Singer, banjo player, and comic Louis Marshall "Grandpa" Jones was born on this day in 1913. He earned the nickname "Grandpa" when he was 22 years old and always complaining about early-morning shows. He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and an original member of the cast of Hee Haw, where he frequently showed off his clawhammer banjo style, either solo or with another great banjo player, David "Stringbean" Akeman. In this 1961 clip, Grandpa demonstrates clawhammer playing and shows off his dancing skills on "Good Old Mountain Dew."
The Sound of One Hand Typing 
That video has been on a playlist of mine for years, John. That’s a great one.
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I love the footwork, and the song is a riot. Wonder what he said to the host at the end that made him bust out laughing?
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He reminds me of the old dude on the Mountain Dew cans. They used to have a hillbilly on them. Fun song.
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I remember those old Mountain Dew commercials. I wouldn’t be surprised if Grandpa gave them the idea.
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I know some people who knew him…they said he was a great guy. Really talented also. The way I remember him the most is sad…when he discovered “Stringbean” Akeman and his wife murdered. I was around 6 when that happened and it stuck in my memory with him on the news.
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It still bothers me that they let one of Stringbean’s killers out on parole. A crime like that, he should never have seen the outside of the prison. Stringbean wasn’t even 60 yet…
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Yes it does me also. What good did killing him do… if there is no money just leave… it was so senseless. It was on the local news for weeks and weeks after that.
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Before Hee Haw I used to see him on various country music shows that would show on the Knoxville TV stations. Not music I’d listen to on a regular basis, but it’s a fun novelty to hear on occasion.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
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I knew him from “Hee Haw,” especially the times when he, Stringbean, and Roy Clark would get going with the banjos. I like some of that old country music…
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Fun song!
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He’s fun to watch with all that footwork…
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Your song of the day left me smiling. Love it. Thanks.
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Glad you liked it!
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brilliant. Great fun.
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Glad you liked it!
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