“COUNTRY MUSIC MEMORIES ON RFD-TV FROM THE WILLIE NELSON / ACT IV VIDEO TAPE LIBRARY”

A few decades ago Nashville began a love affair with the exciting new medium of television.  During the 1960’s and 70’s it seems like every country music star either had a television show or wanted one.  Unfortunately many of the shows were seen in only a limited area of the country, yet they contain unforgettable moments in country music.  Moments which in many instances symbolize new directions or reflections in the roots of today’s country music?  They are an important slice of American country music history which should not be forgotten.

One day Willie Nelson was in Nashville on the bus with his sidekick, Frank Oakley, who with his wife Jeanie, is the storekeeper for Willie Nelson’s General Store and Museum which was founded on July 4, 1979.  The sidekick was bringing Willie up to date about what was happening in Nashville since his last visit.  One of the bits of news was that Norman Lear ( creator of the “All in the Family” TV sitcom) had bought a satellite TV station in Nashville, and along with the station the old Show Biz, Inc. video tape library was part of the assets.

Norman wasn’t interested in owning a bunch of old hillbilly shows and wanted to sell them because it was costing him money to rent space to store them.  A local TV station and a TV production company were interested in buying them.  But, after hearing this news, Willie Said, “Hell, why don’t we buy them?”

The Show Biz Tape Library consists of the following shows:

The Porter Wagoner Show

(1960-1980)

This 20 year series is in many ways the most successful country music half-hour show in history.  Produced in Nashville, virtually every country music performer in the business appeared over the years:

Hank Williams, Jr.	Mel Tillis	Jerry Reed
Willie Nelson	Waylon Jennings	Faron Young
Bill Monroe	George Jones	Lester Flatt
Marty Robbins	Merle Haggard	and many others…

And hundreds more; including many now deceased performers such as:

Lefty Frizzell, Webb Pierce, George Morgan, Roy Acuff, Tex Ritter, Conway Twitty, Archie Campbell, Dottie West and many, many more.

It is also of interest as Dolly Parton was the girl singer with the show form 1967 to 1974.  The production values are good and the flavor of the show is up and lively.  There were 686 thirty minute episodes filmed, the first 104 being shot in black and white, the remainder in color.

POP Goes The Country

(1974-1982)

Also produced in Nashville, this show was the precursor to Ralph Emery’s cable offering on TNN-“Nashville Now”.  The series was the most ambitious production undertaken in Nashville syndication history.  Ralph Emery acted as the host of the series for the first 6 years followed by Tom T. Hall for the remaining episodes.  Ralph brought his usual interview skills and thorough knowledge of the stars and their lives.  This series remains one of the most well-done productions to ever come out of Nashville having been cleared in over 140 markets at its peak.

The Wilburn Brothers Show

(1966-1974)

Doyle and Teddy Wilburn had one of the most successful traveling country music shows of the 60’s.  When they brought their talents to television, they also brought with them a rich history of country music.  Their guest list is a panorama of legends and would-be legends.  Perhaps the highlight of the series was the girl singer, a young Loretta Lynn.  Lynn appears on most of the 354 half hour episodes and in many ways became the third “star” of the show.  The format is similar to the Porter Wagoner Show, but with a more subdued and “laid-back” approach. 

Nashville on the Road

(1975-1982)

Produced in various venues around the USA, this traveling country music variety show starred Jim Ed Brown.   The series not only showcased the major names in country music, but also showcased a major tourist destination each week.  For the first 5 years of the show, comic relief was provided by funny-man Jerry Clower.  In the last 2 seasons of the show, Jim Ed and Jerry were replaced by Jim Stafford and Rex Allen, Jr.  The locations were also expanded to include grander vistas, such as Canada and Hawaii.  Each of the 208 half hour episodes contained in the catalog are relaxed, informal and full of fun along with, of course, great country music. 

Gospel Singing Jubilee

(1965-1975)

Non-stop southern gospel music featuring the most famous, white, gospel groups of the 60’s and 70’s.  There are 376 one-hour, color episodes hosted by Les Beasley and the Florida Boys. 

The !!!! BEAT

(1966-1967)

This pioneering rhythm and blues series is the only “non-country” offering in the catalog.  One of the first syndicated shows to showcase long-overlooked, black talent; it is in many ways a national treasure.  Hosted by Nashville dee-jay Bill “Hoss” Allen, the guest lineup included a laundry list of remarkable talent.

The Country Carnival

(1969-1971)

Another half hour series staring Jim Ed Brown, it is of particular interest because it featured another “girl singer” who went on to achieve star status – Crystal Gayle, Loretta Lynn’s little sister.  There are 100 episodes, all in color.

The main reason Willie wanted the shows is that not only did he have the idea of going on the air with his own country music satellite channel, but he wanted to preserve the history of his friends performing.  Willie said, “Since Norman Lear’s company is called ACT III, let’s call the new company, ACT IV.”  To sum it all up, our friend, Kent Wildman, came up with the phrase, Play it Again Nashville”.

Hopefully this gives you a little more background into these old classic country music shows.  Willie thinks it is very important to “keep this music alive along with the stars who created it” and that’s exactly what we’re doing along with RFD-TV’s help.  We know many of you have called and expressed an interest in purchasing the shows or a series of them on VHS and DVD.  We’re working hard to make that happen and expect to make it a reality real soon - so stay tuned!