The Last Letter | Grand Ole Opry (12-22-45)

Summary

Summary of "The Last Letter" Episode from Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast

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Podcast Information:

• Title: Old Time Radio Westerns
• Host: Andrew Rhines
• Episode: The Last Letter | Grand Ole Opry (12-22-45)
• Release Date: March 6, 2025

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Overview: In the "The Last Letter" episode, listeners are transported back to December 22, 1945, to experience a vibrant and heartfelt broadcast from the Grand Ole Opry. Hosted by Cousin Louis Buck, the episode features renowned country star Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys, alongside the beloved Minnie Pearl. This episode showcases a blend of emotional performances, engaging dialogues, and lively square dancing, all meticulously enhanced through digital restoration for an enriched listening experience.

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Introduction and Setting the Stage

Andrew Rines ([00:43]) opens the episode with a warm welcome, setting the tone for an evening of classic Grand Ole Opry performances. He introduces the episode's main attraction, Roy Acuff, and his Smoky Mountain Boys, highlighting the restored audio quality that brings the 1945 broadcast to life.

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Roy Acuff's "The Last Letter" Performance

Cousin Louis Buck ([01:29]) introduces Roy Acuff, acknowledging his simultaneous work in Hollywood:

Cousin Louis Buck ([01:29]): "Tonight, our singing star and pride of Tennessee's Smoky Mountain, Roy Acuff, together with his famous Smoky Mountain boys is out in Hollywood making a picture for Republic Studios. But Saturday night will always be Grand Ole Opry time for Roy and the rest. And to prove it, here he is. Say hello to the folks, Roy."

Roy Acuff ([01:48]) responds with heartfelt gratitude:

Roy Acuff ([01:48]): "Thank you, Cousin Louis Buck. And how did all you friends and neighbors from coast to coast? If I had my way, I'd be right back there on the opera stage with you. And as soon as we finish this picture, that's where we'll be."

Roy transitions into his poignant performance of "The Last Letter," a song that delves deep into themes of love, regret, and longing. Key excerpts include:

Roy Acuff ([02:17]): "Sometimes I wonder if you'll be contented again. Will you be happy when you are withered and old?"

Roy Acuff ([02:52]): "I cannot offer you diamonds or mansions."

Minnie Pearl interjects with emotional resonance:

Minnie Pearl ([02:52]): "So fine."

The song concludes with a stirring finish, capturing the emotional depth of the narrative.

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Audience Reception and Applause

Roy Acuff's performance is met with enthusiastic applause from the live audience:

Cousin Louis Buck ([04:23]): "Yes, friends, that fine singing was from Roy Acuff out in Hollywood. But that applause came from the 4,000 Opry fans seated right here at the Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee."

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Musical Interlude: "Far in the Mountains"

Transitioning from the emotional depth of "The Last Letter," Roy Acuff introduces a more upbeat number:

Roy Acuff ([08:21]): "You're hearing some chanting, hoedown, fiddling Tennessee style. An old backwoods tune called Far in the Mountains. Show him how it's done, Tommy."

The lively performance showcases the rich musical traditions of the Smoky Mountains, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the vibrant sounds of the era.

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Dialogue and Character Interactions

The episode features engaging dialogues that provide character depth and comedic relief. Minnie Pearl and Peewee King engage in a humorous exchange about romantic pursuits and the challenges of proposing:

Peewee King ([15:08]): "I believe I've got him about ready up to the proposing stage again this year. He said to me last night, he said, 'Me Pearl.' He says, 'I dreamed last night I proposed to you, but you ain't.' That's a sign of..."

Minnie Pearl ([16:26]): "But I'm telling you, the other night."

Their playful banter adds a lighthearted dimension to the episode, reflecting the camaraderie and wit characteristic of the Grand Ole Opry.

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Spiritual and Emotional Themes in Music

Roy Acuff delivers a soulful rendition that intertwines spirituality with personal reflection:

Roy Acuff ([17:14]): "Like a mountain railroad with an engineer that grave we must make the run successful from the cradle to the grave..."

Minnie Pearl ([19:01]): "Savior, Thou will guide us every ring where the angels wait to join us in my pray Forever more."

This segment highlights the profound emotional and spiritual undertones prevalent in the music of the time.

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Square Dancing Extravaganza

Bringing the episode to a lively close, Cousin Louis Buck introduces a spirited square dancing segment:

Cousin Louis Buck ([27:08]): "Well, it's time for our Grand Old Opry Old Fashioned Square dancing tonight with Roy Acuff and the boys out on the coast. We'll dance for the music of Peewee King and his Golden West Cowboys while the man in the green suit does the calling. Come on Dookie doo and show us what you can do I'm right here."

Roy Acuff guides listeners through the dance steps:

Roy Acuff ([28:01]): "Please go far in that corner, claw, join hands and do your best."

The interactive segment fosters a sense of community and participation, inviting listeners to engage in the timeless tradition of square dancing.

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Closing Remarks

Andrew Rines ([30:15]) concludes the episode by encouraging audience interaction and feedback:

Andrew Rines ([30:15]): "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, 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."

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Notable Quotes:

1. Roy Acuff on Returning to the Opry:

   "If I had my way, I'd be right back there on the opera stage with you." ([01:48])

2. Roy Acuff Reflecting on Love and Aging:

   "Sometimes I wonder if you'll be contented again. Will you be happy when you are withered and old?" ([02:17])

3. Peewee King on Proposing:

   "He says, 'I dreamed last night I proposed to you, but you ain't.' That's a sign of..." ([15:08])

4. Roy Acuff on Overcoming Trials:

   "We'll understand it better by and by." ([21:52])

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Highlights:

• Authentic Performances: Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl deliver compelling performances that capture the essence of 1940s country music.

• Engaging Dialogues: The interactions between characters add depth and humor, enriching the listening experience.

• Interactive Square Dancing: The square dance segment invites listeners to participate, fostering a sense of community.

• Enhanced Audio Quality: Meticulous digital restoration by Andrew Rhines ensures clarity and richness, breathing new life into the original recordings.

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Conclusion: "The Last Letter" episode serves as a heartfelt homage to the Golden Age of radio, showcasing timeless performances and enduring storytelling. Through expert digital restoration, Andrew Rhines and the Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast bring the magic of the Grand Ole Opry to modern audiences, preserving the legacy of legendary artists like Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to these classic broadcasts, this episode offers an immersive and nostalgic journey into the heart of country western radio drama.

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 December 22, 1945 and the first song is going to be the Last Letter. Let's get into it and I hope you enjoy.

[Cousin Louis Buck]

Tonight, our singing star and pride of Tennessee's Smoky Mountain, Roy Acup, together with his famous Smoky Mountain boys is out in Hollywood making a picture for Republic Studios. But Saturday night will always be Grand Ole Opry time for Roy and the rest. And to prove it, here he is. Say hello to the folks, Roy.

[Roy Acuff]

Thank you, Cousin Louis Buck. And how did all you friends and neighbors from coast to coast? If I had my way, I'd be right back there on the opera stage with you. And as soon as we finish this.

[Cousin Louis Buck]

Picture, that's where we'll be.

[Roy Acuff]

Yes, sir, they say you can take a boy out of the country. But you sure can't take the country out of a boy anyhow. Hear the song. A fine old mountain ballad.

[Cousin Louis Buck]

That's a true story itself. The Last Letter.

[Roy Acuff]

Why do you treat me as if I were only a friend? What have I done that has made you so different and cold? Sometimes I wonder if you'll be contented again Will you be happy when you are withered and old? I cannot offer you diamonds or mansions.

[Minnie Pearl]

So fine.

[Roy Acuff]

I cannot offer you clothes that your young body crave but if you say that you long to forever be mine Think all the heartaches, the tears and the sorrows you'll say.

[Minnie Pearl]

When.

[Roy Acuff]

You are weary and tired of another man's goal when you are lonely Remember this letter my own don't try to answer Though I suffered anguish untold if you don't love me I wish you would leave me alone While I am writing this letter I think of the past and of the promises that you are breaking so free but to this world I will soon say My fire will add last I will be gone when you read this last letter from.

[Minnie Pearl]

Me.

[Cousin Louis Buck]

Yes, friends, that Fine singing was from Roy Acuff out in Hollywood. But that applause came from the 4,000 Opry fans seated right here at the Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.

[Minnie Pearl]

Murmuring complete my morning now unfeeling. Give me my darling David where everywhere but none can compare with my. While I retro my wire and the name for my day he may let me take the moon from my. From my w.

[Cousin Louis Buck]

Well, that's enough. From this end of the country. Let's have a little music from out west in Hollywood.

[Roy Acuff]

You're hearing some chanting, hoedown, fiddling Tennessee style. An old backwoods tune called Far in the Mountains. Show him how it's done, Tommy.

[Minnie Pearl]

All the. You let me alone. I feel you my own holy.

[Cousin Louis Buck]

If Roy Acuff hadn't taken the Smoky Mountain boys to Hollywood with him, right about now you'd be hearing from Rachel and her great big bashful brother, Oswald. How about it, Oswald?

[Roy Acuff]

Yeah.

[Cousin Louis Buck]

That'S right, cousin Lewis. I sure miss my situation, but I want her to know the man.

[Roy Acuff]

Clark Gable has got acting situation well in hand.

[Cousin Louis Buck]

My little sister wants to make her little brother happy. She'll play something on that old five string bandit.

[Peewee King]

Glad to do it for you, brother. I've got a little number worked up here called John Henry.

[Minnie Pearl]

John Henry was a little boy.

[Peewee King]

He sat on his papa's leave.

[Cousin Louis Buck]

Well, that was Rachel, minus her big bashful brother Oswald. And assisted by Peewee King and his golden Les Cowboys. And I just keep you folks out in Hollywood posted on the doings here in Tennessee. The spotlight turns on Desert Minnie Pearl.

[Minnie Pearl]

Well.

[Peewee King]

I'm just so proud to be here, Peewee. You sure messed that one up, I'm telling you. Well, good boy, though. I like his ears. He's got one on either side, sticks out like a taxi coming down. All the doors open.

[Minnie Pearl]

Well, I'll tell you right now, I'm.

[Peewee King]

About to get my feller heads in the notions of proposing to me. Does he get kind of romantical? You know, he's right handsome in a kind of a one gallop, button shoe sort of way. He come over there the other night, he's getting so he looks kind of walleyed at me and I notice he shined his shoes. That's a good sign, I'm telling you.

[Minnie Pearl]

Last summer I never will forget.

[Peewee King]

I thought I had had you just about ready to propose to me. But he died off just like a young poet. One day he says to me, he says, minnie Pearl, how much money do you reckon I ought to have before I kind of think about Me and you married. I said, well, I don't know why. I kind of sighted him talking about it.

[Minnie Pearl]

I said, I don't know.

[Peewee King]

About $500, I reckon. Well, he didn't say nothing about two or three months later when he come back O bar and he said, how much money did you say we ought to have before he got married? And I said, well, I don't know. I said, $500. He says, well, he said. I said, how much of that money you got saved up now? He says, $23.75. I said, that's enough.

[Minnie Pearl]

I saw it. Well, for like I'm telling you, I believe.

[Peewee King]

I believe I've got him about ready up to the proposing stage again this year. He said to me last night, he said, me Pearl. He says, I dreamed last night I proposed to you. But you ain't. That's a sign of. I said, that's a sign you got more offense to please now, wa. He said, no, you know, sometimes get married at all. And I says, why has he don't take it to heart even if I wouldn't marry you? There's lots of other girls. He said, yeah, but if you wouldn't have me, we would.

[Minnie Pearl]

But I'm telling you, the other night.

[Peewee King]

He was taking me home in his old car and we stopped out there in front of my house and he was going to kiss me good night. And he leaned over to kiss me and I could just tell his lips were just a quivering. And he was just shaking all over like a fly with the ddt. And I was just chilling too, and my chin was just shaking and my knees was just knocking together. And finally I said, nancy, for goodness sake, turn that Motorola for it takes the daylights out of oh Life is.

[Roy Acuff]

Like a mountain railroad with an engineer that grave we must make the run successful from the cradle to the grave Watch the curve the fields of the tunnel Never fall and never DW Keep your hand upon the throttle and your.

[Minnie Pearl]

Eye upon the rail Blessed sacrament on your forever.

[Roy Acuff]

You will roll a crate of trial that cross is your conductor on this gliding train of life Always mindful of obstruction do your duty never fail Keep your hand upon the throttle and your eye upon the rail Blessed.

[Minnie Pearl]

Savior Thou will guide us every ring where the angels wait to join us in my pray Forever more.

[Cousin Louis Buck]

Staying back home with the rest of us is a man who believes that when it comes to choosing a life work, you must pick it very carefully. Party.

[Minnie Pearl]

It.

[Cousin Louis Buck]

That was Mac McGar playing the black and White rag. How'd it sound? Roy.

[Roy Acuff]

Nice going, Max. That was really a wizard. Right now with the Smoky Mountain Boys. I'd like to offer you some old fashioned country harmony and an old fashioned song. We'll understand it better by and by. We are often cost and driven on the restless sea of time. Number skies and howling temples all succeed of bright sunshine in that land of perfect day when the mists have rolled away we'll understand it better by and by.

[Minnie Pearl]

And by. When the morning comes when all the saints of together at home we'll tell.

[Roy Acuff]

A story how we overcome come and.

[Minnie Pearl]

We'Ll understand it better by and by.

[Roy Acuff]

Trial's dark on every hand and we cannot understand all the ways that he would lead us to that blessed promised land. But he guides us with his eye and we'll follow till we die. We'll understand it better by and by.

[Minnie Pearl]

By, by and by. When the morning comes when all the saints of God are gathered home. We'll tell a story how we overcome and we'll understand it better by and by.

[Roy Acuff]

We are all from destitute of the things that life commands. Want of shelter and thirsty hills and barren land. But we're trusting in the Lord and according to his word. We'll understand it better by and by.

[Minnie Pearl]

And by. When the morning comes when all the saints of God gathered home we'll tell a story how he overcomes and we'll understand it better by and by. In the mind of a J In the mountain freely fighting the battle is at here already I call you to bear. If I could erase the blind from your grave and bring back the hold to your head. If God would but grant me the.

[Cousin Louis Buck]

Power.

[Minnie Pearl]

Just to turn back the pages of blood I give all I hold. If I could but atone to that if I could recall the heartache. Dear old lady, I call you to death. If I could erase the blood from your day and bring back the Lord to your head. If God would but grant me the power no one will ever know My.

[Roy Acuff]

Heart is breaking although a million teardrops are to flow.

[Minnie Pearl]

I'll cry myself.

[Roy Acuff]

And wake up smiling. I'll miss you but no one will ever know. I'll tell them we grew tired of each other and realize their dreams could never be. I'll even make believe I never love you. Then no one will ever know the truth but me. No one will ever know. Oh how much I'm tiny each time the past comes back to haunting me.

[Minnie Pearl]

So no one will ever sing the tears I'm hiding.

[Roy Acuff]

You've hurt me but no one will ever know. I'll tell them I found true love with another that I was glad the day you set me free I'll even.

[Minnie Pearl]

Make believe I never love you Then.

[Roy Acuff]

No one will ever know the truth.

[Cousin Louis Buck]

Well, it's time for our Grand Old Opry Old Fashioned Square dancing tonight with Roy cup and the boys out on the coast. We'll dance for the music of Peewee King and his Golden West Cowboys while the man in the green suit does the calling. Come on Dookie doo and show us what you can do I'm right here.

[Roy Acuff]

Please go far in that corner claw join hands and do your best.

[Minnie Pearl]

If.

[Roy Acuff]

I swing to the middle I need.

[Minnie Pearl]

Back each time in the middle down sad by green back to waking now.

[Roy Acuff]

You swing letting her head swing her feet Swing her back to keep her.

[Minnie Pearl]

Knees.

[Roy Acuff]

Down the center Come all four hoops landed on the floor when your corner offers please bring your partner when.

[Minnie Pearl]

You meet.

[Roy Acuff]

Wait till dinner hurry up promenade round and put all singing with.

[Minnie Pearl]

A swing right and left around the ring.

[Cousin Louis Buck]

With Peewee King's music and the Dirka Bader calling them that was a right royal square dance but it's high time we'll get along home with Cindy Listen to the Armed Forces Radio.

[Minnie Pearl]

Partner.

[Roy Acuff]

Corner class all join hands do your.

[Minnie Pearl]

Best.

[Roy Acuff]

Everybody ring to the middle underneath like these timeless little down Letting her head swing her feet swing her back.

[Minnie Pearl]

Keep her knees down the center.

[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 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 right have a great day and thanks for listening.