The Nashville Network (TNN) 1983 Premiere and Launch Night Celebration
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- čas přidán 20. 08. 2024
- The Nashville Network (TNN) was launched as a basic cable and satellite network on March 7, 1983. To the best of my knowledge, this is the only remaining copy of that premiere night 5+ hour celebration.
This star-studded event hosted by Ralph Emery includes appearances from all across America, showcasing what Nashville culture was like at the time. I spent over a month restoring this footage; and while it's not perfect, I was diligent not to destroy the original footage.
0:09:00 - Roy Acuff & Patti Page (Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN)
0:10:17 - Roy Acuff's Fiddle Balancing Act
0:10:55 - The Gatlin Brothers' Band
0:21:50 - Chet Atkins
0:28:53 - Chet sending a message through time to the future
0:35:45 - Ray Stevens
0:55:00 - The Singin' Rage, Miss Patti Page
0:59:00 - The Tennessee Waltz with Patti Page, Ray Stevens, Roy Acuff, Gatlin Brothers, and original writers of the song Peewee King & Red Stewart
1:12:35 - Con Hunley (First 'Nashville Now' Interview!)
1:13:50 - Con Hunley Performance
1:17:40 - T.G. Shepard (Savoy Club, New York)
1:30:27 - Porter Wagoner
1:34:48 - Jacky Ward
1:43:50 - Waylon Jennings (Bumper)
1:44:22 - I-40 Paradise Teaser
1:51:00 - Rosanne Cash
2:03:27 - Archie Campbell / Yesteryear in Nashville
2:08:09 - Don Williams (Park West, Chicago)
2:23:38 - Bill Anderson
2:29:18 - David Brazell & Shelly West (Duo of the Year)
2:23:20 - Tammy Wynett
2:45:40 - Wayne Massey (Johnny Drummond from "One Life to Live")
2:51:34 - Teddy Bart
2:58:38 - Emmylou Harris (Austin City Limits Set, KLRU-TV, Austin Texas)
3:12:00 - Lisa Foster & Danny Gregg
3:16:40 - Tom T. Hall
3:25:24 - Bill Monroe (Austin City Limits Set, KLRU-TV, Austin Texas)
3:41:24 - Ed Bruce
3:45:54 - Bobby Lore
3:50:55 - George Lindsey & Lynn Anderson (Denver, Colorado)
4:07:50 - David Holt
4:15:31 - Bobby Bare
4:22:42 - Hoyt Axton (Palomino Club, Las Angeles)
4:36:32 - Riders in the Sky
4:39:58 - Sir Cecil Creep, Phantom of the Opry
4:46:16 - Tanya Tucker (Palomino Club, Las Angeles)
4:56:26 - Ray Stevens Closes the night out - Hudba
![John Denver / Nashville Now [1988] (Full)](/img/n.gif)
The Nashville Network (TNN) aired its first episode of "Nashville Now" on March 7, 1983 at 8:00 PM ET. The show was hosted by Ralph Emery, who wore a tuxedo for the occasion. Thank you to all the sponsors who made the Nashville Network possible: Martha White Foods, Dodge Trucks, Kraft, The National Life and Accident Insurance Company, Stroh's, and Stroh Light. The five-hour broadcast opened with host Ralph Emery welcoming the audience and introducing country music artists from across the United States. The live remotes from several locations included the Savoy Club in New York City, the set of the PBS live music show Austin City Limits at KLRU in Austin, Texas, After the Gold Rush in Denver, Colorado, The Palomino Club in Los Angeles, California, and The Park West in Chicago, Illinois. Guests during the music hour were Rosanne Cash, T.G. Sheppard, Bill Monroe, Emmylou Harris, Lynn Anderson, George Lindsey, Tanya Tucker, Hoyt Axton, Tammy Wynette, and Don Williams. Ralph Emery was the host of "Nashville Now," which aired on TNN. The first hour of TNN's premiere night featured Roy Acuff and Patti Page from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. Acuff performed his famous fiddle balancing act, and Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers performed. Chet Atkins sent a message through time to the future, and Ray Stevens performed with Patti Page, Roy Acuff, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Pee Wee King, and Red Stewart on stage to perform "Tennessee Waltz".
In the next segment, Ralph Emery introduced the first guest, Con Hunley, and then introduced T.G. Sheppard, who performed at the Savoy Club. After that, Ralph Emery interviewed Jacky Ward and showed clips from "Dancin' U.S.A.," TNN's country music dance instructional program. The interview was followed by a singing clip. Ralph Emery introduced a situation comedy on TNN called "I-40 Paradise." He explained the plot of the show, which takes place in the fictional town of Crab Orchard, Tennessee, and showed clips from the show. Then, Ralph Emery introduced the cast of "I-40 Paradise." Ralph Emery then introduced Rosanne Cash, who performed with Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, and The Cherry Bombs. The next segment of the show features Emmylou Harris performing with the Hot Band on the PBS music show "Austin City Limits." Ralph Emery then introduces Lisa Foster and Danny Gregg, followed by an interview with clips from "Opryland on Stage," TNN's music variety show. After that, Ralph Emery introduces a performance and interview with Tom T. Hall, followed by Bill Monroe performing on "Austin City Limits." Then Emery introduces an interview and performance with Ed Bruce, and clips from "American Sports Cavalcade," TNN's motorsports coverage program. Finally, Emery introduces an interview with Bobby Lore and clips from "Country Sportsman," TNN's first fishing show before the days of Hank Parker, In-Fisherman, and Bill Dance.
Ralph Emery introduces David Holt, who provides commentary and clips from "Fire on the Mountain," a TNN music variety show similar to "Austin City Limits." Emery then interviews the cowboy trio Riders in the Sky and shows a clip from "Tumbleweed Theater," TNN's classic western movie and sketch comedy program. Emery introduces an interview with Bobby Bare and clips from "Bobby Bare and Friends," TNN's songwriting showcase series. Finally, Emery introduces Hoyt Axton performing at the Palomino Club in Los Angeles, followed by Axton interviewing people about The Nashville Network. Ralph Emery interviewed Sir Cecil Creep and then showed a clip from "The Phantom of the Opry," TNN's horror movie program. The clip included an opening sequence showing Sir Cecil Creep walking through the Grand Ole Opry House. The final segment of The Nashville Network's opening night featured a performance by Tanya Tucker, followed by the final performer of the evening, Ray Stevens, who performed "Such a Night." Emery then conducted an interview with Stevens. After the interview, Emery informed the audience that the Nashville Network opening night was drawing to a close. He thanked the cable systems and bade the audience good night. The Nashville Network broadcast from 8:00 AM CT to 2:00 AM CT. After Ralph Emery signed off, the credits rolled over still images from the broadcast. This is a great way to remember the people who made the Nashville Network possible.
👍
Thank you for the Nashville Network, Nasville Now and everything Country that has happened in between. Although many of these wonderful people and programs are no longer with us it was wonderful to see and enjoy them all again on CZcams. Please leave these up where we can "look back and appreciate what has gone before". I have been a country fan since I got my first Roy Rogers guitar at the age of 8 nearly 70 years ago.
I remember watching TNN for the first time around 1994. My parents didn't have cable until late in 1993. Prior to that, we had a big satellite dish in our backyard, and it only got a few channels, but it was free (somewhat).
Some of the band members that Ralph introduced during the 'Nashville Now' portion remained with the show for most, if not all, of it's 10 year run. Jerry Whitehurst, Billy Linneman, Hoot Hester, Fred Newell. The steel guitar player, that I recall the most, was Larry Sasser. He and Fred Newell, for some reason or another, during closing credits would do this comical hand gesture on their faces. Jerry Whitehurst used to do this hand gesture where he'd twirl around some of his fingers and then point to the camera mouthing 'I love you' or something like that. Ralph would close most episodes saying "Mr. Whitehurst...let's go home!".
This is awesome! I have learned so many nuances and oral history type legends since I started doing this... really cool stuff. Thank you for sharing this!
I always loved the NN singers! I saw three of their names in the credits of that newer Tammy Faye movie, so they are still going strong! (Jana, Donna, and Craig)
Jerry was also the band leader on Ralph's local morning show in Nashville.
RIP Lynn Anderson. Her legacy lives on.
My mom passed away in 2003 in 1 show of Nashville now in 93 she met 3 of her favs george Jones...and cousin minnie pearl and ralph Emory my mom was in a wheelchair from spine surgery Ralph asked if w wanted to sit closer to the front ralph moved us there an george Jones gave her a hug ..Ralph was a class act ...mom talked bout that till her last days ...I was 13 at the time didnt really understand I'm 42 and I love this country music from 80s
We finally got TNN on our cable system in the mid 80’s. Nashville Now was the first tv production I ever got to see in person. Long story short, Ralph was the reason I went into Television broadcasting, and I thank him for the 30+ successful years I’ve had in TV. RIP Ralph!!! We miss the original TNN! Cancelling Nashville Now was the biggest and most idiotic decision EVER made!
My Mom & Aunt Liz went for a taping of Nashville Now. Now you can watch Circle (Country Plays Here) on Dish 370 & on Roku & others.
@@EdwardStotts A lot of what is on Circle is not even country.
Well Ralph was getting ready to hang it up and you cannot do Nashville Now without him!
Heck some on TNN was not even country either
This is amazing! I called myself a tnn baby being born in 86. I remember asking my Mom if we'd have channel 28 in heaven! That's how important it was to me! Larry Gatlin was the first person to let me sing on stage when I was 2 years old, and Mr. Accuff, Cousin Mini, and Ralph Emery were huge parts of my life! I hope the copyright holders don't take this down because it's such a treasure especially as most of these folks including Ralph as of yesterday are now gone. Thank you for this! Also if you guys have time while your wandering around youtube type my name in and listen to my singing. haha
I too was born in 1986 and I grew up in a small town in South Alabama and we had no MTV. As far as music channels went we had both TNN and CMT. As well as BET and I grew up watching Nashville Now.
I later learned that Ralph was known for hosting a local morning show on Nashville TV.
Love seeing this, especially my all time favorite Lynn Anderson. We love and miss the beautiful talented lady.
Lynn Anderson is so missed. Thank you for sharing.
Historic video here. An ambitious opening night, to be sure. What a GREAT channel it was...for about 15 years, I guess.
I had forgotten songs from my childhood. Thank you.
I remember going to my grandparents and they always had TNN on the television. This brings back good memories. I never got to go to Music City but I always wanted to go.
I never got to go to Opryland but always wanted to.go.
Wow...never thought opening night would ever be uploaded on CZcams. We didn't get TNN on our cable system until sometime in 1986 or 1987...so I missed out on the earliest of television programming on TNN which included, obviously, it's opening night in March 1983. I knew Ray Stevens was part of it...as a huge fan of his I keep track of his career...but I'd only seen clips and photos of his involvement but didn't see the other performers and their celebration at finally getting a cable television channel that promoted country music and country living.
I totally agree. It's just awful knowing that it ended, due to greed and mismanagement.
@@rickybyrd1426 I remember back when TNN was slowly phasing out the country music programming. On an episode of "Prime Time Country" I remember hearing one of the TNN executives, a guest on that episode, saying how much the network would be in good hands following the sale. The Gaylord family sold TNN to a conglomerate affiliated with CBS. The executive appearing on "Prime Time Country" remarked that CBS had been a long time home of the CMA Awards and I can still hear his words "CBS has aired the CMA Awards for decades and they know how much the people love their country music!!". Of course, the executive didn't think the network would do such an about face in their programming. CBS began filling the air with repeats of "Dallas" and "Dukes of Hazzard". Eventually the channel was re-named The National Network.
@@ACcountryFan Yes, and then Spike TV, etc. Too bad 'cause this channel was incredible for most of its run. You could depend on live performances with quality audio every evening. I miss that.
That is what happens when a network is sold to Viacrap
Although I don't care for most country music, as I'm really a big classic rock fan, I still miss the Nashville Network. There were a few shows I liked on there like I-40 Paradise and Fandango. I also thought Shotgun Red was pretty amusing for a cowboy puppet. May the Nashville Network rest in peace.
CMT's launch beat TNN by two days. (CMT launched March 5, 1983)
Very nice to see the five hour Nashville now show from opening night on the Nashville network
I also think people forget that tnn remained really REALLY popular through about 1998ish because of the explosion Bill Gaither created along with the Statler Brothers tv show.
i miss TNN. Never was sure what happened to it.
Broadcast conglomerates like CBS got it from Gaylord and Group W with all the mergers. And take it to a different direction and ruined it ..
Viacom thats what happened. they took control moved TNN to New York and they went down hill from there and was took off the air never been the same since
Pretty sure they eventuality became Spike TV.
I remember watching this with my mom
Thank you for including the commercials
Used to live there and watched it regularly. It was back when we could buy season tickets and have a blast at Opryland.
I watched this show every night back in the day.
I moved to Nashville in 1990 and played the Stage Door Lounge. This was the first place Nashville Now started, then moved over to the Gaslight Venue over at Opryland.
Those Hoyt Aston instrumentals were beautiful
Wow. Just spent the afternoon re-living my childhood. 😊
I.miss.the.nashville.network..it.was.great.times.watched.it.everyweek..i.wish.they.would.release.these.shows.on.dvds.😊
Goodness, The memories this brings back. TNN debuted when I was 11 years old. It’s a shame we won’t see most of these shows anymore.
Yeah. If TV could go back to this, what a glorious thing that'd be!
Thanks a million ..Sad to say my idiot cable provider at the time did not add TNN to its line up until a few years later..
When I finally get the channel.I watch it daily and also had the VCR recording hours and hours of programming until it went belly up ..
RIP Ralph Emery .........God Bless him.
Same here. Recorded so much from TNN on VCR I think there are still some I have to index!
Dont have cable here so I love it, the music brings back memories of good classic country music songs and singers.
Whyyyyyyy did this ever go off air!!!!. I do NOT understand why a Nashville based network hasn’t been on in years!!!
happy 40th anniversary the nashville network
My dad watched Ralph Emory all the time
My grandparents had the grand ole opry on every Saturday night
My grandparents were furious when TNN changed format
Mr Whitehurst if you please! Country Gold Don Darnell....i and my band were on Church Street Station in 1983 WOW! WHAT A BLAST! Me Danny,Chuck and Larry! The good ol days!
You wouldn't happen to have any full episodes of Riders In The Sky's Tumbleweed Theater, would you?
I don't believe so as I haven't stumbled across any, but I do have two full bins of unmarked tapes so anything is possible. If I come across one, I'll prioritize getting it online!
@@NashvilleVHS Thanks! Anything Riders In The Sky would do, too!
Hoyt, The 80s WERE the good old days! On top of that TNN is no more.
Chet Killer Tone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ❤️🎸🎸🥁🎸🎸🎸🎸
Amazing footage! Any chance you have the Conway Twitty-Barbara Mandrell Softball Game that aired on TNN in July of 1983? I'm a Conway collector and fanatic and just learned about the special this past week.
R.I.P. Ralph Emery
Nashville Network Premies
Rosanne Cash
Gerg Shapherd
Emmylou Harrie
Lynn Anderson
George Lindsey
Park West
Tanya
Tammy
Grad Ole Opery
Larry Gaiten
The Gaiten Brothers Band
Minnie Pearl
Chet Atkin
Ray Stevens
Patti Page
Waylon Jenning
I miss TNN Nashville. When CBS bought the channel by 1996, it was the beginning of an end. My hometown Deposit, New York first got this channel in 1984. My all time favorite show on this channel is the 1989-93 game show Top Card hosted by former Tic Tac Dough host Jim Caldwell and TNN host Dan Miller.
I spy a young Vince Gill playing lead guitar in The Cherry Bombs behind Roseanne Cash.
And now it's the Paramount Network and just shows movies that all the other channels show. :(
The Nashville Network might have succeeded had it launched in the second half of the 2010s like in 2016 or 2017 when Nashville started to boom and grow to where it is today.
Do u have anything with roy acuff or minnie pearl type material at all
Can’t believe they misspelled Ms Page’s first name. I wonder if it might’ve been intentional. Somebody in the control room was protesting over the fact that Patti wasn’t really a country singer, the producers could have gave that spot next to Mr. Acuff to someone more deserving like Dottie West.
Wikipedia says 11/3/1983 Nashville Network begins on cable TV
Wikipedia may have anything on it. You could edit it to state it began 11/3/1963. Anything goes on Wikipedia
@NashvilleVHS, Do you have a tape of Hee Haw 1990 show featuring Lorrie Morgan, Travis Tritt and The Moonshine Cloggers? Do you also have VHS tape of Nashville Now from 1989 featuring Jerry Reed, Travis Tritt, Baillie & The Boys and Chuck and Jeffrey Connors?
Is there any I 40 paradise in ur video library?
That was a great show.
Do you have any old Judds Nashville Now interviews pre-1989?!
Say is that Lee Greenwood in 20:04?