Podcast Summary

Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode: Daisy Mae (Ernest Tubb)(Martha White) | Grand Ole Opry (07-12-52)
Release Date: December 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns transports listeners to the heart of 1952’s Nashville with a digitally restored broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry, originally aired July 12, 1952. Hosted by Andrew Rhynes, the episode highlights the stellar musical talents of Ernest Tubb, the Texas Troubadours, the Carter Sisters with Mother Maybelle, Bill Monroe & his Bluegrass Boys, and a special appearance by Hank Williams. The main performance centers around the song “Daisy Mae,” with vintage commercials for Martha White flour enhancing the nostalgic radio experience. Listeners are treated to classic country, bluegrass, and a lively Opry atmosphere—complete with square dances, heartfelt harmonies, and toe-tapping instrumentals.

Key Discussion Points & Musical Highlights

1. Welcome & Setting the Stage

• [01:09] Andrew Rhynes introduces the episode, featuring a clean, vibrant restoration and returning listeners to the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, 1952.
  • “Let’s get into this episode. This episode is going to be Grand Ole Opry. Original air date is July 12, 1952. We’ve got Ernest Tubb in the lead role and… the title of the first song is going to be Daisy Mae.”

2. Grand Ole Opry Show Kicks Off

• [03:24] The Martha White show's host welcomes the audience:
  • “Greetings everybody. Welcome to Martha White's big half hour of fun and music, direct from the famous Ryman auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee… let’s give a great big welcome to the star of our mid white show, the Texas Ernest Tubb.”
• [03:51] Ernest Tubb performs “Daisy Mae,” a sentimental country tune celebrating love, commitment, and simple joys.
  • Notable line (Ernest Tubb): “Cause you’re my darling precious Daisy Mae, so nice and neat with kisses so very sweet… and now I found you, no one else will ever do.” [03:58]

3. Ensemble Cast & Announcements

• [05:00] The host introduces the night’s impressive lineup: Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle, Chet Atkins, Bill Monroe, Moon Mullican, the Cook Brothers, Texas Troubadours, and special guest Hank Williams.

4. Classic Performances

• Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys – "Blue Moon of Kentucky"
  • [06:10] Energetic bluegrass rendition that celebrates classic heartbreak and the enduring spirit of bluegrass music.
• Carter Sisters & Mother Maybelle – "Fair and Tender Ladies"
  • [09:06 – 12:19] Delicate performance with soaring harmonies, touching on the fleeting nature of love.

5. Square Dance Interlude

• [12:19] Listeners are invited to “grab your partners” for a lively square dance instrumental with the Crook Brothers fiddling "Sally Gooden."
  • Memorable Call (Caller): “Swing your partner, don’t be late!” [13:20]

6. Highlight: Hank Williams' Guest Spot

• [14:44] Hank Williams is given a raucous Opry welcome. He performs:
  • “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” [15:17]
    “Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou.”
  • “Honky Tonkin’” [24:06]
    • A rollicking number that brings the crowd to life with its playful lyrics and infectious rhythm.
    • "Honey, baby, we're goin' honky tonkin' round this town." [26:34]

7. Bluegrass Encore

• [17:56] Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys perform "The Brakeman's Blues" — a nod to travel, longing, and the working man's wandering soul.

8. Variety Acts

• Billy Bird delivers a spirited version of “Somebody’s Stolen My Honey” [20:34] and later, “Gimme a Little Old Fashioned Love” [29:09].
• Chet Atkins delivers a guitar instrumental (no timestamped solo phrase), recognized by the host:
  • "That boy can really pick that guitar, and I don't mean maybe." [24:06]

9. Opry Community Moment & VIP Guest

• [28:13] The host notes the Opry’s huge audience and introduces the Governor of Florida, showing the event’s wide appeal:
  • “This distinguished looking gentleman sitting here on the front row is the governor of Florida. Let’s have a nice Grand Ole Opry welcome for the honorable Full oy.” [28:20]

10. Martha White Flour Endorsements

• Throughout the broadcast, lively and repetitive flour jingles serve both as commercial breaks and musical palate cleansers:
  • "Bake right with Martha White self-rising flour ... Goodness gracious, it's good." [08:03, 23:02, 31:44]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|--------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:51 | Ernest Tubb | “When I’m with you my darling, all my cares go away... 'Cause you're my darling precious Daisy Mae.” | | 06:10 | Announcer (Bill Monroe) | "Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining / Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue." | | 13:20 | Square Dance Caller | “Swing your partner, don’t be late!” | | 15:17 | Hank Williams | “Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou.” | | 26:34 | Hank Williams | “Honey baby we going honky talking round this town.” | | 24:06 | Host (re: Chet Atkins) | "That boy can really pick that guitar, and I don't mean maybe." | | 28:20 | Host | “This distinguished looking gentleman sitting here on the front row is the governor of Florida. Let’s have a nice Grand Ole Opry welcome for the honorable Full oy.” | | 08:03, 23:02, 31:44 | Host/Announcer | "Bake right with Martha White self rising flour ... Goodness gracious, it's good." |

Key Timestamps and Segments

• [01:09] — Andrew Rhynes Introduction
• [03:24] — Show begins, Ernest Tubb performs “Daisy Mae”
• [06:10] — Bill Monroe: “Blue Moon of Kentucky”
• [09:06 – 12:19] — Carter Sisters & Mother Maybelle: “Fair and Tender Ladies”
• [12:19] — Crook Brothers: “Sally Gooden” (square dance instrumental)
• [14:44] — Hank Williams: “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)”
• [24:06] — Hank Williams: “Honky Tonkin’”
• [20:34] — Billy Bird: “Somebody’s Stolen My Honey”
• [29:09] — Billy Bird: “Gimme a Little Old Fashioned Love”
• [28:13] — Governor of Florida acknowledged in audience
• [31:44] — Final Martha White commercial & closing remarks

Overall Tone & Atmosphere

The tone is joyful and inviting, brimming with the charm of vintage live radio variety shows. There’s a sense of true community, both among the musicians and their extended Opry “neighbors”—listeners at home. Quick, light-hearted musical banter and slick sponsor jingles evoke an era when family, faith, dancing, and simple pleasures shaped both the music and the culture it sprang from. Everyone from the seasoned star (Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb) to the fresh-faced Carter Sisters gets a warm introduction, and the crowd’s energy is palpable in every announcement.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Grand Ole Opry or stepping in for a taste of country music’s golden age, this episode delivers a rich, entertaining window into 1952’s radio variety magic. The meticulous digital restoration further enhances the vivid storytelling, dynamic stage presence, and timeless music. Fun, family-friendly, and joyously nostalgic, this episode celebrates both the genre’s legendary icons and the enduring spirit of American roots music.