PAT O'DANIEL & HIS HILLBILLY BOYS-RADIO SHOW # 3.wmv

"Please pass the biscuits Pappy!" was a familiar call heard on Texas depression era radio emanating from Ft. Worth. Led by Burrus flour mill sales manager, Wilbert Lee O'Daniel, the Hillbilly Boy's daily (noon?) fifteen minutes of hot licks and happy patter roused citizenry to the point of electing the colorful W. Lee O'Daniel to a term as Governor! In 1941 he successfully beat out Lyndon Johnson for a seat in the Senate.

Fans of the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" might be interested to know that the "Governor Menelaus 'Pappy' O'Daniel" character played by Charles Durning is in fact based upon the real life character W. Lee O'Daniel. Coincidence doesn't stop there. The young blues guitar player's character (Tommy Johnson) is loosely based on famed blues legend Robert Johnson, whose skill with the guitar after journeying a spell in the Mississippi delta area, was so improved that folks said he sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads meeting to get it. Not only that, the only recordings we have from the short life of Robert Johnson were the result of a single recording session on November 23, 1936, "unceremoniously squeezed between W.Lee O'Daniel & His Hillbilly Boys the day before, and Hermanas Baraza con guitarras the day after." Unfortunately, neither Hillbilly Boys nor Robert Johnson recordings are to be found anywhere in the "O Brother, Where Art Thou" soundtrack.

In 1931, Bob Wills pursuaded Burrus Mill and Elevator Company under the presidentship of W. Lee O'Daniel to sponsor his band in a radio program to advertise the Burrus lightcrust flour. In 1935, after a series of disputes, Wills was fired. O'Daniel then formed his own band "The Hillbilly Boys" and his own flour "Hillbilly Flour". With this band he stomped and successfully won the 1938 gubernatorial race.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• MUSIC
• COUNTRY
• LEE
• O'DANIEL
• HILLBILLY
• FLOUR

[jtls8]

Love to hear part of history and these old radio shows are surley that*****

Thank you Marcus!!

[oldtexasmusic]

@jtls8 James, I'm glad there are a few around like you and Max and Barbara and dbpw. Many just want GOOD music and to heck with history!!!!

[dbpw34]

A great bit of history here Marcus. This reminds us that Pappy's 15 minutes was at 'Dinner-time' (Lunch) and I'm thinking maybe just before or after the Border Stations, Wayne Raney, Lonnie Glosson and those guys. Thanks ......dw

[oldtexasmusic]

@dbpw34 Glad you enjoyed it,

Marcus

[misterstewball]

Fifteen minutes of peppy music to behold and savor...i just LOVE all of this nostalgia,my friend!

Thanks,

Max

[oldtexasmusic]

@misterstewball Max, I KNOW your appreciation for the history and nostalgia and am real glad to put some up on occasion.

Marcus

[BABSINUK]

Hi,like their yodel,and there is not many that I do like.

Were they one of the early radio programmes to go commercial and advertise products,The hilly billy flour that made Pappy's cake and biscuits so good ,you had to bake them yourselves first,that isn't done much these days.LOL.

Super songs and singers.But the poetry,even better,just my take on life.

[oldtexasmusic]

@hfpitman2 Within easy reach of all. LOL!!!

[hfpitman2]

THIS IS GREAT, WHERE IS THE COFFEE POT?