Red Foley Jive County Tennessee | Grand Ole Opry (1952)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode: Red Foley Jive County Tennessee | Grand Ole Opry (1952)

Host: Andrew Rhynes

Original Airdate: 1952

Podcast Release Date: October 30, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners to the golden age of country radio with a digitally restored recording of the Grand Ole Opry variety show, headlined by Red Foley in “Jive County, Tennessee.” Featuring stellar performances by iconic artists like Carl Smith, Minnie Pearl, Rod Brassfield, and others, the episode captures the heart, humor, and music of 1950s Nashville. Skits, country wisdom, down-home jokes, and classic songs abound, with a warm and lively camaraderie among artists and audience.

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Key Discussion Points and Segments

Welcome and Introductions

[01:27–04:19]

• The show opens with a rousing introduction, boasting a “capacity turnout” at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
• Red Foley introduces the evening’s special guests and recurring cast members, including Rod Brassfield, Minnie Pearl, Claude Sharpe and the Old Hickory Singers, Stringbean, and the Prince Albert Gang.
  • "We got a special treat ... Carl Smith, that young singing sensation from Maynardville, Tennessee." – Mr. Foley [04:19]

Opening Comedy Skit: Rod Brassfield and Red Foley

[04:57–09:02]

• Rod Brassfield delivers a set of humor steeped in rural wisdom and gentle ribbing.
  • Jokes about taxes on farm products:
    “Paul says every time he goes out to the barn to milk, every day he's there he thinks he's just pulling for his country.” – Rod Brassfield [05:22]
  • A slapstick take on going to a Yankees game, complete with physical comedy about his “Adam’s apple made out of horse hide and seam” from sitting behind the batter. [06:15]
  • Wry takes on fashion (“I'm inclined to look down on them, Mr. Foley.” re: low-cut dresses [06:49]), dating woes, and family tales with punchlines about “flea” children and X-ray love tokens.
    “I just wanted to show her my heart is in the right place.” [08:01]

First Musical Set: Carl Smith – “Let Old Mother Nature Have Her Way”

[09:42–12:03]

• Red Foley celebrates Carl Smith’s meteoric rise and invites him to perform one of his hits.
  • “Would you mind telling me which one?”
    “It was entitled 'Let Old Mother Nature Have Her Way.'” – Carl Smith [09:48–09:50]
• Carl delivers a smooth, romantic rendition, met with enthusiastic applause.

Gospel Interlude: “Peace In The Valley”

[13:53–16:26]

• Foley, Smith, and company join for a moving gospel number, spotlighting close harmonies and heartfelt lyrics.
  • “There will be peace in the valley for me someday.” – Carl Smith (vocals) [14:41, 16:02]
  • “There’s no sadness, no sorrow, my Lord. No trouble I see.” – Red Foley [16:17]

Group Harmony: The Old Hickory Singers – “Mandy”

[17:15–18:47]

• The Old Hickory Singers, led by Claude Sharpe, present an upbeat, classic vocal number, reminiscent of barbershop and early country pop stylings.

Comedy Monologue: Minnie Pearl

[19:27–23:31]

• Minnie Pearl takes the stage for signature comedy about rural life, aging, and small-town gossip.
  • “The thing that bothers me most is that when I do wink at a feller, all he thinks is that I’ve just got something in my eye.” [19:34]
  • Anecdotes about attending the World Series with family, poking fun at fashion and the confusion of big city ways.
  • Rural wisdom: “There was a feller, one of them agriculture experts, was around last week ... he said, ‘You’d do a lot better if you separate the hay from the weeds.’ Flood says, ‘Huh, mister, maybe you’re right. But I figured the cows have got more time than I have.’” [22:51]
  • Commentary on large families: “They’ve had so many young UN’s that ort to and tuggle nose babies backwards.” [23:09]

Return of Carl Smith: “Mr. Moon”

[23:39–26:03]

• Smith returns with his popular ballad, “Mr. Moon,” offering a tender vocal with backing harmonies, encapsulating the romantic ideals of country music.

Stringbean and the Band: “Stay a Little Longer”

[26:03–27:00]

• Stringbean and his band inject energetic string music and dance rhythms with quick, humorous interjections.

Group Ballad: “No One to Cry To”

[27:00–28:13]

• The cast delivers a bittersweet, harmony-rich ensemble performance of this classic country ballad.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Every time he goes out to the barn to milk ... he thinks he's just pulling for his country.” – Rod Brassfield [05:22]
• “I just wanted to show her my heart is in the right place.” – Rod Brassfield, on gifting an X-ray [08:01]
• “When you shine, you make love seem to come from above.” – Carl Smith, lyrics from “Mr. Moon” [25:26]
• “There’s no sadness, no sorrow, my lord. No trouble I see.” – Red Foley, “Peace in the Valley” [16:17]
• “But I figured the cows have got more time than I have.” – Minnie Pearl’s neighbor, via Minnie [22:54]

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Musical Highlights & Timestamps

• Mr. Foley and Ensemble – “Jive County, Tennessee” [01:40–03:38]
• Carl Smith – “Let Old Mother Nature Have Her Way” [09:53–12:03]
• Foley, Smith, and Ensemble – “Peace in the Valley” [13:53–16:26]
• Old Hickory Singers – “Mandy” [17:15–18:47]
• Carl Smith – “Mr. Moon” [23:57–26:03]
• Stringbean and Band – “Stay a Little Longer” [26:03–27:00]
• Group Ballad – “No One to Cry To” [27:28–28:13]

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Closing Segment & Farewells

[28:13–29:36]

• The cast signals next week’s special with new guests, thanking the audience for their loyal attendance.
• Red Foley: “We better get going before we overstay our welcome ... I’ll be seeing you next Saturday night at Prince Albert Grand Ole Opry.” [28:46–29:36]
• A somber public service announcement salutes the National Safety Congress, urging road safety.

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Episode Tone & Style

The show embodies a warm, convivial, and genuinely rural camaraderie. The blend of gentle comedy, heartfelt gospel, and dynamic country music evokes strong nostalgia, delivered in a friendly, neighborly Tennessee drawl with lively audience reactions. The humor remains homespun and relatable, while the music connects to timeless American roots.

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Summary Takeaway

This episode of “Old Time Radio Westerns” offers a true taste of mid-century country radio, not only preserving historic performances, but intensifying their appeal through careful restoration. Listeners are treated to top-tier music, rollicking country humor, and a seamless blend of love, laughter, and community straight from the heart of the Grand Ole Opry.

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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 Ole Opry. Originally aired sometime in 1952. This one's entitled Jive County, Tennessee.

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[Red Bully]

It's Grand Ole Opry time. Another big Prince Albert show starring Red Bully.

[Mr. Foley]

When I was but a little child sitting on my mama's knee Said now son, look here a while you pay attention and listen to me. When you grow up to be a man you might roll bum over the sea so you keep heading back you understand There's a place where you ought to be that Gu county glass post office in the state of Tennessee the folks will always welcome you there happy as can be they'll feed you possum and candied yam red gravy and smokehouse ham In J County Glad Post Office Tennessee One day I got my greetings. Uncle Sam was wanting me to attend a little meet that was being held across the sea. But when I reached the other side and I sort of looked around saw all them tame and bombs and planes man I dug right in the ground Cause in Giles county if you last post office in the state of Tennessee we fight with bricks and pitfall bats that beaker laugh could be but when them tanks got on my track I swam that ocean the whole way back to Giles County Pulaska Post Office in the state of Tennessee in case any of you folks that want to come down this way, there's a sign right out on the road there.

[Carl Smith]

They'll say I L E S County T U L A S K I.

[Mr. Foley]

Post office in the state of P N O C. Thank you very much. Thanks a lot. And a great big hi to all my good friends and neighbors of Prince Albert. Smoking Tobacco's grand old Oprah boy.

[Red Bully]

We got us another capacity turnout here.

[Mr. Foley]

At the rhyming of Nashville, Red, with.

[Red Bully]

Folks from almost every state of the country here. The great Rod Brassfield, Minnie Pearl, Claude Sharp and the old Hickory Singer String Bean and the Empire Prince Albert Gang.

[Mr. Foley]

Yes siree. And we got a special treat for the folks who've come all that way to be with us. Grant, he's that young singing sensation from up here in Maynardsville, Tennessee. Carl Smith. Yes, please. Well, we're going to have Carl out here with us with his guitar in just a few minutes. But right now I want you folks to sit back and get ready for some real funny with one of the funniest men we think in about four counties, Rod Bradfield.

[Red Bully]

Well, thank you, miss. Much obliged. That there was just plum party. Howdy, Mr. Foley. Mr. Foley, I've been down on the farm this week visiting my poppy and mommy all this week.

[Mr. Foley]

Is that right? Yeah. How they getting along?

[Red Bully]

Oh, they're just fine, Rev. They're just fine, said Poppy. He. He's just complaining about how rough it is on the farmers nowadays.

[Mr. Foley]

It is rough.

[Red Bully]

Yeah. He says they've got taxes on everything now. They've got tax on milk and tax on cream and tax on butter. Paul says every time he goes out to the barn to milk, every day he's there he thinks he's just pulling for his country.

[Mr. Foley]

Friends.

[Red Bully]

It's already warm tonight, ain't it?

[Mr. Foley]

Well, sort of in between, ain't it?

[Red Bully]

Weather has changed.

[Mr. Foley]

Tell me, I hear you went up to New York last week. The World Series baseball games must have a lot of fun.

[Red Bully]

Yeah. Oh, I sure did, Mr. Poly. I sure did.

[Mr. Foley]

Say, did, did you have a good seat?

[Red Bully]

Oh, did I have a good seat? Yeah, man, I had a wonderful seat right behind the home plate, Red. But I ain't going to sit there no more, I'll tell you that. Right behind that there batter. I ain't going to sit there no more.

[Mr. Foley]

Why not?

[Red Bully]

Well, I opened my mouth once to yell and cheer, you know, and now I got the only Adam's apple in the world made out of horse hide and seam.

[Mr. Foley]

All right, Rod, did you take Susie.

[Andrew Rines]

Up there with you?

[Red Bully]

Yeah, Susie and her mommy and her poppy, they all went with us. Susie? Red, Susie wore one of my low cut dresses to the game.

[Mr. Foley]

Oh, up there In New York City, right in style.

[Andrew Rines]

Yeah.

[Mr. Foley]

Rod, tell me something. Tell me the truth, man.

[Red Bully]

What.

[Mr. Foley]

What is your honest opinion of these.

[Red Bully]

Low cut dresses, Mr. Foley? I'm inclined to look down on them, Mr. Foley. I will tell you one thing, Mr. Foley. That there Susie was sure pretty, though. Boy, she was your pretty. We went out dancing that night, Red, and you ought to see that gal do the rumba.

[Mr. Foley]

Oh, wait a minute, wait a minute. Where in the world did Susie ever learn to do the rumba?

[Red Bully]

Where did you learn to do the rope?

[Minnie Pearl]

Yeah.

[Red Bully]

Well, Red, when she was a little girl, she had a bicycle that had a loose seat. You know, Mr. Foley, yesterday was Susie's birthday. Yesterday was her birthday and I just felt plumbed. I swear I did. I didn't have enough money to buy her something good and nice for a present. So all I could do, I. I give her an x ray picture of my chest.

[Mr. Foley]

All right. An X ray picture of your chest?

[Red Bully]

Yeah.

[Mr. Foley]

For what?

[Red Bully]

Well, I just wanted to show her my heart is in the right place. Ms. Bully, you know, my uncle s that poor old thing, he's having trouble again.

[Mr. Foley]

Always having trouble.

[Red Bully]

Yeah, he's having domestic troubles now. Yeah, poor old thing. Him and ain't SAP. They just can't get along a tall Looks like.

[Mr. Foley]

Looks like.

[Red Bully]

Yeah, just looks like it. They just can't get long at all. He was telling me, he said, rod, if I was to die and come back to this earth as a dog your ain't SAP would come back as a flea. Mr. Bully, speaking of fleas, do you know what the mama flea said to the papa flea?

[Mr. Foley]

No.

[Red Bully]

Why, our children are going to the dogs.

[Mr. Foley]

Well, you know, there's been a lot of what folks call Cinderella stories About young talented people. But I can't remember anybody coming up so far in so short a time as our Prince Albert guest for this evening. He's not only a fine singer, but he's also one of the nicest little fellas that you ever knew. Let's get him out here and sing a song for us. Let's give him a nice big welcome. Boy from Mayardsville, Carl Smith. Well, you know, buddy, your records are going like hotcakes around the country these days. Goodies. You've been making any goodings lately? I mean, just.

[Red Bully]

I made one about three weeks ago, Mr. Foley.

[Mr. Foley]

Would you mind telling me which one.

[Carl Smith]

I was entitled Let old mother nature have her way.

[Mr. Foley]

Let old mother nature have her way. Suppose you sing that right now.

[Carl Smith]

Be glad to.

[Mr. Foley]

All right, here we go.

[Carl Smith]

My darling. This Is my desire to set your little old heart on fire. Do the things that lovers always do. So put your little hand in the diamond rings will buy. Then I'll build a bungalow for two. Closer, a little closer. Well there ain't no use to stay so far away. So darling turn on all your charms. While I hold you in my arms. Let old mother nature have her ways. Now my baby, take a change. Cause I'm a aching for romance. I know that you were meant for me to love. You know your heart is beating fast. You know I'm gonna win at last. Cuddle up, be my turtle.

[Red Bully]

Dance.

[Carl Smith]

Closer, a little closer. Well there ain't no use to stay so far away. Cause baby when I hold your hand I feel just like a gro up man. Mother nature says now that's the way.

[Mr. Foley]

Ah, that's fine, Carl. Yes, sir. Man, it's no wonder that old Carl is so popular like Prince Albert Princeton, which is America's largest seller. We're going to bring him back out here in just a few minutes, folks. That's wonderful. Glad to see you like Carl. We're going to get him back out here in just a few minutes, right now. Get yourself one of them pretty gals there, Carl. And let's do a little dancing as Tommy Jackson fiddles Ragtime Annie. Well, last night Carl Smith is out in my house and we sat around and sang a few old songs. And Carl sort of expressed himself as lacking a sacred number that we've been doing lately. Thought of one of his favorites called Peace in the Valley. We'd like to do it for you now.

[Red Bully]

Thank you.

[Mr. Foley]

Oh, well, I'm tired and so weary. But I must go along till the Lord will come and close call me away.

[Minnie Pearl]

O dears.

[Mr. Foley]

Well the morning so bright. And the lamb is the light. And the night, night is as black as the sea. Oh yes, there will be peace in.

[Carl Smith]

The valley for me someday.

[Mr. Foley]

There will be peace in the valley for me. O Lord, I pray there's no sadness, no sorrow. O my lord.

[Carl Smith]

Trouble. Mercy.

[Mr. Foley]

There will be peace in the valley for me. Well the bear will be gentle and the wolf will be tame. And the lion shall lay down down by the la. And the beast from the wild will be lit by child. And I'll be changed. Changed from this creature that I am.

[Red Bully]

Oh yes, there will be peace in.

[Carl Smith]

The valley for me someday.

[Mr. Foley]

There will be peace in the valley for me. Oh Lord, I free.

[Red Bully]

There's no sadness, no sorrow, my lord. No trouble I see.

[Mr. Foley]

There will be peace in the valley for Me? Thank you very much, friends. Thanks a lot to you. Well, see, when it comes to real close harmony, you'll go 34 piece before you'll find four boys as good as our Old Hickory Singers. Here's Claude and the boys now with a little song called Mandy.

[Red Bully]

I was strolling out one evening by the silvery moon I can hear somebody singing a familiar tune so I stopped a while to listen Not a word I wanted to miss it was just somebody Serenity, Mandy There's a minister handy and it should be dandy if the Mandy make a be oh, don't you linger Here's a ring for your finger Get a humdinger come along and let the windshine sing Happy times for Mandy and me There's a minister handy and it should be dandy if we let him make a peace Here's a ring for your finger Isn't it a humdinger? Come along let the wedding chime sing Happy times come and me find.

[Carl Smith]

Me.

[Mr. Foley]

All right, fine boy. Well, see. You know, Grinder Switch is not much more than a bend in the road. But it's one of the most famous towns in the world because of a certain gal. She's Prince Albert's favorite princess and our best gal, Cousin Minnie Pearl.

[Minnie Pearl]

To be here, well to this fall weather sure makes you feel glad to be alive. I sure wish I could look the way I feel. Welter. They say a woman is only as old as she looks. Boys, I'm still looking. The thing that bothers me most is that when I do wink at a feller, all he thinks is that I've just got something in my eye. But I believe a girl can always manage to look young if she watches a figure. Of course, it makes you feel better to have the boys watch it too. Did I tell y' all that we went up to the to see the world? Serious? We did. Sure enough. Yes, sir. Rod and Susie and Uncle Nabob and Hisy and Brother and all of us went up there together. And when we told Grandpappy Bustrom we was going to see the Giants fight it out with the Yankees, he said, you mean them fool Yankees still ain't had sense enough to surrender? Well, then when we finally got in the game, I said to Brother, I said, what's the score? And Brother said, it's the seventh inning and the score is nothing to nothing. And I said, oh, goody, Then we ain't miss nothing. I looked over. I looked over and noticed that Uncle Nabob was sitting with a couple of peroxide blondes. Leave it to Uncle Nabob. The minute he gets in a ballpark, he heads straight for the bleachers. And them fellers, boy, the funniest looking clothes I ever seen. I couldn't look at some of them. They had the underwear showing clear from here dance they did. You're not black. Yes, it was. I don't know what made it that way. And you know what? Well, Hazy. He got up in the middle of the ball game and went out to get a sody pop. And all of a sudden I turned around and he was standing back there at the back of them bleacher and he was hollering at me in front of all them folks. And he was saying, come on home. Come on home. It was awful right there in front of all them folks. And I got up and started back there and he said, go on back, you fool, go on back. Just I started back. He hollered, slide, slide. And I slid till I bumped into a punch. I try to do everything he says do. It's awful. It really is. Well said. Though I've talked enough about that. I'll have to tell you about the news from Grinder Switch. There was a feller, one of them agriculture experts was around last week and he called on Flood Smeaton and he went into Flood's barn to examine the hay. And after looking it over, he said, you'd do a lot better if you separate the hay from the weeds. And Flood says, huh, mister, maybe you're right. But I figured the cows have got more time than I have. But now, since we've had one exciting bit of news before I leave, the orphan tut work have got a new baby. Oh, I'll tell you right now, that makes about their 15th or 16th. Uncle Nabok says they must be stark raving crazy. They've had so many young UN's that ought to and tuggle nose babies backwards. And he said the last time the government man came by counting people out there trying to switch, he added up all the Orson tuggled young un. He couldn't believe his census. By the.

[Mr. Foley]

Well, Sir Howard, you folks, we promised you was going to bring Carl Smith back out here. And I know that you're waiting for.

[Red Bully]

Him, so here he is.

[Mr. Foley]

Carl, we're just going to give you brothers. You got another one of those hit records of yours that you'd like to produce for us.

[Carl Smith]

Would you Let me sing Mr.

[Red Bully]

Moon for him? Mr.

[Mr. Foley]

Moon? Yes, sir.

[Carl Smith]

And I depend on your life Pretty.

[Red Bully]

Moon.

[Carl Smith]

While I'm holding her tight Silver.

[Red Bully]

Moon.

[Carl Smith]

If I ask her to be fine Will you stand for me? Will I see you tonight, Mr.

[Mr. Foley]

Moon?

[Carl Smith]

Now every time you're shining there's romance in the air Please set her heart to pin on and tell her I'll be there As I look in her eyes Pretty moon Will you shine from the sky? Silver moon if I ask her to be mine Will you stand by me? Will I see you tonight, Mr.

[Red Bully]

Moon? Where?

[Mr. Foley]

When?

[Carl Smith]

In the middle of June Will you shine bright forever? When you shine you make Love seems to come from above Will I see you tonight bad Mr.

[Mr. Foley]

Thank you very much, folks. We're glad to see you. Like over here's old Spring B now and his band here Little tune called Stay a Little Longer.

[Red Bully]

Let's go.

[Mr. Foley]

Dark Seamite Blue out Saturday.

[Red Bully]

At the way down the Shin Bo N gave number on the door Next.

[Mr. Foley]

Household Red Gross Estate store Stay on.

[Red Bully]

I stay a little longer Dance on.

[Mr. Foley]

I dance a little longer Pull up.

[Red Bully]

Cool coat in the corner don't see why I don't stay a little longer.

[Mr. Foley]

Can'T go home in the corner the.

[Red Bully]

Meal bread was out at bottom of.

[Mr. Foley]

The hill Big creek up in a big creek Money Flower my corner double show Stay on I stay a little longer Dance on I dance a little longer Pull up to a corner don't see why I don't stay a little.

[Red Bully]

Long.

[Mr. Foley]

Ah, that's a good boy. Straight being there, he's a sight to behold. Here's a little ballad folks, we'd like to try to do is squeeze in about one course. I think we got time. It's one we've been doing before, sort of like Prince Albert. An old friend of ours called. No one to cry at you.

[Minnie Pearl]

No.

[Mr. Foley]

One to cry to no one to say good night no one to tell my troubles to no one to side to no one to hold me tight no one to cheer me when I'm blue I go home to my lonely room Find there's no one there.

[Andrew Rines]

And.

[Mr. Foley]

Each night I think of you Please answer my one prayer and give me someone to cry to Someone to say I do Someone to whisper I love you well, see, that looks like it, folks. And we better get going before we stay our welcome out. And we'll be calling for you in the duck board a week from the night though, so be ready because we're bringing two newcomers with us the first time on Prince Albert Cranbory. Johnny and Jack Dylan. This is Red Bull Axel October. I'll be seeing you next Saturday night at Prince Albert Grand O Opray.

[Red Bully]

This evening we salute the 39th National Safety Congress which convened in Chicago this week. National Safety Congress Week Unless those of you who drive cars exercise more caution on our highways, we soon shall have marked the 1 millionth death due to traffic accidents. Help postpone this grim event by knowing and obeying traffic laws. Remember, the life you saved may be your own. Prince Albert's Grand Ole Opry came to you from WSM in Nashville, Tennessee.

[Heat Pump Water Heater Announcer]

Do you know what happens when you replace your regular old electric water heater with a new electric heat pump water heater? You boost your savings a lot. In fact, Energy Star estimates that a family of four will save an average of $550 a year on their electric energy bills. And your new heat pump water heater can pay for itself in as little as 3. Level up with a heat pump water heater. Go to levelupmywaterheater.com to learn more.

[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of OTRWesterns.com and we hope you enjoy. 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.

[Heat Pump Water Heater Announcer]

Do you know what happens when you replace your regular old electric water heater with a new electric heat pump water heater? You boost your savings a lot. In fact, Energy Star estimates that a family of four will save an average of $550 a year on their electric energy bills. And your new heat pump water heater can pay for itself in as little as three years. Level up with a heat pump water heater. Go to levelupmywaterheater.com to learn more.