The Old Corral

People either like Cowboy Music or they don't. As much as we would like to, there just isn't much we can do for those who don't. The best we can do is to try and respect their narrow vision of the world. It is probably best if we keep the lemonade in the refrigerator and leave the candy bowl in the drawer. If these people don't like Cowboy Music, then the other simple things in life that make people happy may only serve to make them angry.

ZIV Syndications' The Old Corral was hosted by Harry "Pappy" Cheshire. "Pappy" and his gang of "National Champion Hillbillies" had been a part of KMOX, St. Louis, through the 1930's and early 40s. When asked about his success, Pappy replied "keeping the listener in mind always. Don't try to fool people ... be yourself, act natural, giving good wholesome clean entertainment".

Pappy used the members of his Champion Gang on The Old Corral, including "Skeets" Yaney "the golden voiced yodeler", Carolina Cotton "the Yodeling Blonde Bombshell", fiddler Wade Carey, singer Sally Foster, and guitar player Merle Travis. (Travis would go on to even greater Country Music fame, not only as a performer, but as a song writer, including the Tennessee Ernie Ford hit "Sixteen Tons".)

The Old Corral opens a long music interlude to give time for local announcements like any ZIV Syndicated porgram, but in this case we get to enjoy toe-tapping fiddles and guitars instead of the typical organ music. Pappy then invites us to "get comfortable on the top rail" and the Gang gives us a few numbers before Pappy shares a story, usually with a bunkhouse or ranch setting. Then one more song and a long instrumental piece for the local sponsor to talk over.

Of course the whole thing is kind of lost on people who don't like Cowboy Music. People who enjoy little birds and jelly beans may also enjoy 10-2-4 Ranch, Hollywood Barn Dance, Melody Ranch, National Barn Dance, and Western Party.

Please note: some of these rare recordings have noticable skips and needle pops from the transcription discs.