Live From The Lonestar Cafe

Ernest Tubb and the Texas Troubadours 'Live from the Lonestar Cafe' On May 10, 1978, country music was as hot as it had ever been in New York City, which at that point could claim to have the most listened to country radio station in America. WHN had jumped from 14th to 2nd in non-ethnic adult audience, right behind top-40 legend WABC and stayed there. 10 PM was the scheduled airtime for 'Live from the Lone Star Cafe' on New York's 50 thousand watt WHN and tonight Ernest Tubb and the Texas Troubadours would be performing. A smiling Ernest Tubb finally emerged from the bus and slowly made his way to the stage. Once in front of an audience, this frail man was amazingly transformed into a dynamic entertainer; as if drawing energy from his audience. Those of us in the audience had no way of knowing it was the last time we would see him perform or hear him live on the radio. This recording of the broadcast that I produced remains as a testament that Ernest Tubb gave his all until the final time he turned his guitar over to flash the word 'thanks'. Ed Salamon.