Minnie Pearl and Pee Wee King
Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tennessee, 1973
Minnie was the preeminent country comedian of her
day—arguably any day. With a $1.98 price tag hanging from her
hat, she greeted her audience with an unmistakable "How-dee,"
and regaled them with corny tales about the citizens of Grinder's
Switch, influencing among others Garrison Keillor (and his tales of
Lake Wobegon). Born Sarah Ophelia Colley, Minnie was a member of the
Grand Ole Opry from 1940 until her death in 1996. She also was a cast
member of the popular Hee Haw television
show.
Pee Wee King was a pop/country fiddler who fronted a big band that
at various times employed (among others) Country Music Hall of Famers
Eddy Arnold and Minnie Pearl. Although he had a long career, beginning
in the early 1930s, he is best remembered for the songs he is credited
as writing or co-writing: "Bonaparte's Retreat," "Slow
Poke," and "Tennessee Waltz"— the state song of
Tennessee, a no. 1 pop hit for Patti Page in 1950, and one of the
most covered songs of all time. |
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