Happy 40th anniversary to my wife Debbie Placher ,we met at INDIANAPOLIS 500 in 1979 and married October 26 1979 true love and we miss jim nabors a lot ❤️
Nothing says AMERICA more than the Indy 500 and when Jim sang back home in Indiana, that was the icing on the cake. At 74 it still brings a tear to my eye. It's called TRADITION. Something the US has lost in a lot of ways.
I'll never forget this, Jim's beautiful Baritone voice. After all, I heard him sing this 36 times. My Great Uncle, 'Wild' Bill Cummings WON the 1934 Indy Race! Long Live The Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.
Wherever I was, since '72, I always made it a point to stop and listen to Jim Nabors sing the invocation to this iconic race. I saw/heard Mr. Nabors perform this live, twice, and the hush which came upon the crowd served to amplify the distinctive timbre of this artist's voice. So long, Jim, we hardly knew ye.
In 1980 I was on guard duty in Basic training at Fort Dix NJ. I was up on a water tower and I snuck a radio up with me and I got to listen to Jim sing this beautiful song and listen to the whole race up on this water tower. I have NOT missed a race since my 1st 1 in 1965 where ever I may be.
I would stop everything I was doing just to listen to Jim sing. If Washington only had descent people like Gomer. Even five percent of the integrity Would help.
Both have a lot of intertwined personal meaning for me. Both are associated with sporting events held in May, which is also the month of my birth. It’s also the two states I’ve called home in my lifetime.
same, I watch these after I get back from Indy lol I will admit Jim Cornelison does a great job too 2024 was a tremendous race, even the fly over by the thunderbirds
i've driven 1700 miles to see this race. one way. and it was a year that Jim Neighbors was there and sung this Indiana song (wabash or some such song,,,,it's a tradition in Indy, a big one), the brady bunch lady was there too (both were there at the same TIME !!!) and James Garner drove the pace car,,,,boy was he good. Garner is the one on the popular show called the Rockford Files, you might have heard of it. Also, Roger Penske was there in the pits along with Bobby Rahal... sorry if i spelled any of these Indy 500 legends wrong. what a place that is, unbelievable. it's the size of a small town. trust me when i tell you that outside the race track on the night before the race is a happening all unto itself..i've never seen anything like it and I've been all over the world. people from all walks of life in all conditions imaginable. I got A.J. Foyts autograph and Jim Rathman's autograph on my hat that year too.
1972 he picked me up hitchhiking on pacific coast highway in newport bch i was 12. i said hey your gomer and he looked at me and said *Shazzaam I am?* drove me all the way home to san juan capistrano. boy was my parents surprised and yes I got a little scolded for that
@@GeographRick .I also carried a couple Newspapers and Bob Crane was one of my customers. Star of Hogan's Hero's. They Treated me really nice. Used to see Sonny n Cher quite often as they had 3 condo's 5 houses down from our's.. Small world sometimes
I'm from Florida and heard him sing in 1995 when J. Villanueva won it. I thought it was beautiful and I always watched him sing it. Still had a lovely voice.......and it WAS GOOD TO BE BACK HOME AGAIN IN INDIANA.....
Don't RIP Jim Nabors, Play the Heaven Stage ! You OFTEN sang 'Back home again' on MY birthday May 28 !! ( And ALWAYS on my birthday weekend , of course Memorial Day weekend) It was MY BIRTHDAY SONG AND I LOVED IT !! You will be missed !
I love Motorsports, live 1.5 hours from IMS and have never been in my 26 years of living. I got emotional watching this learning that this has been going so long and is so iconic here in my state. What an event. What a life!
Jim Nabor was such a wonderful singer &, such an authentic, big hearted, comedic actor on Gomer Pyle USMC & those guest appearances on Carol Burnett. He is missed by everybody including race fans.
As a fellow Hoosier, There is nothing like the festivities & the beginning of that Race! When my mother could no loner attend the Spectacle due to health issues she would Cry listening to the start of the race on the radio, As a kid growing up in the 50's & 60's All these Race driver's were my Hero's. Long before the Pacers and Colts came to town,...
Amazing his voice has barely changed all these years. Incredible, Jim Nabors great job as always! You, with Griffith's help created one of my favorite shows of all time, Gomer Pyle, USMC. Thanks for the pure and innocent "Real Comedy" of laughs! Because if it wasn't for show like yours, i would never watch television again! Now that you're a real Corporal in the U.S. Marines, you deserve every bit of it!
I have never been to the race. My brother attends yearly. I do enjoy watching and enjoy and remember watching this live and was shocked that it was to be his last singing. I cried due to that. Maybe someday I could meet him... great talent but we all know that... thank you.
I was born in Indianapolis in 1949, but I spent most of my life in Southern California. Just the same, I cannot hear this song without crying 😢 my eyes out.
In His Memory They should play a recording of this at the track tomorrow just before the Indy 500 begins. It just would fit the occasion. RIP JIM NABORS You were one ☝️ of The Great Lasting Traditions Of The Indianapolis 500
As another Indianapolis 500 closes in, in just a few days, I always come back here to hear this song. I am a native Hoosier and I love that feeling when this time of year rolls around. 🏎️🏎️
I just arrived home from today's 500 and I must say that it just wasn't the same today without him at the Brickyard. The guys were good, but it just felt like something was missing. And it was.
+tommythetreat000 Jim was offered the job but his health meant he couldn't make the trip. I will miss the baritone voice from my SW vista seats this year.
As a Hoosier now at the age of 60 remember that here that he last sang back home again in Indiana I am in poor health I cannot help but cry everytime I hear that song my family has been in Indiana for the better part of 250 years early early pioneers I was born in Lafayette Indiana in Tippecanoe County I long to be back again in Indiana the bones of my ancestors in history is a story of the American Experience as we are all spread out Across the Nation so many branches come from the same area as we moved Westford Carolina's alleghenies down the Mississippi to Galveston wave after wave our family and immigrants from overseas again to New York City Eastern Seaboard communities up and down coming from New Orleans going up River stories of Civil War Pony Express Riders the Oregon Trail California Oregon Washington the stories that grandfather left I'm devastated to know that I may not ever get back to Indiana now living in South Texas it's been big home for us to there are families that arrived for us before 1963 in the early part of the 20th century Fry's Pharmacy grandfather's relation God bless Indiana God Bless Texas God bless the United States remember us we were here that's beginning early Han and we persist we have prospered and we have arrived and succeeded and made the American dream part of our own remember Cass County Carroll County Indiana Tippecanoe star White County Carroll County and the way west maybe we'll have someone on the moon or Mars who knows where we'll end up but what I hear back home again in Indiana or Texas my Texas and here Jim Nabors Jim Nabors sing that song how can you not cry and remember may he rest in peace
This is so sweet. Jim Nabors will be so missed at the Indy 500. It was sad that he wasn't there this year or last. But, really, he sure can sing--84 years old here and he still sounds pretty darn good!!! We're hoping his health improves soon. Prayers for Jim Nabors. May God give him many more years.
I (and my wife & daughter) were three of the folks holding the 'Thank You Jim' cards there in the pit road bleachers that day. The race was Epic too. RHR beats Helio on last lap, Lifetime memory for sure!
The man who sings now is good, but no one EVER can replace the late GREAT Jim Nabors. He is missed by many.
1000% totally agree
Mike Rowe would be a better choice than we have now.....And he would bring alot of eyes to the sport
I don't know the name of the guy, but the one who did it at the most recent Indy 500 was crap imo
People not from Indiana think this song sucks.
@@c1985paul I never been to Indiana and I think its a great song . I suspect a lot of folks agree but I am only able to speak for myself.
Was still belting beautifully at 84. RIP Mr. Nabors
He didn’t look 84. Damn. I hope I love to be that age and be able to anything half as good as singing like that.
Spell check butchered my comment.
Sounded great! Goober must be jealous!
I was about to make the same observation. He was very impressive.
Fucking LEGEND
Very sad news to hear that Jim Nabors passed today. The Month of May will never be the same without Mr. Nabors.
Jim is more alive today then he ever was on this godforsaken planet
@@acgillespie Living on in peoples hearts and minds. That's the only eternity we get. So leave something worth remembering.
God I miss Jim Nabors so much
Happy 40th anniversary to my wife Debbie Placher ,we met at INDIANAPOLIS 500 in 1979 and married October 26 1979 true love and we miss jim nabors a lot ❤️
Nothing says AMERICA more than the Indy 500 and when Jim sang back home in Indiana, that was the icing on the cake. At 74 it still brings a tear to my eye. It's called TRADITION. Something the US has lost in a lot of ways.
Well said. I was there. This is America! Go away Biden snowflakes!!!
I would have to add the Kentucky Derby and "My Old Kentucky Home" to that list!
@@kathyrice7931 wrong. Indy honors America’s military and those who paid the ultimate price. The Derby doesn’t even come close.
There is absolutely nothing that makes me prouder to be an American than Jim Nabors singing this song. God bless America!
born and raised in those fields he used to roam.
we love you jim
we miss you jim
we will never forget you, jim!
How could you not like a legend singing this beautiful song?
:)
I'll never forget this, Jim's beautiful Baritone voice.
After all, I heard him sing this 36 times.
My Great Uncle, 'Wild' Bill Cummings WON the 1934 Indy Race!
Long Live The Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.
Chuck Dean unbelievable
John Vandeventer It's true.
Chuck Dean you are right. I looked up 1934 Indy 500 and he was the winner
He’s not resting he’s busy giving concerts in heaven one day I’ll be able to see him and hear him
Speak for yourself.
One a night. Free admission
I was at that race! Every time I hear it at race day, I get chills, and it makes me proud to be a Hoosier❤
Absolutely it does
I'm not from Indiana but I get goosebumps every time I listen to this.
"How I long for my Indiana home" always sends chills down my spine.
Amen.
Me too.
Indiana sucks
@@genejackson4261 ~ You suck, Gene. Geez
So do I !
No one but Hoosiers know how much this song means to us and hearing it touches the soul
🥹🥲 me at 29
I tear up every Indy 500 when I hear this sung. ...Its not the same without Jim but the legacy lives . Lets have a safe race tomorrow.
His voice never turned him down. Rest in Paradise Jim.
Jim Nabors took this tune and made it his very own. Hoosier at Heart and forever missed. RIP Mr. Nabors
RIP him singing this always brings a tear.
What a great singer! He was 84 when he sang this.
Wherever I was, since '72, I always made it a point to stop and listen to Jim Nabors sing the invocation to this iconic race. I saw/heard Mr. Nabors perform this live, twice, and the hush which came upon the crowd served to amplify the distinctive timbre of this artist's voice. So long, Jim, we hardly knew ye.
In 1980 I was on guard duty in Basic training at Fort Dix NJ. I was up on a water tower and I snuck a radio up with me and I got to listen to Jim sing this beautiful song and listen to the whole race up on this water tower. I have NOT missed a race since my 1st 1 in 1965 where ever I may be.
I would stop everything I was doing just to listen to Jim sing. If Washington only had descent people like Gomer. Even five percent of the integrity
Would help.
Wow and His notes Incredibles and Beautiful.
Always so sad to see traditions end.
This song and "My Old Kentucky Home" are 2 of the greatest musical traditions in sports.
Both have a lot of intertwined personal meaning for me. Both are associated with sporting events held in May, which is also the month of my birth. It’s also the two states I’ve called home in my lifetime.
Had to watch this again this year. It's not the Indy 500 without Jim Nabors. ♥️
Very true. This race is all about tradition and Jim gone is part of it.
@@davidgoldin2577 I'm originally from Indiana. This touches my ♥️
same, I watch these after I get back from Indy lol
I will admit Jim Cornelison does a great job too
2024 was a tremendous race, even the fly over by the thunderbirds
@@GrantMerle have you heard the guy from Terre Haute sing? He was on AGT.! He would be great. I just don't think Cornelison sings with ♥️
RIP Mr. Nabors, you were a great asset and tradition to the Indy 500. You will be sorely missed.
Thanks for the memories to the late Jim Nabors (June 12, 1930 - November 30, 2017)
i've driven 1700 miles to see this race. one way. and it was a year that Jim Neighbors was there and sung this Indiana song (wabash or some such song,,,,it's a tradition in Indy, a big one), the brady bunch lady was there too (both were there at the same TIME !!!) and James Garner drove the pace car,,,,boy was he good. Garner is the one on the popular show called the Rockford Files, you might have heard of it. Also, Roger Penske was there in the pits along with Bobby Rahal... sorry if i spelled any of these Indy 500 legends wrong. what a place that is, unbelievable. it's the size of a small town. trust me when i tell you that outside the race track on the night before the race is a happening all unto itself..i've never seen anything like it and I've been all over the world. people from all walks of life in all conditions imaginable. I got A.J. Foyts autograph and Jim Rathman's autograph on my hat that year too.
I remember as a child, the first time I heard him sing this, I was shocked. I couldn't believe that Gomer Pyle could sing like that!
1972 he picked me up hitchhiking on pacific coast highway in newport bch i was 12. i said hey your gomer and he looked at me and said *Shazzaam I am?* drove me all the way home to san juan capistrano. boy was my parents surprised and yes I got a little scolded for that
@@acgillespie Cool. That’s funny.
@@GeographRick .I also carried a couple Newspapers and Bob Crane was one of my customers. Star of Hogan's Hero's. They Treated me really nice. Used to see Sonny n Cher quite often as they had 3 condo's 5 houses down from our's.. Small world sometimes
I'm from Florida and heard him sing in 1995 when J. Villanueva won it. I thought it was beautiful and I always watched him sing it.
Still had a lovely voice.......and it WAS GOOD TO BE BACK HOME AGAIN IN INDIANA.....
Sylacauga, Alabama is lucky enough to have a legend born and raised here. RIP Jim!
I sang along and then got teary eyed at the end
As Did I
Always do. Miss being in the stands with my mom and dad. What wonderful memories
As a Hoosier born and raised I love it
I'm crying my bloomin' eyes out.
Looked forward to him singing every year. Definitely need a statue of him on the grounds!
I was there right across the track to sing along with Jim. Never be another. Only Jim can sing this. RIP
The 500 won't be the same without Jim Nabors!
ive been to 4 indy 500 and when jim nabors would sing back home again in Indiana the whole speedway would go nuts nothing like it was pretty cool
My DAD was born in MONTEZUMA IND. in 1912. Grandpa is buried in the city on the WABASH RIVER.
Just heard about Jim's death. Wanted to come watch, miss, cry, appreciate our friend Jim. RIP
I nearly cry when I hear him sing this……I miss Indiana
Only Hoosiers Understand
Don't RIP Jim Nabors, Play the Heaven Stage ! You OFTEN sang 'Back home again' on MY birthday May 28 !! ( And ALWAYS on my birthday weekend , of course Memorial Day weekend)
It was MY BIRTHDAY SONG AND I LOVED IT !! You will be missed !
I love Motorsports, live 1.5 hours from IMS and have never been in my 26 years of living. I got emotional watching this learning that this has been going so long and is so iconic here in my state. What an event. What a life!
Thank’s for singing for the last time back home again in Indiana Jim
This song always makes me cry, but especially this performance!
don't know who my mother heard singing this so many many years ago, but we both love Jim Neighbors so this is great! she sang this around our home.
Goosebumps! Sat in those stands and in the backyard at my aunt's house many a time listening to him sing this song.
And i miss Florence Henderson singing God Bless America....but nobody can live forever.
He passed away today. I loved hearing him sing this every year. Rest in peace, Jim (I loved the Gomer Pyle show, too!)
Jim Nabor was such a wonderful singer &, such an authentic, big hearted, comedic actor on Gomer Pyle USMC & those guest appearances on Carol Burnett. He is missed by everybody including race fans.
When Indy 500 race day comes, I always imagine ol' Jim singing it.
Beautiful voice! Thank you, Jim Nabors 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
People often wept when Jim Nabors sang what a wonderful talent not surpassed never equaled always outstanding we love Jim Nabors
As a fellow Hoosier, There is nothing like the festivities & the beginning of that Race! When my mother could no loner attend the Spectacle due to health issues she would Cry listening to the start of the race on the radio, As a kid growing up in the 50's & 60's All these Race driver's were my Hero's. Long before the Pacers and Colts came to town,...
Thanks for the memories Jim. You will greatly be missed. 😭
I sing this song each time I come back to Indiana
My favorite Memorial day weekend tradition.
Amazing his voice has barely changed all these years. Incredible, Jim Nabors great job as always! You, with Griffith's help created one of my favorite shows of all time, Gomer Pyle, USMC. Thanks for the pure and innocent "Real Comedy" of laughs! Because if it wasn't for show like yours, i would never watch television again! Now that you're a real Corporal in the U.S. Marines, you deserve every bit of it!
Jim Nabors was promoted to Sergeant on 11-1-2013 by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Amos
I have never been to the race. My brother attends yearly. I do enjoy watching and enjoy and remember watching this live and was shocked that it was to be his last singing. I cried due to that. Maybe someday I could meet him... great talent but we all know that... thank you.
Jim is a legend who will be even more appreciated as the years go by.
I was born in Indianapolis in 1949, but I spent most of my life in Southern California. Just the same, I cannot hear this song without crying 😢 my eyes out.
In His Memory They should play a recording of this at the track tomorrow just before the Indy 500 begins. It just would fit the occasion. RIP JIM NABORS You were one ☝️ of The Great Lasting Traditions Of The Indianapolis 500
god bless him i went to 4 indy 500 and when it was time for him to sing the place would go mad you have to be there to see it
As another Indianapolis 500 closes in, in just a few days, I always come back here to hear this song.
I am a native Hoosier and I love that feeling when this time of year rolls around. 🏎️🏎️
I just arrived home from today's 500 and I must say that it just wasn't the same today without him at the Brickyard. The guys were good, but it just felt like something was missing. And it was.
RIP Mr Jim Nabors.
I come back here for this version every year when it’s race day.
R.I.P. Jim! Thanks for your contributions and the great memories.
God loves you Jim Nabors,and in the end,that's all that matters.
True, and so do an awful lot of people!!!
And... back to listening to this song before the 500. I’m sure hyped for tomorrow, even with less capacity than this.
I'm sorry...The hay got in my eye. As a transplanted Hoosier, I am in love with this song and Jim Nabors will always have this as his Hoosier legacy.
10 years after this. Jim is missed by all
Since this year is the 100th running of The 500, I would love to see Jim come back and sing this one more time.
Nabors said that he would if he can.
+tommythetreat000 Jim was offered the job but his health meant he couldn't make the trip. I will miss the baritone voice from my SW vista seats this year.
Unfortunately, that won't happen now. RIP Jim
:)
Yeah, he's busy
There is no unlike Jim nabors ever
What a legend who will be greatly missed. RIP Jim Nabors!
Just moved from indiana to Houston after living in Indiana for 60 years, sure going to miss the Indianapolis 500.
still come back here 2016 thankyou JIM
i almost cried while watching. gonna miss ya jim:)
Almost ? ? My tissue box got a workout🎵🎵🎵
As a Hoosier now at the age of 60 remember that here that he last sang back home again in Indiana I am in poor health I cannot help but cry everytime I hear that song my family has been in Indiana for the better part of 250 years early early pioneers I was born in Lafayette Indiana in Tippecanoe County I long to be back again in Indiana the bones of my ancestors in history is a story of the American Experience as we are all spread out Across the Nation so many branches come from the same area as we moved Westford Carolina's alleghenies down the Mississippi to Galveston wave after wave our family and immigrants from overseas again to New York City Eastern Seaboard communities up and down coming from New Orleans going up River stories of Civil War Pony Express Riders the Oregon Trail California Oregon Washington the stories that grandfather left I'm devastated to know that I may not ever get back to Indiana now living in South Texas it's been big home for us to there are families that arrived for us before 1963 in the early part of the 20th century Fry's Pharmacy grandfather's relation God bless Indiana God Bless Texas God bless the United States remember us we were here that's beginning early Han and we persist we have prospered and we have arrived and succeeded and made the American dream part of our own remember Cass County Carroll County Indiana Tippecanoe star White County Carroll County and the way west maybe we'll have someone on the moon or Mars who knows where we'll end up but what I hear back home again in Indiana or Texas my Texas and here Jim Nabors Jim Nabors sing that song how can you not cry and remember may he rest in peace
Oh how I wish I was back home in Indiana (teary eyed now)
Wonderful, gentle man with an amazing voice. He brought so much joy and laughter to our lives. He is so missed
RIP. Your legacy and love for the 500 will carry on because of you, sir.
Back Home Again In Indiana will never be sang the same!
84 years here. Pipesare still there,.
I was lucky enough to be there. :-)
My mom couldn't get tickets but I think we watched it (later that day because it's blacked out on TV in Indiana)
Truly appreciate this video. What a man we truly love. One of the last people remaining of the Andy Griffith Show.
This is so sweet. Jim Nabors will be so missed at the Indy 500. It was sad that he wasn't there this year or last. But, really, he sure can sing--84 years old here and he still sounds pretty darn good!!! We're hoping his health improves soon. Prayers for Jim Nabors. May God give him many more years.
That was beautiful
Great job Jim Nabors...RIP....:) Jim is now praising the Lord Jesus in Heaven...:) God bless his family.
Have to play this for this year so it feels the same
Our dear friend , Mr . Jim Nabors. A treasured icon of the Speedway. We'll never forget you Jim. Thanks for all the memories !!!
When I watched the Andy grihhith or gomer Pyle it is amazing this is the same man. RIP Jim Nabors
Always loved it when Jim Nabors would go from ah shucks golly gee to singing in that wonderful voice.
This song will forever live in my heart
I (and my wife & daughter) were three of the folks holding the 'Thank You Jim' cards there in the pit road bleachers that day. The race was Epic too. RHR beats Helio on last lap, Lifetime memory for sure!
God bless yall
I was 10 years old when Jim took over this song. He owned it my whole life. This race starts with Jim Nabors.
So sad to hear of the passing of Jim Nabors. Miss this magical moment every year. RIP, Jim
Earth was very Lucky to have his souL as long as it did, no doubt he is singing in Heaven to the max
RIP Jim, no one can replace you. 11/30/2017.
Always sends a chill down my back!