The Grand Ole Opry's weekly radio show is one of the longest running radio programs in history. The transition to television? Another story altogether.
From October 1955 to September 1956, Ralston-Purina sponsored a monthly, hour-long Grand Ole Opry show, filling in for 2/3 of the 90-minute Ozark Jubilee on ABC. Apparently, the contract was not renewed for the 1956-7 season, as the series did not return.
Before transitioning to first Spike TV in 2003, then, presently, Paramount Network, the original Nashville Network hosted a weekly TV simulcast of the radio show, hosted by singer Bill Anderson. We'll look at that version another time. Here, though, is a school themed show from '56, featuring Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Little Jimmy Dickens, and much more.
Minnie Pearl picked up the schoolhouse skits and revived them during her stint on Hee Haw years later. Acuff would also join the cast of Hee Haw near the end of his storied career.
Rating: B.
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