The audio is good, though the video is fairly awful (so four stars, not five). But I recommend because it's just interesting, and it's complete with all commercials, etc. What I was particularly struck by was the brisk pace throughout; something that current programming generally does not do well (I've always thought that SNL, for example, way drags and pushes gags well beyond where we've laughed). And the variety: Jumping between music, comedy, dancing, and all within a very confined stage space. I imagine this was a budget operation, but it shows what can be done. Finally, that Larry Collins; wow, what a whiz kid on the guitar!

Side note: Back to the video quality: I see this kind of quality a lot on archive.org, YouTube, and other sites. I'm not sure if this is just due to lower resolution digital conversions, but I would like to see less of this issue in my viewings.

Haven't watched this yet, but I find it fascinating to think that it was only a week before this broadcast, on 4/14/56 according to Wikipedia, that Elvis snagged the Jordanaires as his backup singers. A fairly iconic moment in musical history, and a nifty backdrop to keep in mind while watching.

If this offends those progressive bleeding heart types, I suggest you not watch it. Instead turn up your Gangsta trash "music" and leave the traditions of Americana alone. All you're doing is showing your stupidity, and your own "racisms". God Bless Dixie.

I feel the music has aged better than the comedy.


In any case, very interesting to watch.

I grew up a white kid in a pretty much average neighborhood in the S.F. Bay area. We forgave my grand parents who came from Illinois and from farming, blacksmithing background from liking this music in th e'60's. We were taught by unspoken rules to distain country/western as backward music, un-cool. It was a type of white-hatred by whites, no other way to say it. We felt justified since a lot of country/western folks supported Wallace and were down on black folks. That was predictably true-- you like this music, you typically were down on blacks. I think it was a justifiable assumption in the '60's and 70's. It's not yesterday anymore and I know we've progressed. It's not perfect but better and now I know a lot of progressive white folks who listen to country/western. Now, it's not cool to assume anything. Take each person on a case by case basis to see if they're racist, regardless of so called "race". My kids are Slavic/Anglo Saxon and hate country/western. Maybe some day I'll get them to discover Johnny Cash like I did in the '90's. And so it goes...

Hypocrites who slap the label of racism on anything pre-60s are deluded, let alone posting in the wrong forum. For starters, racism hasn't gone anywhere. It is alive and well around the world and especially in America. Secondly, these artifacts exist and they are what they are. Appreciate them or don't, but do not license yourself a vigilante of the Thought Police and start swinging your holy stick of self-righteousness. This recording is a valuable historical record like most of the other materials (pointedly excepting the "reviews") at the Internet Archive. It is not here to be politically correct entertainment for modern-day Puritans. It is a great pity that hilarious and pioneering materials like the original Amos and Andy television series do not appear here. Those brilliant black comedians have been denied the credit they deserve for their work and its historical importance and influence on other TV comedians (Caucasians) to follow in their footsteps. Tim Moore is still one of my all-time favorite early comedians of television, but Alvin Childress, Spencer Williams, Amanda Randolph, Johnny Lee and others deserve recognition for performances that, to my mind, bested most other TV comedies of the time and after. Over your label "racist," I slap the label "hypocrite."

Here was a television show designed to entertain the farmer. Truly ! The Purina advertisments actually explain the financial benefits of uaing their products giving an insight into agri-business. The target audience (as we would call it today) are hard handed, hard working families that made their living out of doors. Going to meeting called for a tie to join a clean plaid shirt and overhauls. If there was available a pair of 'Sunday' shoes the church could be expected to have indoor plumbing.

Racism? The show's humor was more silly and 'punny' than inuendo or associative. A silly sketch done in a silly way. For critics that see racism in this baffonery I would advise: Quit trying to admonish others that you are better than they are and Get A Life!

The square dancing team (sans caller) has as much dicipline going through the routine as a true drill team reflecting a clogging style that would make the Riverdancers proud.

Present are June Carter (comediane, singer, dancer - and later the bride of Johnny Cash), Minnie Pearl, and the Collins Kids. To this day I still have a hard time understanding the Collins Kids diction.... but there is a nice tune and extra lively. There's a female crooner by the name of Jean Shepherd... now, where - oh where - have I heard that name before? maybe it could possibly be the same name as the author of A Christmas Story from "In God We Trust; All Others Pay Cash".

Also to note were Earl Flatt & Lester Scruggs; more recently seen on the Beverly Hillbillies and heard there not only as episode guests but the performers of the theme and background music.

And all the way from Hollywood in his best cowboy outfit was - - - - > Buddy Ebsen..... ALSO of the Beverly Hillbillies. Mr. Ebsen began in show business as a hoofer and was initially cast for the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz 18 years earlier.At this showtime he had just recently completed Disney's Davy Crocket series (remember the 'coonskin cap fad?) and was probably at that time doing or about to do Disney's 'Corky and White Shadow' series.

Overall this program will not appeal to MANY. The sponsors that paid for it never intended that everyone applaude it.

But it IS a very NICE program. An' almost a full hour of it also.

Noah 8-?

It's nice to see this original classic of The Grand Ole Opry will survive since you can no longer view the current show any where on network television today.

Some great performers here.
The Collins kids are superb young rockabilly kids who should have been big, but read up their lives on wikki, they are happy & that counts.
The play in the middle is dated and drags but is made up for by the cattlefeed ads.
Some classic country performers, some embarassing sets and switches but in all a great example of early music tv.
Download and enjoy.

This is very "of its time" and could be considered charming if not for the racism. What makes this show wonderful is the very beginning of Rock and Roll. All of the performers are top notch.