Ralph Emery is the Dick Clark of country music. His first television show was Opry Almanac, which aired at 6:00 in the morning on WSM-TV in Nashville. On this particular broadcast in 1966, Ralph's guests were Roger Miller, Thumbs Carlisle, Jerry Allison and Charlie Louvin. Legend has it that they had been up all night partying before the show...and it shows. TV was much better back then. Here's an excerpt.
Thumbs Carlisle does a mean version of "Caravan" on his first rekkid. And any dude with a batman teeshirt under his sport coat can't be bad.
Posted by: Dale Hazelton | February 23, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Oooh lawsy, thank you! Where can I get more of these?
Posted by: Hell's Donut House | February 23, 2008 at 09:19 PM
In one interview with Chris Hillman, Emery brought up the song "Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man," which Gram Parsons and Roger McGuinn had written about Emery. Emery then asked, "So, how is Gram doing?" Hillman answered, "He's still dead, Ralph."
Posted by: Listner JS | February 25, 2008 at 02:08 PM
That brings back alot of memories. You don't happen to have any video of Thumbs picking with Danny Gatton, do you? That would have to be one hell of a show. Thanks again for posting the old Emory show clip.
Posted by: Reuben Adkins | February 27, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Sorry, Reuben. I don't have anymore footage of Thumbs. If anybody else out there in blog land has it, I'll be happy to post it.
Posted by: Debbie | February 27, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Hank Garland on guitar in the house band, along with the great Beegee Adair on piano. Is that Bob Moore on bass?
Posted by: Andy | March 24, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Beegie was not "Adair" back then...she was "Cruiser"..BUT the same genius musicianship!--From another piano player--
Posted by: | March 27, 2008 at 02:15 AM
Opry Almanac House Band 3/8/66
Jimmie Colvard: Guitar
Thumbs Carlisle: Guitar
Beggie Cruiser(Adair): Piano
Bobby Dyson: Fender Bass
Buddy Rogers: Drums
Thanks to Greg G.
Posted by: Debbie D | April 14, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Man! I had a blast watching this one! I had forgotten that I did this show. I also played drums on the Eddie Hill Show, on Ch.5 for about 4 years. The show aired live, from 5:45 AM till 7:45 AM, Mon thru Fri. Eddie's show was similar in many ways to Ralph's, but was a lot tighter! HA!.
Posted by: Buddy Rogers | July 26, 2008 at 01:27 PM
This was so great, wish there was more. And there is a little more--over on Roger Miller's website, a section that is missing from this clip is viewable.
Posted by: folksnake | January 08, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Thanks so much for posting. I'm Thumbs' granddaughter and I love finding old footage of him!
Many thanks,
Calli
Posted by: Calli McGregor | August 06, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Hi Calli,
Email me your address and I'll send you a DVD of the entire show!
debbie@wfmu.org
Posted by: Debbie D | August 08, 2009 at 09:55 AM
Where can I download this good
clip?!
Thank you for help!
Posted by: Christopher | January 30, 2010 at 01:45 PM
Christopher, you can't download the clip. It's streamable only.
dd
Posted by: Debbie D | February 02, 2010 at 09:01 AM
you know who that is on bass? bob moore. great post. i'm gleebin it.
thanks debbie, you really do have the best videos. if only my digital hoarder counselor would let me hang out on your archives more often.
http://whatgetsmehot.blogspot.com
http://youtube.com/youweirdtube
m
Posted by: Mo Rourk | February 23, 2010 at 12:51 PM
or it's possible that mister discography up there is right; however, i like to think that my 5 second guess was more impulsive
Posted by: Mo Rourk | February 23, 2010 at 12:53 PM