Agree. Both are jerks but man, can they drive
Jim Nabors recalls his first Indianapolis 500, says goodbye
t was 1972 and Jim Nabors was best known as television’s goofy marine Gomer Pyle.
But, oh, how that would change for Indianapolis 500 fans, who came to know Nabors as the deep-voiced darling who sang for them the next 42 years.
Sunday, as Nabors prepared to sing “Back Home Again In Indiana” for the last time at the race, he recalled his first.
When he showed up in 1972 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he thought he was singing the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” but was promptly told that wasn’t the case.
“Then what the hell am I singing,” he said Sunday, with that sweet high-pitched drawl.
When told, he quickly started scribbling the words to “Back Home Again In Indiana” on the inside of his hand.
I never dreamed I’d be doing this 42 years later,” he said.
As he talked, he threw out “Golly” and gave that sweet smirk. But he also admitted he was trying not to cry.
Whatever we think of Jim Nabors, this is a human interest story none the less, I didn’t see it posted here.