Product ID: TJWE
Control Number: 7816036
Tennessee Jed 19 Episodes
Tennessee Jed (originally featuring the full name Tennessee Jed Sloan) was a fast paced, action-packed juvenile Western serial that brought a distinct Southern flavor to the classic frontier adventure genre. The series followed the exploits of Jed Sloan, a veteran of the Civil War who moved West from the Old South to forge a fresh start on the rugged American frontier. Armed with his legendary muzzleloading squirrel gun and riding his loyal horse, Smoky, Jed began his journey as a wandering frontiersman but eventually evolved into an elite, deep cover agent operating under the direct personal orders of President Ulysses S. Grant to stomp out lawlessness across the West.
Vibrant, localized, and highly entertaining, Tennessee Jed was celebrated for its blend of high stakes frontier espionage, exceptional marksmanship, and its regular inclusion of traditional American folk music.
The Stars
The title role of Tennessee Jed was originated by radio star Johnny Thomas and was later famously portrayed by veteran actor Don MacLaughlin (who would later find massive fame on television in As the World Turns). They played Jed with a perfect blend of slow drawn Southern charm and sharp, authoritative confidence. Jed was unique among radio cowboys for his musical ability, frequently playing the guitar and singing traditional Western trail songs and folk ballads right on the air.
The series boasted an exceptional New York based supporting cast, featuring Humphrey Davis as Sheriff Jackson, Raymond Edward Johnson (the legendary host of Inner Sanctum Mystery) playing a slick, dangerous gambler named Masters, and recurring performances from esteemed radio actors Jim Boles, George Petrie, and Barton Yarborough.
Key Dates
Tennessee Jed made its initial late afternoon premiere on May 14, 1945, airing as a transcribed serial on the Mutual Broadcasting System until August of that year.
The program found its permanent, long-term home on the ABC Radio Network starting September 3, 1945, where it transitioned into a live broadcast.
The series ran continuously through the postwar Western boom, airing its final daily broadcast on November 7, 1947.
Geared perfectly toward the afterschool youth market, episodes were produced in a rapid-fire 15minute daily format that kept kids rushing home from school to catch the latest cliffhanger.
Other Information
A hallmark of the show was its unforgettable and loud audio signature. Every single episode kicked off with a dramatic shout from the announcer: "There he goes, Tennessee! Get him!" This was instantly followed by the deafening crack of Jed's rifle, a ricochet sound effect, and the triumphant confirmation: "Got him! Deeeeeeeeeaaaaaaad center!"
The production was primarily sponsored by the Ward Baking Company to promote Tiptop Bread, leading to the famous schoolyard phrase among its young listeners, "You better butter my bread!" In regions where Tiptop wasn't distributed, Safeway stepped in as the primary sponsor. The show's immense popularity even led to a massive $45,000 joint promotional contest in 1946 alongside ABC's other afternoon titans (Sky King, Jack Armstrong, and Terry and the Pirates), drawing nearly 300,000 entries from children competing for bicycles and radios.
Today, Tennessee Jed occupies a fascinating place in pop culture history. Beyond being a highly sought-after rarity for OTR collectors with only about 25 episodes surviving today, the show's name and its iconic bread commercial taglines famously served as the direct inspiration for the beloved 1972 Grateful Dead song of the same name.
This collection comes preloaded on a USB stick, allowing you to easily transfer all episodes to the device of your choice. Enjoy seamless playback a perfect blend of vintage charm and modern convenience.
Suggested Retail Price: $12.49
Mice Price: $9.69
Length: 12.5
Width: 17
Weight: 0.0500 pounds
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