Most folks don't realize that the roots of rock and roll music trace right back to Needmore, Tennessee. It's kind of a long story but worth telling so here goes.

Somewhere in the fifties Dooley and Cousin Billy Clyde decided to sponsor a talent contest, of which they would highlight the show, and of course be the ultimate winners. The date was set for Saturday afternoon. The place was in the field behind Pete's general store. The later permission was granted by Pete with some reluctance.

Dooley had heard something about Bonnie and Clyde, although he couldn't remember what it was. Anyway, they decided to name their act Dooley and Clyde, and since they were somewhat of local celebrities in their own mind, they named the event the Dooley and Clyde talent search.

Since I had no musical ability I volunteered to be the setup man, general manager and talent judge.. It was part of my job to build a stage for the event to be held on. I found four barn planks for the stage out behind Pete's barn..... well actually I found three and pulled the forth off his barn.. As I laid them carefully on the ground I noticed a dozen or so black and yellow bees coming up out of the ground.

They looked an awful lot like yellow jackets, but I didn't figure that would matter since I was covering them up with the planks.

Dooley brought his old rabbit hound "blue" to serve as the grand prize for the winner of the talent show since he was going to win it anyway, it didn't matter.

Truth is we had a hard time stirring up much interest in the show. But, Old Blue was a pretty good dog and after a while the Thrasher boys, Doughbelly Hall, and a half dozen others decided there was nothing to lose and agreed to enter.

Since Dooley and Clyde were the headliners of the show, they decided to perform first. Neither of them could play an instrument even if they owned one. Dooley begged Uncle Silas Crabtree to borrow his banjo. He refused to lend it at first but finally agreed too because he had been trying to get Dooley to attend his Sunday school class.

Jumping Bill Carwile was their favorite performer, and he had helped shape their taste in music.. They had also noticed how Pastor Jones sometimes jumped around while preaching and decided that they would jump around some as they performed. Well, both boys put on their best clothes and shoes and got ready for the show to start. Much to our surprise over a dozen people were on hand to watch the talent show. Cousin Billy Clyde looked especially good that Saturday afternoon. He had washed his face up real good and had also worn his new shoes. His older brother had moved to California and had sent Billy Clyde a pair of blue suede shoes. They were hand me downs and a couple of sizes too big for Billy Clyde, but he wore them with much pride...

I reminded the boys that they needed to jump around a lot while they picked and sang I thought I noticed a few of the yellow jackets crawling around on top of the planks, but they looked harmless. Dooley started picking the banjo as hard as he could and both boys cut loose with their best rendition of take an old cold tater and wait. Blue was tied to the stage and he began to howl at the top of his voice oooooooo wooh he howled. Dooley stopped long enough to kick at him and miss.. "Jump more," I called out. Both boys suddenly started to jump and yell and were adding all kinds of twists and jerks to their routine. Dooley tossed the banjo high in the air and jumped harder. Uncle Silas ran over and caught the banjo and then suddenly started jumping and hollering himself. Pete was heard saying he should have known better soon people were jumping hollering and running in all directions.. To put it simply, it could be said that their act broke up the show. Well to finish the story a shiny pink Cadillac was seen pulled up in front of the store watching the show, and someone stepped out and made a picture. Someone later remarked that the strangers in the car looked a lot like Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker. Well,wouldn't you know it. Two weeks later his new album came out which contained two of his biggest hits. "You ain't nothing but a hound dog" and Blue Suede Shoes.Dooley took his hound dog and went home. Billy Clyde wore his shoes back home, and Uncle Silas took his banjo home while Pete nailed some planks back on his barn... Muttering something about good for nothing boys. Needmore folks remain convinced that this was indeed the start of rock and roll music.. What do you think?

Be sure to attend church this week. God loves us.