Pat Boone
Performer / Host
About This Interview
Singer/actor/host Pat Boone was interviewed for two-and-a-half hours in his home in Los Angeles, CA. He describes his upbringing in Nashville, Tennessee, and how winning a local singing contest led him to successful appearances on both Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour and on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. Boone details his success as a singer and how at 20 years old he became television's youngest host of a hit musical variety show, The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom. He discusses how he refused to represent products on the show that he did not personally use or recommend, and recalls the difficulties he encountered from sponsors and Southern television stations when he attempted to book African-American guests on his show. Boone also talks about his television specials, and speaks about his two subsequent television programs: The Pat Boone Show and Pat Boone in Hollywood. He shares tales of some of his favorite performances and guest stars, explains what it was like to sing on stage immediately following Elvis Presley, and divulges the impetus behind his surprisingly successful heavy metal album. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on September 10, 2010.
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Highlights
On singing in public and becoming known as "Blue Moon Boone"
Clip begins at: 13:00, Duration: 03m 03s- On his famous ancestor Daniel Boone
Clip begins at: 29:38, Duration: 00m 46s - On how he got the nickname "Pat" from his given name Charles
Clip begins at: 00:22, Duration: 01m 05s - On selecting songs
Clip begins at: 54:02, Duration: 02m 58s 
On his wholesome image
Clip begins at: 00:05, Duration: 01m 18s- On rock and roll and R&B music
Clip begins at: 08:30, Duration: 09m 22s - On the time that Elvis Presley opened for him
Clip begins at: 27:27, Duration: 03m 22s 
On turning down a movie with Marilyn Monroe because he felt it was immoral
Clip begins at: 10:50, Duration: 01m 05s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his childhood and early influences; on singing in church
Clip begins at: 0:22 - On his childhood sweetheart/wife, Shirley Foley, daughter of country singer Red Foley, and on how he was influenced by country music
Clip begins at: 18:44 - On his path to Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour
Clip begins at: 24:26 - On his work in local Fort Worth, Texas television and radio; on his earliest memories of television
Clip begins at: 33:31 - On Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts and the success of his first records
Clip begins at: 39:08 - On moving to New York from Texas and on his song selections for Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts; on early brushes with celebrity
Clip begins at: 52:28 - Part 2
- On his wholesome image and logistics of The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On guests and rehearsals of The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom
Clip begins at: 34:41 - On overseas episodes of The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom
Clip begins at: 41:07 - On controversial performances on The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom and his view of race relations
Clip begins at: 45:13 - On ending The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom after the third season and doing The Pat Boone Show and Pat Boone in Hollywood
Clip begins at: 53:16 - Part 3
- On performing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On his involvement with Christian themed television and books
Clip begins at: 07:26 - On his appearance on the 1997 American Music Awards and his heavy metal album
Clip begins at: 11:55 - On advice to actors; on his legacy
Clip begins at: 23:24
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pat ! enjoy a wonderful day !
all the best for years to come !
,as I enjoyed your singing and songs .
Love Letters in the Sand has always been a song which captures true love, I first heard it when I was 10 years old and still love today.
I loved his song Writing love letters in the Sand....Love all his songs,
Best Wishes from Sri Lanka.
Pat Boone is one of the greatest balladeers of all time. A great Christian and a wonderful family man. I have so many of his records which I still love listening to. I really enjoyed this interview.
Beautiful interview with an inspiration!
With the passing of Dick Clark, I was again reminded of his appearance on your January 2, 1958 Chevy Show. My wonderful godmother, Anna Cannon, who had worked for Western Union for many years, had at my request, sent a telegram to Dick at the theater that evening, suggesting (for me of course) that you and he sing a duet and Dick read it on the air including her name, I think to your surprise, and certainly to mine. It had not been rehearsed, and I understand fully why it did not occur.
It was such a thrill for me and I will never forget his kindness and attention to a 15 year old fan's request.
I loved your choice of songs and especially fondly remember April Love, the movie and song.
This interview was a great pleasure.
Boone campaigned for Ronald Reagan to become Governor of California in 1966 and 1970, and actively supported Reagan's bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 1976. He was a vocal supporter of the Vietnam War.
Hi Pat!
I have really enjoyed hearing your songs
again on the Internet and always listen to them
them.
I really enjoyed listening to the Interview
you did and it was interesting to hear
how your career started and contniues.
I really enjoyed your character in the Film
"Journey to the Center of the Earth," and didn
didn't you also do a version of "State Fair?"
Keep up the great work and thanks for
the music almost everyday on FB!
A true 60+ year old Fan! Alex.
Hi, Pat,
My friend and I started the Pat Boone Fan Club way back in 1958 when we were in school (Secunderabad, India). Its wonderful getting back in touch with all the songs you sang back then, thanks to the In'net. I'm 65 now, but still as much a fan of yours as I ever was!! Thanks for all the music and filling our schooldays with joy!! You still are...
hi mr. boone!
i don´t think you remember , winter 1961 in kühtai (austria)
you where singing with us nearly every night. in the bar (jagdschloss)
i was playing the guitar and i was on chruches.
is still a nice memorie, you where making a film with nancy quwan.
i´m 70 now , and still playing everynight
in my one bar in mallorca.
regards leo j.klein from austria
Just returned from a trip to Myrtle Beach and was excited to read about the new Pat Boone Family Theater only to learn that it was on a delay of some sort. What a thrill it would have been . Hopefully it will still come to be.
Mr. Boone,
I have just seen your anti-"Obamacare" commercial on television.
I used to be a great admirer of you, but find I cannot view you in the same light because of the lies you have spread. I can only think you are probably being paid to say these things.
Trying to frighten senior voters by misrepresenting the program in order to garner votes for an unscrupulous businessman is, in a word, reprehensible.
I hope you, as a professed Christian, can one day face your maker and explain yourself.
I am greatly disappointed in you.
Pat,
I just finished reading your book, A New Song. Thank you for your honesty about your Christian walk. Your testimony is inspiring. I am a Christian and I have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Great to hear that you are hosting the Winter Dance Party/ Buddy Holly Tribute in Clear Lake, Iowa! Looking forward to it!
Deeply inspired by you, Pat. Watching a 1985 Praise The Lord you did with Paul & Jan --- and felt I got to (really) know you for the first time.
Thank you for mentioning Mercy Corps and USAID -- never heard of either and I'm pursuing a degree from SPEA in Public & Nonprofit Management, so it's VERY current and highly relevant to the calling I feel the Lord has placed on me and my house.
Who knew 1985 could still be so relevant?
I also witnessed an abortion for the very first time. The discussion helped me immensely in defining my views. The friendly banter was so helpful and eye-opening. That's how it should be done.
I was also struck by your charge that we already "know some of the questions on the final" that God is going to ask us -- about feeding the hungry, clothing the naking, caring for the needy, etc.
Thank you so much for yeilding your life to our Maker. God Bless and keep you ... and keep you here with us for a long, long while yet!
I grew up listening to Pat Boone's music. He was my favourite singer & still is!
Not only does he have a wonderful voice, with perfect pitch for my taste, but he was......& still is, very handsome. He's a family man too which is lovely.
I was lucky enough to be at one of his concerts in the Isle of Man, & he called me on stage & gave me the April Love bouquet while he sang to me. A time in my life I will never forget.
It has been lovely just to listen to his memories & learn about his young life on these clips.
A truly lovely man with a voice that can't be topped.
God Bless you Pat!
Does this guy need money so bad that he misleads seniors with lies as he did in November in Ohio during the recent voting on issues? Look at factchecker.com.
I loved this interview ! I have known Pat for 35+ years and still hear something new or something I had forgotten with almost every interview. He is a super entertainer and a very likable human being !
He and his whole family have been a great example to all families.
I just wish there were down to earth good guys entertaining today like Pat has always been. He will be retiring soon. (well deserved, I might add) and we will miss the new records and appearances. So God Bless you and Shirley, Pat.
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