Nationally recognized independent Grand Ole Opry historian Byron Fay offers news and comments regarding country music's premier show.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Justin Tubb
It was on this date, January 24, 1998 that Grand Ole Opry member Justin Tubb passed away at the age of 62. Justin was the son of Grand Ole Opry legend Ernest Tubb. Not only a great singer but also an excellent songwriter who wrote not only "Lonesome 7-7203" but also "As Long As There's A Sunday." "Take A Letter Miss Gray", "Keeping Up With The Joneses" and "What's Wrong With The Way That We're Doing It Now?."
When Justin joined the Opry on September 10, 1955, he was the Opry's youngest member. He was a popular member who supported the show and enjoyed his Opry membership. In his final years, he usually performed on the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's 2nd show, mostly in the segment hosted by Hank Snow at 11:00.
After Ernest died in 1984, Justin took over as the host of the Midnight Jamboree and it was through his efforts that the show kept going following Ernest's death.
This video is taken from one of the Country Family Reunion shows and shows Justin performing his most popular song, "Lonesome 7-7203.
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Thanks for the tribute to him, Byron. He also co-wrote, with Roger Miller, "Walkin', Talkin', Cryin', Barely Beatin' Broken Heart," which did some business not only for Highway 101 but, long before that, Johnny Wright.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, I think he was one of the 12 purged in 1964. Did he come right back, as George Morgan and Billy Grammer did, or did he, like Stonewall Jackson, come back a few years later?
And the video thing is working well!
Fred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteGood clip! I was lucky enough see Justin in person, once, about 1980, when he was getting some attention with "What's Wrong," etc. I don't know how it did on the charts -- I wasn't seeing Billboard in those days -- but it got good airplay up here, at least from the jocks who shared its sentiments. (The only jocks I listened to!)
Great tribute to a great entertainer. This must have been one of his last performances, considering this was filmed in 1997.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think Justin sounded much like his father in his recordings, but in this clip, his voice is practically identical to that of the Texas Troubadour.
I didn't realize Stonewall was among those "purged" in the 60s. Maybe that explains why he isn't asked on the Opry that much these days.
I heard that Ernest Tubb retired in 1982 from performing(before his passing 2 years later). Did Justin also fill in for his father from 1982-84?
When Stonewall left the Opry in December 1964, he rejoined the Opry on May 10, 1969, so he was gone for just over 4 years. I will say that when he came back, he was making over 100 Opry appearances each year, until right around 2000 when the decline in Opry dates began. As a reference point, Pete Fisher took over as the Opry's general manager in June 1999. You can read into that what you want.
ReplyDeleteMike, hard to believe, but I don't have a date for when Justin returned as an Opry member. What I can tell you was that he was back on the Opry in by the fall of 1966.
The final time that Ernest Tubb played the Opry was Saturday August 14, 1982. That was also the final night that Ernest hosted or was on the Midnight Jamboree. Justin had said in the past that when Ernest and his wife Olene had separated, which was in 1975, he took over as the active manager of the Midnight Jamboree, at the request of Ernest. That included booking the guests and listening to the tapes sent in. From that time until 1982, Justin and Ernest basically split the hosting duties for the Jamboree, depending on whether Ernest was on the road or not. Guest hosts were also used if both were not available. After the death of Ernest, Justin took over as the host, with David McCormick becoming more actively involved in the ownership and managing the shops. After 1993, when Justin went bankrupt and lost any ownership of the record shop to David, his hosting or appearing on the Midnight Jamboree ended.
Byron, thanks for the information. I suspect he did come right back, then.
ReplyDeleteI had known that there was some issue involving how David McCormick wound up with the record shop. For those who read this and are not on Facebook, Byron has talked on there about how the ET Record Shop could be in serious trouble. That is sad, but, unfortunately, it seems to be a sign of the times.
Off topic but since this is the most current post I proceed.
ReplyDeleteJust heard Jim Ed Brown on WSM songwriter's show indicating he is intending to try and make the Opry this coming Friday and Saturday night. He said he needed to practice and rehearse this week to see if he can sing. Also, my brother said that he has seen where Jim Ed's cancer is in remission. Some good news I hope.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Just saw on the opry's site that Jim Ed will be signing copies of his new album at the Ryman following Saturday's show. I hope he's also performing that night.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear he's back making appearances.
kyle
Update: The Opry removed its plan of having Jim Ed sign his CDs, so I guess maybe Jim Ed doesn't think he'll be up to going this weekend.
ReplyDeleteKyle
Jim from Knightsville, IN
ReplyDeleteI guess you're right (and i'm glad).
Jim Ed is on the scheduled this weekend! It's going to be great to hear him again.
Kyle
I suspect it might be a bit emotional. He has said he didn't know he had to get sick to find out how many friends and fans he has. I'm looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteJim
Knightsville, IN