Red Foley and Hank Snow | Grand Ole Opry (01-21-50)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns – “Red Foley and Hank Snow | Grand Ole Opry (01-21-50)”

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Featured Performers: Red Foley, Hank Snow, Wally Fowler & the Oak Ridge Quartet, Rod Bradfield, Cousin Minnie Pearl, Old Hickory Singers
Original Air Date: January 21, 1950

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Episode Overview

This classic episode transports listeners to a golden age of live radio with a 1950 broadcast of the legendary Grand Ole Opry. The show features timeless performances by Red Foley, a country music icon, and Canadian legend Hank Snow. Audiences are treated to a reverent mix of heartwarming ballads, upbeat numbers, comedic skits, and spiritually uplifting gospel, all presented in the jocular, familial tone of the Opry. Humorous banter, rural wisdom, and communal singing deliver the warmth and charm for which the Opry is celebrated.

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Main Discussion Points and Program Segments

1. Opening and Welcome (01:28–02:23)

• Andrew Rhynes introduces the episode, featuring a Grand Ole Opry performance with Red Foley and Hank Snow.
• Transition to the sound and spirit of the live 1950 broadcast.

2. Musical Opener: “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy” (02:23–04:54)

• Red Foley opens the musical lineup with a spirited rendition of "Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy."
• The performance is energetic, foregrounding Red’s warm vocals and playful delivery.
  • “He pops a boogie woogie rag, the Chattanoogie shoeshine boy…Here goes, now, don't that tickle you?” (03:42, Red Foley)
• The song sets a convivial, toe-tapping mood.

3. On-Air Banter & Comedy Sketches (04:54–07:41)

• Rod Bradfield, Red Foley, and others engage in jokes and light-hearted stories about painting, family, and cold weather.
• Bradfield jokes about his (dubious) skills as a painting artist and his comical interactions with girlfriend Susie:
  • “Susie took one look at my work and said, ‘Rodney, this would be a beautiful portrait—it’s got such soul, such expression.’ I says, ‘Oh Flitter Susie, that there ain’t no picture. That’s where I clean my brushes.’” (06:23, Rod Bradfield)
• The camaraderie underscores the show’s informal and inviting spirit.

4. Hank Snow: Biography and Introduction (07:41–08:35)

• Red Foley introduces Hank Snow, painting a vivid picture of his journey from a Canadian cabin boy to international recording star.
  • “He bought a guitar for $15 and went all through Halifax, picking and singing... Folks, give one of your biggest and heartiest welcomes to Hank Snow.” (08:16, Red Foley)

5. Hank Snow Performs “Nobody’s Child” (08:48–11:26)

• Hank Snow delivers a moving version of “Nobody’s Child,” a poignant ballad about a blind orphan seeking love and belonging.
  • “I’m like a flower just growing wild, no mommy’s kisses and no daddy’s smile. Nobody wants me, I’m nobody’s child.” (10:49, Hank Snow)
• This heartfelt performance stands out for its emotional depth.

6. Wally Fowler & The Oak Ridge Quartet: Gospel Time (11:26–13:17)

• Wally Fowler and his Oak Ridge Quartet sing “Lead Me to That Rock,” an uplifting gospel number echoing the spiritual traditions of the Opry.
  • Memorable harmonies and spirited ‘boom boom’ bass lines infuse joy into the segment.

7. Hymn Time with Red Foley & Ensemble (13:32–16:20)

• Red Foley invites listeners to a quieter moment of reflection, leading a hymn.
  • “Search me, O God and know my heart today. Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.” (15:25, Red Foley)
• The performance, with gentle accordion in the background, fosters a sense of church-like community.

8. Old Hickory Singers: "Are You From Dixie?" (16:20–18:11)

• Claude Sharp and the Old Hickory Singers perform "Are You From Dixie?", delivering nostalgia and southern pride.
• Banter afterwards highlights the warmth and inclusiveness of the Opry’s community.

9. Comic Interlude: Cousin Minnie Pearl (18:36–21:32)

• Cousin Minnie Pearl enters with her trademark rural humor and folksy tales.
  • “We play a little game…if I catch one of them, he’s supposed to kiss me. One day I caught Red Foley…he was so shy, he paid Jack Stapp $4 to kiss me in his place!” (19:07, Minnie Pearl)
• Anecdotes about family, cold weather, and small-town life offer gentle laughs.

10. Winter Tales & Small-Town Humor (21:32–23:56)

• Rod Bradfield and Minnie spin tall tales about the bitter cold, steaming tea kettles, and family mishaps with a medicine bottle.
  • “When my Poppy come home and found my twin brothers Pete and Repeat in front of a roaring fire…we didn’t have a fireplace!” (22:59, Rod Bradfield)
• Exchanges highlight rural wit and the classic Opry sense of fun.

11. Hank Snow: “I Wonder Where You Are Tonight” (23:56–25:55)

• Hank Snow returns with another bittersweet country ballad, “I Wonder Where You Are Tonight.”
  • “Tonight I’m sad, my heart is weary…That old rain is cold and slowly falling upon my windowpane tonight, and your love was even colder.” (24:20, Hank Snow)

12. Red Foley: “Careless Kisses” (25:55–27:11)

• Red Foley offers a new number, “Careless Kisses,” blending heartbreak with gentle irony in his delivery:
  • “Your careless kisses are causing me to care less for you…Makes me wonder if your heart is careless too.” (26:15, Red Foley)

13. Closing Announcements (27:11–28:30)

• Rod Bradfield notes the show’s broadcast history and its association with the Armed Forces Radio Service.
• Brief sign-off remarks from Andrew Rhynes wrap up the show.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Red Foley on Hank Snow’s journey:
  “He bought a guitar for $15 and went all through Halifax, picking and singing... Folks, give one of your biggest and heartiest welcomes to Hank Snow.” (08:16)

• Rod Bradfield's painting gag:
  “Oh Flitter Susie, that there ain’t no picture. That’s where I clean my brushes.” (06:23)

• Minnie Pearl on Opry romance:
  “He was so shy he paid Jack Stapp $4 to kiss me in his place.” (19:07)

• Hank Snow, “Nobody’s Child”:
  “I’m like a flower just growing wild, no mommy’s kisses and no daddy’s smile. Nobody wants me, I’m nobody’s child.” (10:49)

• Winter’s cold, Opry style:
  “We get the spring fever in Hornwall when it’s only 20 below in Hornwall. The tea kettle spout steam icicles.” (21:49, Rod Bradfield)

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Segment Timestamps

• 01:28 – Show intro & Opry announcement
• 02:23 – “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy” by Red Foley
• 04:54 – On-air comic banter
• 07:41 – Hank Snow biography
• 08:48 – Hank Snow sings “Nobody’s Child”
• 11:26 – Oak Ridge Quartet: “Lead Me to That Rock”
• 13:32 – Hymn Time (“Search Me O God”)
• 16:20 – Old Hickory Singers: “Are You From Dixie?”
• 18:36 – Minnie Pearl comedy interlude
• 21:32 – Hornwall/Hometown humor
• 23:56 – Hank Snow: “I Wonder Where You Are Tonight”
• 25:55 – Red Foley: “Careless Kisses”
• 27:11 – Closing remarks & sign-off

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Tone, Style, and Atmosphere

The episode is infused with warmth, gentle humor, and the communal spirit of a bygone radio era. The musical performances are heartfelt, and the comic segments brim with wholesome, small-town banter in classic Southern tones. Both the depth of emotion in the songs and the levity of the humor combine to make this Opry appearance a nostalgic time capsule—a must-hear for fans of classic American country, Gospel, and Western radio.

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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 be Grand Old Opry Original Air Dates January 21, 1950 in this episode we've got Red Foley and Hank Snow.

[Rod Bradfield]

It's Grand Old Opry time.

[Wally Fowler]

Everyone will have some fun at the.

[Red Foley]

Grand hall of Brinheim.

[Rod Bradfield]

Welcome to Grand Ole Opry with Rob Brassfield, Mini Pearl and starring Red Foley.

[Red Foley]

Have you ever passed corner of 4th and grand where a little ball of rhythm has it that shoeshine stands keep together he bites the boots you move your leg the chat boy he charges you a nickel just to shine one shoe. He makes old style leather look like new. You feel as though you want to dance when he gets through He's a great big bundle of joy. He pipes a boogie boogie rag your chattanoogie shoeshine boy It's a wonder the rag don't tear the way he makes it pop. Just listen to him fan the air with it. Hoppity hippity hippity hoppity hoppity hippity hop. He opens up a business when the clock strikes mine. He likes to get em early when they're feeling fine. Everybody gets a little rise and shine with a great big bundle of joy he pops the boogie woogie rag the chattanoogie shoe shine boy here goes now don't that tickle you the rag don't tear the way he makes it pop. Just listen to him fan the air here he goes.

[Wally Fowler]

He opens up a.

[Red Foley]

Business when the clock strikes nine. He likes to get them early when they're feeling fine Everybody gets a little rise and shine With a great big bundle of joy he pipes a boogie woogie rag the Chattanoogie Shoe shine boy, Here goes once more.

[Rod Bradfield]

Tell the folks.

[Red Foley]

Who'S this in the opera tonight, Red? Our good friend, Hank Snow. Yes, sir.

[Rod Bradfield]

They speaking of snow, Red, somebody just drifted in and wants attention.

[Red Foley]

Well, I should say it is somebody.

[Rod Bradfield]

It's Hornwald's most eligible bachelor, Rod Bradfield. Thank you, man. Glad to be here tonight. I tell you by that it's cold outside. Literally. It's your slum cold, Ms.

[Commercial Voice]

Bowling.

[Rod Bradfield]

Yeah, I'll have you know. You don't realize it, but you are looking at an artist. I pay artist service. I order paintings.

[Red Foley]

You're a painting artist, scribe?

[Rod Bradfield]

Yes, sir, I'm a painting artist. And I opened me up last week, opened me up a studio because I wanted folks to buy my pictures and hang them up on the walls or in Holemore. I put up a sign that says, my praises by critics is widely sung. They say I'm an artist. That ought to be huge. Well, no sooner than I had got on my artist outfit there that I paint in, you know, I got my brushes out. My name ain't Fuller neither, and I sure does got my brushes out and everything. My gal Susie come running in there. She says, rodney, I want my picture painted the worst way. I said, susie, you couldn't have picked a better man to do it. Susie took one look at some of my samples of my work there, and she stopped in front of one of the canvases there and she said, rodney, this would be a beautiful portrait. This here. It's got such. Oh, such soul, such expression. Such expression. I says, oh, Flitter Susie, that there ain't no picture. That's where I clean my brushes. There's enough stretch soon they got those in. She ain't got that data. Both saying, I get mad at her sometimes. I could just eat a banana. Finally, she stopped in front of one of my pictures there and she said, rodney, this here would be a good picture of your uncle's life if it wasn't so blurry and jumpy. Why is it so blurry and jumpy? And I told her, I said, why, Splitter, Susie, Uncle Sipe had a few too many the other day, a few too many. When he come in to get picture painted, he's had Little Mountain Dew there. And I said I had to paint him with the heat cups.

[Red Foley]

Well, sir, tonight's guest is one of the most colorful fellows we've ever known, and one of the nicest, I might add. He was born in Canada and shipped to sea as a cabin boy when he was 12. He was a lumberjack in Oregon at 15 and a horse wrangler at 16. He bought a guitar for $15 and went all through Halifax, picking and singing, and finally was hired at a radio station. He joined the Canadian broadcasting corporation in 1934, and in 1937, one of the big recording companies heard him, and he's been making successful records ever since. Folks, give one of your biggest and heartiest welcomes to Hank Snow. Hank, my friend, we're. We're glad to have you with us here tonight, and we want to hear you sing. What's it going to be, huh?

[Wally Fowler]

It's going to be Nobody's Child.

[Red Foley]

Nobody's Child. It's a fine one. Let's hear it.

[Hank Snow]

I was slowly passing an orphan's home one day and stopped there just a moment Just to watch the children play alone A boy was standing and when I asked him why he turned with eyes that could not see and he began to cry I know nobody's child I'm nobody's child I'm like a flower just growing wide no mommy's kisses and no daddy's smile Nobody wants me I'm nobody's chair no mother's arms to hold me or soothe me when I cry Sometimes it gets so lonely here I wish that I could die I walk the streets of heaven where all the blind can see and just like all the other kids There'd be a home Tom.

[Wally Fowler]

I just can't seem to figure out why the folks all pass me by Because I know that it's true that God takes little blind children with him in the sky.

[Hank Snow]

And they tell me.

[Wally Fowler]

That I'm oh, so pretty they seem to like my big curls of gold but then they take some other little child and I'm left here all alone.

[Hank Snow]

I am nobody's child I'm nobody's child I'm like a flower just growing wild no mommy's kisses and no daddy smile Nobody wants me Nobody's child.

[Red Foley]

Mighty pretty song. Mighty pretty there, Hank Snow. Here's Wally Fowler now and his famous Oak Ridge Quartet. We're mighty glad to welcome the boys back to the Fool. And they're singing one of their better spirits of Skull. Lead me to that rock.

[Commercial Voice]

Why don't.

[Wally Fowler]

You lead me to that rock that is higher Then I'll lead me to that rock Lead me to that rock. Why don't you lead me to that rock that is higher than I? Thou has been still day for me.

[Red Foley]

Well, if you go down in yonder's fold.

[Hank Snow]

Search among the sheep.

[Wally Fowler]

My brother thou hast been a shelter for me. You will find him there, so I am told. With those he loves to keep. My brother thou hast been. Why don't you lead me to that rock that is higher than I?

[Commercial Voice]

Ho, ho.

[Wally Fowler]

Lead me to that rock. Yes, lead me to that rock. Why don't you lead me to that rock that is higher than I? Thou has been a shelter for me. Why don't you leave me to the rock? To the rock that's hard, I deny. Why don't you leave me by the rock? To the rock that's hard, I deny. Why don't you leave me to death? The rock to the rock that's all higher than I. Thou has been a shelter for me. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. Higher than I. Thou has been a shelter.

[Red Foley]

For.

[Commercial Voice]

Me.

[Red Foley]

Thank you very much. That's mighty pretty. Well, see, we can hear uncle Egg and McEwen's accordion playing. Low and soft, like back there. It sort of reminds us that it's for hymn time. That means, of course, a few quiet moments of music and meditation. You'll find tonight's hymn on page 67 of your Brown hymn book. So sing along with me if you'd like to, on a little song called Cleanse. Lord, take my life and make it holy Thine fill my poor heart Will thy great love divine? Take all my will, my passion, self and pride.

[Hank Snow]

My.

[Red Foley]

Will all be narrow.

[Wally Fowler]

Go.

[Red Foley]

Search me, O God and know my heart today. Try me, O Savior Know my thoughts, I pray.

[Wally Fowler]

See if there be.

[Red Foley]

Some.

[Wally Fowler]

Wicked ways in me. Raise me from every sin and set me.

[Red Foley]

Free. And we'd like to call on Claude Sharp now and his Old Hickory Singers for a little close harmony here. Marvin Hughes. You give the boys a little introduction there. To Ru from Dixie.

[Wally Fowler]

Hello there, stranger how do you do? There's something I like to say to you don't be surprised you recognize I know, Detective, but I just surmise you're from the place where I long to be. Your smiling face seems to say to me you're from my homeland My sunny homeland Tell me, can it be Are you from Dixie? I said from Dixie. Where the fields are far and beckoned to me. I'm glad to see you, tell me how be you and the friends I'm longing to see. If you're from Alabama, Tennessee, Or Caroline Any place below the Mason Dixon Line Then you're from Dixie Hooray for Dixie. Cause I'm from Dixie, too. Are you from Dixie? I sang from Dixie where the fields are far and reckon to me don't ever sing Tell me how be you and the friends I'm longing to see if you're from Alabama, Tennessee or Carolina Any place below the Mason Dixon Line Then you're from Dixie Hooray for Dixie fars and from Dixie, too.

[Red Foley]

Well, hearing.

[Hank Snow]

The Old Hickory Singers in a song.

[Rod Bradfield]

Like that makes me mighty glad I'm from Dixie.

[Red Foley]

Well, I agree with you 100%, grad. Just as I agree that for the timeliest news of the doings down and Grinder switch, everybody should listen to Cousin Minnie Crow.

[Commercial Voice]

I'm just proud to be here. Well, Canal, ain't these awful nice fellows up here on the stage with me? You take Claude Sharp, for instance. Hey, look, he's just cute as a bug's ear. Looks a little like a bug's ear, too. Come think of it. I'll tell you right now, though. You know, we play a little game up here, all of us. I chase the fellers and they run away from me. And then the fellows run away from me, and I chase them. But the idea is that if I catch one of them, he's supposed to kiss me. One day I caught Red Foley. And you never seen a fellow so shy and embarrassed. He was. He was so shy he paid Jack Stapp $4 to Kiss Me in his place. Cause I don't have to worry about a feller kissing me as long as I've got my fellow Hezzy. Oh, hesitant. Keeps saying I'm all the world to him. And then he starts telling me about how the world's in such a awful shape. Well, I went to brother's room to call him for breakfast this morning. And, oh, he. It's been cold at Grindy, which, where we say it. And I went up to brother's room. Well, it has. It's cold. And I went to brother's room to call him for breakfast. And, oh, it is late. It must have been daylight. And there was brother with 10 quilts over him, but he had his feet a hanging out the bed. Them feet were so froze, they were just blue. And I says to him, brother, why don't you put your feet under the covers? And he said, what? Bring them cold old things in bed with me? Brother's so smart. I declare, it runs in our family. Well said. Oh, uncle done run out by the time it got to me. Uncle Nabob don't seem to mind the cold weather so much though. Now I don't exactly get the connection but he says that you never hear tell of an autymobile freezing up if it had enough alcohol in it. Poor Uncle Nabob. Aunt Ambrosey washed his long handed underwear and hung them out in the cold. And they frizzed just stiff on the line. And poor Uncle Nabob almost freezed to death before they got dry navy. Aunt Ambrosey oughtn't to wash the underwear with Uncle Nabob still in them. Yes, sir. Rodley. Rodney. Miss Mammy. Yes, Rodney.

[Red Foley]

How are you?

[Commercial Voice]

Fine, thank you.

[Rod Bradfield]

Well, I'm glad to see you. Didn't I understand you to say that the air was a little nippy and grindy sweet Nippy?

[Commercial Voice]

Why Rodley, it was the arm's reach below zero.

[Rod Bradfield]

How much below?

[Commercial Voice]

20 below.

[Rod Bradfield]

Stop that woman. Shucks. Meaning if it don't get no colder than that in Hornwall. I'm telling you true. We get the spring fever in Hornwall when it's only 20 below in Hornwall. The tea kettle spout steam icicles.

[Commercial Voice]

You ought to hear. You ought to hear that singing tea kittle Rodney.

[Rod Bradfield]

Singing teachers. Yeah, well that ain't nothing to brag about. A lot of people got singing tea kittle flitter.

[Hank Snow]

Anybody but I.

[Commercial Voice]

Singing tea kettle was singing. Baby it's cold outside. I oughtn't to stay.

[Rod Bradfield]

Maybe it's cold outside.

[Commercial Voice]

Well it.

[Rod Bradfield]

It ain't so hot tonight. It's cold outside or baby it.

[Commercial Voice]

That's all right, Rodney. Well that is pretty cold. You say it is cold in Hornwell? Rodley?

[Rod Bradfield]

I'm telling you the truth. It was pretty cold in hornwell last week, Ms. Minnie. And when my Poppy come home and found my twin brothers. Oh Pete and Repeat in front of a roaring fire there, he just got plumb mad. He just mad. He could ate a goat burger.

[Commercial Voice]

Well why was you Poppy mad? Just cause Pete and Repeat was standing in front of a roaring fire when he come home.

[Rod Bradfield]

We didn't have no fireplace. Ain't that.

[Commercial Voice]

Rodney I was worried about brother. You know this cold weather. He got awful sick.

[Rod Bradfield]

Sure enough brother Sid got a bad cold. I'm sorry to hear that. I've had. I've just been there sniffing. I've took anti hist and everything.

[Commercial Voice]

Is that right?

[Rod Bradfield]

Just been there sniffing and a snorting all that.

[Commercial Voice]

Well, I went up town and got brother some medicine but it like killed him.

[Rod Bradfield]

It did?

[Commercial Voice]

Yeah.

[Hank Snow]

Oh why?

[Commercial Voice]

Well if all the medicine heard him it is the directions on the bottle. Oh they'd take it two nights a running he'd skip a night that is mad them nights he took it a running but them nights they had taken skipping. I like to kill bro.

[Red Foley]

Come on up here Hank. What you going to do for us this time buddy?

[Hank Snow]

I wonder where you are tonight I.

[Red Foley]

Wonder where you are tonight.

[Hank Snow]

Tonight I'm sad, my heart is weary I'm wondering if I'm wrong or right.

[Wally Fowler]

To dream.

[Hank Snow]

About you Though you love me I long to where you are tonight that old rain is cold and slowly falling upon my window pane tonight and your love was even col I longed up where you are tonight Then came the dawn that day you love me I tried to smile with all my mind but you could see the pain within me that lingers in my heart tonight that old rain has cold and slowly falling upon my window pane tonight and oh your love was even older I wonder where you are.

[Red Foley]

It's mighty pretty, Hank Snow. Well, I see it's almost time to leave you folks now, but I'd like to sing a brand new one here called Careless Kisses. Your careless kisses your careless kisses are causing me to careless for you your careless kisses your careless kisses Makes me wonder if your heart is careless too you tell me it's nothing you only kiss my friends hello. Please tell me darling how many people can I know who share your kisses? Your careless kisses that's causing me to care less for your you.

[Rod Bradfield]

This program was previously released by NBC, the national broadcasting Company, for listeners in the United States and rebroadcast for our servicemen and women overseas. This is the United States Armed Forces Radio Service, the voice of information and education.

[Red Foley]

Foreign.

[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 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 alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

[Wally Fowler]

Sam.