Memories Of The Grand Ole Opry

Many thanks for the Grand Ole Opry programs. My father (half brother of radio and opera star Lawrence Tibbett) was a Country & Western entertainer, a rhythm guitarist, in the 30s and 40s with a band whose name I cannot now recall. Wish to the Lord I still had his old Martin guitar, which he bought when it was already an aged legend and was named "Bonnie Leddie" by the Scot who originally owned it.

I was born into this tradition and grew up with radio stations KXLA, KFOX 1280-AM (HQ'd in the International Tower in Long Beach, CA), and then KLAC Country. At the Colin P. Kelly elementary school, only a block away from my home in Compton, I met Monty Montana, the cowboy star, and his horse when he made a personal appearance early one afternoon on the gravel field that lay between the blacktopped playground and the Little League baseball field. Lord in Heaven, what wonderful memories!

At that early age, and even before as a toddler, I was part of the audience during Town Hall Party broadcasts, which I recall as being done remote from a large red barn-like building not far from my home on Long Beach Boulevard. More than any other entertainers, I seem to remember a visit by Homer and Jethro the most vividly. They seemed so awkward and real on the odd-looking stage.

The MC was the radio DJ called The Squeakin' Deacon (pictured opposite), who was crude as they come, scratching his 'gonads' without regard to those watching from the crowd. My mother was utterly appalled! Reading his biography now, it is difficult to visualize him as once being the fashionably attired leader of a well-disciplined band.

Dave Williamson, One Voice Recordings

Thanks to friend of RUSC David for sharing those wonderful memories with us. I will be adding some more episodes of The Grand Ole Opry to get your feet tapping throughout the weekend.

Happy listening my friends,

Ned Norris