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?"
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. |
