≡ Menu

Two Chairs No Waiting 38: James Best Interview

Host: Allan Newsome
Special Guest: James Best
Running time: 0:13:26

Two Chairs No Waiting

Two Chairs No Waiting

James Best is best remembered by most as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane from “The Dukes of Hazzard” but fans of “The Andy Griffith Show” will remember him as guitar player Jim Lindsey.  Mr. Best is a very kind person and someone that fans fall in love with even more following a personal meeting.

This interview was recorded on June 26, 1998.

Q. Who was playing the guitar for Jim Lindsey, was it really James Best?
A. James did NOT play his own songs. James can’t play a guitar. James has stated at reunion events that he thought Herb Ellis was the one doing the actual playing of the guitar in those episodes but James wasn’t certain.

Earle Hagen was the music director for The Andy Griffith Show and he himself told TAGSRWC’s own Paul Mulik that the person playing was Barney Kessel so that’s good enough for me. Earle ought to know.

Tell your friends about the Two Chairs No Waiting podcast and don’t forget to leave your comments or ask a question or two on the iMayberry.com/podcasts website or by using the contact information given in the podcast.

Related Links:

Two Chairs No Waiting is brought to you by WeaversDepartmentStore.com.

Visit the Two Chairs No Waiting store and share your love for the show.
Two Chairs No Waiting Shop

{ 14 comments… add one }
  • Tim Bradshaw January 24, 2013, 7:02 pm

    Good Ole James Best…have not met him yet but I do have an autographed photo from him that I bought from his website. I have always enjoyed his performances in things like Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock, and many westerns and the like. Very good all around actor and who can forget him on TAGS. One of a kind, one of the Best !

    On to #39

  • Sam Reaves March 7, 2016, 7:08 pm

    Does anyone know the brand(s) of guitars James Best “played”? The name is blacked out on
    “The Guitar Player” episode.

    Sam

  • Bluzmon April 1, 2016, 9:57 am

    In the episode where Jim comes back to Mayberry and is broke when he’s over at Andy’s house it looks like he’s playing a Fender Jazzmaster. It’s also the episode where Bobby Fleet rehires him and give him a raise. Whoever was playing the guitar was one great guitar player

  • ajay October 18, 2016, 4:57 pm

    Great entertainment, unlike the crapola on TV these days. Not scared to let the children watch for fear of sex talk and actions that we are bombarded with today.

  • Eric January 22, 2017, 4:29 am

    Could Clara really play the organ? I play and it doesnt appear she really knows how.

  • Floyd January 23, 2017, 8:51 pm

    Thanks a good question. I’m not sure if I can find out the answer for you but I’ll see what I can do! Thanks for being part of the show!

  • Fred September 13, 2017, 7:36 pm

    I believe the late actress Susan Oliver was featured in the “Prisoner of Love” episode of the Andy Griffith Show. I celebrated my 66th birthday today, and I have been watching the Andy Griffith Show, since it first appeared in 1960, when I was just 9 years old. I must say that both wholesome Andy Taylor and Barney Fife were and are two icons of television, but notwithstanding their high morals on the Andy Griffith Show, I believe Sheriff Taylor and Deputy Fice (misspelled intentionally) could not escape the sultry beauty of Susan Oliver,; she truly , as I recall Andy saying of her, “No one could mistake you for a boy.” Thank Andy, Don, Ron(ny), Francis, Anita, Betty Lynn, Howard McNear, Jim and George for more than 60 years of just pure fun. P.S. I will never forget when Andy’s cousin Gloria, escaped to Mayberry after a broken engagement, and she, Andy, Helen and Goober were at a diner in Mt. Pilot. There, after Andy recommended the “special” for dinner, Gloria asked, “What’s the special?” Goober responded, “$1.75”
    This show, which has been and will remain an institution of Americana was more than priceless. Furthermore, thanks to Aaron Rubin and Sheldon Leonard, along with the excellent writers. May Almighty God Bless Them All.

  • Tammy Lee September 13, 2017, 11:02 pm

    I have seen him in So Many Old Blk & white films, Westerns, Andy Griffith, Dukes Hazzard. I had a great RESPECT for this Actor. I grew up in the Environment WESTRRN, COWBOY, COUNTRY, NO TV’S.. I’m seeing for the first time these old movies, not so far off from real thing. I grew up. Something Special abt his acting when younger. Horses, Black Smith, stage Coaches, cattle drives, hold-up, bronc busting….WE LIVED THAT LIFE! Sonora, CA AS: Toulenme Pony Express Riders. GREAT PRIDE WHEN WE RODE. A TIME FORGOTTEN. WELL MISS YOU
    I cried at hearing his passing. I bring him up inconversation. I Love ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW & James reminded me of my Daddy playing his GIBSON. I WILL ALWAYS REM HIM.

  • Jay September 14, 2017, 9:58 pm

    As crazy as the world is now you hate to turn the TV on sometime. Its always good when the old westerns or Andy Griffith come on, you know the Grand Kids can watch it without cursing or talk of sex every two minutes. There will never again be a time going forward as good as the past we know it to be. I really miss those good times also.

  • Michelle April 5, 2018, 4:16 pm

    James Best couldn’t play the guitar? That’s hilarious! He was a very talented musician. YouTube James Best, Andy Griffith, 1960, Episode 3 and then say he can’t play!

  • Floyd April 9, 2018, 8:23 pm

    Michelle, he couldn’t play the guitar. He owned a guitar but he couldn’t play. He appeared at many Mayberry events where he talked about just that. I’m pretty sure he talks about it in one of the interviews I have with him here on Two Chairs. http://imayberry.com/podcasts/tag/james-best/

  • Tom November 13, 2018, 5:11 pm

    I’m not 100% positive but I believe the make/brand is Harmony.

  • Bob Snapp July 6, 2019, 10:49 am

    Why did they cover the label on the headstock of jim lindsey’s guitar?

  • Bill July 1, 2022, 6:21 pm

    Did anyone ever watch the Danny Thomas meets Andy Griffith episode, it was part of the Danny Thomas show

Leave a Reply