There was always a comedy act in the old country music shows. Minnie Pearl, June Carter, Stringbean, and Grandpa Jones. Most of them combined country music with comedy.
Later there was Jerry Clower, the great yarn teller. Shotgun Red (a puppet) and others I’ve forgotten.
I can’t think of any rural comedy except Jeff Foxworthy,Bill Engvall, and Larry the Cable guy. I don’t think they actually travel and perform with country music acts. Not sure, but I doubt any have been on the Grand Ole Opry.
How did you not mention Hee Haw!? Definitely the peak of country comedy consciousness.
I suspect the “cornpone country comedy” epicenter these days is Branson, Missouri (the Vegas of country stars). These things go in and out of fashion, though, so perhaps in another decade there’ll be a resurgence of hilarious hicks in popular culture.
Yes, yes it is. There is not a single person alive today doing country comedy. We’ll have to wait until the next generation grows up. So maybe we might see it again in 30-40 years.
Stringbean, and grandpa Jones were very good banjo pickers. June Carter was a pretty good singer that sang in the Carter Family. June always said that her sisters were better singers. I guess that’s why she shifted to comedy and also still sang.
I think musical ability and comedy set them apart. The exception was Minnie Pearl. That ear piercing Howdy!!! I never saw her sing. Probably for the best.
Jim Stafford did funny songs. But I dont know if he included comic banter in his act or not.
I seem to recall seeing Cousin Minnie plucking on a small guitar, once or twice. In Vaudeville you needed to be able to do more than one thing.
Then there’s the classic story of tour bus drivers pointing out her lavish mansion, then pointing to the smaller one nearby as the governor’s. Nice digs, and I don’t impress easy. Girl knew how to live.
I recall an interview and they said Minnie had the thankless job of travelling with Hank Williams jr. In the 1960’s. Trying to keep him sober and able to do the next show.
