The Ballad of String Bean and Estell
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ส.ค. 2024
- Official music video
Performed by Verlon Thompson
Original song written by Sam Bush, Guy Clark and Verlon Thompson
Video produced by Genuine Human Productions
Bluegrass artist Sam Bush recorded "The Ballad of Stringbean and Estell", which tells the story of their murders, for his 2009 album, Circles Around Me. The song was written by Bush, Guy Clark, and Verlon Thompson and was nominated by the IBMA for Song of The Year in 2011
The absurd paradox of this society that a kind, humble, modest banjo playing prodigy and his beautiful wife should leave this world so rough and violently is saddening even to the hardest of hearts. The beauty of it is that Stringbean still lives. The evil act that took them could not erase them, and his gentle and unpretentious soul and music is eternal and he will not be forgotten, at least from myself and countless other bluegrass lovers. God bless Stringbean and Estelle.
Rest in peace.. so senseless! Thank God there's eternal life and this is not the end. See you there.
Stringbean rocks and what a great friend he had in Grandpa Jones
Justice was not served.. RIP Stringbean & Estelle
Great ballad. No winners, only sadness in this story. Two old folks and two young ones all lose their lives over greed. Reinforces the idea, "the darkest moment in a man's life is when he tries to figure out how to get money without earning it".
Great comment.
Saw String March 1958 at the Opry
Went AWOL from Fort Knox, Kentucky with 5 of my Army buddies. Charles Rockwell from Zanesville, Ohio had a car. Great time at the Opry . We all got in trouble when we got. back to base about 10 o'clock Sunday night. SFC Miller was waiting on the steps for us. What a good time at the Opry and String was great. The Brown boys killed String and his wife for String's Opry pay . RIP String and Estell
Powerful.
This tribute ballad needed to be done.
I am the second cousin to StringBean. I cry fro the bottom of soul everytime I listen to this ballad! If you saw my Uncle Jesse who was his first cousin you would think they were twins!
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David was such a gifted musician and comedian.
It is a shame David never got to work with Jim Varney.
Was there money in his fire place? I pray for you dear one, and your good family 🌹
I grew up listening to Stringbean
and Grandpa Jones. I live an hour south of Nashville and will never forget the sad feeling I got when I heard the news about how he met his fate. Thanks for the wonderful tribute to a legend.
Thanks for sharing this. Stringbean was my Grandpas cousin
I feel so sorry for Grandpa Jones. To be such a close friend and go be the one to find such a atrocious thing. Poor poor man. Bless his Soul.
This is a terrific ballad, and it can't be done any better than the way Verlon Thompson does it here.
They are still dead. No parole should ever have been granted.
@@mpaxton8991 They always find Jesus in jail. Doesn't change a thing.
They did kill. No matter what they kill string bean and his wife. Shot them down dead.Cold blooded murders got them living in prison ..should had been the gas chambers for the cold blooded murders.
At the end of the day we are all going to die. And at the end of the day I don't think anybody should be totally judged based on one of their actions in life. I would say that even if one of my loved ones were the victim or the perpetrator. Those guys lost their youth in prison. Punishment did happen.
@@OstaraBooks Actually Jesus changes everything. Vengeance is mine saith the Lord. Romans 12:19
what about the other guy? i’m sure he’s out too.
John Brown walks free now. String and Estelle got no justice. The last I heard, they were still dead.
Verlon is an amazing picker. He has a good old fashioned country singing voice.
Listen to "The Guitar" for a great performance by Verlon.
First song I ever heard by String was "Barnyard Banjo Picking" ("Hot Corn, Cold Corn") on campus radio, which he picked in the old Kentucky thumb-lead two-finger style. I've never heard it done better, and to this day (55 years later), I always begin it with "Come along boys, make less noise while the old folks are sleepin'...." Hee Haw was never the same without him.
How can't you understand he killed one of the greatest banjo players of all time
A fitting musical memory by Ferlon Thompson an innocent, loved couple perished through crime & ignorance.
God Bless those who followed the opry family as members and fans. Patriot , Ken
I'm just so glad that we have such a fantastic archive of film clips, and a great body of work from Strang. I love him and I watch and listen to him all the time. He will never be forgotten. In the year 3029, some one will say, WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!? HAVE YOU HEARD THIS GUY!?!? LOOK, PEOPLE HAD REALLY SHORT LEGS BACK THEN! And it will cause a great stir, maybe even a new religion! Count on it!
There should never be parole for this type of crime.
+justadoginmaine No doubt. Premeditated Murder. Both them boys should have died behind bars, not just one.
Today, both would have been given life without possibility of parole in TN. In 1973, that was not an option, so, the judge gave the longest terms possible and made them consecutive. 198 years in prison with a minimum amount required before parole could be sought. Probably 15-50% of the total sentence, but, don't quote me on that.
agreed they should have been executed I know life behind bars is suffering but that gives them time to try and weasel out if it if you kill them it's done.
beautiful song, and so well done. haunting., rip string and estelled. tragic
Great ballad!! I have 2cd's by String bean! 🤠
ok this is one song that i really like and love so mush im a banjoe player i like all the old timers
What would stringbean and Estelle think of their killer being paroled? He was sentenced to life and yet he now walks free. His freedom is a slap in the face of the Akeman's. Shame on the justice system.
I don't know the man personally. I do remember seeing him on the Grand Old Opry, Porter Wagoner, Hee Haw. I loved watching his letter from home. R I P String bean and Estelle.
The Jury gave him 97 yrs., then the Judge changed it to 2 97 yr sentences.
Donna Wheeler. String would probably have forgiven him. Yet he may be free and God will give him the true sentence.
@@ariesthepug7713 true words. We all need to learn forgiveness. Yes, I believe string would have forgiven.
i was 9 years old when this happened. Loved Stringbean. RIP to Stringbean and Estelle. Hee Haw was a favorite show in California.
When I was a kid growing up I'd listen to String bean on Her Has and I loved to hear him pick the banjo and sing. I never knew what happened to him until I saw this video, and it chocked me up. String bean was a good old man and he nor his wife deserved what they got. But it was immortalized in this song and will not be forgotten. Rest In Peace String bean and Estelle. At least you won't be feeling anymore pain and you're together with your loved one. God needed a banjo player in heaven but the Great Almighty couldn't separate you from Estelle so God took you together. You're sorely missed but remembered.
I just saw this. I really enjoy the music of Vernon Thompson and Guy Clark.
Thank. You. Miss. Rebecca. Sansom. For. This. Respectful. Vedio. Memorial. Of. Mr. String bean. And. His. His. Beloved. Wife. Miss. Estelle. My. Son. Randy. And. I. Cry. When. We. Play. This. Respectful. Vedio. And. Song. The. World. Lost. Two. Great. Human. Beings. That. Terrible. Tragic. Fateful. Day. Rest. In. Peace. Mr. String bean. And. Miss. Estelle. Respectfully. Dennis. Lee. Jensen. And. Randy. Lee. Jensen. ✝️✝️✝️🙏🙏🙏🕎✡️🔯🌹🌷💐✨🌟⭐☀️💖💕💞💘🇺🇸🇺🇸🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇮🇱🇺🇦🇺🇸🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱
Thank you for this post, String bean Estelle are alive in our hearts.
I was lucky enough to grow up with hee haw. Loved string bean and was sad when he past and wasn't on there anymore
A shocking tragic event in music history. It's fitting that it's remembered in a banjo song.
No parole for John Brown ever RiP string and estelle
I agree never let him out.
Profound sadness overtook me the morning that I learned of Stringbean and Estelle's murder. The Ballard of Stringbean and Estell makes my eyes water every time I hear it. Less we forget.
This is total B.S. He should have never been paroled and he doesn't deserve to be a part of society.
wow. miss these guys..that sob should never get out..
Thank you for this touching tribute!!!!🖤🖤🖤🖤
Great song.
I was 6 years old and saw String Bean at Opryland a week before he and his wife were murdered
Allowing them to live their lives out in prison after such heinous murders shows how much value the Great State of Tennessee places on our lives.....
Boy, if Grandpa Jones was still alive, he would have something to say about it.
Priscilla Daniels I'm sure Grandpa would be a forgiven man
Priscilla Daniels you got that right!
@Weslee Zink I would love to see Grandpa make him eat that banjo sideways.
@@banjobones8075 🤔Hmmmmm what does SB stand for, and no I don't think grandpa would for give the killer
I am distantly related to Grandpa Jones. My late grandfather knew him. I hope to meet him in heaven.
The Tennessee State Law should change the sentencing for murder from "life in prison" to "death in prison"...then, maybe then, people like this won't ever get a chance to get out. I've read that these guys were sentenced to 198 years in prison. How in the world can anyone justify John Brown being paroled at all? 198 years means you are going to die in prison. That is why sentences like that are handed down...to drive home the point that you are never getting out. I've also read that City Confidential did an episode about Stringbean and Estelle's murder, but I have searched and can't find it anywhere. If anyone can find a link to it, would you please post it. I'd love to watch it, I was only 6 years old when they were killed, and have found lots of bits and pieces of the story, but I'd sure like to hear the whole story. Thanks very much, and God Bless
Download it on you tube. I did! It's there!
RIP Stringbean & Estelle. I remember when he was first on Lester & Earl's show, man that get up and eyebrows.
I think I remember seeing Stringbean on the grand ole opry... never knew what happened to him... so sorry he died...I liked his music...
How can anyone dare to continue to ask for parole after committing such a selfish and horrific crime? You did the crime, you best do the time.
I remember when this happened. So sad. Miss you string and estelle.
Than you for sharing Verlons great ballad!
God bless string and Estelle.
You mean "stringbean", im sure an innocent mistake on your part!
God has a plan for us all, we can wonder why, but we'll should not ever question our maker. Money has always been the culprit behind greed, dirty deeds, and worse. I loved String Bean from the time I was 10, watching him on Hee Haw. We will always have you and Estelle torched in our hearts and soul... God rest your souls, and someday I'll know if I make it to heaven from the sounds of your banjo pickin'...
still the best ever played
This is so sad...RIP
It's sad that these people don't care about the lives of the people they kill. Yet, we are supposed to care about their selfish sociopaths ways and be filled with pity for them. If they kill they should rot in jail.
My sentiments exactly. The bleeding hearts who weep for them don't seem to care one iota for the victims.
One of the men who murdered Stringbean & Estelle was paroled today after 40 years in prison. I don't think it was long enough! Rest in peace Mr & Mrs Akeman. You will continue to be remembered fondly in our hearts.
Babybluebbw its a damn shame to he should have never got out
What happened to the other one
man oh man....what a track! Great video, great editing and song was on point!
Such a sad song about a tragic event. And three tragic outcomes. The Akeman's (2) and the parole of an affront to their very memories and society. As Jan Howard said "he did not deserve to take one breath of free air". I hope that parole board was investigated after this! (Probably not.) So sad. 😭😵😤👎💔
That's a very good song Good tribute to string bean
His "remorse" would have been believable had he simply been expressing it, and not asking for parole.
Gets me in the feels every damn time
Best version I've heard. Love this song. Such a sad history.
I didn't know Verlon was a banjo player. He's one of my all time favorites.
i love the song
Nice one Verlon..... beautiful.....
Awesome and powerful song, I miss old Stringbean. Many thanks for writing this song and posting it. I would love to be able to purchase the sheet music so that I might learn in on my banjo.
Such a sad chapter. I really appreciate this song and I never knew that Stringbean had that money hidden in his firepalce.
I learned to play the ukulele from string bean I have learned to play from him personally I did watched him on here haw and I do guess that was where I learned to play the ukulele from him he taught me a few songs of Henry Thomas
I have the episode of city confidential/stringbean murder. Pull it up on you tube. Murder, cabin in the woods. Nashville. It should come up. I watched it many times. So sad. Miss you String. I was a teenager back then. Remember it well.
One big reason I like grampa and string is because yea they was rich but they lived simple lives
murder should automatically be life with no parole, if not death.
MeMyself &i Just death
@Jimmy Neal fuck your God, and I bet that imaginary bitch won't do shit about it
Jimmy Neal God says thou shall not kill and Jesus teaches forgiveness. Jesus never told us brothers forgiveness was easy.
@Jimmy Neal I'm liberal as fuck and I wish death on murderers like this. Put me in a firing squad dor free
God Bless Stringbean & may him & his wife R.I.P. & may the scum bags that killed them, rot in in the hottest part of HELL.
RIP String!! X(
After they killed Stringbean, his wife begged for her life. They killed her anyway.
Oh dear God how sad that is. It makes me want to cry.
The killer should have never got out of prison,,
This guy killed them both.
They'd have killed even if Stringbean had given them all his money. Bloodthirsty
It's such a sad story. Thank you for sharing.
Beautifully done.
Great song. Sam Bush put it on an album also. Love this version.
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He wouldn't live long enough,they would never find a finger bone of the killer of String Bean and Estelle
Should never be considered for parole !!
Great tribute to Stringbean.
Those bars have a profound effect on the soul of a man or woman.
The righteous thing to do is quit beggin and feeling sorry forself! Le t Stringbean and Ma Estelle REST IN PEACE,
Does Jesus not teach us to forgive and love the sinner? Is the easiest option of giving in to our anger and hatred really the most righteous thing for us to do? Perhaps I am wrong in assuming you are, too, a Christian man. But if you are- ask yourself what lesson we are to truly learn from this?
i love this songs on banjo im a banjo player my sefe
50 years next month…rest in peace String&Estelle 😢
God bless stringbean
Rip string bean he will be missed
BTW I loved the song
I'd love to see a well made movie made from this.
great song your friend billy
I miss you string
Why does it not surprise me that Verlon knows what to do with a banjo?
That's how string bean and estelle died. Holy shit. I didn't know that. I just got into the banjo at 60. And of course string bean came to mind. That is just awful what happened.
John brown should be taken out and strung up in the way they used to do murderers.that put a stop to a lot of killings till a bleeding heart judge disposed of hanging.
Beautiful...
This is just Haunting.😥🥀
Well Done, Verlon Thompson.😌
Thank you for this. They sure deserved better. 💔
& now their killer is released. SAD!!!
It's sad and heartbreaking to think that two men was just waiting in their home for them to get home just to kill them. The Brown guy that killed them should have never getting out of prison he should have die in there. What I'm fixing to say may sound bad but its not I promise since it did happen the way it did Im so happy that Stringbean and his wife don't have to go though life without each other. I'm just so sad that such a great man with a big golden heart and his wife was killed by two money hungry people but at least they went together. RIP Stringbean and Estelle.
Very powerful and haunting song. NO PAROLE FOR JOHN BROWN EVER!!!
Great video! What a horrible day when we got the news. There was a nice tribute by Grandpa Jones from HeeHaw on here but it’s been taken down. Too bad. Sad video but should’ve been left on.
Love this true story
Holy mackerelandy that thar is a dang good song...
So damned good its going on my #ThankmarsTwitterCampfireSong permanent playlist i just created...
Don't reckon I've done heard this here before in my long trail, though i was i a wee nugget of 5 at that time...
You are very disrespectful.
NO PAROLE FOR JOHN BROWN EVER!!!!! RIP String and Estelle
Mr. Brown was parole today and Mr. Brown you should have stayed behind bars and shouldn't have had the choice for PAROLE. You took the life of a great person and his wife and you should have stay the rest of you life behind bars and never had a change to see the out side of them bar again. But I quest there is a place for you out here and a person that love you and that needs her head check. But you are they one that will have to live with this for the rest of you life.
John Brown the convicted confessed killer of Grand Ol' Opry star Stringbean Akeman and his wife Estelle was GRANTED parole today.He is 64-years-old now and has served 41 years out of a 198 year sentence for the murder of Akeman and his wife Estelle back in 1973 in Ridgetop, TN. From News Channel5 in Nashville Tn it was a very tense and emotional parole hearing as stated today on Oct 15, 2014.
I love this video, ty