Webb Pierce I’m Walking the Dog | Grand Ole Opry (11-23-53)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns – Grand Ole Opry with Webb Pierce: “I’m Walking the Dog” (11-23-53)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Featured Artists: Webb Pierce, Hank Laughlin, Minnie Pearl, Loc (Rod) Brasfield, The Jordanaires
Release Date: February 26, 2026

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Overview

This episode presents a digitized and restored broadcast from the Grand Ole Opry dated November 23, 1953, with Webb Pierce headlining. Andrew Rhynes introduces listeners to a night at the Opry, featuring music, comedy, and heartfelt moments from the classic country ensemble. The show blends hit country performances, lively stage banter, classic Opry humor, and nostalgic references to small-town life, all infused with Southern charm.

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Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Welcome and Show Introduction

• [02:58] Andrew Rhynes welcomes listeners and sets the stage for a night at the Grand Ole Opry.
• [03:06] Webb Pierce introduces the evening:
  “Hope you enjoy Grand Ole Opry Time. Another big folk music show starring Webb.” – Webb Pierce

2. Opening Number – “I’m Walking the Dog”

• [03:19] Performed by Hank Laughlin, this upbeat number kicks off the show and sets a lively, carefree tone.

3. Host & Guests Introductions

• [05:07] Webb Pierce teases the lineup, promising music and fun with an all-star cast including Minnie Pearl and The Jordanaires.
• [05:23] Hank Laughlin is proudly spotlighted as “that boy from Houston, Texas.”

4. Minnie Pearl’s Comedy Segment

• [05:52–08:26] Minnie Pearl lights up the stage with her trademark gossip and small-town tales:
  • Stories about Hezzy’s proposals and the sweater that “wasn’t small enough.”
  • Quirky anecdotes about neighbors debating where they’d like to be buried:
    • “Well, hiffin' it’s all right with you, all I get to see be buried alongside a Marilyn Monroe.”
      “But, Grandpappy, Marilyn Monroe ain’t dead.”
      “Neither am I.” – Minnie Pearl as Grandpappy Bustron ([07:51])

5. Spotlight: Hank Laughlin’s Opry Debut

• [08:26–09:37] Webb introduces Hank’s first-ever Opry performance, highlighting his songwriting reputation.
• [09:37] Hank sings “Let Me Be the One,” expressing gratitude for his chance on the Opry:
  • “I'd like to thank all of the friends out there for making this dream come true.” – Hank Laughlin ([08:52])

6. Featured Performance: “Old Country Church”

• [13:14] The Opry gang brings a nostalgic, sacred highlight with this heartfelt hymn led by Hank Laughlin, evoking memories of family and faith.

7. Group Chorus: “Jubilee”

• [15:13–16:30] A lively ensemble number celebrating community, Southern landscapes, and classic Opry unity.

8. Comedy with Loc (Rod) Brasfield

• [17:17–20:17] A signature comedic exchange about train rides, soup mishaps, and Susie’s “beauty.” Quick-fire banter, puns, and playful teasing fill this segment:
  • “The fellow sitting right next to me ate my soup and then he wiped my lip. I kissed his wife and the waiter give both of us a half a dollar tip.” – Rod Brasfield ([17:43])
  • “Some people have gone as far as to say that Susie is pretty. Well, it'd have to be pretty far gone like that.” – Webb Pierce ([17:51])

9. Hank Laughlin Returns: “Lessons in Love”

• [20:28] Webb welcomes Hank for another solo, “Lessons in Love,” a playful warning to a “sweet sixteen” who’s learning life’s romantic lessons.

10. Bluegrass Instrumental & Gospel Tune

• [22:51] “Ring B” delivers a bluegrass solo on five-string banjo, followed by Minnie Pearl leading the gospel tune “Take Me Back.”

11. Webb Pierce: “It’s Been So Long”

• [24:12] Webb sings a melancholic ballad, thanking fans for supporting one of his recent releases.

12. Farewell and Next Week’s Preview

• [26:18] Webb signs off, promising Cowboy Copas and Hank Tom for next Saturday’s Grand Ole Opry.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Opry’s Magic:
  “What a show we’ve got planned for you all this evening!” – Webb Pierce ([05:07])
• Homegrown Humor:
  “Hezzy sure is a fast worker. He ain't even got the typewriter yet and already he's done made himself six carbon copies.” – Minnie Pearl ([06:12])
• Comedic High Point:
  “I keep ol' Susie's picture under my pillow night and day.”
  “That's very nice.”
  “Yeah. That way I don't have to look at it, you know.” – Rod Brasfield & Webb Pierce ([18:04])

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Key Timestamps

• [02:58] – Show official start; host introduction
• [03:19] – “I’m Walking the Dog” performance
• [05:52] – Minnie Pearl’s comedy
• [08:26] – Hank Laughlin’s Opry debut
• [09:37] – “Let Me Be the One” performance
• [13:14] – “Old Country Church” hymn
• [15:13] – “Jubilee” group performance
• [17:17] – Loc (Rod) Brasfield comedy
• [20:28] – “Lessons in Love” – Hank Laughlin
• [22:51] – Banjo solo and “Take Me Back” gospel tune
• [24:12] – “It’s Been So Long” – Webb Pierce
• [26:18] – Sign-off and preview

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Overall Tone and Atmosphere

The episode crackles with warmth, humor, and homespun wisdom, reflecting the community spirit and musical exuberance that made the Grand Ole Opry a beloved American institution. The hosts and performers riff with genuine affection and playful wit, inviting listeners not just to hear the past, but to feel it brought to life in vivid, restored detail.

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For Listeners

This episode is a delightful journey into the heart of classic country radio, blending toe-tapping performances and sharp-witted comedy. Whether you’re a longtime Westerns fan or discovering old-time radio for the first time, you’ll find timeless entertainment and the enduring charm of the Grand Ole Opry.

Transcript

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[Webb Pierce]

starts with the right support.

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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's gonna be Grand Ole Opry.

[Webb Pierce]

Hope you enjoy Grand Ole Opry Time. Another big folk music show starring Web.

[Hank Laughlin]

I'm walking the dog and I'm every tree I'm walking I ain't thinking about you I don't need no one to tie me down I'm just a walk in the dog and a pain in the town look to me the life I never knew you until the day that I left you well, I'm a pissy man that seen a lie and I'm a walk in the dog holiday and all night. Until the day that I left you I'm a carefree laugh I've seen alive and I'm a walk in the dark holiday and all night. Well, thanks, folks. Thanks a lot. And a great big howdy to all

[Webb Pierce]

my good friends and neighbors of the Grand Old Opera. And what a show we've got planned for you all this evening with Rob Brassfield, Minnie Pearl, the Jordan Air Spring Beat, and the entire Opry gang. And for the icing on the cake, that boy from Houston, Texas.

[Hank Laughlin]

None other than Hank Laughlin.

[Webb Pierce]

Hank will be out here picking and singing shortly, friends, just as soon as we hear what's been going on down in Grinder Switch the past week.

[Hank Laughlin]

That's told us by that Gabby gossip herself, Cousin Manipur.

[Minnie Pearl]

I'm just proud to be here, Hezzy. My fellers, he come over and eat dinner with us. I found out that Tilly Tinkham tried to lure him over to her house. She said to Hezzy, wouldn't you like to have a nice young chicken? Hezzy said, yeah, I sure would, but

[Webb Pierce]

I gotta eat with Minnie. Hezzy come awful close to proposing to me.

[Minnie Pearl]

We are sitting there in the front room and Hezzy says, minnie, after we are married, we'll have six little hedges and minis that'll look exactly like us. Ah, that Hedgy sure is a fast worker. He ain't even got the typewriter yet and already he's done made himself six carbon copies. But this is. She got her a new sweater from the mail order house the other day. But she had to send the sweater back. It wasn't too small enough. You know that sister sitting like crazy the other day? She was sitting in the bus station and a fellow walked up to her and said, pardon me, are you waiting for someone in particular? And Sister said, no, I'm Satisfied?

[Hank Laughlin]

If you are.

[Minnie Pearl]

I'm glad I'm not that way. I had to speak to her the other day. She's surprised. She tell me about how pretty she looked and she's talking about how nice her legs look. And she said, minnie Pug, don't you think my legs match Betty Gray Boots? And I said, your legs don't even match one another. I tell you what happened the other night. A bunch of them old fellows around Grandey Switch was sitting around the Cracker Barrel talking to one another about where they wanted to be buried at.

[Hank Laughlin]

There's all old fellows.

[Minnie Pearl]

Must been close to a hundred, all three of them. And Phil Puckett and Bud Gates and Grandpappy Bustron was talking about why they wanted to be buried. And Simp said, well, I'd like mighty well to be buried alongside of Stonewall Jackson.

[Hank Laughlin]

Now there's a feller I'd like to be buried alongside of.

[Minnie Pearl]

And Bud said, oh, I want to be buried alongside of Robert E. Lee, that's who I want to be buried alongside of. Grandpappy Bustron was sitting over there and he says, well, Hiffin, it's all right with you. All I get to see be buried alongside a Marilyn Monroe. And Bud, Bud says, but grandpathy Marilyn Monroe ain't dead. He said, neither am I.

[Webb Pierce]

Tonight's special guest has been picking and singing since he was seven years old. But it's just been in the last couple of years that folks realized his fine talents for writing songs as well as singing them. He's making his first appearance on Grand Ole Opry tonight. So neighbors, let's give him a big welcome.

[Hank Laughlin]

Hank Loughlin. Hank, as Minnie Pearl would say, we're

[Webb Pierce]

mighty proud to have you here with us tonight. And I'm twice as proud to be here, Webb. Say, tell us what you've been doing lately out there in Houston, Texas, Hank. Well, I've been making some personal appearances around in Texas and over in Oklahoma and Louisiana and New Mexico and trying to make a few records that the people might buy. Well, the main thing is that you're not too busy to sing us a couple of those big song hits of yours. Which one's going to be first? Well, I like to do the one, Webb, that I have out on a four star record. That's because of me being up here on this great show. I'd like to thank all of the friends out there for making this dream come true. Let me be the one Sing it, Hank.

[Hank Laughlin]

Let me be the one to all with you when you anything that makes you happy I Wanna do oh darling let me be the may be the one who means the most the one you want to love and call your own. And when you choose to find me

[Webb Pierce]

I want to be the choice oh

[Hank Laughlin]

please let me be the one. Let me maybe the one to spend with you. And when you want some luggin I'll know just what to do. Lots of lots of huggin and a kiss are due. You gotta let me be the one. Let me be the one to take you out to your favorite places you have go down and when leaming on for the kids Good night. Oh please let me be the one. Let me be the one to share with you all your little pleasures and sorrows in all kind of weather I want to be with you oh please let me be the one Let me be the one to hold your hand when the preacher says do you take this man all these happy thoughts will

[Webb Pierce]

mean so much fun if you'll only

[Hank Laughlin]

let me be the one. Yeah. Well, that's Tommy Jackson living the dickens out of a little gym called Liberty here comes two children. He calls everybody.

[Webb Pierce]

Cosmonita Kerr's chording on the according folks. And that's our key for tonight's sacred song. The hymn we've selected for this evening is Old Country Church.

[Hank Laughlin]

There's a place dear to me longing to be but my friends at the open. There was mother we went and our Sunday were spent with my friends at the open victim. How I long for once more to see with my friends and. Oh I explain to me how I long once more to see

[Minnie Pearl]

with my

[Hank Laughlin]

friends at the old conviction. Time now to haul the old upright

[Webb Pierce]

piano out to the center of the stage. Because here comes those old hippie singers singing jubilee. Down south where the poly river go

[Hank Laughlin]

down south where the con blossom grows

[Webb Pierce]

we gonna have a celebration and so we send an invitation. Honey, come with me it's going to be a great day what a day it will be so heavenly Just you,

[Hank Laughlin]

you, you, you, you and me.

[Webb Pierce]

Where the sweet snack knows you grow

[Hank Laughlin]

is so entrancing and honey child you want to grow I'm coming sorrow man come and.

[Webb Pierce]

Come with me to tell it's going to be a great day what a day it will be so heavily just

[Hank Laughlin]

you, you, you, you, you believe we

[Webb Pierce]

lent our cover the we're going where the clean.

[Hank Laughlin]

Well we're almighty proud of a fellow

[Webb Pierce]

from Hornwell, Tennessee who comes to us every Saturday night about this time. Besides being one of the funniest critters we've ever listened to, he Is also

[Hank Laughlin]

one of the nicest, of course, I mean Loc Brasfield.

[Webb Pierce]

Well, much larger. I thought so many doll had something.

[Hank Laughlin]

Hi, Mr. Terry. How you, Rod? Hey, glad to see you, boy, you are.

[Webb Pierce]

Did you ever try to eat a bowl of soup on a train that is swaying back and forth and going about 110 miles an hour around the curve? No, Rod, I never had the pleasure. By Ned, I. And I'll tell you what happened. The fellow sitting right next to me ate my soup and then he wiped my lip. I kissed his wife and the waiter give both of us a half a dollar tip.

[Hank Laughlin]

Oh, by the way, Rod.

[Webb Pierce]

Hi, Susie. Oh, Susie's fine.

[Hank Laughlin]

She's fine. Yes.

[Webb Pierce]

You know, Rod, some people have gone as far as to say that Susie is pretty. Well, it'd have to be pretty far gone like that. You know something, Webb? I keep ol Susie's picture under my pillar night and day.

[Hank Laughlin]

Oh, you do?

[Webb Pierce]

That's very nice.

[Hank Laughlin]

Yeah.

[Webb Pierce]

That way I don't have to look at it, you know. But you know, she's a fine old gal. I love her. I love her. She's boy crazy, of course. Thinks about nothing but men. Just thinks of men all the time. Is that right?

[Hank Laughlin]

Yeah. Even when she laughs, she goes.

[Webb Pierce]

I love her, though.

[Hank Laughlin]

You know, her daddy used to be

[Webb Pierce]

a big football player. He did? Yeah, he was a big football player and he was a place kicker. A place kicker? Yeah, a place kicker. I know, brother. In fact, I could show you the place. Well, I supposed to Suzy last night four times.

[Hank Laughlin]

You did?

[Webb Pierce]

Yeah. First she was hot and then she was cold. And she was hot and then she was cold. Ain't she hot? And then she is cold. Well, where did you propose to her? Between the gas range and the refrigerator. But I said to her, I said, susie, honey, let's get married. She says, what for, Rod? I says, tod Barnett, I love you, Susie honey, I love you. She says, I know, but what good's that gonna do me? Well, she had me there, brother. I couldn't answer her. But when we got home, I said to my mommy, I says, mommy, I want to know something. Why did you marry Poppy? And mommy says, son, have you got to wondering about that too?

[Hank Laughlin]

Well, when I proposed to Susie the

[Minnie Pearl]

last time last night, Buddy, I mean, I really went to town.

[Webb Pierce]

I done it up fine. I just proposed big.

[Hank Laughlin]

You did?

[Webb Pierce]

Yeah. Right down on my bended knees. And I looked up. Excuse me, boy.

[Hank Laughlin]

I got out on my bending knees

[Webb Pierce]

and I looked up into Susan's eyes just like a dying duck in a Thunderstorm. And I said, susie, Susie honey, here

[Hank Laughlin]

on my bended knee.

[Webb Pierce]

Knuckles, I want you to say the one word that'll make me happy. And you know what she said? No, that's it.

[Hank Laughlin]

Well, it seems to me like it's

[Webb Pierce]

been too long between songs.

[Hank Laughlin]

So let's call Hank Laughlin back out here.

[Webb Pierce]

By the way, Hank, what's it gonna be this time? Well, Webb, I'd like to do my other recording. A little thing called Lessons in Love. Let's hear Hank.

[Hank Laughlin]

You may think you're mighty sweet 16. With your big blue eyes. But you've never learned your lessons in love. You may have an early date. But you better be home before it's late. Cause you've never learned your lessons in love. You've never had a broken heart to heart want you. You've never heard the one you want. You say that they don't want you. You may learn and play around. But you got to run when the cards are down. Cuz you've never learned your lesson. You may think you're mighty wise, sweet 16 with your big blue eyes. But you've never learned your lesson in love. You may have an early date. But you better be home before it bleeds. Cause you've never learned your lesson in love. You've never had a broken heart to haunt you. You've never heard the one you want. You say that they don't want you. You made a learning play around. But you got to run when the cars are down. Cause you've never learned your lesson in love. Oh well, in case you don't recognize

[Webb Pierce]

this cut, that's ring B taking out the five string banjo back yonder.

[Hank Laughlin]

Let's all listen to him sing.

[Minnie Pearl]

Take me back.

[Webb Pierce]

Where's that girl at restaurant on folk all the diner. Stole my heart away from me way down to Louisiana.

[Hank Laughlin]

Take me back so sir, I'm too young to marry.

[Webb Pierce]

Take me back so sir I'm too young to marry. Travel all over the country.

[Hank Laughlin]

Pulling by the air wire.

[Webb Pierce]

Big smile on the face. Never to. Lord, I feel so unnecessary. Walk and talk to thee. Walk and talk to thee. Walk and talk to thee. Walk and talk to thee. Well, neighbors, here's a little ballad I recorded about six months ago. And I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for helping me.

[Hank Laughlin]

Put it over.

[Webb Pierce]

Here it is. It goes like this.

[Hank Laughlin]

It's been so long since it gets to fine. I get back. That's the reason why I didn't. Why I miss you baby every day and night. It's been so long since I held

[Webb Pierce]

you tight well everything's different since you went away I get so lonely every

[Hank Laughlin]

night and day I can't help feeling

[Webb Pierce]

that you are in love I love

[Hank Laughlin]

you baby and I miss you so Nothing ever seems the same My sunshine has turned to rain Every time I hear your name My heart becomes a burning flame it's been so long since

[Webb Pierce]

we said goodbye I guess that's the

[Hank Laughlin]

reason why I sit and cry I miss you baby every day and night it's been so long since I held you tight. Nothing ever seems the same My sunshine has turned to rain Every time I hear your name My heart become the burning this way it's been so long since we said goodbye I guess that's the reason why I sit and cry I miss you baby every day and night it's been so long since I held you Tired. We're friends of the flat. Just about all the time we have for this evening, but we aim to come calling for you in the old buckboard again next week. At that time, the man in the

[Webb Pierce]

driver seat will be Cowboy Gopa and

[Hank Laughlin]

he's bringing along with him Hank Tom. So till then, this is Webster saying thanks for everything and we'll be seeing you next Saturday night on the Grand. It's.

[Webb Pierce]

Grand Ole Opry, the nationally known and famous program starring the best hillbilly and country artist has come to you through the United States Armed Forces Radio Service.

[Hank Laughlin]

It's.

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[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. Back in the Old west, folks didn't run to the pharmacy every time trouble hit. They relied on the know how and natural remedies. Kind of like how Tonto always seems to have a special mixture ready for whatever came next. If you want to learn how to do that today, check out the Beginner's Guide to Herbal Revenues, Easy Steps for Teas, Tinctures and Salves. Even if you've never tried herbs before, visit otrwesterns.com herbs to learn more again otrwesterns.com herbs.