[Dixielandjazz] Oppie Cates

[G. William Oakley]

Hi Don:
Google reveals the following about Mr. Cates and the Andy Griffith Show.

"Opie Taylor was most likely named for Opie Cates, a prominent bandleader of
the '40s or '50s whom Andy Griffith and Sheldon Leonard both admired."

Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Oppie Cates


> On the old Judy Canova radio show, there was a featured player who was
also
> a comic character on the show. Each week Oppie Cates would be featured on
> intermission break on a fine jazz clarinet  solo.
> I used to wait for this show because he would play some very fine things
> worth listening to beyond what what truly a funny show.
> I never did know much about his back ground, or what happened to him after
> the show went off air. Anybody out there who can fill in the gaps about
this
> fine player?
>
>