The Porter Wagoner Show No. 44
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 44
Introduction to Porter Wagoner show #44. Program opens with Wagoner and Wagonmasters Speck Rhodes, Don Warden, and George McCormick plus Norma Jean onscreen singing "Howdy Neighbor Howdy." Over title card decorated with drawing of Wagoner, announcer Hairl Hensley introduces Wagoner and The Wagonmasters, show regulars Speck Rhodes and Norma Jean, and "your favorite songs and stars of the Grand Ole Opry!" Wide shot of Wagonmasters playing, Speck Rhodes dancing all the way around his stand-up bass. MS Little Jack Little and Trent's flashy banjo playing. Wearing blinding lame' Nudie suit, Wagoner welcomes audience, then plays guitar and sings his song "Trademark" backed by The Wagonmasters. MS Buck Trent. MS Speck, Don, and George.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 44
Wagoner introduces guests Roy Acuff and Pete 'Bashful Brother Oswald' Kirby. Acuff was Wagoner's first big musical hero so this show must've been a thrill for him. Baked by The Wagonmasters, Acuff and Oswald play "The Wabash Cannonball." MS Buck Trent guitar solo. Oswald cries "suey!" during the solo. At the end, Jack Little comes on and mimics a train whistle with his fiddle. Acuff talks about how we playing that song back when Wagoner was a little boy wearing rubber clothes. Wagoner intros commercial.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 44
The Wagonmasters play a lively uptempo instrumental version of Spade Cooley's "Oklahoma Stomp." MS of band members.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 44
Wagoner introduces Oklahoma gal Norma Jean, who lip-syncs to her latest recording "Put Your Arms Around Her." Weird blooper during song that sounds like control room banter or radio coming through over track. MS of Speck, Don, and George pretending to play along.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 44
Accompanied by The Wagonmasters, Wagoner plays guitar and sings "One Way Ticket To The Blues." MS Buck Trent guitar solo. Wagoner intros commercial.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 44
Wagoner introduces gap-toothed comedian Speck Rhodes, who makes call on old-time crank telephone wearing his trademark checkered suit with bow tie and bowler hat. Talks with his girlfriend, operator Sadie, then asks to be connected with Skeetch Glascotch. Rhodes tells corny old fashioned jokes about eating dinner with Acuff and Oswald, flirting with waitresses, and other old-fashioned topics. Wagoner returns and pitches the show's souvenir booklet, available for only fifty cents by mail.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 44
Wagoner reintroduces Acuff to sing the week's sacred song. Acuff performs "A Cabin In Glory" accompanied by The Wagonmasters.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 44
Wagoner has Acuff introduce his sidekick Oswald, who says he'll do a number if he has the time, then pulls a huge watch from his overalls for humorous effect. Oswald plays banjo and sings "The Girl I Love Don't Pay Me No Mind" backed by The Wagonmasters and Acuff. Oswald tells audience they'd better laugh and enjoy him or he'll be out of a job. After a Jack Little fiddle solo, Oswald steps up to mic and his hat falls off, which Acuff himself dons for the rest of the song. Wagoner wraps up show as Wagonmasters play instrumental show outro and announcer signs off.