This was recorded at 9am in my living room in East Nashville. I remember Peter having no notes with him. He somehow remembered all of the details to the story (and there were a lot of details). Peter was like that. I could ask him who Tom T. Hall was talking bout in a line of one of his lesser known songs and Peter usually had the answer. He was a rare bird and a lot of folks are missing him.
Unfortunately I’ve never heard of Peter, but as I’ve stated before in comments on your videos, the preservation of these stories is very important work. I can tell this one meant something to him as it should anyone that is a fan and or history buff of country music. I’ve heard this story several times in documentary style videos, but never really by anyone who seemed to take it personal until today. This is a sad loss and I’m sorry for you and the people who knew Mr. Cooper.
A good writer doesn't need notes. The stories are already in their head. Maybe it's better to say the stories live in their heart, in the case of Peter Cooper it seems.
I laughed my ass off on a Hee Haw sketch, where Stringbean sang Make the world go away and everybody around him disappeared. God Bless you Stringbean, your not forgotten.
I lived in Nashville at the time and I met Stringbean and other performers. I remember how sad I was when he and his wife were murdered. It was a horrible time in Nashville.
My Uncle was Stringbean and Grandpa Jones's accountant/tax attorney for many years. They went on many hunting, fishing, and golfing trips. He always said Stringbean was the nicest guy in the business. RIP
I remember this as a young boy here in Nashville. The sadness is incalculable. I can see the headlines in the evening paper The Nashville Banner to this day. RIP ❤
I remember the tragic murders of Stringbean and Estelle very well. I never missed Hee Haw and String was always one of my favorites. I was truly heartbroken when it happened. I’ve read a lot about the murders and watched several videos and television shows on the topic. This was all so senseless. I wasn’t surprised to learn that String and Grandpa Jones were best friends. They were both salt of the earth types who exuded so much warmth. Grandpa did a brief eulogy for String on Hee Haw shortly after the murders. You talk about something that will break your heart. It used to be on RU-vid, but I can’t find it. My memory may be betraying me, but I think I remember Grandpa’s final words in the eulogy being, “He was my friend.” That brought on the waterworks.
Just to add one side note to this awful story. It was learned many years later that while doing some work on the chimney inside Stringbeen’s cabin behind some dusty old bricks was found a large stash of thousands of dollars that had been hidden there by String and was most likely there on the night the Jones boys did their awful deed. Had they found it things may have ended differently.
I remember the tragic deaths of Stringbean and Estelle Akeman well. It was jarring at the age of 10. And I loved Peter’s statement about objectivity being dispassionate. What a great storyteller, writer, and musician he was. RIP.
This is awesome video! My father was one of the original deputies of Faron Young and I grew up watching Hee Haw. My dad also played the Grand ol Opry with Stu Phillips
Thank you so much for all these interviews, I remember when this happened I was a senior in high school , I wished they would have gotten the death penalty.
I heard that the people who later bought the house started to notice bits of various denominations of bills falling from the fireplace and when they checked there was close to 20,000$ which had been chewed to bits from mice. Sad waste of two sweet people's life's . Stringbean did what lots of people that lived through the great depression that didn't trust banks...hid it away.
What a shock it was. I lived in Nashville at the time. Hard to believe back then. I had forgotten how it was known he “flashed” cash and carried it around.
I really loved this podcast - I have heard this story and your development of all the people involved created do much more depth. You were respectful and honored the deaths of two great people; while encouraging the listener to contemplate the idea that nothing is ever cut and dry...
I was 6 years old when String and his wife were murdered. He, Grandpa Jones and Speck Rhodes were my 3 favorite performers. I remember my father telling me that we wouldn't be seeing him on Hee Haw or hearing him on the Opry anymore. He told me that Grandpa Jones had found him, it just seemed that I knew them. One of my first lessons in the cruelty of this world.
This show hits close to home. Peter was a friend; Don Light used to manage me; and my criminal law instructor in law school, then judge Tom Shriver, was the Davidson County DA who prosecuted the Browns. Incidentally the Browns were initially sentenced to death prior to their sentences being commuted to life after the US Supreme Court struck down capital punishment for a time in the 70s. Great show. So damned sad all the way around.
I first saw Stringbean on Hee Haw when I was 8 or 9. In fact, that show is why I started playing guitar. I vividly recall (and have since gone back and watched again) seeing Roy Clark and Gatemouth Brown jamming. I had never seen someone have so much fun and said "that's for me!". Thanks for these stories Otis. Keep em coming. (edited for speling)
I remember when Stringbean and his wife were murdered. It broke my heart! I didn't know the killers were caught! I hope they both got life or the death sentence! I loved Stringbean, especially, when he would flip his hat when he finished a song!
As a kid, String Bean’s humor, & banjo, glued me to the black & white tv, during my dad’s weekly viewing of The Opry. When riding in the back of Dad’s truck, heading a few miles through virgin timber to the Mississippi River to fish, all us kids sang all the country songs.
I guess every kid from that era had to watch all those half hour country shows, including myself , tho at the time I wasn't too keen on it but I wouldn't take for those days now, tho my dad didn't make me watch them I'm glad I did
Joe Taylor probably managed most old school country artists at one time. He told me that most of the Hee Haw cast signed with him at some point. Joe had wonderful stories about everyone. The String Bean story was about the annual Cadillac purchase. Joe said each year, when it was time to replace the Caddy, that artists would lobby regarding who would get Bean's year old car.
I know I'm late , but I am very glad to have found a much better told version of this awful double murder. It always made me sad. Generally speaking, I haven't been all that lucky when it comes to finding much mention of this murder. Breaks your heart.
Thank you so very much for airing this as I thoroughly appreciated every bit. I remember when City Confidential featured this . Even though they don't show that particular episode anymore the incident made such an impact on me since then I don't think I ever got over it. I'm 63 and was brought up with the country entertainment at that time. It was disturbing yet refreshing to hear about the ' Stringbeans' again.
Thanks for this! Peter Cooper was a treasure. His book is sort of like sitting across the table listening to Peter tell all these stories about the music we love, entertaining and educational with wit and humor and compassion.
What a sad story. I vaguely remember this but memories get hazy in my old age. I certainly don't have a memory like Peter has. Thanks for sharing this.
When discussing crime and redemption it is complex. Those men extended no mercy, and got very little in exchange for the lives they took . But we can never really know the heart of another, did they come to regret and repent their actions? That will be between they and their creator. But for you to perform for prisoners is a tremendous mercy and gift. As a performer it is not your job to judge the people you sing for regarding their righteousness to hear you sing, it is to share your gift. Who is to say that the ticket buyers of your concerts are all good, they might be evil just never caught. Never question whether it is correct to extend a kindness. Without kindness we have no hope to rise above wickedness, which is present in each of us to some measure. It is up to us to beat it down and not let it rise to the level where we believe it is ok for us to intentionally hurt another. This was very well done, it seems to me that the news at the time suggested drugs, I am glad to know the whole story.
I took a songwriting class from Verlon Thompson, who along with a few others has a song about this episode in Stringbean’s life. Interesting song. Verlon is a GREAT entertainer and songwriting teacher.
I was just a little guy when this happened, but I watched Hee Haw at every possible opportunity. I remember being absolutely dumbfounded by the sheer senselessness and brutality of their murder. All these years later I am still struck with a sense of tragedy and loss.
Such a tragedy. You covered it with such heartfelt emotions, it almost makes me want to cry. How did the one murderer get paroled? Absolutely disgusting! Thank you for creating, uploading and sharing!
Thanks Otis for this video, even though I have heard most of this before, I was very intrigued by it. On a brighter note, my father, grandfather and I met and talked to String at Opryland a few years before he was murdered! It was a high light for us!
Same here. Almost like my dad took it personal. True country music fans felt such a bond with their favorites, like they were members of the family. Something I didn't understand until I got older. I think it's the intimate nature of the songs, you feel like you know the guy singing.
I loved String Bean! I heard that they hid money in the mantle of the fireplace but mice had eaten on it. RIP String Bean and Estelle! I can’t believe they let that killer out of jail.
Stringbean is one of my favorite musicians of the pantheon of country stars. Certainly one of my favorite personalities. I was about eight years old when this happened, and I remember my parents and neighbors talking about it. String was one of a kind. Good Lord, the claw hammer lick that he had on the banjo. It’s hard to find a drummer or percussionist with that kind of timing.
Man very heavy reminder of what happened on this tragic night. String and his wife didn't deserve this tragic fate as well as there killer didn't deserve to be paroled.
My god this is amazing, the amount of insight on the details, thank you guys for such a sweet but sad story. So glad to see recognition and history of this iconic entertainer and human being. I loved Stringbean growing up watching HeeHaw. He might be the inspiration and reason I still have a chance with the 5-string banjo after 50 years of guitar playing. Clawhammer style rules.
I really dig this channel! I never get tired of the stories. I've been fortunate to have friendships with a few musicians and there are so many interesting stories that need to be told. This is a tragic tale that I only knew vaguely before this. Very sad.
Strange that something popped up on Facebook about this today. It was a cover of the song about the murder but not sure who the musician is. First I had heard of this song or the story. Excellent story and interview. thank you.
I was a little kid living in SoCal when this happened and I vividly remember it. Every Saturday night Grandma and Grandpa would come over to our house(because they had no TV reception ) and we d all watch Hee Haw .
As a kid I was a huge fan of Stringbean. He was an excellent musician and he could make me laugh at the drop of a hat. I was horrified when I heard that he was murdered. I thought I knew a lot about Stringbean but I learned even more from this video.
You have such excellent narrators relating these stories on your cast. And that is the episode that changed Nashville. I remember it well. And many people, like me, were in such disbelief. The worst part is, the robberies and crimes of violence against members of the recording industry have gotten so much worse. There are several that come to mind. Tracy Lawrence is one. But there are many more of many lesser known artists and industry personnel. When you talked of your moral dilemma of prison shows..many people have had that question. The answer I always rely on was this one. Punishment is not for revenge of society on the criminal, as many Progressives argue. But in a just society, there must be Retribution. There is a difference. Peace.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The man who killed Grand Ole Opry star David "Stringbean" Akeman and his wife in 1973 has been granted parole and will be released from prison. John A. Brown, 63, appeared before five of the seven members of the Tennessee Board of Parole on Wednesday. Four of them voted to grant his request for parole, enough to secure his release. Artical from 2014
I Distinctly Remember When This Murder Happened...I Was A Kid Growing Up In Goodlettsville, TN ... And, ... They Mistakenly Came To Arrest My Dad For The Murders....It Was A Huge Deal In Goodlettsville At The Time.
Was fortunate enough to know Don Light mentioned in the story ..a great guy who was associated with and friends with many of the old timers..had so many stories
Hey Otis Have you thought about doing a compilation of these audio stories and publishing an audio book. I think this would be a great project, I like listening to this kind of stuff while out on tg9 he road. Just food for thought. Keep up the great stories and interviews. PS a stories on Speck Rhoads would be a great stories also , that is if you haven't done one yet
For anyone interested in digging deeper into how this case, investigation, trial, and appeals unfolded, the Nashville Bar Association did a two part (totalling 3 hours) case study seminar on it in 2018. Just search for "Stringbean Murders," and it is fascinating.
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Unfortunately many people that has been entertained in prison shows are completely innocent. I was extremely surprised to learn this through the years. In fact the West Memphis Three were the first I learned about. Those kids were prosecuted, one given the death penalty sentence, without one shred or evidence that they even knew each other. Thank God there was enough to make the state reconsider and they got released but only after being forced to tank an Alford plea. Thus the real killer got away Scott free with killing three little boys and destroying three more lives. My point is that it all depends on how one looks at things. There is good and bad in pretty much everything. Stay safe folks.
