Music: “The Ballad of Jimmy Bryan” by Harry Weger

Harry Weger’s “Ballad of Jimmy Bryan” was the first of the other driver songs that you have listed. It was also something of a minor regional hit and got a ton of airplay at the time being played on both country and pop stations. It actually charted in the Top Ten in places like Indiana and (I’ve heard) Arizona. The same can’t be said of the other driver songs. Most of them were curiosities at best being sold only by those who either sang or produced them. And while the Weger song sounds rather dated today it should be noted that this type of ballad was quite popular at the time having been used quite successfully by singers like Marty Robbins and Johnny Horton. BTW, I understand that Marty Robbins and Jimmy Bryan were acquainted with each other to some degree. Both were originally from the Phoenix area and Robbins was known to hang out with the midget racing crowd that included Bryan while he was starting his singing career just after WWII. This early exposure to racing was what fostered his later interest in stock car racing that saw him actually race in NASCAR.

Also, the best part of entire “Ballad of Jimmy Bryan” just might be at the beginning. For those who haven’t noticed the race car sound in the intro is that of an Offenhauser running at what sounds like a warmup speed. An Offy at full song was actually louder than today’s IRL engines but without the ear splitting scream and high frequency. It was almost a bass roar that was actually pleasing to listen to. There are those who still insist that part of the attraction of racing in the 50s and 60s was just listening to the sound of Offenhauser engines whether they were in midgets, sprints, or Indianapolis cars.

This is a note just to let you all know that my father, HARRY WEGER, passed away yesterday, April 23, 2007 at the age of 80. He was a Country Music performer traveling in many, many states performing with his band “THE HOOSIERLAND HOEDOWN.” He was a disc jockey for many years on all the local radio stations and He and my mother DOCIE, who is still with us, operated a record shop for almost 2 decades. In the early 1960’s he was awarded “MR. DEE-JAY U.S.A” by WSM Radio, which is the home of the GRAND OLE OPRY. In the 1950’s he worked as a pit guard at the Indianapolis 500, where he made many friends. Sam Hanks, J.C. Agajanian,A.J. Foyt, Eddie Sachs… and of course… Jimmy Bryan. After Jimmy was killed at Langhorn… it prompted my father to immortalize his friend in song… and he did. Still today… more than 40 years later… we still hear it played at race time…

“Where Ever Racing People Meet and Racing Engines Roar,the Name of Jimmy Bryan Will Live Forever More. And Every Time the Green Flag Waves to Send Them on Their Way… Beyond the Engines Thunder… the Echo Seems to Say… Jimmy Bryan… Big Man… Jimmy Bryan… ( and Harry Weger)

His services will be held at Fitzpatrick Funeral Home, 220 North 3rd. Street, West Terre Haute, Indiana (812) 533-3324 - Visitation April 26th. 3-8 P.M and Friday April 27th. 8 am until services at 1:00 pm.
David Weger
721 Maple Avenue
Terre Haute, Indiana 47804
(812) 243-5901

I’ve replied to David via e-mail to express my condolences and also my appreciation for his father’s work. For those that would like to know more about Harry Weger, there is a nice obituary on TribStar.com:

Harry Weger Obituary

and an update here:

Update

Harry Weger was a friend of mine for more than 45 years. I met Harry when I was a DJ at WBOW in Terre Haute around 1960. I was one of his biggest fans and I loved his music, humor, kindness, generosity, and nobility.

I have many fond memories of traveling with Harry to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Nashville, TN., Beanblossom, IN., and various locations, where Harry and Docie performed.

I spent several evenings at Harry’s house listening to him play the guitar and sing. Harry was very talented in many ways. It seemed like Harry could just about anything and do it well.

I recently returned to Terre Haute and met with Docie, David, and Vicki (and her husband Ted)and had a great afternoon of visiting with one of the greatest families I have ever known.

Harry, I am going to miss you. But, I will always cherish the memories of you, my friend.

Calvin “Butch” Barker
8121 Wysong Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46219

I heard this song performed live, probably by the author, at the Hut Hundred in 1960, I think. Believe it or not, that was the only time I’ve heard it since until finding it here through the TrackForum site. Now I want to find a song I remember about Jim Hurtubise.

I’m so glad I found this! I have a copy of this record somewhere (but no record player to play it on) and used to be able to sing every word of it! I just got back from the 500 museum this week and took photos of Jimmy’s cars and kept humming this darn song the whole time….driving my husband nuts. I plan to put my photos in one of my blogs and would like to link to this site so people can hear the song. I grew up in Indy and the 500 is “in my blood” like all Indy residents. So glad you have this!

Thank you for answering all my questions about The Ballad! And letting me hear it for the first time in about 45 years. I started paying attention to The Race in 1961. Or was it 1962? WIBC (home station of Sid Collins) played it during the month of May in ‘64 and ‘65 (or maybe ‘63 and ‘64). And I started investigating the history of the race and the track! Today is the first time ever I’ve found anyone who even remembers that there was such a song, and the last place I asked was at the 500 Museum.

To John Potts :

You did hear my father sing this at the Hut Hundred…but it would have been after 1962..(when the song was written)..as a side note..my father loved racing as well as music..and had a few notes jotted down for a song about Hurtubise..but never finished it..!

To Mary:

I know my father would have been so glad for you to appreciate his work..! The tune of “Jimmy Bryan” is captivating…and I find myself too..humming..or singing the words from time to time.!

To Pogo:

Thank you for your comments regarding my father’s song of “The Ballad of Jimmy Bryan” Here’s a tidbit of information…..The 500 Museum..DID have copies of this for sale…..in 1963.! I’ll bet there’s no one still there who remembers THAT..! - funny how time flys..46 years..! (I was 8 years old..!)
I have the original master of this song and we are thinking of re-releasing it on CD…we have to do some marketing tests and see if there is enough interest to justify the cost…

THANKS TO ALL - !