Nice pair of banjos

"If brains was lard," Jed Clampett once uttered about slow-minded nephew Jethro, "that boy wouldn't have enough to grease a skillet."

To admit we miss the Beverly Hillbillies might suggest a serious character flaw.  So let's just say we miss Elly Mae, who had her own challenges but was blessed with some redeeming qualities.  Here's a memorable exchange from an episode of the hit TV series:

Granny: Elly May done popped the buttons off her shirt again.
Jed: Elly May carries herself proud with her shoulders throwed back.
Granny: It ain't her shoulders that have been poppin' these buttons.

The show's theme song was no slouch, either.

"The Ballad of Jed Clampett" spent 20 weeks on the Billboard country chart and was top possum on this date in 1963. Written and composed by Paul Henning, producers had the good sense to find the best pickers in the land to pull off the song.  That would be Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, who helped bring bluegrass music to mainstream America.  If we ever get around to playing a banjo you can bet this will be the first song we learn.

As Jeb used to say: Well doggies!