Introduction
In a black-and-white world of 1962 television, The Porter Wagoner Show offered viewers a rare invitation into the cozy backstage circle of country music stars—an intimacy that feels like eavesdropping on friends around a lamp-lit parlor table. Episode 14 of Season 2, featuring special guest Hank Snow, remains a standout, capturing the simple magic of live performance without any of today’s pyrotechnics. In this particular clip, uploaded by IanThatGuyyFilms, you’re greeted by Porter Wagoner himself with the twangy opening chords of “Take Me Back to Tulsa,” a nod to Bob Wills’s 1941 Western swing classic that Wagoner made his own.
When Hank Snow steps onto that small stage, guitar in hand, you feel the weight of a career that began in rural Nova Scotia in the 1930s and exploded with the blockbuster hit “I’m Moving On” in 1950. Snow’s relaxed baritone unfolds over Clarence E. Snow’s iconic 12-bar blues structure, a song that dominated the country charts for 21 weeks—an almost unthinkable run by today’s standards. Watching him perform live in ’62, you sense how unshowy sincerity can leave a more lasting impression than any flashbang; every note feels like a letter to an old friend.
Porter wasn’t just a singer—he was the genial host who traded jokes with his band and chatted casually with each guest, making viewers feel they’d been invited to an honest, everyday celebration of music. Regular cast member Norma Jean adds a burst of youthful charm with her rendition of “A Little Bit…” although the exact title slips the record books here, her bright delivery reminds us why she held her own alongside Wagoner for five seasons . That interplay—between Porter’s laid-back drawl, Norma Jean’s effervescent spirit, and Snow’s seasoned gravitas—creates a three-way dialogue that still feels fresh to modern ears.
Revisiting this clip isn’t just nostalgia; it’s a lesson in musical authenticity. No auto-tune, no audience shots—just three artists united by a shared love of song. As you watch, consider how much is conveyed by a simple camera angle and honest vocals, qualities that inspired generations of listeners and performers alike. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer curious about country’s roots, this 1962 moment offers an intimate, unvarnished look at the heart of the genre.