by Justin Lloyd
As far as Ernest’s appearance … Glen Phillips, “Ernest snared by Channel 4,” The Daily Oklahoman (April 28, 1985).
Said Jim … Deborah Garrett, “Hey Vern! I’m a movie star,” The Tennessean (Dec. 5, 1988).
He said that the plain khaki … Lew Powell, “Hey Vern … “ The Charlotte Observer (Feb. 8, 1986).
Product merchandising began … William Greer, “Jim Varney: The importance of being Ernest,” Advantage Magazine (July 1988).
Braum’s Dairy … Linda Franklin, “Varney was the talk of the town,” The Journal Record (Feb. 14, 2000).
Jim often stayed … “Ol’ Ern Really Loves His Ice Cream,” The Galveston Daily News (March 9, 1983).
Perhaps no appearance … The News and Observer (Nov. 24, 1985).
Chapter Thirteen: Gloom Beams, Heartbreak and a Little Luck
The movie was titled … Rick Bailey, “Jim Varney Breaking Into Movies,” Lexington Herald-Leader (Aug. 2, 1985).
It was filmed … Don Edwards, “Hey, Vern, It’s a Silver-Screen Debut for Actor Jim Varney,” Lexington Herald-Leader (Dec. 11, 1985).
The entire production … Rick Bailey, “Jim Varney Breaking Into Movies,” Lexington Herald-Leader (Aug. 2, 1985).
One of the interviews … Arch Campbell, WRC-TV News (Washington, D.C.) (1984).
This time he was in Houston … “Willie Nelson’s New Years Eve Party,” HBO Special, Dec 31, 1984).
He co-hosted … Jon Anderson, “HBO spending $1 million for live country special,” Chicago Tribune (Dec. 31, 1984).
Jim was scheduled for … “TV Talk,” The Tennessean (March 7, 1985).
Jim spent the spring of 1985 … Mark Dawidziak, “Heyyy, Vern Crazy Character Brings Fame to Actor,” Akron Beacon Journal (May 19, 1985).
The busy commercial shooting … Don Edwards, “Being Ernest Has Been Important to Varney’s Career,” Lexington Herald-Leader (Feb. 12, 1985).
“Otto” was released … “The Importance of Being Ernest,” Los Angeles Times (June 2, 1987).
Cherry planned … Rick Bailey, “Jim Varney Breaking Into Movies,” Lexington Herald-Leader (Aug. 2, 1985).
Even Lexington-Herald Leader writer … Don Edwards, “Varney’s Movie Lands With a Thud,” Lexington Herald-Leader (Aug. 3, 1985).
He said at the time … Rick Bailey, “Jim Varney Breaking Into Movies,” Lexington Herald-Leader (Aug. 2, 1985).
Looking back at the failure … Kathy Kalafut, “Hey, Vern, I’m A Star,” Entertainment Weekly (April 13, 1990).
The Indianapolis area had become … Roy Lightner’s speech at Jim Varney’s memorial service, witnessed by the author (Feb. 16, 2000).
“I was at the Indianapolis 500 …” Rita Kempley, “Big Cheese of the Mouse Factory,” Washington Post (Jan. 8, 1989).
By June 1985 … Don Edwards, “Lexington Native Making It Big ‘Know Whut I Mean?’ ” Lexington Herald Leader (June 14, 1985).
Jim explained … Adam Bernstein, “Comic Jim Varney Dies at Age 50,” Washington Post (Feb. 11, 2000).
In the fall of 1985 … Tina Bodine Fain, “Varney To Head Benefit Style Show,” Lexington Herald-Leader (Oct. 18, 1985).
He and Jake would debate … Author interview with Jake McIntyre.
He talked to Sandy … Author interview with Sandra Varney Spoonamore.
After signing with Coca-Cola … Keith Herndon, “Plain-folks character helping Coke hawk Mello Yello and Sprite on TV,” Atlanta Journal Constitution (Dec. 9, 1985).
The commercial opens with … Description of Ernest Sprite commercial from YouTube video at http://youtu.be/VM3QqTcM55k.
From the beginning … Cathy Darnell, “Ernest a Good Word for Beech Bend,” The Tennessean (Aug. 31, 1980).
The American Bed Co. … Bethany Kandel, “Varney’s ‘Ernest’ Pops Up In Big Apple,” Associated Press (Jan. 11, 1986).
CNN filmed Jim … CNN Headline News (1986).
Of all the interviews … Bobbi Woloch, “Lexington native Jim Varney making his mark Earnestly,’ ” Kentucky Kernel (May 1, 1986).
Another person quoted … Author interview with Lianne Mize Russell.
Through the years … Author interview with Jake McIntyre.
In April of 1986, just months after … “Charlie Daniels ‘tunes up’ with the Symphony,” Associated Press (April 5, 1986).
Larry Speakes … “An Economic Expert? Not Hardly,” Associated Press (April 22, 1986).
Chapter Fourteen: Ernest in the Movies
Nashville residents were soon … Greg Bailey, “Disney scouting possible sites for Varney Film,” Nashville Banner (July 9, 1986).
That fall, the “Camp” movie crew … Randy Brison, “Ernest Movie Begun,” The Dickson Herald (Sept. 12, 1986).
There were around 26 … Michael Spies, “Know what he means?” Houston Chronicle (May 22, 1987).
Jim filmed his entire … Susan Spillman, “He knows the importance of being Ernest,” USA Today (May 28, 1987).
He had actually told the Atlanta … Lee Walburn, “Old Ernest P. is doing OK,” Atlanta Journal Constitution (Nov. 26, 1985).
In a 2005 interview … Ken Beck, “Know what I mean, Vern?” The Tennessean (Aug. 24, 2005).
He had studied at … Jerry Morse, “Lexington’s Own Jim Varney,” Views of Lexington (March 1995).
As Jim was preparing to take Ernest … Diane Bartley, “The importance of being Ernest,” The Tennessean (Sept. 24, 1986).
“Where else can you get paid …” Ronni Lundy, “Ernest Goes to Camp,” The Courier-Journal (Oct. 26, 1986).
In a Nashville Banner article … Pat Embry, “Ernest mugs on big screen,” The Nashville Banner (May 21, 1987).
Jim thought with the late-spring … Jamie Reno, “Varney gets a break during actor’s strike,” Winnipeg Free Press (Nov. 22, 1988).
On the film’s opening day … “If Vern Could See Me Now,” The Nashville Banner (May 23, 1987).
Realizing that critics … Aljean Harmetz, “Hollywood Hopes for Long, Hot Summer,” New York Times (June 21, 1987).
With an estimated budget of $3 million … Internet Movie Database, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092974/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus.
Cherry took the poor reviews … Lisa Belkin, “Ernie: A Commercial Success Story,” New York Times (June, 8, 1987).
In 2009, Steve Martin … “Steve Martin brings new ‘Panther’ to Berlin fest,” Associated Press (Feb. 13, 2009).
One critic took his bashing … Doug Brode, “‘Ernest’ Belongs in Trash Heap,” The Post Standard (May 22, 1987).
Funny enough, some radio ads … “Varney takes Ernest to camp,” Houston Chronicle (May 22, 1987).
While working on “Camp … Talk-show host Peter Anthony Holder interview with Jim Varney, on Holder’s Web site, http://peteranthonyholder.com/cjad28.htm (Accessed June 7, 2013).
During the musical’s successful run … Singer and entertainer Roger Miller’s official Web site, http://www.rogermiller.com/bio4.html (Accessed Feb. 1, 2010).
In a 1996 interview … Talk-show host Peter Anthony Holder interview with Jim Varney, on Holder’s Web site, http://peteranthonyholder.com/cjad28.htm (Accessed June 7, 2013).
In November 1999 … Beverly Keel, “The Importance of Being Ernest,” Nashville Scene (Nov. 11, 1999).
He joked … Tony Frazier, “Hey, Vern! Ernest Goes to Camp Today,” The Daily Oklahoman (May 22, 1987).
He often reminded reporters … Lawrence Toppman, “That face, that IQ, the DeLorean,” Knight-Ridder Newspapers (April 16, 1990).
Another actor Jim mentioned … Cynthia DeMarcus, “Hey Vern! Looka There!” Bluegrass Magazine (December 1988).
Around 1988, Jim and Betty Clark … Homer Brickey, “Hey Vern,” The Toledo Blade (March 12, 1989).
Walden rose to prominence … Maria Saporta, “Signs right for Capricorn Records,” Atlanta Journal Constitution (March 22, 1999).
Two years after … Phillip Ramati, “Stepson pushes for Frank Fenter’s inclusion in music hall,” The Georg
ia Telegraph’s Web site, http://www.macon.com/local/story/952458.html (Accessed Dec, 14, 2009).
Along with the help … “Jerry Wexler, Visionary Music Producer, Passes Away at 91,” Marketwired, http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/jerry-wexler-visionary-music-producer-passes-away-at-91-890217.htm (Accessed Aug. 15, 2008).
But in 1979 … Maria Saporta, “Signs right for Capricorn Records,” Atlanta Journal Constitution (March 22, 1999).
Throughout that time … Phil Walden’s speech at Jim Varney’s memorial service, witnessed by the author (Feb. 16, 2000).
Martin Mull, an actor …Tom Popson, “Capricorn Records and Phil Walden back in the game,” Chicago Tribune (July 19, 1991).
But one of Jim’s first ventures … Author interview with Joe Liles.
Jake had originally written … Author interview with Jake McIntyre.
One rainy night I met a man … Lyric from “Born in a Boxcar,” written by Jake McIntyre (1973).
Shortly before Jim hired Walden … Pat Embry, “Ernest mugs on big screen,” Nashville Banner (May 21, 1987).
The song was eventually recorded … “Freedom” album Neil Young, liner notes (1989).
He was asked to play … Carlene Carter Fan Club Web site, http://forum.carlenecarterfanclub.com/music-12.html (Accessed Aug. 12, 2010).
Walden traveled to Los Angeles … Swampland.com, Russell Hall, “Capricorn Records,” http://swampland.com/articles/view/title:capricorn_records (Accessed Jan. 28, 2011).
Years later, drummer Todd Nance … James Calemine, “Down in the Groove With Widespread Panic’s Todd Nance” Swampland.com, http://www.swampland.com/articles/view/title:down_in_the_groove_with_widespread_panics_todd_nance (Accessed (Dec. 22, 2010).
Chapter Fifteen: Pluvio
Jim said you should always … Author interview with Jake McIntyre.
From Coke Sams was … to … have surprised him: Author interview with Coke Sams.
Jim occasionally told stories … Author interview with Jake McIntyre.
Chapter Sixteen: Hobo Stew
A letter Jim wrote … Jim Varney letter to his parents (Sept 19, 1984).
Jim welcomed the chance … “Florence Henderson’s Country Kitchen” television show (1987).
His sister Sandy remembers visiting … Author interview with Sandra Varney Spoonamore.
Jim’s father always said … Author interview with Jake McIntyre.
He laughed off … Dixie Reid, “The Importance of Being Ernest P. – Movies, Records, Television – If Vern Could See Him Now,” Sacramento Bee (May 2, 1987).
Chapter Seventeen: Handgun Wedding
Jane Hale … Brad Schmidt, “Hey, Vern! You drive a milk truck or what?” The Tennessean (Feb. 17, 2000).
Janie was a travel agent … Homer Brickey, “Hey Vern,” The Toledo Blade (March 12, 1989).
She actually had no idea … Brad Schmidt, “Hey, Vern! You drive a milk truck or what?” The Tennessean (Feb. 17, 2000).
Chapter Eighteen: Saving Christmas
Carden & Cherry had declined … Patricia Duarte, “Ernest May Be a Redneck, But He’s a Hot Property, Too,” The Miami Herald (July 21, 1985).
The Ernest TV series … “Hey Vern, It’s Ernest” TV Series (1988).
The network originally wanted … Karleena Tuggle; Diane Biebo; Dana Mangiacapre; Julieann Ulin, “Kidsday ‘Talking With’ Jim Varney,” Newsday (Nov. 16, 1988).
From Gailard Sartain, no … to “… what I mean?”: “Hey Vern, It’s Ernest” TV Series (1988).
Spin Magazine was one … Bart Bull, “Ernest P. Worrell Talks to Vern and Us,” Spin (February 1989).
As CBS children’s programming … Ed Bark, “‘Ernest! Gives New Meaning to Weird,” The Dallas Morning News (Sept. 24, 1988).
Jim thought too many cartoons … Lou Cedrone, “Actor Varney Comfortable As Ernest,” Baltimore Evening Sun (April 10, 1990).
Although it was a busy time … Kathy Hogan Trocheck, “Jim Varney Working Ernest-ly,” Atlanta Journal Constitution (Sept. 30, 1988).
That same year … Bart Mills, “Actor won’t minimize the importance of being Ernest,” Daily Breeze (Torrance, Calif.) (May 22, 1987).
The budget was double … Internet Movie Database, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095107/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus.
The reindeer used in the movie … Anne Paine, “Reindeer will be … .reindeer,” The Tennessean (June 9, 1988).
Sounding like an angry Santa Claus … Michael McCall, “Hey, Vern-director-writer is the man who makes Ernest,” The Nashville Banner (Jan. 30, 1989).
But filming the movie … Joan E. Vadeboncoeur, “Ernest emerged from weeds,” Syracuse Herald Journal (Nov. 20, 1988).
As shooting was wrapping up … Ed Bark, “Cleaning Up ‘Reunion’ Won’t Be Easy,” The Dallas Morning News (Aug. 2, 1988).
During the week of the movie’s … Christopher Hicks, “Tapping Stooge Tradition, ‘Ernest’ Goes to Hollywood,” The Deseret News (Nov. 11, 1988).
Cherry said later … “E! True Hollywood Story Ernest Goes to Hollywood: Jim Varney” television show (2000).
The box-office total … Internet Movie Database, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095107/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus.
In addition to the new children’s TV show … Greg Baily, “Jim Varney’s now winning in ‘Ernest,’ ” The Nashville Banner (Nov. 4, 1988).
Despite a letter-writing … Stephanie DuBois, “Jim Varney moves beyond commercials,” Austin American-Statesman (July 7, 1989).
Cherry thought the show … Kathy Kalafut, “Hey, Vern, I’m A Star,” Entertainment Weekly (April 13, 1990).
Chapter Nineteen: The Line Blurs Between Jim and Ernest
He once recalled his reply … Chuck Davis, “The Importance of Being Ernest,” The Daily Oklahoman (Nov. 11, 1988).
Jim said that he made a point …”Varney Scared Stupid Of Being Typecast,” Daily News of Los Angeles (Oct. 10, 1991).
At the 1986 Music City News Country Awards …”20th Annual Music City News Country Awards” television special (June 9, 1986).
He wore the same formalwear … CBS’ “Happy New Year, America” television special (Dec. 31, 1988).
In 1989, Jim participated … HBO’s “Comic Relief III” television special (March 18,1989).
In September 1988 … Kathy Hogan Trocheck, “Jim Varney Working Ernest-ly,” Atlanta Constitutional Journal (Sept. 30, 1988).
Film critic Richard Roeper … Richard Roeper, “ ‘Fast Food’ goes nowhere – slowly,” Chicago Sun-Times (June 7, 1989).
He was negotiating a new contract … Ed Gregory, “Ernest’s TV ads may end,” The Tennessean (Aug. 24, 1988).
By mid-1989, Jim eventually received … “Hey, Vern, Ernest is Coming Back to Series,” Chronicle-Telegram (July 6, 1989).
One idea under serious … Richard Schweid, “Jim Varney minus Ernest,” The Tennessean (April 26, 1989).
The basic plot … Buzz McClain, “Hey, Vern! Jim Varney’s for real. KnowhutImean?” Annapolis Capital (April 20, 1990).
At some point … “Ernest goes to jail in Nashville,” The Tennessean (July 25, 1989).
One Tennessee Baptist church … Wayne Lee, “Hey Ern: Yer Really Making a Spectacle of Yerself,” The Seattle Times (Oct. 28, 1985).
In August 1989 … Hillary Saperstein, “Importance of Being Ernest Apparent to Varney at Fair,” The State Journal-Register (Aug. 11, 1989).
Jim was familiar with the role … Bob Carlton, “The Importance of Being Ernest,” St Louis Post-Dispatch (April 27, 1990).
Jack Turner … Jack Turner, Ph.D., “Jim Varney understood his role in the real world,” Delaware State News (March 6, 2000).
He said during the time … Bob Carlton, “The Importance of Being Ernest,” St Louis Post-Dispatch (April 27, 1990).
As Jim prepared for his dual-role … “Creator Varney Revels in Slapstick,” Rocky Mountain News (April 7, 1990).
From The dog became… to … the action sequences: Mal Vincent, “Hey Vern! I’m in Jail
!” The Virginian-Pilot (April 11, 1990), Author’s personal knowledge also contributed to information cited here.
As he is flying … “Ernest Goes to Jail,” Touchstone Pictures (1990).
Letterman writer Bill Scheft … Bill Scheft, “Take My Quarterback, Please,” Sports Illustrated (Jan. 26, 2009).
In addition, one little-known fact … Author interview with Joe Liles.
Comedian Jeff Altman … “Pink Lady and Jeff” DVD (2001).
Elrod always got … Author interview with Joe Liles.
In February 1990 … “Ernest’s new pitch: Hey Vern: How ‘Bout Them Atlanta Braves,” The Tennessean (Feb. 7, 1990).
An open house … Marcia Dick and Cheryl Charles, “Hey Vern, have you seen Ernest lately?” The Boston Globe (March 16, 1990).
Two years later … Gary Laden, “Varney Now Pitching Hunting Safety,” Atlanta Journal Constitution (July 12, 1992).
Undeterred, Carden & Cherry … Jennifer Mann Fuller, “Chiefs are going for comic relief in new round of television ads,” The Kansas City Star (Aug. 20, 1991).
In the early spring of 1990 … John F. Rhodes, “Ernest goes to the hospital,” The Dallas Morning News (March 28, 1990).
Chapter Twenty: “Hey Vern!”
In the “E! True Hollywood Story” … “E! True Hollywood Story Ernest Goes to Hollywood: Jim Varney” television show (2000).
Before deciding on the name … Cindy Pearlman, “Ernest’s not too scared to think of future,” Chicago Sun-Times (October 20, 1991); Dann Gire, “Movie Review: ‘Ernest Scared Stupid,’ ” Daily Herald (Chicago, Illinois) (Oct. 11, 1991).
With “Scared Stiff” … Dann Gire, “Movie Review ‘Ernest Scared Stupid,’ ” Daily Herald (Chicago, Illinois) (Oct. 11, 1991).
Jim joked … Cindy Pearlman, “Ernest’s not too scared to think of future,” Chicago Sun-Times (Oct. 20, 1991).
Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert … “Siskel & Ebert” television show (1991).
When Jim was doing interviews … “Ernest No Blarney for Actor Jim Varney,” Daily Herald (Oct. 18, 1991).
He told one reporter … “The Mouth That Roared,” Daily Breeze (Torrance, Calif.) (October 16, 1991).
“I’m finally breaking out …” “Ernest No Blarney for Actor Jim Varney,” Daily Herald (Oct. 18, 1991).