you don't plead the first. it's the fifth.

We do seem to be off the mark on these looks backwards---just enough to make this a pretty humorous thread. No wonder historians never get it right. Oral history is only one guy's opinion and we see stuff the way we think we saw it but... But the memories get fuzzy like a blown awry sky-written message

Pete wasn't allowed to sing at the hearings. He wanted to but didn't get but a few notes out. Then he told them that they had no legal right to ask him these questions. Saying that diverged away from strictly adhering to the rules about taking the 5th ammendment. The HUAC guys just wanted to discredit those being questioned by just ASKING the questions and letting the turds hall where they may. Then "guilt by inuendo" took over and folks' lives were ruined. The media went along too---until Ed Murrow had the guts (spelled BALLS) to take on McCarthy.

Now, that's how I remember it. Could be wrong. But I don't think so. (When your memory goes, forget it !!!) Pete always has been a huge hero and mentor for me.

The Weavers huge hit was On Top Of Old Smoky. It stayed on the charts at numero uno longer than any other song in history. That's a record not likely to be broken 'cause now the music industry won't let songs stay up there very long. One song is pulled so another can squeeze all the dollars it can from the buying public. The record company went nuts 'cause on the other side of that Weavers hit single 78 rpm record was Tzena Tzena which was almost as big a hit as Smoky. Now they couldn't issue it separately and maximize the bottom line.

Again, I just call 'em like I sees 'em. ----------- I might could be be wrong. One side of the 78 could've been Goodnight Irene?! Or was it So Long It's Been Good To Know Ya? Or maybe Philladelphia Lawyer?---No, that particular song by Woody G. was a hit for Wilma Lee and Stony Cooper. The Weavers were best in concert---- without Gordon Jenkins and his orchestra. And I'm happy to be able to say that I managed to see every incarnation of that special quartet. First with Pete, then Eric Darling and then with Mudcatter (sometimes) Frank Hamilton, abd finally, with Bernie Krause.

Look at the thread here that was named something like "What Was Lee Hays Really Like?" There'll be all kinds of insights there for you good folks.

Art Thieme