My EC and I were walking through the Walmart parking lot last night, when she used the word “gloom” in the conversation. Being products of the 1970’s, we spontaneously broke into a chorus of “Gloom, Despair and Agony on Me.” You know what I’m talking about. Here’s a taste:
We both knew the song because our dads watched Hee Haw. For you young’uns, HeeHaw was a countri-fied variety show that started back in 1969. It had country music, skits and jokes. Most of them lame. (Different kinds of humor for different kinds of people.)
I do look back at HeeHaw with pleasant memories, even though I am not a Country music fan. Here are my reasons:
1) Bonding Time with Dad. My dad would let me sit and watch it with him, much to my mother’s consternation.
2) My Mother’s Consternation. There was a bevy of “Daisy Duke” girls that were a fixture on the show – HeeHaw Honeys, if I recall correctly. I found them fascinating. (The show did have some racy elements, but I think my dad figured it was over my head – it wasn’t.)
3) The Lame Jokes. The skits and jokes were funny, mostly because they were just awful. And the people on HeeHaw knew it, and let us in on the joke.
4) Roy Clark. Firmly ensconced in this ridiculous show was one of the world’s greatest guitarists. Seriously. Roy Clark was an amazing musician. Even as I got older and was into Terry Kath and Jimmy Page, I would stop and watch Roy Clark whenever he was on TV with his guitar, or banjo.
Don’t believe me? Here is a clip from the old TV series The Odd Couple, from the same era. (Yes, Oscar is calling for him to play “Mountain Dew.” It’s all coming together…)
HeeHaw – Love it, or hate it – I’ll bet you remember it. That, and the sideburns.
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Okay all you genealogists… Roy Clark was my husband’s aunt’s mother in law’s nephew. What does that make him to my husband? Just a note, I could have said my husband’s uncle’s cousin I guess, but there’s not a blood connection between my hubby and that uncle…
I must be extra emotional this morning, as that brought tears to my eyes! What a fabulous guitarist! I wish we had more TV like this these days. Innocent and clean and entertaining!
Your post was a fun stroll down memory lane. MMM. I did not; however, realize what a guitar virtuoso-genius Roy Clark was. I was blown away by his Spanish piece on The Odd Couple (some more strolling).
And not dead, in spite of what you might read on the internet.
Oh how I remember Hee Haw! I loved it for the very fact that it was one of the rare TV shows my Dad would watch. He usually had a law book stuck in his face. And at Granma’s house? It was a Saturday night staple. It brings fond memories to my head and heart.
I don’t want to offend anyone with my comments, but I believe my exposure to Hee Haw as a young kid is what turned me off to Country Music. Early Saturday evening I either had the choice of watching Buck and Roy pickin and grinnin or I could switch to channel 4 and watch the Great Babylon, The Whore of all the earth, aka “Solid Gold”. They both made me uncomfortable so I would usually go out and play basketball instead.
Pickin’ and grinnin’! Great memories of sitting on the kitchen floor watching this on our one TV set when I was very young.
Also, nice shoutout to Terry Kath. What an amazing talent, cut short far too soon.
Glad you picked up on that shout out.
Here’s a quote: “”You gotta check out this guy Terry Kath. His band is CTA. He’s the best guitar player in the universe.”
Who said it? Jimi Hendrix
Yeah, I’m not sure why he wasn’t more acclaimed. Overshadowed by the horns, maybe? I really liked his singing voice, too. I like him much better than Hendrix, but very few people remember him.
Oh my goodness! I’ve always wondered why my mother sang the “Gloom” song! Nice to finally know where that’s from!
I have fond memories of the “You met another and pffffft you was gone” song. As kids, my sibs and I sang it as often as possible. Hats off to Roy Clark. I remember his awesome pickin’.
I am *only* 33 and I used to watch Hee Haw! Of course I don’t remember much, except Minnie Pearl, people popping up out of the cornfield to crack those lame jokes, those jugs (clay, not “honey”), and now some of these other things people are mentioning. And I’m sure most of the stuff DID go over my head. Thank goodness. But thanks for the jog down memory lane!
That jugs joke was funnier than anything on Hee Haw.
Saaaa-lute!!!!
Awesome, but what I want to know is, Grandpa, what’s for supper?
I had forgotten all about that song, but when I heard it I realized I could sing along! Crazy. Also the song ShelBailey mentioned.
Fun way to start the day.
Well, I have heard of HeeHaw, but never watched it. Looks like I was just a generation behind on that one. But at least I feel younger today after reading this. I’m sure I’ll read something else on the internet and feel my age again.
Tonya! It’s Minnie Pearl with the hat and the tag, lol. I watched this with my daddy, too. And my mom hated it, also. But, my sibs and I sing the Gloom song and the “pfftff, you was gone” song.
Thanks for a good morning laugh, and an exposure to some “culcha” for my 15 yr old, lol.
HeeHaw is my husband’s all-time favorite show, hands-down. His email contains “heehaw” in it. His screen name in my phone is HeeHaw Man, and his ringtone is the HeeHaw theme, complete with banjo playing and donkey braying. He purchased, and consistently listens to, a boxed set CD of the HeeHaw Gospel Quartet singing their favorite old hymns. He DVRs the weekly rebroadcast (Sundays at 6 on RFD TV) and seemingly never deletes them, but watches his favorites (and somehow manages to convince me to watch as well) most nights before bed.
Yes, I know HeeHaw. 😉
And don’t tell my husband, but I secretly love HeeHaw, even though I groan at the jokes and tell him to cover his eyes when a HeeHaw Honey is onscreen. 😉
holy hee haw! Roy Clark IS amazing!!!! I think Hee Haw grazed my radar as a little kid, but all I remember is the lady with the hat with the tag. But now…I am going to youtube and see what Roy Clark I can find! Thanks!
My husband sings the chorus of that song all the time. My dad got to meet Roy Clark when Roy was visiting Navy bases in the Pacific (in the 60s).