re: Classic Country Jukebox

Lefty Frizell

A circa 1957 photo of the Philip Morris Show tour. At the time, it was called the largest individual package sale in country music history, The Grand Ole Opry's Jim Denny signed an agreement with Philip Morris Tobacco Company to provide the talent for the Philip Morris Country Music Show helping boost the popularity of country music across America. Initially audience members could gain entrance by paying with empty packs of Philip Morris cigarettes. Eventually, that plan was abandoned and it became a free show. According to Goldie Hill, the tour was originally supposed to be the standard 13-weeks, but turned out to be over seventeen months long.



backrow: (l-r) a member of the Tunesmiths, Sonny Curtis [Future Cricket & writer of "I Fought The Law"], Johnny Sibert, Mimi Roman, Carl Smith, Goldie Hill, Red Sovine, Ronnie Self

front row: (l-r) a member of the Tunesmiths, Biff Collie, Sammy Pruett

Little Jimmy Dickens, Ray Price, June Carter, the Collins Kids and Van Howard (1959)

Western & Country music

Elvis "Prestly"