Hillbilly Fever (Little Jimmy Dickens) | Grand Ole Opry (08-22-53)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns – Hillbilly Fever (Little Jimmy Dickens) | Grand Ole Opry (08-22-53)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Featured Performers: Little Jimmy Dickens, Rod Brassfield, Cousin Minnie Pearl, Marty Robbins, The Jordanaires
Original Air Date: August 22, 1953
Podcast Release: February 19, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns delivers a “digitally restored” slice of classic Americana, replaying the Grand Ole Opry broadcast headlined by Little Jimmy Dickens, with appearances by comedic talents and musical guests. The show transitions between toe-tapping musical numbers, down-home humor, banter among cast members, and an atmosphere straight from the golden age of live radio variety. Andrew Rhynes introduces listeners to a past where laughter and heart merge with the lively spirit of western radio entertainment.

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Key Segments and Highlights

1. Opening & Introduction to the Grand Ole Opry

[00:58] – [01:16]

• Host Andrew Rhynes sets the nostalgic tone, introducing the Grand Ole Opry, with “Hillbilly Fever” as the night’s opener.
• Little Jimmy Dickens warmly greets listeners and sets up the folk music showcase.

“And welcome to our Vandal Opry.” – Jimmy Dickens [03:27]

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2. “Hillbilly Fever” Performance

[01:16] – [03:26]

• Little Jimmy Dickens launches into “Hillbilly Fever,” a spirited tune filled with mountain references and energetic delivery.
• Rod Brassfield joins in with comic interjection.

“You're a victim of daddy and you.” – Rod Brassfield [02:59]

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3. Down-home Comedy with Rod Brassfield & Cousin Minnie Pearl

[04:31] – [07:44]

• Rod Brassfield introduces Cousin Minnie Pearl, who delivers a trademark humorous monologue about voice lessons, crowded buses, and risqué swimming excursions.
• Notable for its sharp wit and rural charm.

Memorable Quotes:

“He said, well then for goodness sake, have them put back in.” – Cousin Minnie Pearl, on her singing voice [04:36]
“It just seems right to me that the men and women are in a race right now just to see which one can wear the least clothes…looks like this is one race where the women are going to out trip the men.” – Minnie Pearl quoting Uncle Nabob [07:12]

• Jimmy Dickens delivers the punchline:

“If you take off anything else, you got a lawsuit.” [07:44]

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4. Marty Robbins Joins the Festivities

[08:44] – [12:12]

• Dickens introduces Marty Robbins as a popular new performer.
• Friendly banter covers Robbins’ busy schedule and music releases.
• Marty Robbins performs “I’ll Go On Alone,” a mournful ballad about heartbreak.

Notable Quote:

“Well, I’ve been pretty busy right around WSN here, Jim, with a morning program each morning at 6:00.” – Marty Robbins [08:50]

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5. Gospel & Hymns: “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”

[12:12] – [15:27]

• Dickens transitions the show to more spiritual terrain, performing the timeless hymn “Just a Closer Walk With Thee.”
• Emphasis on community and nostalgia.

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6. Quartet Feature: The Jordanaires

[16:44] – [17:42]

• The Jordanaires deliver a tight harmony performance of “Jesus Will Answer Prayer,” bringing upbeat gospel energy.
• Jimmy Dickens and Rod Brassfield interlace the music with brief, heartfelt interjections.

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7. Rod Brassfield’s “Hohenwald, Tennessee” Storytime

[18:46] – [22:45]

• Brassfield reengages with signature humor, telling stories about a disastrous date, carnival mishaps, shotgun weddings, and a train accident involving his mother-in-law—all laced with rural exaggeration and comedic timing.

Notable Lines & Banter:

“That’s the prettiest woman, I’m telling you. She has got the prettiest red eyes.” – Rod Brassfield [19:28]
“Her eyes buzz out just like a stump. Stone cold frog.” – Brassfield [19:30]
“That’s a wolf with patience.” – Brassfield, defining “gentleman” [21:26]
“But her brother’s carrying a shotgun…get yourself a best man.” – Jimmy Dickens [22:10]

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8. More Songs from Marty Robbins & Jimmy Dickens

[22:46] – [28:38]

• Marty Robbins returns with “At the End of a Long, Lonely Day,” highlighting emotional resonance.
• Jimmy Dickens closes with “I’m Making Love to a Stranger,” further emphasizing lost love and longing.

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Memorable Moments

• Cousin Minnie Pearl’s Comedy Routine [04:36-07:44]: Her tale of swimming parties, racy outfits, and small-town gossip typifies the Opry’s homespun humor.
• Marty Robbins’ First Song [09:46-12:12]: Robbins debuts a popular ballad, hinting at a career on the rise.
• Brassfield’s Comedic Storytelling [19:10-22:45]: The string of jokes about romance and marriage is a masterclass in deadpan delivery and rural storytelling.

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Notable Quotes (with Attribution and Timestamps)

• “He said, well then for goodness sake, have them put back in.” — Cousin Minnie Pearl on her singing [04:36]
• “If you take off anything else, you got a lawsuit.” — Jimmy Dickens [07:44]
• “That’s a wolf with patience.” — Rod Brassfield, defining a gentleman [21:26]
• “But her brother’s carrying a shotgun…get yourself a best man.” — Jimmy Dickens [22:10]
• “Her eyes buzz out just like a stump. Stone cold frog.” — Rod Brassfield [19:33]
• “Well, Jimmy, I drove Cleo home…You know what a gentleman is?…That’s a wolf with patience.” — Brassfield [21:26]

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Other Key Points

• The podcast’s digital restoration efforts shine, with clear audio and musical fidelity that heighten the original broadcast’s sense of time and place.
• The show balances lighthearted comedy, heartfelt songs, and good-natured banter—an authentic cross-section of mid-century rural entertainment.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Introduction – [00:58]
• “Hillbilly Fever” Song – [01:16]
• Comedy Skit (Brassfield & Minnie Pearl) – [04:31]
• Marty Robbins Appears & Sings – [08:44]
• “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” – [12:12]
• The Jordanaires’ Quartet – [16:44]
• Brassfield’s Hohenwald Jokes – [18:46]
• Further Musical Performances – [22:46]

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Summary

Fans of classic country, western radio, and vintage humor will find this episode a vibrant, laughter-filled window into the cultural heart of 1950s America. With standout performances by Little Jimmy Dickens, uproarious comedy from Minnie Pearl and Rod Brassfield, and the evocative tenor of Marty Robbins, this Grand Ole Opry broadcast is both an entertaining and historically rich listen. The Old Time Radio Westerns restoration ensures each note and laugh reaches modern listeners with new clarity, preserving the spirit of the original broadcast for a new generation.

Transcript

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[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines. And let's get into this episode. This episode is going to beat Grendel D' Opry Original Air Date is August 22, 1953 the first song is entitled Hillbilly Fever. And we've got little Jimmy Dickens in the lead role.

[Jimmy Dickens]

It's Rainbow Oxley time. Another big folk music show starring little Jimmy Dickens. And snickeling. You can bit when that river starts to get fire with a hockey. When you get catch up you're feeling and you don't know what is wrong. Good old mountain doctor Danny I seen her Sunday interview and here's what I was going around. When that love you and you don't know you've been tong and you go and see a doctor and he says h look into that canyon pills he doesn't I got you.

[Rod Brassfield]

You're a victim of daddy and you.

[Jimmy Dickens]

Got the city round good old mountain years has got me down. I'm going to run for swoop with swoop of dragons and I'll hold it down.

[Rod Brassfield]

Thank you very much.

[Jimmy Dickens]

Thank you, folks and a great big Howie to all our good neighbors all over the country. And welcome to our Vandal Opry.

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[Jimmy Dickens]

Tonight's lineup of top talent features Rod Brassfield, Minute Pearl, the Jordan Air Spring Bean and the entire Opry gang. Yes, sir Grant. And tonight we've asked one of our good buddies to come and see us. None other than that fine singing personality, Marty Robbins. Marty Be out riders and friends we'll be out right along here. Now, Marty will come along to see us. But first we got to find out what's been going on down in Grinder.

[Rod Brassfield]

Switch this past week.

[Jimmy Dickens]

The way to tell us about it is the gossip of Grinder Switch.

[Rod Brassfield]

Cousin Minnie Pearl, I'm glad you proud to be here after. I've been thinking of taking singing lessons. So I went to one of them bare voice teachers and after hearing me sing that, their voice teacher said, I'd suggest that you have your tonsils took out. I said, well, I've already had my tonsils took out. He said, well then for goodness sake, have them put back in. That kind of floored me. But I want you to know that he had me sing a couple of pieces for him. And he seemed to be awful impression with my high notes. Oh, he liked my high notes better than he did my low notes. He liked my high notes that went like this. Oh, he liked that a lot. Yeah. He said, that is going to prove invaluable to me. I said, you mean in grand opera? He said, no, in case of fire, I was the one voted most likely to. Well, here, I tell you. I can remember when I was six, a little younger, about 15 years old, I reckon my mammy wanted me to learn to play on the harp. He thought, that is so nice when you play on the harp. I had to give that up. So I kept getting my nose caught in the string. But the big news from grindel sweeps last week was we all climb in a bus. All of us young folks, we climb in a bus and went way over on Beaver Damn Springs for a grab picnic and swimming party. Oh, the bus was so crowded. Oh, it was crowded, yes, indeed. But two fellas managed to squeeze me in the back seat. Well, them fellers in the back of that bus was carrying on something awful. Oh, they got so romantical, they did. I went up there and spoke to the bus driver about it. I said, Howdy, Mr. Bus Driver. I did. I got so mad I didn't know what to do. I got up there and I said, I have a complaint to make. There's a fellow back there keeping all the girls. And the driver says, yes, hon, did he keep you? I said, no, that's why I'm making the complaint. When we got to that swimming place there, though, everybody from down to 6 was shocked at the squeaky. Wouldn't see some of them birds head on. They was daring, they were. Front was there in the back and the back was there in the middle. It was awful well, it just seems right to me that the men and women are in a race right now just to see which one can wear the least clothes. Uncle Nabob says it looks like this is one race where the women are going to out trip the men. Thereby the old beauty she was having, she bought a new outfit and she was showing off. She said, this is the combination outfit. You take off this little bolero and you got a playsuit. You take off this little bodysuit, you got a swimsuit, you take off these little skirts, you gotta see em. Uncle Navon said, better stop, gal.

[Jimmy Dickens]

If you take off anything else, you got a lawsuit.

[Rod Brassfield]

He didn't take no interest outside of Hezbollie. He didn't take no interest in all them girls. He was interested in Laker study and bird watching.

[Jimmy Dickens]

I know he's interested in bird watching because I hear him say to Link.

[Rod Brassfield]

Shank, I think I'll go over here a ways down here. I've got my eye on a couple of cute little pigeons. He's so nice and cute to me. Well, this brother had to act smart. I got so mad with him before we got through with me. About once a day he got hold of some firecrackers somewhere and he put one of them firecrackers in his hip pocket in some way. And that firecracker got me up. Brother took off for the creek at five packages of burning in his back pocket. That is one time brother sure burned his bitches behind him.

[Jimmy Dickens]

This spear came to the Opry about seven or eight months ago, and right.

[Rod Brassfield]

From the very start, he was lacked.

[Jimmy Dickens]

As much as any performer we've ever seen on this stage. Of course you mean neighbor, our good friend Marty Robbins. How are you, Marty? Just fine, Jim. Marty, I know the folks are as anxious as I am to hear you sing, but I'd sure like to know what you've been keeping yourself lately. Well, I've been pretty busy right around WSN here, Jim, with a morning program each morning at 6:00'. Clock. Been making few phonograph records personal tent week. I understand you're going to be over in Missouri next week. Just next week. All right, Marty, I tell you what. I know all the folks want to hear you sing, so how about doing a September popular tune of yours? I'll go on alone. World so far apart. You want me and there's something else before me in your heart. You want me to live my life the way you're living. But I can't say that no way. You want to be before if you don't want me like that then please don't believe me if you can't change a little bit then why not if we can't live together then it best we live you go your way and I don't mind we're both nature and star. Never get it alone if you believe I like you do you say I live so long But I can't change my life I've lived much too long really though it takes me like that alone don't either save you my love or take away remember you did you got. My life then go with your cause I can't take my life when you want something more than me.

[Rod Brassfield]

Well see when Tommy Jackson starts tuning.

[Jimmy Dickens]

Up his own fiddle, I can see all our swear dancers kind of jumping at the bit. So let's turn them loose and Mr. Seems to me like there ain't nothing more comforting than remembering an old time hymn that you love and have heard for years and sometimes sang it for yourself maybe. Here's one that's been one of my favorites for a long, long time. It's called Just a Closer Walk With Sea. I am but thou art wrong. I'm all wrong.

[Rod Brassfield]

Happy long.

[Jimmy Dickens]

As I. Is my. Let it be you let it be. Anyone love me Let it be dear Lord let it be.

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[Jimmy Dickens]

All of us love to hear a good old Time Spiritual song and here's four boys that just can't be beat. It's the Jordan mirror singing for us. Jesus will answer Pray. Blessed is he that loves him all. Trust in Jesus and no, no, he must.

[Rod Brassfield]

Jesus.

[Jimmy Dickens]

Well, I know he'll take away my burden. Let's see the name a name of Jesus Christ.

[Rod Brassfield]

I can have a life.

[Jimmy Dickens]

To the tree of life Jesus let the prayer. Well, blessed is he that loves the Lord Blessed be that. Harken good for my Savior Save your hand on him his hand is him blessed indeed and give it to the world. Trust in Jesus and you respond when you're out his heart is there Jesus. Yes, Jesus. Christ. Jesus will let the way.

[Rod Brassfield]

The reason folks down in Hohen wall.

[Jimmy Dickens]

Tennessee are always cheerful and smiling is because, well, they're forever remembering some funny thing that their favorite citizen said. So the favorite citizen of Hohen wall.

[Rod Brassfield]

Friends and neighbors, our good friend Rod Blackfield. What r. Thank you.

[Jimmy Dickens]

What music. Hey, Jim, don't you tell my gal, Susie. But by Ned, I had a date last night with a new gal. Boy. Yeah, I did. Her name's Cleo Moorhead. What do you know? Is she a good looking girl?

[Rod Brassfield]

That's the prettiest woman, I'm telling you.

[Jimmy Dickens]

She has got the prettiest red eyes.

[Rod Brassfield]

Prettiest lips and eyes.

[Jimmy Dickens]

I'm telling you, Cleo got eyes just like champagne. You mean they sparkled, right? Oh, they popped. That's like the only thing wrong with Cleo, Jimmy. I swear her eyes buzz out just like a stump. Stone cold frog. Well, what'd you and her do after that big date there last night? Well, I took her over to the fire grounds, Jimmy, you know. So that's our big carnival. They haven't over and we took a ride in that tunnel of love. Oh, dear Rogers, a tunnel of love. You have any fun? You know something didn't? What? My boat. Beat her again by a minute and a half. I'm worried about you. Well, you know, at your age you ought to have other interests in life. Women are just a passing fancy. I know it. That's how I met Cleo. See, I was passing and she was fancy. What happened after you left the fairground? Well, Jimmy, I drove Cleo home, see, I drove him home. Keep talking, Rod. And well, I was a gentleman. A gentleman? Yeah. You know what a gentleman is? No. That's a wolf with patience. Rod, tell me something. Did Theo sit close to you in the car? Yeah. Yeah, I do though. Yes, he showed me. A dollar so matters. You're the first Girl I ever kissed, I said to her as I shifted gears with my knees. We got to the house, we went.

[Rod Brassfield]

In the house and sat down there.

[Jimmy Dickens]

On the Chase Lounge. The. The Chase Lounge? Yeah, that's how. It's a sofa that made good. Well, I'm worried now, Jimmy. You worried? She's got a big old brother that wants me to marry Cleo. Yeah, and find out I don't want to. And that's who keeps following me around. Well, Rob, listen now, no man can be forced into wedlock against his will. No. Well, I know you're an American citizen and you have the right to have a free choice. Matrimony is the state must be entered into a free of duress and coercion of any pressure whatsoever. Yeah, but her brother's carrying a shotgun. Yeah, well, it's right. I ought to have one thing to say to you. What's that? Get yourself a best man. Yeah, well.

[Rod Brassfield]

Oh, he's doing good.

[Jimmy Dickens]

Well, I might as well start looking for one. I've got to go anyhow. I've got to go to the hospital and see about my dear mother in law. Oh, is that so? Yeah. Train hitter this morning. That's terrible, Rob. How many cars hit her? Well, it was the engine. 14 cars. Even a little red caboose took a whack at her. How did it happen, Rob? Well, she was walking down the railroad track, Jimmy. And here come the train. It run up her spine, got tangled in her switch and just knocked their block off.

[Rod Brassfield]

Right through the band.

[Jimmy Dickens]

You're picking a better in this part of the country is off and running, friends. And I bet you can hear him somewhere back there in the background somewhere. So I'm sorry, friends, but we're going to call once again on our good friend Marty Robbins for another song.

[Rod Brassfield]

I'm sorry, Marty. Give him a nice shout.

[Jimmy Dickens]

Thank you, Jimmy. Oh, Marty, I overlooked you there in our trip tonight, but I'm sure that the folks out here as well as I am are looking forward to one of your brand new tunes on the program tonight. Big Glasses.

[Andrew Rines]

Jimmy.

[Jimmy Dickens]

One call. At the end of a long, lonely day. At the end of a long, lonely day without you When. I'm all right through the day but when day goes away Then a long lonely night Tasted grave. Another day to cry it makes no difference if I live for God with the world locked outside I just lay there and fly at the end of a long, lonely day. Well, friends, the singer listens to lots of ballads before he finds one that suits them. And I kind of went for this one the first time that I tried it. It's a brand new one called I'm Making Love to a Stranger. In love to us Rain Every time I hold you close to me I make in love to us Today you're not the same O you you, you to see Although you pretend you still love me your tell till I. Grace Every time that I make love to you. You correct me and you you but you don't have that old familiar. When I'm awake if you miss me I know it's more from heaven than desire. Grand Old Opry, the nationally known and famous program starring the best hillbilly and country artist, has come to you through the United States Armed Forces Radio Service. It.

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[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate our shows in your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739 this episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright for more information go to otrwesterns.com.

[Jimmy Dickens]

Have a great day.

[Andrew Rines]

And thanks for listening.

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