Old Time Radio Westerns — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Take That Night Train to Memphis (Roy Acuff) | Grand Ole Opry (01-02-43)
Original Air Date: January 2, 1943
Podcast Host: Andrew Rhynes
Podcast Date: January 1, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode transports listeners back to the golden era of American radio with a restored broadcast of the Prince Albert-sponsored Grand Ole Opry from January 2, 1943. Focusing on classic country performances, homespun humor, and patriotic themes, it features Roy Acuff and his band, comedic sketches, and audience participation—all with improved audio clarity. The show gives a snapshot of wartime America, blending entertainment, community, and a touch of nostalgia.

Key Segments & Discussion Highlights

1. Show Introduction and Atmosphere (03:43–05:16)

• Host Introduction: Andrew Rhynes welcomes listeners, outlines digital enhancements, and sets the historic scene.
• Setting: The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville is “filled with neighbors from many states” and features “headquarters for swapping yarns, recipes and the latest information on how to feed the nation.”

2. Opener — Roy Acuff & the Smoky Mountain Boys (05:16–07:38)

• Host George D. Hay (‘The solemn old Judge’): Reiterates the Opry’s tradition of “homespun songs and hoedowns which have a big place in American life.”
• Musical Performance:
  • “Take That Night Train to Memphis” by Roy Acuff and his band.
    • Quote: “Take that night train to Memphis...and I'll shout hallelujah all the way.” (06:02–07:36)
  • Energetic, welcoming, and rich in Southern flavor.

3. Pee Wee King’s Golden West Cowboys — “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart” (07:38–09:47)

• Feature of girl singer (“Miss San Antonio Rose”), singing a Western swing classic highlighting aspirations and Western imagery.
  • Quote: “I want to ride o’er the plains and the desert...just a thousand miles from the city lights...” (08:03–09:00)

4. Comic Relief — “I Wish I Was Single Again” (09:47–12:24)

• Comic song by Pap and the Boys satirizing the trials of marriage with tongue-in-cheek lyrics and lively audience response.
  • “I married me another, the devil’s grandmother, and I wish I was single again.” (11:56–12:06)

5. Sacred Song — Roy Acuff: “I’ll Reap My Harvest in Heaven” (14:04–17:10)

• Acuff delivers a heartfelt, gospel-style performance that underscores the spiritual and moral tone of the show.
  • “I’ll reap my harvest in heaven on that heavenly shore.” (14:34–17:10)
• Praised by George D. Hay: “Beautiful, Roy. Mighty, mighty pretty.” (17:24)

6. Wartime Audience Participation: Messages Home (17:24–22:41)

• Introduction of a new segment for soldiers: Miss Trudy Brown calls families of servicemen in the audience, sharing their stories and relaying greetings.
  • Aviation Cadet Patrick Charles Lagaifa: Discussion about his family, his sister “Pepsi Cola,” and what he misses from home.
    • “I like the Army Air Force very much and army life agrees with me. The food is excellent. But mom, you’re still the best cook in the world.” (20:05–20:21)
  • Private Harold Scott: Family anecdotes, dealing with cold in the tent, and his New Year’s resolution to “do my best efforts to help winning the war this coming year.” (22:27–22:41)
  • Humor and warmth dominate, celebrating family connections and wartime resilience.

7. More Music & Storytelling (22:49–28:31)

• Ford Rush (“High Sheriff”): Sings “Maple on the Hill,” a sentimental country classic. (23:10–24:56)
• Minnie Pearl, iconic comedienne: Introduced as “dead blame cute” and delivers a comic monologue about family, rural parties, birthday cakes, and watch parties.
  • Noteworthy exchange:
    • “She says, well, is it compulsory? He says, lord, no, it’s coconut…” (25:44–25:50)
  • Shares her “new revolution” (resolution) for the year: “I’m gonna get me a husband for next 19... All right, come on, fellas.” (27:20–27:45)
• Musical Interlude: Minnie Pearl sings “Luly Wong.” (27:45–28:13)

8. Down-Home Wisdom & Patriotic Appeal (28:31–29:56)

• Hosts exchange: The Judge and Cousin Louie discuss the value of laughter during wartime and promote Prince Albert’s calming effect.

  • “Everything that eases our minds off our worries and problems for a while is good for us.” (28:58–29:15)

• War Effort Reminder: A brief public service announcement stresses the importance of keeping war information secret:

  • “It’s called the bits and pieces method…and it can lose battles for us and the lives of our boys...just one safe and patriotic rule: Keep your mouth shut tight.” (30:40–31:17)

9. Closing Musical Numbers & Farewells (31:17–32:35)

• Comedy and light verse: Oswald delivers a joke poem: “The proper place to kiss, you know, just beneath the nose.” (30:07–30:18)
• Final Songs:
  • “Ida Red, I’m in Love with Ida Red” – a lively, toe-tapping tune. (31:33–32:03)
• Farewell Message:
  • “The old clock on the opera house wall tells us that it’s time to drop the curtain on our first Prince Albert Grand Ole Opry of 1943. But we’ll be with you next Saturday night at the same time...” (32:03–32:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the role of music and radio:

  • “These ballads tell stories which come from the heart and our girls and boys really shake a foot when the breakdowns hit the air.” — George D. Hay, 05:16

• Wartime sentiment:

  • “If you know someone in a war factory and how many shells or parts he makes...there’s just one safe and patriotic rule. Keep your mouth shut tight...” — Public Service Announcement, 30:40

• On family connection:

  • “Your family’s gathered around the radio in the parlor right this minute. If you were there with them, what would you like to say?” — Trudy Brown, 19:44

• Minnie Pearl’s comic resolution:

  • “I done made one more new revolution and that is, I’m gonna get me a husband for next 19. All right, come on, fellas!” — Minnie Pearl, 27:20

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |------------------------------------------|--------------| | Introduction and Atmosphere | 03:43–05:16 | | Roy Acuff: “Night Train to Memphis” | 05:16–07:38 | | “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart” | 07:38–09:47 | | Comic Song: “I Wish I Was Single Again” | 09:47–12:24 | | Gospel: “I’ll Reap My Harvest in Heaven” | 14:04–17:10 | | Messages Home: Soldiers' Segment | 17:24–22:41 | | “Maple on the Hill” (Ford Rush) | 23:10–24:56 | | Minnie Pearl Monologue & Song | 25:17–28:13 | | Public Service Announcement | 30:40–31:17 | | Closing/Farewell | 31:33–32:35 |

Episode Tone and Style

Warm, homespun, and deeply rooted in American tradition, the original show’s atmosphere permeates the entire episode: communal, humorous, and filled with optimism even amid the worries and sacrifices of wartime. Listeners are encouraged to cherish old friends (and tobacco brands!) and to keep spirits up — all with the twang of fiddles and the camaraderie of a live show.

For Further Enjoyment

The Grand Ole Opry’s 1943 Prince Albert broadcast, as presented by Old Time Radio Westerns, stands as a vivid, well-restored time capsule. It celebrates the enduring power of music, comedy, and community, and offers listeners a genuine taste of vintage Americana—faithfully preserved and lovingly enhanced.