Shortly after her song 'Dumb Blonde' was released, Dolly performed the song on "The Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour" alongside her Uncle Bill Owens. Years earlier, Dolly was a regular guest on the popular show after being hired by Cas Walker at the age of 10.
In this rare video, shown in color, Dolly and Uncle Bill perform onstage together during "The Case Walker Farm and Home Hour."
'Dumb Blonde' was one of two singles released from Dolly’s first full-length solo album, “Hello, I'm Dolly.” It climbed to No. 24 on the U.S. country singles charts. Curly Putman wrote the song and Fred Foster at Monument Records knew it was right for Dolly. In the liner notes of the album, Foster wrote about what he saw in the young artist. He opened with,
“Sometimes you just know… sometimes. And that makes up for all the times you had to guess.”
"The Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour" was a radio show based in Knoxville, Tenn. that transitioned to television in 1953. It was recorded before a live audience. Between performances, it featured live commercials for Walker’s grocery stores.
During the mid-1950s, the Everly Brothers were regular guests on the show. Other notable guests included Roy Acuff, Chet Atkins, Carl Butler, Jimmy Martin, Bill Monroe, Jim Nabors and Carl Smith.
After making musical connections while performing on the Cas Walker Show, Dolly and her Uncle Bill Owens managed to get a guest spot on the Grand Ole Opry in 1959. Friends, Carl and Pearl Butler were instrumental in getting Jimmy C. Newman to agree to give up one of his regular Saturday night spots to Dolly. Johnny Cash introduced her saying,
"We’ve got a little girl here from up in East Tennessee. Her daddy’s listening to the radio at home and she’s gonna be in real trouble if she doesn’t sing tonight, so let’s bring her out here."
Dolly recalls seeing the classic WSM microphone stand and being in awe standing on the Ryman Auditorium stage. Dolly said,
"As I heard the band play my introduction, I lifted my head and looked up toward the lights. I smiled at the people in the balcony and then let ‘er rip."
Dolly sang George Jones’ song, "You Gotta Be My Baby" and received three encores that night.
Listen to a free song preview below of Dolly singing "You Gotta Be My Baby" via SoundCLoud.
Dolly’s natural talent and drive didn't escape the attention of her Uncle Bill Owens. He saw her potential and had the same vision Dolly had; she was going to be a big star. Encouraging Dolly every step of the way and knocking on door after door, in 1956, Uncle Bill finally brought her to the attention of self-made multi-millionaire Cas Walker.
Walker created a variety show known as the "Farm and Home Hour" to promote his chain of successful grocery stores. The show initially aired as a radio program on WROL-AM and later on WIVK-AM. The show featured artists such as Roy Acuff, Jimmy Martin, Bill Monroe, Carl Smith, Carl Butler, Jim Nabors, and Chet Atkins. Uncle Bill managed to get Dolly backstage during one of the radio shows at WIVK radio station in Knoxville, Tennessee.
In true Dolly style, she would find a way to be heard. She showed her initiative and drive by telling walking up to Cas Walker and telling him that she wanted to work for him. Because of her bold determination, Walker couldn’t resist. Dolly had landed her first radio and television gig at the age of 10 before her family even owned a television.
Listen below to the rare audio clip of Dolly performing on "The Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour."
Dolly performed like a seasoned veteran in front of the crowd in the little radio station auditorium for the first time, and they shouted and cheered for an encore. Residents in Knoxville, Tenn. and the surrounding cities heard her on their radios and televisions at home. For Dolly, this was her very first taste of stardom and it was sweet.
