This is the episode of Rufus Hussey the slingshot master on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. I purposefully choose not to make any money on these videos out of respect for Johnny Carson.
Rufus Taft Hussey (March 12, 1919 - February 24, 1994) was an American marksman. He grew up in Randolph County, North Carolina. He was known as an expert marksman with a slingshot (also referred to as a beanshooter). In 1952, Hussey began selling and giving away beanshooters to preserve the dying art of the beanshooter. His beanshooters were sequentially numbered by a serial number.
This is so true. They aren't regular people themselves, they're horrified and confused by normal people. Not Johnny, salt of the earth and didn't forget his roots.
Yeah....not a fan of the Jabbering Jaw but I seem to recall a recurring Leno skit where he interviewed people on the street to make them look stupid . Letterman continually did this his whole career .
@@DaddyRobotX15 Exactly! Leno got kicks out of making average people look stupid. Carson got his kicks relating to average people! That's why Johnny was in a class by himself, and in 25 years nobody will remember Leno.
I walked in a country store and a stranger asked me if I wanted to buy a pea shooter, a what, he said slingshot. My cousin behind said, hey you where on Johnny Carson last week wasn't you. Mr Hussy was nice man and I enjoyed meeting him as much as I've enjoyed meeting anybody in my 35 years of trucking . That day I delivered roof trusses to a new house being built close to that store. Just now seen this video.
the big name celebrities come on and , brag about themselves , and tell hard it is to act . then here comes Rufus and entertains the hell out of us . and the award goes to RUFUS 🏆
Johnny Carson was the best thing on TV. He will never be equaled. I used to sneak out of bed as a kid in the early 70s to watch him. I watched him all the way to the end and still enjoy him on youtube. Greatness.
I enjoy so much those American farmers. They have golden hearts and say what they have to say. Only an amazing host like Johnny Carson knows how to make them feel at ease so we get to know them a little better. They are people that work very hard for their living. They can live without us but we cannot without them. 👍👍👍
Loved how Carson would let guest like Rufus make funny remarks and he (Carson) would just sit there and play the "straight man." Johnny was comfortable doing this and he always wanted his guest to feel the same comfort.. From Hollywood legends to a country boy like Rufus Carson was always in control. No one could handle that role like he did. The ultimate master of the moment.
That's the difference between Johnny Carson's Tonight Show and any other talk show. It seemed like he didn't mandate a certain level of dress. Johnny didn't care if a man wore his sleeves rolled up or not or if a woman covered her cleavage or not. Whatever made the guests comfortable was fine.
Carson was an absolute baller to just agree to hold that corncob like that, especially after Rufus missed a few times because of his nerves. I saw an interview with him when a reporter went out to his farm and he was shooting quarters out of the air.
it's understandable that he got a few extra nerves when he was on television though, when he's at home he dont have to think about hitting any of the audience in the head, but with those treeboards that all the items stood on, the rocks could easily bounce back and in worst case scenario, hit on of the audience, respect to him though :)
the local news interview doesn't show any of the 'lemme try again' moments if there were any. regardless it doesnt matter he's a master and legend. great point about Carson, definite baller!
OMG i swear absolute baller is an understatement ...when he wanted to do it a second time i woulda say no thanks...yo can tell that shit hurt too even though he got a decent shot on it...it either clipped him...or the energy from where it hit vibrated into where he was holding it...like using a axe with a hollow handle or w.e
aha he was definitely worried about his hand...i would be too...i cant believe he let him shoot that thing a second time...not a single late night guy today would even hold it the first time...
That's great! My great uncle Ralph didn't even use the slingshot. Went hunting rabbits with pockets full of rocks. Had a hell of an arm. Never came back empty handed.
Erin... Thanks SO much for posting this from the Tonight Show.... it was posted several years ago, maybe 4 yrs ago now... and YT pulled it due to copyright infringement violations by whoever it was that posted it at that time... so Great that it's back on here again, and incredible timing, as I was just telling a friend this very afternoon about Rufus and I had gone on the "net" to show them a video done with him by a local tv station near where Rufus lived, and when I searched his name and the tv interview... there, right above the tv video interview.. was the video from Carsons show... couldn't hardly believe it was back up on YT. Thanks So much, again... greatly appreciated. Have been shooting slingshots for many years myself and was a great fan and admirer of Rufus' great skills.
Erin..... My apology for not replying to Your reply much sooner than I am now. I just happened to come back to this to see if was still "working" (I "saved" this video to my pc 9 months ago when I found it on here again, and when I wrote to you).... so I can copy the link to send it to a friend of mine in NC (who actually met him at some "bean shooter" events in the 1980's)... who is an avid slingshot shooter himself and is in the manufacturing business of "all things - slingshots". Actually, he works for Nathan Masters who owns Simple-Shots.com and from whom I have purchased Twenty slingshots from - so far, and one on the way as I type this. : ) Anyway.... You're Very welcome for your "Thanks for your comments.".... and Thank You, for replying back to me... hope all is well with you (?) since the 9 months ago when you replied to me. Take care Erin, thanks again.
The best people are outside the Metropolitan areas still. Metropolitan areas are completely abnormal for anything that originated from a natural existence.
@uk_prepper it was great once you found & got into a program but people didn't cling to nor live/ wait for it....there were 3 channels plus 1 or 2 uhf channels ....it was an evening , 2-3 hr time & then was over. completely different from never disconnecting & falling asleep w the media blasting your eyes / ears INSTEAD of experiencing rem sleep. long enough , and that can yield zombies who do mindless crap like kill a young girl for not properly mayo - ing a sandwich.
I have only one thing to say about Rufus AWESOME! I EVEN INJURED LISTING TO HIM TALK. PROBABLY BECAUSE IM FORM A SMALL TOWN IN NORTHEAST MISSOURI ON THE BANKS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. RUFUS IS DEFINITELY MY KIND OF PERSON! THANK YOU JOHNNY FOR HAVING HIM ON YOUR SHOW. I TRULY ENJOYED WATCHING RUFUS SHOT HIS BEAN SHOOTER. THANKS JOHNNY FOR BEING SUCH A GOOD SPORT! IN MISSOURI THEY ARE CALLED SLINGSHOT' I USED TO SHOOT AT FROGS IN A NEAR BY CREEK! DID YOU NOTICE THAT I SAID THAT I USED TO "SHOOT AT FROG'S"
Rufus Taft Hussey (March 12, 1919 - February 24, 1994) was an American marksman. He grew up in Randolph County, North Carolina. He was known as an expert marksman with a slingshot (also referred to as a beanshooter). In 1952, Hussey began selling and giving away beanshooters to preserve the dying art of the beanshooter. His beanshooters were sequentially numbered by a serial number.
he's one of my heroes today as I have picked up the beanshooters. what an absolute legend
Mr. Hussey lived a different life.
No tv, no phone.
Guess the man did more things right than the most of us "regulars".
🎶We’re all stars now, in the Dope Show🎶
No modern talk show host would ever talk the average working American.
Johnny just loved people of all walks of life.
This is so true. They aren't regular people themselves, they're horrified and confused by normal people. Not Johnny, salt of the earth and didn't forget his roots.
Johnny was from Nebraska !
Watched Leno for about a year after he took over (should have been Joan Rivers) for Johnny and that was it for me. Johnny, one of a kind.
Yeah....not a fan of the Jabbering Jaw but I seem to recall a recurring Leno skit where he interviewed people on the street to make them look stupid . Letterman continually did this his whole career .
@@DaddyRobotX15 Exactly! Leno got kicks out of making average people look stupid. Carson got his kicks relating to average people! That's why Johnny was in a class by himself, and in 25 years nobody will remember Leno.
They don’t make them like him anymore RIP Rufus Hussey 🙏👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I walked in a country store and a stranger asked me if I wanted to buy a pea shooter, a what, he said slingshot. My cousin behind said, hey you where on Johnny Carson last week wasn't you. Mr Hussy was nice man and I enjoyed meeting him as much as I've enjoyed meeting anybody in my 35 years of trucking . That day I delivered roof trusses to a new house being built close to that store. Just now seen this video.
the big name celebrities come on and , brag about themselves , and tell hard it is to act . then here comes Rufus and entertains the hell out of us . and the award goes to RUFUS 🏆
Exactly, simple people can be more talented than any Hollywood celebrity!
This is why Johnny Carson was the best!
Johnny Carson was the best thing on TV. He will never be equaled. I used to sneak out of bed as a kid in the early 70s to watch him. I watched him all the way to the end and still enjoy him on youtube. Greatness.
Hard to disagree.
HOLY COW!!! RUFUS WAS AWESOME, SIMPLE IS BEST GOOD WAY TO LIVE YER LIFE, NOTHING WRONG WITH THE WAY HE LIVES HIS THANKYOU RUFUS.
I enjoy so much those American farmers. They have golden hearts and say what they have to say. Only an amazing host like Johnny Carson knows how to make them feel at ease so we get to know them a little better. They are people that work very hard for their living. They can live without us but we cannot without them. 👍👍👍
I wish times were still like this! We as humans are supposed to evolve but we're going backwards and it's scary
Very well said Marc ,my feelings exactly.
I see that Rufus wore his "Sunday best" to the show. Good shooting Rufus.
Carson was the best ever. Many may not have agreed with his personal life but his talk show (IMO) has not been equaled yet.
Loved how Carson would let guest like Rufus make funny remarks and he (Carson) would just sit there and play the "straight man." Johnny was comfortable doing this and he always wanted his guest to feel the same comfort.. From Hollywood legends to a country boy like Rufus Carson was always in control. No one could handle that role like he did. The ultimate master of the moment.
Salt of the earth, a true American 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
Hello!! How are you doing today! Please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you're a fan!..Stay safe!
Amen to that
I like that he wore his normal farmer clothes but at least had his nice shoes on
That's the difference between Johnny Carson's Tonight Show and any other talk show. It seemed like he didn't mandate a certain level of dress. Johnny didn't care if a man wore his sleeves rolled up or not or if a woman covered her cleavage or not. Whatever made the guests comfortable was fine.
@@partyguy101ify
EXACTLY!!
T
Johnny held it still. That was brave.
R.I.P Mr.Rufus Hussey may you rest in peace and enjoy your hunting with your family in heaven
That is absolutely amazing......
not the shooting
but the fact he has a wife that puts up with not having a telephone !!!
badumtss
How skilled and humorous. I truly appreciate whoever posted this.
@@LazloNQ thank you again for posting this I really enjoyed it, and truly refreshing I applaud you my friend
@@LazloNQ Thank you.
This is pure and true. Mr. Hussey reminds me of my grandfather so much. RIP to all 3. The good ole days
Rufus was a LEGEND!!!
RIP to the both of them
"I'd rather shoot the beanshooter than shoot the bull."
They just don't make men like this anymore.
Carson was an absolute baller to just agree to hold that corncob like that, especially after Rufus missed a few times because of his nerves. I saw an interview with him when a reporter went out to his farm and he was shooting quarters out of the air.
it's understandable that he got a few extra nerves when he was on television though, when he's at home he dont have to think about hitting any of the audience in the head, but with those treeboards that all the items stood on, the rocks could easily bounce back and in worst case scenario, hit on of the audience, respect to him though :)
the local news interview doesn't show any of the 'lemme try again' moments if there were any. regardless it doesnt matter he's a master and legend. great point about Carson, definite baller!
Daniel Uberg...... that's the "beauty" of shooting rocks/stones... they do Not ricochet very well. : )
OMG i swear absolute baller is an understatement ...when he wanted to do it a second time i woulda say no thanks...yo can tell that shit hurt too even though he got a decent shot on it...it either clipped him...or the energy from where it hit vibrated into where he was holding it...like using a axe with a hollow handle or w.e
I seen him with my own eyes knock big bumblebees off tops of flowers. I grew up with him and my grandpaw being best friends
man that Johnny Carson was a real man, legend
"Now you sure?.... now, I know you're good Rufus but I mean, those are rocks and they come out of there very fast."
That's the idea. xD
aha he was definitely worried about his hand...i would be too...i cant believe he let him shoot that thing a second time...not a single late night guy today would even hold it the first time...
I saw Mr. Hussey a couple of times. He was amazing.
Now that's a true American good man
His brother was my great grandfather.
awsome
Got any of his slingshots for sale? I’d love one for my collection
So Carson is your great uncle?
_Rufus is your Great-Great Uncle._
hes cousin is my grandfather
Man I wish he was still here. R.I.P.
That's great!
My great uncle Ralph didn't even use the slingshot.
Went hunting rabbits with pockets full of rocks. Had a hell of an arm.
Never came back empty handed.
...Thank you so much for posting this....
Seeing these old shows really makes me miss the America I grew up in.
Absolutely epic interview! This is Carson at his finest!
Erin... Thanks SO much for posting this from the Tonight Show.... it was posted several years ago, maybe 4 yrs ago now... and YT pulled it due to copyright infringement violations by whoever it was that posted it at that time... so Great that it's back on here again, and incredible timing, as I was just telling a friend this very afternoon about Rufus and I had gone on the "net" to show them a video done with him by a local tv station near where Rufus lived, and when I searched his name and the tv interview... there, right above the tv video interview.. was the video from Carsons show... couldn't hardly believe it was back up on YT. Thanks So much, again... greatly appreciated. Have been shooting slingshots for many years myself and was a great fan and admirer of Rufus' great skills.
Erin..... My apology for not replying to Your reply much sooner than I am now. I just happened to come back to this to see if was still "working" (I "saved" this video to my pc 9 months ago when I found it on here again, and when I wrote to you).... so I can copy the link to send it to a friend of mine in NC (who actually met him at some "bean shooter" events in the 1980's)... who is an avid slingshot shooter himself and is in the manufacturing business of "all things - slingshots".
Actually, he works for Nathan Masters who owns Simple-Shots.com and from whom I have purchased Twenty slingshots from - so far, and one on the way as I type this. : )
Anyway.... You're Very welcome for your "Thanks for your comments.".... and Thank You, for replying back to me... hope all is well with you (?) since the 9 months ago when you replied to me.
Take care Erin, thanks again.
@@Romans--bo7br moo
@@johnt.randall9526....... "moo"??
the genuine humor this man brings is something else. love this guy
I lived in Asheboro, NC for four-years and am sad I never ran into Rufus in my travels. Seagrove is the pottery capital of the world too.
Seagrove is right down the road from Whynot.
Hand made pottery everywhere down there.
Try to picture Fallon or Kimmel or Conan having the nerve to hold that corn cob out for the second shot.
thanks for posting
Johnny stepped right up and hit that first target like a boss. He was the greatest.
Thank you for the very nice upload.
I enjoyed this more than anything I’ve watched in a long time!!
Good ol Johnny Carson, was a great show, Rufus was dam good..
I love Rufus!
Gettin down to it, nice to see him showcase Rufus ! And major lucky shot by Carson.. I have seen many people get lucky like that the first try.
Love how much time they gave him, respect. 👍
Rufus was my great uncle.
Nice
Rufus didn't even own a TV. Hard to imagine not having a TV now days.
I met Rufus over at the o'quin farm there on 705. He was killing water moccasin in the pond there behind there house
@@carriehussey69 oh wow,I think he was a wonderful man 😊👍🏻
@@carriehussey69.... I don't have one, either... sold mine in 1998, and haven't missed it for 5 minutes!
Great guy what skill...
Wonderful!
This man was a prodigy.
Hello!! How are you doing today! Please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you're a fan!..Stay safe!
Legend!!!!!
Johnny better appreciate the brand new bib coveralls Rufus bought for the show! 😂
Being from Asheboro (Trashboro lol) I love this, my parents remember seeing him on TV on WGHP I think. Wholesome content I wish we had now. 😁
Awesome!
Fantastic job Mr hussey (rip).
The best people are outside the Metropolitan areas still. Metropolitan areas are completely abnormal for anything that originated from a natural existence.
This man is what America is truly all about. RIP Rufus Hussey.
You mean.... " what America.. WAS truly about".
Rufus was one of my inspirations to carry on and take up the sport.
One time, Johnny. Not. ..., how many times you been hitched, Johnny? Classic gotcha moment, from the farmer! 😂
Wow.. when TV was actually worth watching
@uk_prepper it was great once you found & got into a program but people didn't cling to nor live/ wait for it....there were 3 channels plus 1 or 2 uhf channels ....it was an evening , 2-3 hr time & then was over.
completely different from never disconnecting & falling asleep w the media blasting your eyes / ears INSTEAD of experiencing rem sleep.
long enough , and that can yield zombies who do mindless crap like kill a young girl for not properly mayo - ing a sandwich.
Content today is a million miles better, are you kidding me?
Oh BS. There’s an astonishing amount of great TV these days. Planet Earth, BBC Nature shows. Documentaries etc.
that was awesome
johnny = incomparable legend
You didn’t need to tell men like this they needed to be honest. The world was a better place when there were more like him in this country!
Michael Maas..... "Amen"!!.... and, well said!
Awesome, better times, nice to be taken back for a few minutes
True entertainment, unlike today's junk.
Who needs a gun, Rufus in da house! 😂 😲 💪 👊 👏 👍
What wholesome television.
The best ever.
Here is another example of why Carson is the GOAT.
Johnny was the best , much better than the stuff today!
This guy is slick!!!
AWESOME
Hussy was far richer than Carson. If I had to guess
Exactly. Having one true wife that long is amazing.
This show aired on January 23, 1986
Hands up who came from the slingshot channel?
Hell yeah I did! Thanks Jörg!
Great show! Carson was the master. My Dad could shoot a slingshot like that. But that isn’t what he called it.
Anyone else here because of the slingshot channel...?
Carson has class. He lets his guest take the spotlight, and upstages him (3-0), and Johnny doesn’t care.
Johnny will always be the best
Good old days
Legend.
Shot at the end was crazy tbh in my opinion.
love Johnny carson!
when he carry a slingshot he deadly
I have only one thing to say about Rufus AWESOME! I EVEN INJURED LISTING TO HIM TALK. PROBABLY BECAUSE IM FORM A SMALL TOWN IN NORTHEAST MISSOURI ON THE BANKS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. RUFUS IS DEFINITELY MY KIND OF PERSON! THANK YOU JOHNNY FOR HAVING HIM ON YOUR SHOW. I TRULY ENJOYED WATCHING RUFUS SHOT HIS BEAN SHOOTER. THANKS JOHNNY FOR BEING SUCH A GOOD SPORT! IN MISSOURI THEY ARE CALLED SLINGSHOT' I USED TO SHOOT AT FROGS IN A NEAR BY CREEK! DID YOU NOTICE THAT I SAID THAT I USED TO "SHOOT AT FROG'S"
Just another fine solid American...
What Legends..Carson and Rufus...BEST PART was the dialog...Rufus-3...Carson-0..!!!
Great show I miss it !!
Johnny: Well. Rufus. What did you think?
Rufus: Well, uh . . . .
Johnny: Now be honest.
Rufus: All I'm gonna' tell ya', I wanna' be honest with ya'.
This guy is golden man 😂
I'm related to him
Summer DeNaro is his wife still alive?
Summer DeNaro the fact that he didn’t own a tv makes him my hero
Leave it to a good ol boy with no tv to be 80 times more funny than Carson. “I’d rather shoot my bean shooter than shoot the bull” had me dying
Ol Rufus just left Ed standing there like an asshole! lol
Never saw this episode. Tremendous.
I would love to have seen Johnathan Winters come out in his farmers' overalls with Rufus and team up on pulling Johnny's leg.
Those folk had nothing but compared with us folk they had everything
Liberty NC represent!
Silver Valley N.C.
Concord/Harrisburg in da house...lol.
Seagrove NC 🙋♀️
I wish there was a show where We didn't have to see all those celebrities, Atheles and Entertainment. Just interview people life Rufus.
I agree. Unfortunately, that doesn't fit the agenda of those running the show. Nobody wants to be labelled the hillbilly network again like CBS.
Best plan NO TV , but the phone is constant :)
I bet his Grandkid have a blast with him.
@Big Bill O'Reilly im sure he was one of the funnest gpops every for those kids...prob one of the coolest dads too...
Jesus christ.... I tell people every day here in Miami. I'm from Kentucky.... look. You will not find better people anywhere than in the in the south.