I'm gonna need a good, long break before I tackle Jerry Clower. All the Boxcar Willie I had to listen to making this episode was enough for a lifetime.
I remember when that slim Whitman commercial came I was at my uncle’s house and the commercial said he’d stayed number 1 longer than Elvis in England . And we were eating supper, and I yelled “ he’s not greater than Elvis!”, and my uncle got mad at me! He slapped my hand because I was pointing at the tv over supper! Priceless memories of my growing up in the 80s. Lol
A friend's dad was heavily into Boxcar Willie. Being in the UK, beyond the double entendre, I had no idea what a boxcar willie was, until now. My Dad was a fan of Slim Whitman, though. Uncanny. Really nice, Ben, that you got to know Slim's music and the man when making this episode.
Slim Whitman was an inspiration to all young left-handed guitarists back in the fifties - including one James Paul McCartney of Speke, Liverpool who, until then, had been making little progress trying to play "normally".
I met Box at an aftershow party back in the 80s and hung out with him for a good while.(im a Nashvillian) .although he was well inebriated he was a blast and quite a funny guy...the more he drank the more he would randomly do his (rather loud) train whistle impression, everyone would turn and look at him for a monment than return to their conversation. one of the more memorable 'celebrity' encounters over the years..he was a pretty good guy to be honest
I've seen my share of forgettable TV ads for albums from Nana Mosskouri to Richard Clayderman. But it was SlIm Whitman who was almost forgotten had it not been for the movie Mars Attacks!
Yep, Slim Whitman and Boxcar Willie were quite popular in the UK. I remember seeing their cassettes littering the shelves at our local Woolworths - and so did my dad who tried to get the latest Perry Como tapes. There were loads of Warwick Records tapes at every Woolies, it seemed - and those cassette caddy things as well.
I know I'd be far more shocked if Joe Flaherty could carry a tune at all. If memory serves, he was the only one of the SCTV cast with no musical background whatsoever.
I recall both Slim's and Boxcar's guest appearances on "Hee Haw" and each time, they were more or less dutifully acknowledging their presences in pop culture... and pretending they knew their respective categories. Awkward moments.
I never knew I knew Slim Whitman all my life, until this. Yes I had a tape of Boxcar Willie when I was young, on 8-track. Along with the greatest hits of Hank WILLIAMS, on 8 track, I wonder how I turned out to be a metal head and progressive rock fan. Great work Ben.
Possibly, although the George Baker Selection had the hit with it. But yeah, in the long-haul, that little snippet from Slim's commercial probably got more widely-heard.
@@OddityArchive George Baker had the overall hit IIRC, but I know in Britain it stalled at #10 while Jonathan (Everyone's Gone To The Moon) King managed to reach #5 with it. The parody version 'I Am a Cider Drinker' by The Wurzels charted even higher at #3 (and is the best version IMO!)
My exposure to Slim Whitman was from the Beavis & Butthead episode "Balloon" where they had one of his videos. The duo referenced the commercial in this video (this dude is bigger than The Beatles and Elvis. Yeah, he's not as cool as Metallica though) and an observation from this video (Why does he keep looking up?) and their final verdict was "this is satanic country music." Too funny back then.
I don’t know what boxcars album sells was in America was but that king of the road was like the eagles greatest hits 71-75, almost every yard sale I went to as a teenager had it for sell, whoever pushed it did a great job. Boxcars persona I think was a unique one, no one else had done it, I had a great uncle who was a hobo from the depression unto the 50s, and he liked boxcar, he thought it was nice that someone represented them in country music, even though boxcar wasn’t an actual hobo, perhaps he felt the need (and make a living) to stand for them. Upto that point no one else had, and doing something different from everyone else, is one great things about being a artist, wither it’s about, making money on tv ads or just being a home studio enthusiast, if people don’t like it, then don’t consume it.
I have 2 of the Slim Whitman TV albums and the Boxcar Willie TV album as well Don't get much time on the turntable anymore but still happy to have them
I remember a lot of direct response ads airing on The Hub (because Mattel didn't advertise it on because Hasbro was the co-owner), though never really saw music ones like these airing on it. Though have seen a lot of Time Life ads and infomercials a lot in my life (I especially remember one for a Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers DVD boxset, of all things!) Also, Slim Whitman comes off as a nice guy, given he was very willing to lampoon himself, and was able to wind down his career in peace. Plus, the connections between him and Boxcar Willie are pretty wild, to say the least!
I remember seeing ads for collections put out by Candlelight Music, But not any particular artist. I don’t think I’ve thought about that since the 90s.
@@josephpearce3650 My mom had that Platters set on a two-8-track set when I was little (blue labels on black carts). I found the LP version few years ago and was surprised how excellent it sounds!
>TNN Was this before Viacom owned them, or after they gave the channel an identity crisis? Music of any stripe works poorly on American TV because the Nielsens hate that category, owing to how brief the audience stays. There have been 3 outposts for country music in the air since that time, that I recall. The Country Network which has always had limited coverage (even with Zuus ownership), Heartland (which the currently-named "Get After It Media" filled with syndicated shows), and Circle (which went exclusively over-the-top after the cowboy filler overtook the schedule).
@@Code7Unltd TNN was The Nashville Network when it came to be. I used to watch it more than I care to admit, but then when it became owned by Viacom it became The National Network, then became Spike.
Ahhh Boxcar Willie... his vinyl records pollute almost every thrift store in Australia alongside all the Nana Mouskouri, Richard Clayderman and Kamahl.
I honestly had no idea that Slim Whitman lived until 2013. I thought he died in the '80s. Then again, I used to get him and Slim Pickens mixed up. I definitely remember Boxcar Willie though. My Dad used to play his tapes in his pickup truck through the late-80s through the '90s. I remember he used to play Willie's gospel album "How Great Thou Art" all the time.
Ah brings me back. Kick back, munch on some Ayds, watch me some Boxcar Willie ads, trying to remember to pick up a TV Guide so I wouldn't miss Hee Haw.
Thanks, enjoyed this one. Reminded me of seeing ads for the Red Sovine Collection on TSN here in Canada in the early 90's. At the time I thought it was strange I hadn't heard of this famous performer. Great to now understand the marketing machine behind these things, given that I still haven't heard of him.
i have the double lp set best loved favorites by boxcar willie from heartland records .i got it as a kid when i went to see boxcar live in branson . he autographed it to me .i still have it in my record collecton to this day . yes i have also have slim whitman too. 78's 45's and 33's as well. i can yodel too. i can teach you if you want to learn lol !
twilight on the trail was Slims first recording session in 10 years and not released 10 years after recording as stated, also Whitman had 7 hits in the UK top 10 in the UK 2 number one Lps . He was the first country singer to top the bill at the London Palladium,sold out for 2 weeks 1956 , was the first artist to sell 2 million copy's of an LP, when previously 1 million was unheared of in the UK , had a star on the Hollywood walk of fame in the fifty's and first cross over hit country/pop with Indian love call, so its not just Rose Marie, also Elvis's first tour of the USA was support act to Slim.
I just about posted a link to the Beavis & Butthead bit to plug this episode yesterday, but I didn’t think anyone would pick up on the episode’s subject matter.
@@OddityArchive It was from the Ren and Stimpy episode "Jimminy Lummox." That and the Weird Al "Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota" bit were where I first heard of Slim, oddly enough.
Yes, remember both all too well...on 8-tracks no less. The Canadian 2LP Boxcar Willie was on CBS Direct (Columbia single-like labels but with 'CBS Direct' multiplied across the top.) They also put out the best Best Of Burton Cummings (solo) 2LP compilation I'll need, and "The Muchmusic Power Hour" 1989 metal compilation. Got into original artists of many tunes Boxcar covered
Did Boxcar Willie really send his records out unsolicited, COD, as suggested in the Married With Children episode where Buck gets a credit card and Al gets sent "Yodelin' Andy" records?
Didn't care for either of these two gentleman when I was 12 when these TV album ads were constantly shown. I don't really care for their style now. But probably the best Archive video I've enjoyed watching in a long time.
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Please disregard the arrow at the 8:18 mark. Noticed it too late to re-edit the episode.
Are you hallucinating or something? I see no arrow.
@@js4032yt I think Ben's referring to the hand that's pointing to the wrong song.
@@vwestlife I get that would be a possibility, but at 8:26, the timecode given, there is none, but I saw one at 8:18.
My bad. It should be 8:18. I've edited the comment.
I worked at a truck stop in the 80s and we sold a load of Boxcar WIllie and Jerry Clower cassettes. Great vid!
I'm gonna need a good, long break before I tackle Jerry Clower. All the Boxcar Willie I had to listen to making this episode was enough for a lifetime.
Ohh well, isn't that interesting to hear!
Please tell me that they were sold at "The Nice Price"
@@ichigokarasu😅
I remember when that slim Whitman commercial came I was at my uncle’s house and the commercial said he’d stayed number 1 longer than Elvis in England . And we were eating supper, and I yelled “ he’s not greater than Elvis!”, and my uncle got mad at me! He slapped my hand because I was pointing at the tv over supper! Priceless memories of my growing up in the 80s. Lol
A friend's dad was heavily into Boxcar Willie. Being in the UK, beyond the double entendre, I had no idea what a boxcar willie was, until now. My Dad was a fan of Slim Whitman, though. Uncanny. Really nice, Ben, that you got to know Slim's music and the man when making this episode.
This was more of a mood country experience than a mood rock experience.
Slim Whitman was an inspiration to all young left-handed guitarists back in the fifties - including one James Paul McCartney of Speke, Liverpool who, until then, had been making little progress trying to play "normally".
...and Slim only played left-handed because of an industrial accident he'd been in.
I met Box at an aftershow party back in the 80s and hung out with him for a good while.(im a Nashvillian)
.although he was well inebriated he was a blast and quite a funny guy...the more he drank the more he would randomly do his (rather loud) train whistle impression, everyone would turn and look at him for a monment than return to their conversation.
one of the more memorable 'celebrity' encounters over the years..he was a pretty good guy to be honest
I've seen my share of forgettable TV ads for albums from Nana Mosskouri to Richard Clayderman. But it was SlIm Whitman who was almost forgotten had it not been for the movie Mars Attacks!
Yep, Slim Whitman and Boxcar Willie were quite popular in the UK. I remember seeing their cassettes littering the shelves at our local Woolworths - and so did my dad who tried to get the latest Perry Como tapes. There were loads of Warwick Records tapes at every Woolies, it seemed - and those cassette caddy things as well.
I'm curious if Billy West remembers recording that Boxcar Willie ad.
OMG, the beginning of the Slim Whitman clip gave me an Eddie Murphy/Buckwheat flashback!
I just mentioned that myself.
Slim is probably just as well known these days for Joe Flaherty's imitation of him on SCTV
On a semi-relevant note, I seem to remember Flaherty saying in an interview that he couldn’t do the voice, so he had to lipsync.
INDIRA!
@@OddityArchivethe voice of “Slim” was Joe’s brother Paul Flaherty.
I know I'd be far more shocked if Joe Flaherty could carry a tune at all. If memory serves, he was the only one of the SCTV cast with no musical background whatsoever.
@@OddityArchive hey, he did play Paul Revere of Paul Revere and the Raiders (featuring Mark Lindsey)
I recall both Slim's and Boxcar's guest appearances on "Hee Haw" and each time, they were more or less dutifully acknowledging their presences in pop culture... and pretending they knew their respective categories. Awkward moments.
I never knew I knew Slim Whitman all my life, until this. Yes I had a tape of Boxcar Willie when I was young, on 8-track. Along with the greatest hits of Hank WILLIAMS, on 8 track, I wonder how I turned out to be a metal head and progressive rock fan. Great work Ben.
I think a lot of our grandparents listened to the stuff and we just carried a bit of it forward while going off into our own musical zones.
Well, one thing for sure, now I know where that "una panoona banca" song I heard Eddie Murphy do on Saturday Night Live as Buckwheat came from. lol
Possibly, although the George Baker Selection had the hit with it. But yeah, in the long-haul, that little snippet from Slim's commercial probably got more widely-heard.
@@OddityArchive George Baker had the overall hit IIRC, but I know in Britain it stalled at #10 while Jonathan (Everyone's Gone To The Moon) King managed to reach #5 with it. The parody version 'I Am a Cider Drinker' by The Wurzels charted even higher at #3 (and is the best version IMO!)
My exposure to Slim Whitman was from the Beavis & Butthead episode "Balloon" where they had one of his videos. The duo referenced the commercial in this video (this dude is bigger than The Beatles and Elvis. Yeah, he's not as cool as Metallica though) and an observation from this video (Why does he keep looking up?) and their final verdict was "this is satanic country music." Too funny back then.
I don’t know what boxcars album sells was in America was but that king of the road was like the eagles greatest hits 71-75, almost every yard sale I went to as a teenager had it for sell, whoever pushed it did a great job. Boxcars persona I think was a unique one, no one else had done it, I had a great uncle who was a hobo from the depression unto the 50s, and he liked boxcar, he thought it was nice that someone represented them in country music, even though boxcar wasn’t an actual hobo, perhaps he felt the need (and make a living) to stand for them. Upto that point no one else had, and doing something different from everyone else, is one great things about being a artist, wither it’s about, making money on tv ads or just being a home studio enthusiast, if people don’t like it, then don’t consume it.
I have 2 of the Slim Whitman TV albums and the Boxcar Willie TV album as well Don't get much time on the turntable anymore but still happy to have them
I remember a lot of direct response ads airing on The Hub (because Mattel didn't advertise it on because Hasbro was the co-owner), though never really saw music ones like these airing on it. Though have seen a lot of Time Life ads and infomercials a lot in my life (I especially remember one for a Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers DVD boxset, of all things!)
Also, Slim Whitman comes off as a nice guy, given he was very willing to lampoon himself, and was able to wind down his career in peace. Plus, the connections between him and Boxcar Willie are pretty wild, to say the least!
Who remembers Candlelight Music? They offered a really cool Fats Domino collection.
I remember seeing ads for collections put out by Candlelight Music, But not any particular artist. I don’t think I’ve thought about that since the 90s.
Candlelite started off as a label in the 50s, if memory serves. I watch a collector on YT who spins rare r&b/soul/doowop 45s and he's shown a couple
I still have my father's copy of the Fats Domino collection and also The Platters on cassette
@@josephpearce3650 My mom had that Platters set on a two-8-track set when I was little (blue labels on black carts). I found the LP version few years ago and was surprised how excellent it sounds!
I remember those lipsync commercials fondly, TNN was full of them.
>TNN
Was this before Viacom owned them, or after they gave the channel an identity crisis? Music of any stripe works poorly on American TV because the Nielsens hate that category, owing to how brief the audience stays.
There have been 3 outposts for country music in the air since that time, that I recall. The Country Network which has always had limited coverage (even with Zuus ownership), Heartland (which the currently-named "Get After It Media" filled with syndicated shows), and Circle (which went exclusively over-the-top after the cowboy filler overtook the schedule).
@@Code7Unltd TNN was The Nashville Network when it came to be. I used to watch it more than I care to admit, but then when it became owned by Viacom it became The National Network, then became Spike.
Late 1980s. I grew up in Alabama and TNN was always on in my family's home.
the UK vinyl version of Box's 'King Of The Road - 20 Greatest Hits'... comes on rather glorious, vivid orange vinyl!
Don't forget the "Hey Love" album: "no my brotha, you got to get your own!"
And Freedom Rock. "Well, turn it up man". heh
@@Art7220 and the "Punk" CD
@@Art7220 "Gettin' Stupid" by Moe and Joe was another commercial: they were kinda the Weird Al of 80s Country
Ahhh Boxcar Willie... his vinyl records pollute almost every thrift store in Australia alongside all the Nana Mouskouri, Richard Clayderman and Kamahl.
Nana Mouskouri is one of those artists whose albums I constantly see in thrift stores, despite never having any hits here in the U.S.
I honestly had no idea that Slim Whitman lived until 2013. I thought he died in the '80s. Then again, I used to get him and Slim Pickens mixed up. I definitely remember Boxcar Willie though. My Dad used to play his tapes in his pickup truck through the late-80s through the '90s. I remember he used to play Willie's gospel album "How Great Thou Art" all the time.
This is my favorite episode since the Peter Lemongello one!!
Ah brings me back. Kick back, munch on some Ayds, watch me some Boxcar Willie ads, trying to remember to pick up a TV Guide so I wouldn't miss Hee Haw.
Slim Whitman I remember seeing those commercials on late night tv and Box Car Willie
Thanks so much, Ben, for the Whitman sampler! :D
Thanks, enjoyed this one. Reminded me of seeing ads for the Red Sovine Collection on TSN here in Canada in the early 90's. At the time I thought it was strange I hadn't heard of this famous performer. Great to now understand the marketing machine behind these things, given that I still haven't heard of him.
Not one mention of Box being a lizard person.
A rather conspicuous omission, Ben.
No pics of ol' Box sticking out his tongue to confirm, so it's not discussed. :D
I'm aware of those peculiar allegations.
i have the double lp set best loved favorites by boxcar willie from heartland records .i got it as a kid when i went to see boxcar live in branson . he autographed it to me .i still have it in my record collecton to this day . yes i have also have slim whitman too. 78's 45's and 33's as well. i can yodel too. i can teach you if you want to learn lol !
I think that I may have first heard about Boxcar Willie on an episode of the Red Green Show.
twilight on the trail was Slims first recording session in 10 years and not released 10 years after recording as stated, also Whitman had 7 hits in the UK top 10 in the UK 2 number one Lps . He was the first country singer to top the bill at the London Palladium,sold out for 2 weeks 1956 , was the first artist to sell 2 million copy's of an LP, when previously 1 million was unheared of in the UK , had a star on the Hollywood walk of fame in the fifty's and first cross over hit country/pop with Indian love call, so its not just Rose Marie, also Elvis's first tour of the USA was support act to Slim.
I got the Boxcar Willie album as a kid, still have it. I thought he was the guy that sang King of the Road, I didn’t know any better at the time.
There's no use crying over Slim Whitman.
I just about posted a link to the Beavis & Butthead bit to plug this episode yesterday, but I didn’t think anyone would pick up on the episode’s subject matter.
@@OddityArchive It was from the Ren and Stimpy episode "Jimminy Lummox." That and the Weird Al "Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota" bit were where I first heard of Slim, oddly enough.
Yes, remember both all too well...on 8-tracks no less.
The Canadian 2LP Boxcar Willie was on CBS Direct (Columbia single-like labels but with 'CBS Direct' multiplied across the top.)
They also put out the best Best Of Burton Cummings (solo) 2LP compilation I'll need, and "The Muchmusic Power Hour" 1989 metal compilation.
Got into original artists of many tunes Boxcar covered
Your next assignment, Benny-boy, Zamfir and any others like him.
21:26 The exact antithesis of the Soul Train.
Big Chuck and Little John in Cleveland parodied Slim Whitman. Slim Whitski
I was at a thrift store yesterday and found that as seen on tv boxcar willy ablum lol
I will always hear that song as "Una Panuna Banka"
I remember TV ads for a saxophonist named "Ace Cannon". Before there was Kenny G, there was Ace boom boom Cannon!
03:29 Slim was a handsome bastard in his day
25:04 Not so much train whistle as a congested Yoda clearing his throat.
Slim's 1966 version of 'I Remember You' is my personal favourite version of the song, It's much better than Frank Ifield's.
Now how about an episode or a segment on Malaco Records ads, including a backstory on Clarence Carter...
Will you ever do another one of these on Zamfir? He was popular with those tv offer commercials.
Did Boxcar Willie really send his records out unsolicited, COD, as suggested in the Married With Children episode where Buck gets a credit card and Al gets sent "Yodelin' Andy" records?
No. That sort of thing had been illegal for 20 years or so by the time the Boxcar Willie set came out.
Didn't care for either of these two gentleman when I was 12 when these TV album ads were constantly shown. I don't really care for their style now. But probably the best Archive video I've enjoyed watching in a long time.
If I hadn’t known better I’d have thought that was Foster Brooks playing a hobo.
Morning Ben.
Boxcur Benny!
Jordan the Lion jad a recent video where he was at Slim Whitman's gravesite: th-cam.com/video/LRtax-m41n4/w-d-xo.html
ALL country music is artificial nostalgia
How so?
@@chadwik4000 Watch the Ken Burns Country documentary. it explains it perfectly
The St. Louis radio is referred to as K-SHE, not K-S-H-E.
...and is referred to as such in the episode.
Two words: “Zamfir next.”
Now do Zamfir, Master of the Pan Flute!
👍🏻