Jim Nabors
 

It was announced today that Jim Nabors will sing "Back Home Again in Indiana" for the final time at the 2014 Indianapolis 500. Since I began attending in 1992, Nabors' voice has been one of the greatest moments each and every race day. As with all traditions that are based on human beings, we knew the end had to come sometime...and we will miss him very much. I know of a couple people in Grandstand G who will be blubbering like babies when that time comes Raceday morning...probably a couple hundred thousand more surrounding them. Just wanted to say thank you to a class act, a great friend of the Speedway, and a man's who's voice will always be a part of each and every May. Thanks for the memories Jim...good luck in retirement.

Re: Jim Nabors
 

It had always been one of my favorite parts of that day. Ever since he started doing that. When I was overseas, listening to the 500 on Armed Forces Radio, it became my favorite part of race day. I was supposed to be a tough guy. You know, a Marine. But I was never tough enough to keep the tears from running down my face when Jim Nabors was singing this song about my home, when I was 8000 miles away, listening to the race at 2 am. This song will always belong to him, as far as I'm concerned.

Jerry

Re: Jim Nabors
 

My first memory of Jim Nabors is actually of his "alter ego", Gomer Pyle, on the Andy Griffith Show. Hearing him sing "Back Home Again In Indiana" at my first 500 was both a surprise & a treat. A surprise because I didn't even know he could sing & a treat because his performance was quite moving, even for someone with no emotional ties to Indiana. A couple of years ago they used a canned performance at the 500 since Mr. Nabors was unable to attend. While not quite the same for those who normally could see him sing, the rest of us listening on the P.A. system or on the radio, couldn't hear a difference. I can't imagine anyone else singing THAT song. The Speedway should use that recording starting next year & keep the tradition alive.

I say better to have Gomer in a can than no Gomer at all!

steiny
:32:

Re: Jim Nabors
 

I still remember the episode where Carrol Burnett was on, trying to teach Gomer to sing Row, row, row your boat... I think it was the first time America found out that Jim could sing as well as act. I hope the folks at Indy keep the tradition alive with a recording of him doing the song, rather than handing it to whom ever they can get to sing it each year.

Bill

Re: Jim Nabors
 

I watch the race live on television here on the Gold Coast in Australia, every year since i was 25, i am now 60 and hoping to go to my first Indy 500 next year. Listening to the great Jim N perform Home in Indiana always bought a tear to my eye. Have been to Indiana and it is one of my favourite US states. Am going to miss him. Yes, all great traditions start with human involvement, and he is truely a great man.

Re: Jim Nabors
 

I am a big Andy Griffith show fan, as someone else posted, when I first heard him sing in real life, I thought no way that was him. I am glad I got to hear it live in person last year at the 500. Hoping to do so again this year. Also, as someone else posted, hopefully they keep the tradition alive by a recorded version. Honestly, it gave me cold chills hearing it in person last year.

Re: Jim Nabors
 

I love Jim Nabors annual singing of "Back Home Again in Indiana" and it brings a tear to my eye, goosebumps, and a chill up and down my spine on race day every May.

While I will miss this tradition greatly, I can't say I really support the notion of playing a tape of him singing the song in 2015 and beyond. I feel it is time to start a new tradition with a group such as Straight No Chaser who do an outstanding job with their version of the song and can create a tradition that will resonate with a new generation of Indy 500 fans as much as Jim Nabors did for the past 42 years.

Along with Tom Carnegie, Sid Collins, Tony Hulman and the other voices we have heard over the years, time marches on and somebody else must carry on the tradition. Jim Nabors will always be an icon at Indy as much the yard of bricks. It's going to be weird not hearing Nabors' voice after this year and I can't thank him enough for playing a prominent role in my favorite day of the year.

Re: Jim Nabors
 

Jim Nabors is as much a part of the Indianapolis 500 as letting the balloons fly, the green flag, drinking the milk, just any part of it. The singing of "Back Home In Indiana" always brings a tear to my eye also. I can see in my mind the fields people are working between Evansville and Terre Haute, I even get the smell of the new mown hay. That's what I love about the Indy 500, in this day of crazy ********, sensationalism of news on TV...you can go or watch the Indy 500 and with all the tradition, it restores your patriotism, a lot of families enjoying the same event...restores your faith in people getting along. It reminds you to take time and enjoy life and have fun.
Jim Nabors singing that song is probably one of the best ambassador activities Indiana has put forward each year.

Maybe they will always play a version in the future, that may be nice. I am sure they will do something appropriate.

No matter the racing aspect of the Indy 500, the traditions are almost as important as the cars on the track.

Re: Jim Nabors
 

I'm originally from PA, and now live in Ohio - but I cry every time he sings that song. Love him and the great state if Indiana!

Re: Jim Nabors
 

The first time I went to the Indianapolis 500 was 1967. Part of the celebrity caravan was Frank Sutton, the long suffering Sgt Carter that Gomer reported to. Sutton started off Day 2 of the Indy 500 ordering the clouds "Out! Out! Out!" in rare Sgt. Carter form. I don't know how close of friends Sutton and Nabors were off screen but I bet Sutton turned Gomer on to Indy.

It was only a few year later after 1967 that Jim Nabors began a mostly a 40+ year run at the speedway and a tradition. It will be a sentimental an sad May when Gomer sings his final "Back Home Again...".

Re: Jim Nabors
 

I can't get behind a recording, either. My hope is they find another solo vocalist who can get the emotion into the song, just like Jim Nabors, and that they get someone who will do it on an annual basis in order to start a new tradition.
Also, to me part of the "mystique" behind Jim Nabors singing the song is that it's the only time of the year anyone really sees or hears from him.

Re: Jim Nabors
 

Maybe we will see Miss Lou Ann Poovie in a car?

Re: Jim Nabors
 

Grandstand G ? I've been sitting there for over 50 years.

Re: Jim Nabors
 

Bet you're tired! :5::5: Sorry, couldn't resist!

Re: Jim Nabors
 

He is as much a part of the 500 as "Gentlemen, start your engines"!

Re: Jim Nabors
 

if rock Hudson would'a married gomer pyle hed'a been rock pyle

Re: Jim Nabors
 

Bono of U2 told David Letterman last year that he would sing the song after Nabors retired.

Re: Jim Nabors
 

Indy has trashed tradition enough in my book. Play a recording and let that voice boomerang around the Speedway forever. Bono will make it all about Bono and we don't need the Stephen Tyler's of the world messing things up. Just because a singer isn't around anymore doesn't mean the emotion won't be there. A recording of Jim singing will be like hearing Sinatra sing "New York New York" or Elvis singing "American Trilogy." It will never grow old and it will always sound good.

Re: Jim Nabors
 

I would be absolutely shocked if you ever added anything of any of value, to any thread.

Jerry

Re: Jim Nabors
 

Dang its too bad he couldn't hold out just a few more years. I plan on making my first trip to the Indy 500 race itself on the 100th running and it just won't quite be complete without this

Re: Jim Nabors
 

Not really tired, but it gets cold and lonely in the winter time!:32:

Re: Jim Nabors
 

I read a couple responses on here that people were "surprised" that Jim Nabors could sing so well after seeing him play Gomer on "The Andy Griffith Show". Gomer sang on the Griffith show Season 4 Episode 20 titled "The Song Festers".

Re: Jim Nabors
 

Well Shazam! You've got a lot better memory than I do. That would have been way back in 1964.

steiny
:32:

Re: Jim Nabors
 

If you want to know how good Jim Nabors really is, try the link below from his Gomer Pyle USMC show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5KeGccP9Jk

Re: Jim Nabors
 

It always amazed me that a guy with a voice like that could talk like Gomer Pyle:) .

Honest Dad himself:6::6:

Re: Jim Nabors
 

Those precious minutes leading up to the start of the world's greatest sporting event are my favorite. Jim Nabors has been a big part of that for about 40 of my 47 races. Savor the moment.

Re: Jim Nabors
 

This just don't sound like a bunch of "RED NECK RACERS" talking about a performer??:11::)

Honest Dad himself:6::6:

Re: Jim Nabors
 

"Just" a couple in Grandstand G? LOL...;)