Saturday 9: Big, Bad John

Sam’s Saturday 9: Big, Bad John (1961)

On Saturdays I take a break from the heavy stuff and have some fun…

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song tells the story of a stern, enigmatic miner. None of the other miners knew much about him. When people first meet you, do you think they see you more as mysterious or straightforward?

Um. I think more mysterious.

2) During a serious accident, many of the miners panicked. But not John. Think of your family, friends and acquaintances. Who would be the most dependable in a crisis?

Probably my brother.

3) His heroism allowed 20 miners to escape, but cost John his life. According to the lyrics, there's a marble slab on site of mine that honors him. Is there a memorial to a local hero in your town?

I think that there is, I’m not sure I know that there are Civil War, WWI, and WWII monuments but I don’t know if they are dedicated to a person.

4) This song was written and performed by Jimmy Dean. He began composing it on a flight from New York to Nashville. How do you amuse yourself while traveling?

Watch the scenery pass by, whether it is on a train to New York City or a plane.

5) Jimmy Dean hosted a long-running variety show on CBS, which is best-remembered today for introducing Jim Henson's puppets -- especially Rowlf, a dog who sang and told jokes. While Rowlf didn't make it to Sesame Street, he was a recurring character on the Muppet Show. Are you a Muppet fan?

No, it was after my childhood that the show came out, and with no kids I didn’t watch it with them.

6) Jimmy found success in business with The Jimmy Dean Sausage Company. He sold the company to Sara Lee in 1984 for $80 million. Today Jimmy Dean breakfast products are still popular in grocery stores all over the country. What's your favorite breakfast?

Actually I try to rotate my breakfast, sometimes it is just an English muffin and sometimes it is an omelet and sausage.

7) In 1961, when this song was popular, Vogue asked if fashion sense is inborn or if could a woman could learn to be chic. What do you think? Do you think style is either something you have, or you don't?

It is a learned skill.

8) Also in 1961, Ernest Hemingway took his own life. Did you read Hemingway in English class? Can you recall any other novels you read for school?

Yes and also Wuthering Heights and the other old, dull classics, and you wonder why I didn’t read any books until I found science fiction. When I read a “Stranger in a Strange Land” by Robert A. Heinlein it was like “Dyn-o-mite” "Far Out!"

9) Random question: Think about the last "white lie" you told. Was it to make your own day easier or spare someone's feelings?

I try to avoid “white lie” by when I do it is to avoid hurting someone's feelings.

Thanks so much for joining us again at Saturday: 9. As always, feel free to come back, see who has participated and comment on their posts. In fact sometimes, if you want to read & comment on everyone's responses, you might want to check back again tomorrow. But it is not a rule. We haven’t any rules here. Join us on next Saturday for another version of Saturday: 9, "Just A Silly Meme on a Saturday!" Enjoy your weekend!