During the '40s and '50s, Armed Forces Radio turned out hundreds of radio variety shows transcribed and cut to glass discs and distributed to the AFRS network and its affiliates, including one sponsored by the U.S. Navy called Country Hoedown that was hosted by
honky tonk singer
Ernest Tubb. This show was essentially no different than
Tubb's long running Midnight Jamboree radio gig and featured a similar mixture of bands, singers and the same sort of pre-scripted cornball
comedy spots. This set preserves the flow and feel of Country Hoedown and features
Dwight Butcher's sappy but charming "The Best Time of All,"
Hank Snow's lively "Rhumba Boogie," and a pair of striking songs by
Tex Williams, "Roses and Revolvers" and the atmospheric "New Nine Pound Hammer."
Tubb sings on a half-dozen or so tracks, so this isn't an
Ernest Tubb collection in the normal sense, but hosting these kinds of shows played a big part in his popularity and success, so in a way this set is very representative of the public role he played during the era. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
