Sad News

I mentioned in my return post that I had read a book on Hee Haw when I finally got back around to reading music related books. There are a couple of reasons that that was my first book.

The first is, quite simply, that I love the show. For all of its corny humor and what might be viewed as simple comedy, it still makes me laugh. I also love to see many of the country stars in their prime, or even before their prime.

Longtime readers of Music tomes might recall that one of the reasons I put the blog on hold is because my son was born. He is now 17 months old and his absolute favorite show is Hee Haw. He laughs when they do. He dances when the music is on. He cheers - "Yay, Buck" - when Buck Owens takes the screen. He can identify Buck (alternately "Buck" and "BuckOwens"), Roy, Grandpa, Junior, Archie, Gordie, and the Hagars. That's the second reason I read the book.

A new Hee Haw related book was released a month or so ago, this one written by co-creator John Aylesworth. Aylesworth, along with Frank Peppiatt, created the show targeted at an audience of country music lovers they saw as under served. They had experience in comedy with the "Jonathan Winters Show," which is where they met Roy Clark. Aylesworth also had experience producing music-oriented shows like "Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music," "Your Hit Parade," and "The Judy Garland Show." He would later produce "Dolly" for Dolly Parton and the very short-lived new country showcase "Nashville Palace."

A review of Aylesworth new book, "The Corn Was Green: The Inside Story of Hee Haw" is forthcoming. Two days ago I exchanged emails with Mr. Aylesworth setting up an interview for the site. Tonight I received an email from his wife with the sad news that Mr. Aylesworth passed away last night at the age of 80.

My condolences go out to her and the family.