[The show, set in the fictional North Carolina town of Mayberry, was originally meant to take place] just somewhere in the South, ... But I wanted it to be in the Old North State. |
At first I was supposed to be the funny central figure, ... But with that format the show might have lasted about four weeks. The way it worked out is, the other people say the funny lines and my character looks on as an observer. |
Hymns are companions for life travelers, |
I am proud of my connections to Carolina and pleased to know that some results from a lifetime of work on television, film, stage and recordings will have a permanent home in Chapel Hill, |
I did the 'Crook and Chase' show while I was in Nashville. They asked me if I had a church background, and when I said I was born a Baptist, that got the audience on fire. They must have all been Baptists. |
I didn't have the courage to go join them, |
I loved Don. There was no one like him. |
I sang 'A Closer Walk with Thee' along with blues singer Brownie McGhee, ... Then there was a show where Carol Houston, an actress on 'Matlock' sang 'It Is Well With My Soul' accompanied by a choir. Boy, that was powerful. |
I still play that guitar. It's a Martin D-18 with a clear pick guard. I've played this guitar on and off my TV shows for nearly 50 years, |
I think I like it here, |
I was baptized alongside my mother when I was 8 years old. Since then I have tried to walk a Christian life, ... And now that I'm getting older I realize that I'm walking even closer with my God. |
It's time for me to pass this on to you folks, |
Oh, oh, I guess we're capable all right. But somehow or another it just doesn't come as natural to us as it does to you. |
That was really cool. |
The Andy Griffith Show. |