Red Foley Shortnin Bread | Grand Ole Opry (04-30-49)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Old Time Radio Westerns
• Host: Andrew Rhynes
• Episode: Red Foley Shortnin Bread | Grand Ole Opry (04-30-49)
• Release Date: July 3, 2025

---

Introduction

In this episode of the Old Time Radio Westerns podcast, host Andrew Rhines transports listeners back to April 30, 1949, featuring the iconic Grand Ole Opry performance starring Red Foley. This episode is a digital restoration that captures the essence of the golden age of radio, enhanced with superior audio quality that brings every nuance of the performances to life.

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Performance Highlights

Red Foley's "Shortening Bread"

The episode opens with Red Foley leading with the charming and humorous song "Shortening Bread." Foley's performance is interspersed with playful banter with fellow performers Rodney Brassfield and Minnie Pearl, creating an engaging and lively atmosphere.

• Notable Quote:
  • Red Foley (00:00): "Foreign."
    [00:00]
    • This brief interjection sets a lighthearted tone for the performance.

Dialogues and Comedic Sketches

The segment features a delightful exchange between Red Foley and Rodney Brassfield, highlighting their comedic chemistry. They discuss everyday scenarios with humor, such as relationship troubles and misunderstandings, providing a glimpse into the relatable humor of the time.

• Notable Quote:

  • Rodney Brassfield (04:35): "Wally said, rodney, the best thing you can do with your weekend is to put a hat on it."
    [04:35]
    • Rodney humorously shares advice that underscores the playful nature of their interactions.

• Minnie Pearl's Interjection (15:02):

  • Minnie Pearl: "Glad to be here. Well sir, I'm telling you, I never been so insulted in all my life..."
    [15:02]
    • Minnie Pearl brings her signature Southern charm and wit, adding depth to the comedic dialogue.

Musical Performances

The episode features several musical performances that showcase the rich tapestry of country and folk music of the era.

• Jimmy Dickens' "Country Boy":

  • Rodney Brassfield (20:20): "Hello, Red. Hi there, tiger. How you doing?"
    [20:20]
    • Jimmy Dickens engages with Red Foley before delivering his heartfelt rendition of "Country Boy," celebrating the simplicity and virtues of rural life.

• Oak Ridge Quartet's Spiritual Renditions:

  • Red Foley (10:26): "Now, friends, here's Wally Fowler, an Oak Ridge quartet showing us what is meant by real spiritual singing."
    [10:26]
    • The Oak Ridge Quartet presents spiritually uplifting songs such as "Joshua Fits the Battle of Jericho," enriching the episode with soulful harmonies.

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Behind the Scenes

Andrew Rhines provides brief interludes where he promotes additional content available on the Old Time Radio Westerns website and his sister podcast, OTNetcast. These segments, while promotional, are seamlessly integrated and do not detract from the main content.

• Andrew Rhines (00:13):
  • "We're releasing over 10 episodes a week so far, about a hundred a month. So definitely want you to check that out..."
    [00:13]
    • Rhines effectively communicates the extensive library of content available, inviting listeners to explore more beyond the featured episode.

---

Humorous Anecdotes and Storytelling

Throughout the episode, Minnie Pearl shares entertaining stories and anecdotes that reflect the humor and social dynamics of the late 1940s.

• Notable Quote:

  • Minnie Pearl (15:38):
    • "They call that girl the draft board in Grinder Swiss... Cause she'll take any feller from 18 to 45."
      [15:38]
    • Minnie Pearl's storytelling abilities shine as she humorously describes local characters and social situations.

• Comedic Exchange about Goat Farming:

  • Rodney Brassfield (17:28): "Did I ever tell you about that I used to run a goat farm."
    [17:28]
    • The lighthearted banter about running a goat farm adds a rustic charm and relatability to the episode.

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Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with a heartfelt performance and a brief farewell from Red Foley, reinforcing the sense of community and camaraderie that was central to radio shows of the era.

• Red Foley (27:17): "This is the United States Armed Forces Radio Service, the voice of information and education."
  [27:17]

  • This sign-off pays homage to the historical context of radio programming, especially its role in supporting and entertaining troops.

• Final Words from Andrew Rhines (27:47):

  • "This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed... thanks for listening."
    [27:47]
    • Rhines wraps up the episode with gratitude, encouraging listeners to engage further with the podcast through various platforms.

---

Conclusion

This episode of the Old Time Radio Westerns podcast offers a nostalgic journey into the vibrant world of 1940s radio entertainment. Through Red Foley's captivating performances, witty dialogues, and the collaborative spirit of the Grand Ole Opry, listeners are treated to a rich tapestry of humor, music, and storytelling. The meticulous digital restoration enhances the listening experience, making these timeless tales of the Wild West and country life accessible and enthralling for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Red Foley (00:00): "Foreign."
  [00:00]

• Rodney Brassfield (04:35): "Wally said, rodney, the best thing you can do with your weekend is to put a hat on it."
  [04:35]

• Minnie Pearl (15:02): "Glad to be here. Well sir, I'm telling you, I never been so insulted in all my life..."
  [15:02]

• Rodney Brassfield (20:20): "Hello, Red. Hi there, tiger. How you doing?"
  [20:20]

• Red Foley (10:26): "Now, friends, here's Wally Fowler, an Oak Ridge quartet showing us what is meant by real spiritual singing."
  [10:26]

• Andrew Rhines (00:13): "We're releasing over 10 episodes a week so far, about a hundred a month..."
  [00:13]

---

This comprehensive summary captures the essence and key elements of the Red Foley Shortnin Bread | Grand Ole Opry (04-30-49) episode, offering an engaging and informative overview for those who haven't listened to the original broadcast.

Transcript

[Red Foley]

Foreign.

[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're 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 n e t 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 t N E T C A S T on your podcast app of choice. Now let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be the Grand Old Opry Original air date is April 30, 1949. We've got red Foley in the lead role and the first song is going to be Shortening Bread. Let's get into it.

[Rodney Brassfield]

They can welcome the grand oldery with Rob Grassfield Honeypoon.

[Red Foley]

Well, I broke a string boy so I'm going to have to do something here. Bread sits in the kitchen and it's lift up the L and it's in my pocket full of shortening bread Told a skin and it's cold A gal to make salt and bread.

[Rodney Brassfield]

That ain't.

[Red Foley]

All that she tried to do she tried to make a good coffee too.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Three little babies lying in bed two.

[Red Foley]

Well stick candy has a most dead.

[Rodney Brassfield]

I said for the doctor and the.

[Red Foley]

Doctor said give them baby some shortening bread A man said baby love.

[Minnie Pearl]

And.

[Red Foley]

Bread a man's lady baby loves chocolate.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Mammoth little baby loves sharpening bread.

[Minnie Pearl]

Rod.

[Red Foley]

Fairy field.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Thank you Mr. Foley.

[Red Foley]

Yes, Rodney.

[Rodney Brassfield]

I'm so damn blame man I could.

[Red Foley]

Just buy off the butt end of a banana. I'm telling you the truth, I didn't.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Have me no plans for this Saturday. So when I come in here tonight I ask Wally Fowler what I Could.

[Red Foley]

Do with my weekend. Yeah, Rod, what did Wally say when you asked him what you could do with your weekend? Well, Wally said, rodney, the best thing you can do with your weekend is to put a hat on it.

[Rodney Brassfield]

That just kills me to.

[Red Foley]

Yeah. Howdy, friends. It ain't so hot tonight, is it?

[Rodney Brassfield]

Last week I learned all about friendship.

[Red Foley]

Down there in hornw. Yesterday I learned that I ain't got an enemy in the world, but all my friends hate me. Who done that?

[Rodney Brassfield]

It all started when my gal friend.

[Red Foley]

Susie come to see me. Susie come to see me there and we had a little fat.

[Rodney Brassfield]

We kind of get in a little.

[Red Foley]

Argument there once in a while.

[Rodney Brassfield]

She says to me, she said, rodney. She said, rodney, I can't marry you, but I'll always be your friend. I'll be your friend till the end.

[Red Foley]

I says, okay, friend, lend me $5. She says, this is the end. Of course, woman like Susie started sobbing there and got mad and started sobbing and crying. Little dab dab, half to dab. She said. She said, rodney, how can you say.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Such things about me when I have.

[Red Foley]

Always told everybody that you are full, sensible and level headed.

[Rodney Brassfield]

I said, susie, you ain't never told.

[Red Foley]

Nobody I'm level headed. You always said I was flat headed. That made her so mad she could ate a banana. She didn't dare say nothing. Thought I'd flat with I love that woman.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Well, after we got through arguing there.

[Red Foley]

We saw it made up and we was a kissing.

[Rodney Brassfield]

My. We was kissed her. Yeah, I did. Yeah, I kissed her.

[Red Foley]

I just love that woman. I usually do. I love to kiss her woman. It's much fun. I just love to kiss that woman.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Well, we was a kiss in there.

[Red Foley]

When all of a sudden she RS.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Back and she says, rodney Brass feel.

[Red Foley]

Like I'd never marry you. You, you're too much of a caveman. And so I just throws out my chest and I said, susie, you mean.

[Rodney Brassfield]

I'm a big strong he man caveman?

[Red Foley]

She says, no, I mean every time you kiss me, you cave man. Great feeling. To say howdy to that famous Montgomery, Alabama singing personality, Hank Williams. Thank you.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Will you. Wore out a brand new truck back in an un packing your junk. Your daddy is mad he done that. Peace. You gonna change your animals on a leave. You gonna change your way of living. Change the things you do. Stop doing all the things that you oughtn't to. Your dad is mad, he's ungodly and you gonna change your amaz. Well, if ain't right and that is wrong, you Just keep nagging all the day long. Now you gotta stop. I don't mean for me. You gonna change your Amazon to me. The way to keep a woman happy and make her do what's right is love her every morning, ball her out of a night. Your daddy is mad. He done got peace. He's gonna change around a gonna leave. Cause every time you get mad, you pack your rags and you go home to dad. You tell him lies. He gonna you and you going to change your amber going to leave you going to change your way of living. Change the things you do. Stop doing all them things that you ough to. Your dad is mad. He done not be. You're going to change your eyes going to leave.

[Red Foley]

Now, friends, here's Wally Fowler, an oak Ridge quartet showing us what is meant by real spiritual singing. As they give us Joshua fits the battle of Jerry Cole J. Cole.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Oh, and the wall came tumbling down. Oh, the wall came tumbling down.

[Red Foley]

You talk about your man of Gideon. Talk about your man.

[Rodney Brassfield]

The south is not like good old.

[Red Foley]

Joshua after that but Jericho, Jericho, Jericho J and the wall came coming down.

[Rodney Brassfield]

On the wall.

[Red Foley]

Ramsey bones began to blow. The children began to shout. Oh, Joshua walked up to the wall and he laid his feet. Prolonged elderly. The Foley family is having a little getting tomorrow. It's being Sunday and the folks are coming in from Berea, Kentucky. They'll get together. I know there'll be fried chicken and a lot of good. And I know too that when the sun goes down, Ain't Lucy will go quietly over to the old organ and that'll be the signal for a few wonderful old hymns. One of the first we'll be singing will be this one here called Cleansing. Take my life.

[Rodney Brassfield]

And make it holy Thine.

[Red Foley]

Fill my poor heart with thy great love divine. Take all my will.

[Rodney Brassfield]

My passion. Never.

[Red Foley]

My incident will all be nearer gone. Try me, O Savior, Know my thoughts, I pray. Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.

[Minnie Pearl]

Glad to be here. Well sir, I'm telling you, I never been so insulted in all my life. Coming over here on the bus, a fellow just grabbed me and kissed me. I never have been so insulted. He looked at me and said, excuse me, I thought you was my mother in law. Well, while I was on that there bus, who do I see but that boy crazy Messalina Moss. She's from Grindy Swiss. Messalina Messi for sure. Well, say they call.

[Rodney Brassfield]

They.

[Minnie Pearl]

They call that girl the draft board in grinder Swiss they call it draft board. Cause she'll take any feller from 18 to 45. I'm sure glad I'm not boy crazy like that. Well, to those seeing Messalina made me glad to have Hezzy. That there's my fellow Hezzy. Well, it did. That there's his name. Yeah, I call him now Garvey. The other night. The other night, Hezzy says to me, he says, minnie Pearl, when I try to kiss you, I can't figure out why you always yell stop. I says, what I can't figure out.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Is why you always do.

[Minnie Pearl]

Well, I reckon y' all think all I think about is just kissing. That's right. Well, sir, I remember one time at a dance there at Grinder's Witch, I asked Hezzy if he'd like to set out the next set on the porch. And he got mad and said, if you don't like the way I dance, just say so. I don't know about that, feller. Did you? Well, today we had us a shower for the line of Beetle Bob, the Ovary and Grinder switch this week. And Prunella Peabody, the local spinster lady, she's the only fencing lady nearly biting around the switch. We got one more. Well, Prunella was there and she nearly knocked everybody into conniption fit at that shower. She told us she's got 14 kids. We all forgot she had a goat farm.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Hey, Minnie. Paul.

[Minnie Pearl]

Yes, Rob?

[Rodney Brassfield]

Did I ever tell you about that I used to run a goat farm.

[Minnie Pearl]

A goat farm?

[Rodney Brassfield]

Yeah.

[Minnie Pearl]

You had one?

[Rodney Brassfield]

Yeah.

[Minnie Pearl]

Yeah, I got wind of it.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Maybe it's much easier to milk a goat than it is to milk a cow.

[Minnie Pearl]

Is that right?

[Red Foley]

Yeah.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Yeah, that's right. You see, in milking a goat, there's just two things you have to remember. First, you.

[Minnie Pearl]

That's all right, then.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Never mind, Robin.

[Minnie Pearl]

What I want to know is how come you to bust into that shower last year?

[Rodney Brassfield]

Well, flitter me Shalina husband uni told me that Shalina was expecting a shower.

[Red Foley]

So I come over with my umbrella.

[Rodney Brassfield]

That was sure some hen party, wasn't it? Yeah. I never heard so much cackling in my life. I'm telling you, I ain't heard so much cackling since the uncle s old rooster laid out their egg.

[Minnie Pearl]

Now, Rodney, how can a rooster lay an egg?

[Rodney Brassfield]

Well, it ain't easy, Minnie, you know. You know something? I heard them women are talking and I just had to laugh when I heard what I'm saying. I. The gal said they didn't like to kiss a feller with whiskers.

[Minnie Pearl]

Did they say that?

[Rodney Brassfield]

Yeah, they said that. They said when the gal make up her mind to kiss a feller, they ain't gonna beat around the bush.

[Minnie Pearl]

Some fellas does crazy things. Now, Susie Smirch's feller took up for a ride in his car.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Susie Smirches.

[Minnie Pearl]

Yes, Murchie's. I can stand right now. Just go ahead. And he mustn't have been keeping his mind on his driving because all of a sudden he turned into a ditch and throwed them both out on a bank.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Did it hurt? A minute.

[Minnie Pearl]

Well, I guess Susie fella must have been not silly. Cause he grabbed hold of Susie and started kissing her. He did? Yes.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Started kissing her? Yes.

[Red Foley]

Must have been delirium or something.

[Rodney Brassfield]

He started kissing her, huh?

[Minnie Pearl]

Yeah. And Susie says that she. To me it had been a whole lot simpler if you just run out of gas.

[Red Foley]

One of the nation's leading folk singers, little Jimmy Dickens.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Hello, Red. Hi there, tiger. How you doing?

[Red Foley]

What do you brought along with us besides your guitar?

[Rodney Brassfield]

Tonight, Red, I'd like to do one of my latest recordings. A little thing here called Country Boy.

[Red Foley]

If you don't mind.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Now, I'm just a simple guy. There's one thing. You're a shooting. I hate those folks who think that they're the best burned high pollutants. I'd be the same in Hollywood or.

[Minnie Pearl]

Right in my own kitchen.

[Rodney Brassfield]

I believe in fussing when you're mad and scratching when you're itching I'm a plain old country boy A cornbread loving country boy I raise clean on Saturday But I go to church on Sunday I'm a plain old country boy let's tater eating country boy I'll be looking over that old gray mule when the sun comes up on Monday Where I come from opportunities they never were too good we never had much money but we've done the best we could Ma doctored me from young and hood On.

[Minnie Pearl]

Epsom sals and iodine Made my diapers.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Out of old beat sack my fenders, all the flowers I'm a plain old country boy A cornbread loving country boy I raise cane on Saturday but I go to church on Sunday I'm a plain old country boy Potato eating country boy I be looking over that old gray mule when the sun comes up.

[Red Foley]

On Monday.

[Rodney Brassfield]

And every time that creature came Ma always fixed the chicken if I'd reached for a drumstick I was bound to get a licking she always stayed too far for me But I had to shut my mouth twice A gizzard and marthy and obviously Chicken flying style. I'm a plain old country boy A cornbread loving country boy I raise cane on Saturday but I go to church on Sunday I'm a plain old country boy A tater eating country boy I'll be looking over my old gray mule when the sun comes up on Monday.

[Red Foley]

Now you tell me what you want me to say.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Well, I want you to sing that in there. The where you just beat the toy.

[Red Foley]

Out of them muse, you know. You mean mule friend.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Oh, yeah. All right, you help me out where you are. I'll try. Come on, call. Get on. Get up there. Right there. Oh, God. Get up there. If you say.

[Minnie Pearl]

Get up.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Feel free.

[Red Foley]

Climbing over hill and plane this is how they never stop climbing alone There's a pluggage in the back for a minor in Corona I guess I've heard a cowboy way out in Arizona Address the calico for the pretty naughty get along.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Ah get up there, Pete. Get over there.

[Red Foley]

K back.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Get up.

[Red Foley]

Liberty Climbing along the mountain dream soon they go reach it stopping alone there's cotton bread and needles for the folks who we are yonder A shovel for a miner who left his home to wonder Some rheumatism pills for the sa and hills get along, get along.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Love that. Hi. Get up high get up right here.

[Red Foley]

Stop me a rascal you.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Be Ha.

[Red Foley]

There's a letter front the of around the border a pair of boots to.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Someone who had a new order bible.

[Red Foley]

In the fight where the Reverend Mr. Flash get along me get along, get along, get along.

[Rodney Brassfield]

One that's about all for now, but we'll be back again next week with another grand old Opry. Sam.

[Red Foley]

This is the United States Armed Forces Radio Service, the voice of information and education.

[Minnie Pearl]

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 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.

[Rodney Brassfield]

Sam.