a special kind of a horse. Its front legs is 6 inches shorter than its hind legs. Front leg 6 inches shorter. Yeah. Well, how does that make him a good sleigh horse? Well, he thinks he's pulling downhill all the time and just goes like a dicker. Well, Pat, of course horse and sleigh are like lots of fun. But for real excitement, give me a sled and a dog team. Sled and dog team? Yes, siree, boy. Say, why, when I was up in the far north country, I remember one time I traveled a thousand miles by dog team just to tell a girl I loved her. Oh, Joe, that sounds like a lot of mush to me. Yeah, no fooling, Pat. It was a very dangerous ride. Why, it took me two weeks. And it was the most nerve wracking trip I ever took.

[Pat Buttram]

Look.

[Joe Kelly]

Why, when I finally reached my destination, my hair had turned white just like snow. Like snow. Boy, it's sure shoveled off now, ain't it? All right, Patrick. But keep your eyes open, for here comes a girl as pretty as a picture. Yes, the belle of the barn dance and her boyfriend, Lulabelle and Scotty. And I'm not kidding, Lulabelle. You know, I saw those swimming colored photographs of you and Scotty and the rest of the barn dance gang in the February issue of Radio Mirror magazine.

[Pat Buttram]

Yeah, we're some pumpkins, ain't we, Joe?

[Joe Kelly]

You said a little about. And say, by the way, folks, you can get your copy of the February issue of Radio Mirror magazine with the pictures of all your Haloff favorites and any newsstand now. And now, little Bell and Scotty. Oh, we're all ready, Joe.

[Pat Buttram]

Come on, Pappy. Here we go.

[Joe Kelly]

Come on, boys.

[Pat Buttram]

Mrs. Maloney and Mrs. I Tony were neighbors who lived on our street. The first had no wealth but she had her good health and a grand bouncing baby so sweet. The second, she lived in a much larger flat with a white poodle dog and an angora cat. But the pride and the boast and the thing she loved most was her swell baby grand on three feet. Which would you rather have on hand, A grandbaby or a baby grand? A grandbaby often squalls and hollers A.

[Joe Kelly]

Baby grand is worth $600.

[Pat Buttram]

Rock a bar, baby on the treetop this bang is loud at the band maybe, maybe you've won a grandbaby and maybe a baby grand.

[Joe Kelly]

Mrs. Maloney. To Mrs. Hatoni one day as they met on the square.

[Pat Buttram]

Sure, that mothering child is just driving us wild with it swollen and ballin'.

[Joe Kelly]

I swear said Mrs. High Tony replying.

[Pat Buttram]

To that Lock up your piano you've got in your flat. For all that is keepin me darlin from sleepin Is you and your genie's brown hair. Which would you rather have on hand, A grandbaby or a baby? Gran? A grandbaby has its milk in bottles.

[Joe Kelly]

A baby grand has a soft pedal for air.

[Pat Buttram]

Rock a bye baby on the treetop this leg as loud as a band. Maybe. Maybe you want a grandbaby and maybe a baby grand. Give me the baby.

[Joe Kelly]

That baby grand was grand all right, Little Bell and Scotty. But there's one thing grander. Yes, that's a couple of grand old tunes played on the grand old banjo by our own sovereign of the silver strings, Eddie Peabody. My little girl, you know I love you and I long for you each day My little girl, I'm dreaming of you Though you're many miles away I see the lanes now by the wild wood where you promised to be true My little girl, I know you're waiting and I'm coming back to you. Thanks Lo, folks. Thank you very much. That was a good old favorite, my little girl. And now while we got the banjo still hot, let's keep the home fires burning.

[Pat Buttram]

Sam, it's.

[Jack]

Friends when we tell you that penny for penny, unit for unit, you can't buy a better B complex vitamin product than one a day brand vitamin B complex tablets. You can accept that as an absolute fact because every statement you hear on this program about vitamins has been carefully checked, checked by a staff of competent doctors. Now you may say, that's fine, but I don't need any B complex vitamins. I'm not sick. Well, folks, you don't have to be sick to need these vitamins. But if you're inclined to be nervous and irritable, if you tire easily, or if your digestion isn't what it should be, it's possible that the cause of your trouble is a lack of sufficient B vitamins. And if that is the case, we urge you to start taking one a day brand vitamin B complex tablets made by Mild's Laboratories, the makers of Alka Seltzer. It's the brand which offers you in a single tablet your full minimum daily requirements of all the B complex vitamins whose requirements have been established. But you say, what about the cost? Well, remember, you take but a single tablet each day and that Alone makes them more economical to use. So when you buy B vitamins, be sure to ask your druggist for one a day brand vitamin B complex tablets made by Mud Miles. And don't forget your druggist also has another high quality, low cost vitamin product. It's oneaday brand vitamin A and D tablets. One a day is the registered trademark of Miles Laboratories. Whether you want B complex vitamin tablets or A and D vitamin tablets, be sure you get the genuine one a day brand made by Miles. Look for the big one on both packages.

[Joe Kelly]

On with the party, folks. And here are the Dinning sisters.

[Pat Buttram]

As long as you're not in love with anyone why don't you fall in love with me? You're driving me crazy, baby trying to get Will you tell me no or will you tell me yeah? You gotta go overboard for someone someday Believe it or not it's bound to be as long as you're not in love with anyone else why don't you fall in love with me now? I haven't been around so very much There is a lot for me to.

[Joe Kelly]

See.

[Pat Buttram]

But I've done a lot of dreaming about you and me Won't you make my dreaming a reality now I am the kind of girl love's only one and you are the only one for me as long as you're not in love with anyone else why don't you fall in love with me? Cause you drive overboard for someone someday Believe it or not it's bound to be as long as you're not in love with anyone there. Why don't you fall in love with me? And fall in love with me? Let's have another cup of coffee. Cup of coffee. Cup of coffee.

[Joe Kelly]

Hey there. Who's got all that coffee?

[Pat Buttram]

That's what I want to know.

[Joe Kelly]

Who's got all that coffee? Here, Here. My goodness, you should know better than to mention another cup of coffee around here. And here are just the boys to tell you why those four cantankerous coffee beans. The Hoosier. Hot job. Okay, let's go, Bo. Oh, hey, boys. Hold it a minute. I just happen to think you mean. Quit playing. I have a letter. Here's an open letter to the boys. In the air, on land or flying foam? While you're scrapping over there, we're getting in the scrap back home. You're not getting by that. I know, right? And you know that. Let's have some more coffee.

[Pat Buttram]

Yeah, let's.

[Joe Kelly]

Oh, man, that's out. No more coffee in the pot. Uhhuh. No more sugar in the Drawer. But, guys. Oh, gee, what care we if it's going to help win the war? Yeah. No more bacon on the pig. Right. No more butter in the store. But we will lean on margarine if it's going to help win the war Is he? You know, we don't need cuffs on trouser legs and them zoot suits now are dead. We'll jump the bumpers on our cars if we can bump axes heads yeah, and there's no more Ethel in the tank no more tires on anymore but we won't squawk, we'll get out and walk if it's gonna help win the war. Yes, sir, that's exactly right.

[Pat Buttram]

You know another thing we must do?

[Joe Kelly]

Less driving. Yeah. Do more parking.

[Pat Buttram]

You know, eggs.

[Joe Kelly]

Well, eggs becoming very few. We won't let it make us sore. Cause we'll act like men and bear.

[Pat Buttram]

With a hen if it's going to.

[Joe Kelly]

Help win the war. No more spinach in the can. Popeye hollers with a roar. We'll give the green to the brave marines if it's gonna help win the war. A civilian on a diet helps a soldier on attack. Though we may not stay so round so firm or so fully packed. No more steak from the cow Skirts are shorter than before so we'll eat less and see a bit more. If it's gonna help win the war we won't squawk, we'll get out and.

[Pat Buttram]

What if it's gonna help win the war? Sam? Let me call you sweetheart. I'm in love with you. Let me hear you whisper that you love me. Keep the love light glowing in your. Let me call you behind. I'm in love, in love with you.

[Jack]

If you're like most folks I know, you're working mighty hard these days. Your hours are long and irregular. You have a lot on your mind. You're forced to eat hurried lunches, and in general, you lead a pretty busy life. And that's one good reason why you should never be without a package of Alka Seltzer tablets, handy both at home and at the place where you work. Then, if a headache, a touch of acid indigestion or nervous indigestion comes along to make your life seem miserable, you're all set to feel better fast. So get a package or two of Alka Seltzer tablets from your druggist this weekend and keep them at home and where you work as well. Well.

[Joe Kelly]

Well, thanks for joining our party tonight here, folks. And don't forget, you're all invited to be with us again next Saturday for another barn dance party here in the old halo. Until then, this is Joe Kelly saying good night and good health to you all for Alka Seltzer.

[Jack]

The Alka Seltzer National Barn Dance has come to you from the stage of the Civic Theater and station WLF in Chicago. This is the National Broadcasting Company.