A Salute To Jim Nabors: The Man Behind Gomer Pyle Quiz

Answer: He thought the climate would help his asthma.

He attended The University of Alabama and after graduating moved to New York City where he worked as a typist for The United Nations. After that he moved to Chattanooga, TN where he got he first exposure to the TV industry working as a film cutter. Because he believed the climate would help his asthma he would eventually move to Los Angeles.

Answer: Andy Griffith

Griffith saw Jim Nabors at a Santa Monica club, was impressed with Jim's talent and invited him to be on "The Andy Griffith Show" for what was supposed to be a one-time appearance. The character proved to be so popular that Nabors was added as a regular cast member. He first appeared in season three on the episode "The Bank Job" which aired December 24, 1962.

Answer: The Horn

The club was located at 2627 Wilshire Blvd and seated only about 100 people. In addition to Nabors, Steve Martin appeared there and often you could find Andy Griffith, Don Knotts, Phyllis Diller and many other celebrities in the audience.

Answer: Baritone

His rich baritone voice was introduced on February 24, 1964 in the episode "The Song Festers" on "The Andy Griffith Show". He recorded 28 albums during his career with three being certified gold.

Answer: Five

The spinoff first aired in 1964 and ran until 1969 with 150 total episodes.
The initial season was filmed in black and white with seasons two - five giving way to the wonderful world of color.

Answer: Carol Burnett

Jim Nabors appeared on "The Carol Burnett Show" every year from 1968 until 1975. She also appeared several times as a guest on his variety show, "The Jim Nabors Hour".

Answer: Ronnie Schell

Ronnie Schell played Duke on "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." and went on to have a very successful TV career.

Answer: False

The rumor started as a joke when a group of individuals spread the news of the impending wedding between the two and were amused by the fact that if Rock Hudson married Gomer Pyle, Hudson would then be known as 'Rock Pyle'. Nabors and Hudson were acquaintances but there was no truth to the rumor.

Answer: Indianapolis 500 race

He sang that song along with the Perdue All-American Marching Band for 42 years at the race except for years where he had scheduling conflicts or bouts of illness. The tradition came about when Nabors was headlining a show in Las Vegas in 1972 and was invited to his first Indy 500 by casino owner Bill Harrah.

The Speedway's owner, Tony Hulman, knew Harrah and stopped by his box to visit. Recognizing Nabors, Hulman asked him if he'd consider singing before the start of the race and Jim agreed thinking he would be singing the National Anthem.

Instead he was asked to sing "Back Home Again in Indiana" and performed such a moving rendition was asked to sing the song every year thereafter.

Answer: Macadamia nut

He owned the macadamia plantation, located on Maui, for 25 years before selling it to a conservationist group. He did however retain farming rights to the land.