Song: “Turn Your Radio On”

Composer: Albert E. Brumley

Artists: Various

Albums: Various

When I was five or four years old I spotted this VHS tape Turn Your Radio On at my grandparents’ house. This was back in 1994 or 1995 when VHS tapes were modern technology. I had no idea about what this song truly meant, but I enjoyed the catchy tune. I remembered it then and I still enjoy the song but now I know the meaning.

As usual I am including a small collection of performances of this song.

“Listen to the master’s radio..”

The Statler Brothers provide an up-tempo version that’s rather overly produced.

 

Roy Acuff & His Smoky Mountain Boys provide a dynamite performance that’s powerful despite the static.

“Listen To The Glad Hosannas Roll.”

The Hee Haw Gospel Quartet provides a similar version.

 

Randy Travis has a contemplative version of this song that’s easy listening, but still powerful.

“Some Eternal Morning We Shall Meet Them On That Hallelujah Shore.”

The version from the Gaithers is good, but not my favorite. Too slow.  JD Sumner does well here.

Ray Stevens provides a version that echoes the 1970s sound.

Andy Griffith without Barney Fife’s help delivers a performance here.

“All you gotta do is listen for the call.”

Merle Haggard & The Strangers featuring The Carter Family deliver another old timey version that’s still timely.

J.D. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet deliver the “Good Vibrations” here with bass.

“Turn Your Lights Down Low.”

Bluestone Junction from Australia deliver an impressive acoustic performance.

RC Horton provides an instrumental that makes me feel like I’m in an old camp meeting a long time ago.

This collection isn’t complete without Grandpa Jones.

Jerry Lee Lewis gives us some of the good stuff here.

Bill Clifton’s take from 1975.

Cledus T. Judd & Lee Brice do this short version.

The final version is from the composer’s son.