Pop Goes the Country

During the 1970s, country music programs became a staple of syndicated television and Pop! Goes the Country was among them. Pop! Goes the Country was a weekly half-hour syndicated variety country music television series between September 7, 1974 and January 1, 1982.

 Originally hosted by Ralph Emery, the series was recorded at the Grand Ole Opry and featured comedy sketches, performances by and interviews with country music singers, both established celebrities and up and coming singers and musicians. In 1980, Tom T. Hall replaced Emery as the host and the show was moved from the Opry house to the Gaslight Theater of the Opryland theme park. In the final year of the series, comedian Jim Varney hosted the show.

The basic premise of this show was to reflect what was already happening to country music by this time, the infiltration of pop music; although you could see some pretty great country performers here as well. The performers included Billy Crash Craddock, Mel Tillis, Janie Fricke, Crystal Gale, Sue Thompson, Del Reeves, Bob Luman, Jerry Reed and and many, many other country music artists.

 Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton and Anne Murray appeared as guests on the program, although performers with more traditional styles such as Loretta Lynn and Mel Tillis were also featured during the show's run. The series was the most ambitious production undertaken in Nashville syndication history. Ralph Emery was the host of the series for the first 6 years followed by Tom T. Hall for the remaining episodes. Ralph brought his usual interview skills and thorough knowledge of the stars and their lives.

This series remains one of the most well-done productions to ever come out of Nashville having been cleared in over 140 markets at its peak. The band was top notch and included the direction of pianist Jerry Whitehurst and guitarist Leon Rhodes, as well as other great musicians of the time that were in and out throughout the production of this show.

The pop influence on country music was not without controversy. Although the Statler Brothers made at least one guest appearance, in a possible reference to the high-rated show the group released the song Nobody Wants To be Country.

 Pop Goes The Country, Artist Roster, Partial Listing