Red Foley and Rod Brasfield | Grand Ole Opry (04-05-49)

Summary

Episode Summary: "Red Foley and Rod Brasfield | Grand Ole Opry (04-05-49)"

Old Time Radio Westerns presents a vibrant episode featuring legendary entertainers Red Foley and Rod Brasfield, broadcasted live from the iconic Grand Ole Opry on April 5, 1949. Hosted by Andrew Rines, this episode immerses listeners in a blend of heartfelt musical performances and delightful comedic exchanges, capturing the essence of America’s beloved radio entertainment during its golden age.

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Opening Remarks and Introductions

The episode kicks off with Red Foley enthusiastically declaring, “It’s Grand Ole Opry time” (03:49), setting a lively tone for the evening. Rod Brasfield follows with his characteristic humor, encouraging everyone to “have some fun at the grand old” (04:03), inviting listeners to settle in for an entertaining show.

Musical Performances

"Night Train to Memphis" by Ernest Tubb

At 04:25, Red Foley and Ernest Tubb perform the spirited song "Night Train to Memphis," showcasing Tubb’s signature honky-tonk style:

Ernest Tubb: "Night train to Memphis. Take that night train to Memphis..." (04:25)

The performance is a standout moment, with Foley expressing admiration for Tubb’s talent:

Red Foley: “And here he is, Rob Brassfield” (06:08).

"Biting My Fingernails, Thinking of You"

Rod Brasfield takes the stage around 09:10 to perform a melodic rendition of "Biting My Fingernails, Thinking of You," captivating the audience with his heartfelt delivery:

Rod Brassfield: "Biting my fingernails, thinking of you. You really got me worried now I must confess it's true..." (09:15)

Oak River Ridge Quartet’s Spiritual Medley

At 12:32, Ernest Tubb introduces the Oak River Ridge Quartet, who perform a stirring medley of spirituals:

Rod Brassfield: "I'm crying holy unto the Lord now it sure could if you all praise God." (12:46)

This spiritual interlude adds a profound and reflective dimension to the evening, highlighting the quartet's harmonious vocals.

"Walking the Floor Over You" by Ernest Tubb

Ernest Tubb returns to perform his classic hit "Walking the Floor Over You" at 24:59, delivering an emotional performance that resonates deeply with listeners:

Rod Brasfield: "You left me and you went away. You said that you'd be back in just a day..." (24:59)

Humorous Dialogues and Banter

Red Foley and Rod Brassfield’s Baseball Antics

Throughout the episode, Foley and Brasfield engage in humorous conversations, particularly focusing on Rod’s baseball experiences:

Red Foley: “I'm just a little puny. I got me a Charlie horse playing baseball last week and I'm so mad I could eat an umpire burger” (06:08).

Rod Brassfield: "Well, uncle Cypher says, 'if it makes your legs smart, let's rub a little of it on your head.'” (06:25)

Their playful exchange brings levity and showcases their strong comedic chemistry.

Minnie Pearl’s Comedic Segment

Minnie Pearl joins the conversation around 20:38, delivering her trademark humor with anecdotes about her interactions and photography misadventures:

Minnie Pearl: "He said, Minnie Pearl, how old are you? And I said, why, Hezzy, I'm looking forward to 30." (21:21)

Her stories about Uncle Nabob and the amusing descriptions of family photos elicit laughter and endearment from the audience.

Interactive Audience Engagement

Ernest Tubb engages with listeners from various states, fostering a sense of community and nationwide connection:

Ernest Tubb: “We talked to some folks that came all the way from way out in Oregon. Welcome, you folks to the opera... Virginia. Oklahoma, Arkansas... Mississippi, Georgia.” (17:57)

This segment emphasizes the widespread popularity and reach of the Grand Ole Opry.

Tribute to Miss Jenny L. Carson

Near the end of the episode, Tubb pays homage to songwriters with a special feature on Miss Jenny L. Carson’s "Don't Rob Another Man's Castle":

Ernest Tubb: "Don't rob another man's castle. They say a man's home is his castle... So don't think of taking his loved ones." (26:08)

This tribute underscores the importance of respecting others’ personal sanctuaries and relationships.

Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with Red Foley providing original broadcast information and acknowledging the producers:

Red Foley: “Hickory Singers with Wally Fowler and the Oak River Ridge Quartet was originally released by NBC...” (28:29)

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Red Foley (03:49): “It’s Grand Ole Opry time.”
• Rod Brassfield (04:03): “Everyone will have some fun at the grand old.”
• Ernest Tubb (04:25): “Night train to Memphis...”
• Rod Brassfield (09:15): “Biting my fingernails, thinking of you...”
• Minnie Pearl (21:21): “He said, Minnie Pearl, how old are you?...”
• Ernest Tubb (26:08): “Don't rob another man's castle...”

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Conclusion

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns masterfully blends musical excellence with comedic brilliance, featuring iconic performances and heartfelt interactions. Red Foley, Rod Brasfield, Ernest Tubb, and Minnie Pearl deliver an unforgettable show that captures the spirit of the Grand Ole Opry, offering listeners a nostalgic journey into a bygone era of radio entertainment.

For those who haven’t experienced this classic broadcast, the episode serves as a captivating introduction to the talents and camaraderie that defined the Golden Age of Radio.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines and before we get into this episode I wanted to do a little PSA and remind you that I put out multiple shows a week of Old Time Radio Westerns. You can check them out by going to otrwesterns.com or looking up OTR Westerns on your podcast application of choice. We are releasing over 10 episodes a week so far, about a hundred a month, so definitely want you to check that out again otrwesterns.com and check it out. I also wanted to invite you to check out my sister podcast site otnetcast and that's net c a s t so ot n e t c a s t netcast otnetcast.com we're currently releasing mystery genre shows and this is shows like the Shadow Escape, Suspense and the Whistler and we have plans on bringing other shows to the network for you guys to listen to. So it's my non western old time radio channel that I can kind of do other genres that not only I like, but hopefully you would like too. You can check us out by going to otnetcast.com or searching ot n e t C A S T on your podcast app of choice. Now let's get into this episode. You can make a difference in someone's life, including your own with a job in home care. These jobs offer flexible schedules, health care, retirement options and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime visit oregonhomecarejobs.com to learn more and apply, that's oregonhomecarejobs.com this episode's going to be Grand Ole Opry Original air date is April 5, 1949 we've got a return of Red Foley and Rod Brassfield.

[Red Foley]

It's Grand Ole Opry time.

[Rod Brassfield]

Go back to Rock on the Floor night if you Everyone will have some fun at the grand old.

[Red Foley]

Take that.

[Ernest Tubb]

Night train to Memphis. Take that night train to Memphis. When you arrive at the station I'll be right there to meet you. I'll be right there to greet you. So don't turn down my invitation. Hallelujah, hallelujah. I'll be shouting hallelujah all the day. Oh, we'll have a jubilee down in Memphis, Tennessee And I'll shout hallelujah all the day. Take that night train to Memphis. Take that night train to Memphis. You know how I'm longing to see you. Leave at 3:57 and arrive at 11. Then I'll be shouting hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah. Hallelujah, hallelujah. I'll be shouting hallelujah all day. Oh, we'll have a jubilee down in Memphis, Tennessee and I'll shout hallelujah all the day And I'll shout hallelujah all the day. And here he is, Rob Bracefield.

[Red Foley]

You know, find that Mr. Fooley. I'm a little puny tonight. I'm just a little puny. I got me a Charlie horse playing baseball last week and I'm so mad I could eat a umpire burger.

[Ernest Tubb]

Rod, tell me this, why should a Charlie horse make you mad?

[Red Foley]

Well red, my uncle 5 was a rubbing some liniment on my leg and I says to him, I says, Uncle 5, that there old strong liniment is making my legs smart. Uncle Site says, yucks, if it makes your legs smart, let's rub a little of it on your head. Hi dear friend. It's been a pretty day today, ain't it? You know Uncle Site's our baseball manager this season down home. Man, right off the bat he found fault with the our uniforms. He said to me, he says, Rodney, them britches of yours is skin tight. I says uncle Cypher, tighter than that cause I can sit down in my skin, but the dog gonna fuckin sit down in these britches. He says to me, he says, rod, the least you could do is patch em with the same color patch as your uniform. I says, huh? That ain't no patch, that's me. Uncle Todd, let me alone. Then started Picking on my brother. Boo, he says. Boob, he said. Boobs pants was too, too big for him. And by that he is right. Boobs, the only baseball player I ever seen that could slide into first base with his britches still sitting on home plate. Well, sir, we got out to the baseball field, Larry, and I says to Uncle Sip, I says, what kind of a baseball diamond do you call this? The first base is a clump of cuckoo birds and the second base is a patch of poison ivy. Uncle Sip says, well, Rod, it'll save a lot of argument. Mind that now, when a feller says he touched bass, he can prove it. Well, sir, we had us a practice game there with a very interesting team of opponents, the Tullahoma Bloomer Girls. They Tullahoma Bloomer Girls. And you know what? I hit me a single, a double, a triple and a home run, but I still couldn't get the first base. With their short stop.

[Ernest Tubb]

O Chair is one of the most popular folk artists in the country and one of the best. Ernest Todd. Well, Ernest, we've. We've had laid eyes on you for eight or ten weeks now. What all you been doing and where you been?

[Rod Brassfield]

Well, been out in California, Red, for.

[Ernest Tubb]

A few weeks on making some personal.

[Rod Brassfield]

Appearances and made a few new phonograph records while I was out there.

[Ernest Tubb]

Yeah. Then, Jude, didn't you make a record while you was out there with the Andrew Sisters?

[Red Foley]

I sure did, Red.

[Ernest Tubb]

And I'd like to sing this for the Andrew Sisters right now.

[Red Foley]

How about.

[Ernest Tubb]

Let's do that?

[Rod Brassfield]

Biting my fingernails, thinking of you. You really got me worried now I must confess it's true. I sit around twiddling my thumbs, breaking my heart in two. I'm wondering if you love me so the way you say you do. I'm biting my fingernails and thinking, dear of you. Biting my fingernails, thinking of you don't love nobody else. It's funny but it's true. Just got a feeling, maybe. Withdrew. Biting my fingernails and thinking dear of you all. Come in, Butterfly. If you would think before you speak. How happy I would be you'd never hurt me. Deep inside you think the world of me. Instead you say what dare you please? Whether or not it's true. I'm biting my fingernails and sinking, dear of you, you. Biting my fingernails, thinking of you don't love nobody else. It's funny but it's true. Just got a feeling, maybe we do. Biting my fingernails and thinking dear of you all. Butterfall again. Biting my fingernails, thinking of you don't love nobody else. It's funny, but it's true. Just got a feeling maybe we're too. Biting my fingernails and thinking, dear of you.

[Red Foley]

I tell you that there I am. That there in this pump is the singingest feller I ever seen.

[Ernest Tubb]

Yeah, and besides singing right. Old Earnest mighty fast on his feet, too.

[Red Foley]

Yeah, that's what I hear, Ms. Foley. And I asked Ernest if he'd ever played any baseball. You know, I thought maybe I might get him to play for us on our team. And he said, rod, I was the fastest man that ever played baseball for the All Star Sequatchee Skunks. I says, yeah, how fast was that? Ernie said, well, I could run the bases so fast that one day I hit a home run and I was around first base before the people heard the crack of the bat. Then as I rounded second base, the second baseman said something to me that made me mad. So I wound up and hit the third baseman right in the catcher's mouth.

[Ernest Tubb]

Oh, my, my. Well, go over there and sit on the bench for a couple of minutes ride while Wally Fowler and the Oak River Ridge Quartet sing us a medley of their fine old Time spiritual. Boy.

[Rod Brassfield]

I'm crying holy unto the Lord I'm crying holy unto the Lord now it sure could if you all praise God.

[Ernest Tubb]

I got shoes, you got shoes all got you got shoes.

[Rod Brassfield]

Hey, oh, Mary, don't you be don't you mom, this whole world is not too home Got grounded Hey, oh, Mary, don't you be amazing Grazing grace like me I was lost, was lost but now I'm blind but now I see how do you want to be a servant for blowing from the devil for the Lord for the Lord do you want to be a servant for the Lord? Everybody, don't you want to go to heaven when you die? Now come on, boys, and let's go.

[Ernest Tubb]

Down in a word of prayer.

[Rod Brassfield]

Go down, my leader.

[Ernest Tubb]

Word of prayer.

[Rod Brassfield]

You too, my little tanner.

[Ernest Tubb]

Word of prayer. Go down that bedroom.

[Rod Brassfield]

Come on, boys, and let's go down.

[Ernest Tubb]

In the word of prayer. Let's all go together.

[Rod Brassfield]

Don't you want to go to heaven when you die? Now do you want to be a servant, Father Long? Lord have mercy, Father Long, forgive us. Do you want to be a servant, Father Long? Don't you want to go to heaven when you die? Now come on, boys, and let's retire and go back home Go back home, you timid little tenor.

[Ernest Tubb]

Go back home.

[Rod Brassfield]

Come on, boys, let's retire and go back home. Let's all go together. Don't you want goldhead when you die.

[Red Foley]

You know by Ned Ren I have to laugh every time I take a Claude Sharp. You know, Claude that takes his Old.

[Ernest Tubb]

Hickory very well, Rob.

[Red Foley]

Very well.

[Ernest Tubb]

How come, though?

[Red Foley]

Well, Claude plays on our ball team, you know, and the other night after the ball game, he went over to see his galaxy, and they was a setting there in the parlor, sparking. There in the parlor sitting there. Him and her was just sitting there in the parlor, sparking. And every time Claude would start to pucker up to kiss her, well, her daddy would cough at the keyhole. Finally, Claude says to her, says, maribel, why don't he stop watching us so I can kiss you? Why don't your daddy go on out to that big barn dance down the road? Meyer Bell says, oh, no, Claude, no, no. Pop is too old for that sort of thing. Claude says, well, if he keeps watching at that keyhole, I'm going to be too old for this sort of thing.

[Ernest Tubb]

Well, before any of us get any older here, Claude Sharp and the Old Hickory Singers are going to sing a chorus of down by the Old Mill Scream. And we're want everybody here to get ready to join in when we get to the second chord. All right, fellas, tune us up on it, will.

[Rod Brassfield]

You, with your eyes on low Rescind. It was there I knew that you love me oh, you were 16 my village mighty, mighty old me.

[Ernest Tubb]

Well, it's always mighty interesting to find out where a lot of you folks have come from to be with us here at the opera tonight. We were talking to some folks that came all the way from way out in Oregon. Welcome, you folks to the opera. My goodness, we talked to some more people from Colorado. Is there any more states represented here tonight? That's a lot of fun. Virginia. Hi. Hey. Virginia. Oklahoma, Arkansas. Yeah, here you hear Mississippi, Georgia. As usual, we've got them here from all over this great United States of ours. So all you folks, let's join in here. What do you got here?

[Red Foley]

Ron from Kentucky.

[Ernest Tubb]

Oh, somebody from Kentucky. Bless your hearts, the old home state. Well, let's all join in now, and in our best voices sing as loud as as we can so the folks back home can hear us sing along with the Old Hickory Singers. Now on the second course of down by the Old Mill Stream.

[Rod Brassfield]

Sam.

[Ernest Tubb]

Let'S see what's next.

[Rod Brassfield]

What you don't know.

[Ernest Tubb]

Oh, sure, sure. Peasant. Mini Pearl.

[Rod Brassfield]

How do.

[Minnie Pearl]

I proud to be here. Well, sir, I'll tell you right now, this year, weather makes me feel so romantical tonight. Oh, heads. It's so Full of surprises. Do you know, the other night he give me a mink outfit, two traps and a rifle. But that feller, he can ask the most embarrassing question. For instance, last night. Oh, it's late. It must have been 7, 30 or 8. We was a riding in his car and he looked over at me and he says to me, he says, minnie Pearl, that says my name.

[Red Foley]

Minnie Pearl.

[Minnie Pearl]

He said, minnie Pearl, how old are you? And I said, why, Hezzy, I'm looking forward to 30. He says, you must be looking in.

[Red Foley]

A rear view mirror.

[Minnie Pearl]

But I tell you now, with such pleasant weather and grinder switch, the camera club held its annual outing this week. And we all loaded our cameras and went out to shoot some. And Hezzy, he come along the course. Oh, Hezzy's a lover of the outdoors. He ain't so bad in the house neither.

[Red Foley]

Well, she.

[Minnie Pearl]

After I'd. After I took a bunch of pictures. It's much fun to work with Hezzy on the film. You never know what's gonna develop. Hey, Manny. Yes, sir.

[Red Foley]

Hey, you got any of our pictures with you that you took and pictures you made?

[Minnie Pearl]

Yes, sir, I have. Rodney. Look here. Here's a picture of Bedelia Broadlong.

[Red Foley]

She's kind of musical, ain't she?

[Minnie Pearl]

Well, yeah, she is. But Rodney, how could you tell that?

[Red Foley]

Well, she's built just like a piano. Say, Minnie, what kind of picture is this?

[Minnie Pearl]

Well, that there's a picture Uncle Nabob leading the way through gloomy swamp down by Betty's boss.

[Red Foley]

Oh, Minnie Flitter, all I see is a hat on top of a slew of mushy mud. Where's Uncle Nabob at?

[Minnie Pearl]

He's under the hat.

[Rod Brassfield]

Look here.

[Red Foley]

Poor old thingy. He ought to get out from under there.

[Minnie Pearl]

Oh, shut up, Rocky.

[Red Foley]

Now look a. Here's a picture.

[Minnie Pearl]

Here's a picture of Lotta Smead in a bathing suit.

[Red Foley]

Lotta Smeed. Yeah, there sure is a lot of lotta, ain't it? This here picture, Minnie, is good proof why so many people enjoy southern exposure.

[Minnie Pearl]

Now just stop looking and have a peek at this point. Picture Uncle Nabob standing in front of the swinging doors down at Moosh Mouth Mulligan's Bar and Grill.

[Red Foley]

Yeah, I can see Minnie Pearl, I can see the swinging doors, but I don't see Uncle Nabob.

[Minnie Pearl]

Has he gone back inside again?

[Red Foley]

I spec he wasn't. Well, I'll declare. I never have seen such dumb people in my. He sure is the hardest man to stick a Camry on.

[Ernest Tubb]

I was.

[Red Foley]

Minnie here's one of your Uncle Nabob, Minnie, and he's looking right down into the barrel of a big cannon. A big cannon. That there's the most natural picture I ever seen.

[Minnie Pearl]

What makes you think it's the natural Rodney?

[Red Foley]

Well, it looks just like he's getting ready to shoot off his face.

[Minnie Pearl]

Well, Rodney, the best picture of the day was this herring that we took of Hezy.

[Red Foley]

Well, now that there is right. That there looks just like Cany, don't he? Yeah, I declare, it sure looks natural. Yeah, it's a right smart likeness of his face. Many. But he sure do look funny standing there with his hands in his pocket.

[Minnie Pearl]

Well, brother said he'd look even funnier if he didn't have his hands in his pocket.

[Red Foley]

How fun.

[Minnie Pearl]

He forgot to put on his suspender.

[Red Foley]

Uhoh.

[Ernest Tubb]

Ernest, we're not going to let you get away without hearing at least a verse and a chorus chorus of that all time bestseller of yours. Walking the floor over you.

[Rod Brassfield]

You left me and you went away. You said that you'd be back in just a day. You broke on your promise and you left me here alone. I don't know why you did, dear, but I do know that you're gone. I'm walking the floor over you. I can't sleep awake that is true. I'm hoping and I'm praying as my heart breaks right into walking the floor over you.

[Red Foley]

You know that Ms. Foley, that. That song I've got for you, for myself tonight is. It's a sad song. It's the saddest. And I don't think you'll be able to sing it. It's the sad boy, Rod.

[Ernest Tubb]

I can sing any kind of a song. Sad song.

[Red Foley]

Well, I don't know, Red. This Sharon's real tearful now. It.

[Rod Brassfield]

It was.

[Red Foley]

It's real tearful. It was wrote by me and Boob Boo Boo. See there, it's got you crying already.

[Ernest Tubb]

All righty, Ry, you go over there and have a seat while we we pay tribute to America's number one girl writer of folk songs. Her name is Miss Jenny L. Carson. She's written a lot of beautiful songs, but I believe she topped them all when she wrote this particular song. Don't rob another man's castle. They say a man's home is his castle. He's like a king on a throne. It may be just a shack down alongside the track, but everything in it his own. So don't think of taking his loved ones. It's written, thou shalt not steal. You don't Rob another man's castle.

[Rod Brassfield]

No.

[Ernest Tubb]

Matter how lonesome you feel so don't rob a man of his sunshine.

[Rod Brassfield]

You.

[Ernest Tubb]

Break his heart don't you see I robbed another man's castle now someone just stole her from me.

[Rod Brassfield]

Randall Opry with Red Foley, Mini Pearl, Rod Brassfield the.

[Red Foley]

Hickory Singers with Wally Fowler and the Oak Ridge Quartet was originally 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.

[Rod Brassfield]

Sam Ram.

[Narrator]

You can make a difference in someone's life, including your own, with a job in home care. These jobs offer flexible schedules, health care, retirement options and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime. Visit oregonhomecarejobs.com to learn more and apply. That's oregonhomecarejobs.com.

[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 copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.