Louis Marshall Jones was born October 20, 1913 in Niagra, Kentucky. He came from a strain of thinking of country music as something of a vaudeville show. He billed himself as "Grandpa Jones" as young as 22 years old, drawing lines on his face to look old, and affecting a "grandpa" look with the wire rim glasses and knee high boots.
He never sold a lot of records. His only top 10 country hit was a 1963 cover of Jimmie Rodger's "T for Texas"- and a fine cover it was. [Jimmie Rodgers also recorded his classic "Blue Yodel #4 (California Blues)" this day in 1928.]
Nonetheless he was well known as a live act, on radio shows, and of course many years on the Grand Ole Opry and Hee Haw, one of the most underappreciated shows in television history. It gave him a perfect forum for his style of picking and joking.
Besides being a fine banjo picker and showman, Jones took an unassuming but near academic interest in folk music. He played the folk circuit all his life, and spent many years learning scads of ancient songs from the hills and the old countries. He would never have wanted to be a "professor" but he could have taught classes on folk music traditions.
He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for over 50 years, from 1947 till his death in 1998.
Grandpa Jones scored two of his best performances with Scotty Wiseman songs. "Mountain Dew" is probably one of his two or three best known recordings. Another lesser known Wiseman song is well worth digging up, a wide ranging political broadside that was perhaps even better: his early 1950's recording "I'm No Communist."
Congress has appointed a committee so they said
To find out who's American and who's a low down red
They called them up to Washington to speak for Uncle Sam
But when they asked them what they are they shut up like a clam
I wish they'd take and put me on the witness stand today
I'd shout so loud old Stalin could hear me all the way:
I'm no communist, I'll tell you that right now
I believe a man should own his home and house and car and cow
I like this private ownership
I want to be left alone
Let the government run their business, and let me run my own
Article comments
1 - Allan
Grandpa Jones was a bright funny guy as beloved among Opry fans as Minnie Pearl. "I grew old into the character , he once said," and needed less and less makeup".
A sweet man and a great banjo player.
2 - Martha Essex
Can anyone tell me what ship Grandpa Jones
was shipped out on. My father was on the
same ship and enjoyed Grandpa's music which mad the crossing easier
3 - Phillip
I'm trying to find a list of songs that Grandpa Jones ( Louis Marshall Jones) had written. Can anyone help me and e-mail me.
Thanks
4 - Fred
At one time I owned an old 78 rpm single of Grandpa Jones singing " I'm No Communist " It has gone missing. Do you know if it is available on CD ? I heard it on on WAMU several years ago and wrote the host and asked if would if he would share it withe me. His answer was discouraging.
Thanks
5 - Al Barger
Yo Fred, drop me an email(gadfly@morethings.com). I'll gladly hook you up with "I'm No Communist."
6 - Fred
Al,
Thanks for the memories. First time I had heard it in over 50 years.Things haven't changed all that much either Grandpa is gone but not forgotten.
Cheers
Fred
7 - Al Barger
"I'm No Communist" is the official theme song of the Al Barger for US Senate campaign.
8 - Diana
Did Grandpa Jones ever sing the Christmas song "The Christmas Guest"? If so, does any know where I can purchase this song?
9 - Ann Burlingham
Niagara is spelled "Niagara", not "Niagra".
10 - Dr Dreadful
I guess it depends whether you get turned on by large waterfalls.
11 - Jet Gardner
... or water sports