On this day …..
On this day 50 years ago, January 19, 1963, the Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs’ recording of the Ballad of Jed Clampett topped the Billboard Hot Country singles charts.
The song spent 20 weeks on the charts and was in the #1 spot for a total of three weeks.
It also reached #44 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music chart.
The song was cut for Columbia Records (Co 42606) by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs on September 24, 1962, and was popularized by it being used as the theme song to the internationally famous CBS television show The Beverly Hillbillies that ran from 1962 to 1971.
Assisting Lester Flatt [vocals/guitar] and Earl Scruggs [vocals/banjo] were Buck Graves [Dobro®], Curly Seckler [mandolin], Paul Warren [fiddle], Jake Tullock [bass] and Buddy Harman [drums].
The producers were Don Law and Frank Jones.
The recording was paired with that of Coal Loadin’ Johnny and released on November 26, 1962.
The theme to the sit-com was written and composed by Paul Henning, the producer of the show, and was originally sung by Jerry Scoggins.
The stars of the show were Buddy Ebsen (Jed), Irene Ryan (Granny), Donna Douglas (Elly May Clampett) and Max Baer Jr (Jethro Bodine).
