Country Night At The Bowl - Three hours worth of Twang.
Country Night At The Bowl – 1963 – Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, The Louvin Brothers, George Jones, Flatt & Scruggs, Faron Young, June Carter – Past Daily Pop Chronicles
Something historic from The Hollywood Bowl this weekend with a star-studded cast from the world of Country-Western music via Long Beach station KFOX, which was the big Country station in Southern California in 1963. Johnny Cash, the headliner, was not in great form. A bad case of Laryngitis prevented him from giving the full 100%. But the rest of the show fairly drips with history.
I originally ran parts of this concert over the past couple of years, but never got around to running the whole (being over three hours and all). But with those many legends of Country music on stage in one place at one time, save the Grand Ole Opry, it was a pretty spectacular affair. Certainly something you wouldn’t think L.A. was particularly known for, but KFOX (the hosts of the show) were one of the two most popular Country-Western Radio stations in Los Angeles. And judging by the turnout and response it wouldn’t be the last time The Bowl would go Country.
So here it is – the whole thing. At over three hours, it’s a slice of early 60s Country-Western Music and Los Angeles History rolled into one. Presented by radio station KFOX disc jockeys which included the legendary Cliffie Stone, serving as masters of ceremonies.
From the evening of June 22, 1963 – as it happened at The Hollywood Bowl.
Enjoy, y’all.
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Hi, Gordon–thanks immensely for putting the whole show up. I realize I’m a *bit* late in thanking you, but this was an insane month. (I’m sure it’ll calm down now that it’s December…NOT.) What an amazing document from a period where live country music (especially sounding this good) was pretty sparse.
As always, my pleasure Anna. I should be posting the 1967 Capitol Country Night at the Bowl in a few weeks, if not sooner. Stay tuned!
Oh, lord…Haggard? Owens? Glen Campbell? YES PLEASE!
Okay – I promise – next weekend.
Hello. We, the Chuck Wagon Gang appeared on this Johnny Cash program, June 22, 1963. We’ve always wondered audio was available on this show. I see where there is a link to the entire show, but don’t know if this includes the CWG. Would like to have a copy. Can’t seem to get the dowload program to install.
Hi – glad you found it! All you need to do is click on the highlighted part right next to the words “click on the link here for Audio Player” – it will open on a separate page and then all you need to do is go to “file” on your desktop, click on it, click on the prompt that says “save file as . . .” and it will download it for you.
Enjoy!
I did not find the Plainsmen portion on this video. They were advertised. Were they there?
I’m not sure. It’s possible their portion wasn’t recorded, for whatever reason. Or there may have been a last minute cancellation. In a few cases, these Hollywood Bowl concerts aren’t complete. Usually from the concert running over and the tape running out. But from the sounds of it, this concert appears to be complete. So for now, it’s a mystery.
Gordon
I was at this concert. I was 13 years old. My dad, Dick Schofield was the VP and General Manager of KFOX and the co-producer of the show. This is very nostalgic for me to see this. Thank you very much for keeping this part of country music alive. I have so many memories from that era. KFOX was the first commercially successful county station in Los Angeles. Being back stage at the event was something I’ll always remember. KFOX helped launch or promote many country music artist careers.
I’m so glad you liked it. It’s always my pleasure!
Gordon