Though The Dillards were already an established bluegrass band, their biggest claim to fame is performing musically as members of the fictional Darling family on The Andy Griffith Show, introducing bluegrass to many Americans who had never heard it. This was a recurring role and the Dillards were led by veteran character actor Denver Pyle as their father and jug player, Briscoe Darling. Maggie Peterson played Charlene Darling, their sister and the focus for the attentions of character Ernest T. Bass, played by Howard Morris. The appearances of the Dillards as the Darlings ran between 1963 and 1966. In 1986, the Dillards reprised the role in the reunion show Return to Mayberry. As part of their current tour, Rodney Dillard answers questions about the TV series. He says the songs such as "Dooley" are about people the family knew.
On the October 1963 episode "Briscoe Declares for Aunt Bee", the Dillards performed the first wide scale airing of the 1955 Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith composition Feudin' Banjos (Dueling Banjos).
According to Jim Clark of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club, three albums have been produced with songs performed on the show. Clark says Songs That Make Me Cry is the only one currently available with real performances and has the three songs which included Maggie Peterson, who played Charlene. Back Porch Bluegrass: Live Almost includes five songs that were sung on the show, and Rodney Dillard released another album with the real performances of other songs.
The Dillards are notable for being among the first bluegrass groups to have electrified their instruments in the mid-1960s. They are considered to be one of the pioneers of the burgeoning southern California folk rock, country rock and progressive bluegrass genres, and are known to have directly or indirectly influenced artists such as The Eagles, The Byrds, and Elton John. In 1972, The Dillards joined Elton John on his first American tour. John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin has also acknowledged their influence, particularly in his decision to play the mandolin.
Rodney Dillard is a founding member of The Dillards - the group he formed with his brother, Douglas Dillard in the late 1950s. Credited throughout the years as the driving force behind the group's musical direction, success, and phenomenal longevity as a working act. Today, Dillard's musical duties include lead and harmony vocals, guitar, and dobro.
Beverly Cotten-Dillard is a native of Morrisville, North Carolina who performed with Janette Carter, Ola Belle Reed, Tommy Jarrell, and Doc and Merle Watson. She has appeared on Hee Haw and the Disney Channel and at Carnegie Hall. Cotten-Dillard is recognized as an authority on the traditional "clawhammer" banjo technique and is a featured member of The Dillards live shows. Her 1981 album Clog-In 'is considered an American folk classic."
George Giddens is a classically trained musician who is an awarded fiddler and mandolin player for the band.
Gary J. Smith was added to the lineup, having recorded double bass in the 2015 studio sessions for the new Dillards album. Smith is well known in Nashville circles after stints with Tom T. Hall, The Brother Boys, Ed Snodderly, and his long-time collaborator, Jeff Gilkinson.
Former member, Dean Webb, died at the age of 81, on June 30, 2018.
The Biggest Whatever
The Dillards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out to Bessiemae Hootin pa's place.
About a mile out of town on the West Plains Road,
He disappeared without a trace.
They discovered his teeth, when the County Police
Made an investigation of the case,
And Cousin Belle Simmons said that Sheriff Cartwright
It was the biggest whatever that anybody ever saw.
It was covered with fur and come a-rollin' in from Arkansas.
It was 40 feet high, a gleam in its eye,
And a picturfull patch on its craw.
It was the biggest whatever that anybody ever saw.
I saw old man Huntsel, who's a hundred and four,
Yesterday at Ida Jaffet's house.
He said it's much bigger now than when it carried off my cow,
But it's not enough to worry about.
He said, "Back before the war there were a whole lot more,
But they never came this far south.
He said, "I don't mind seein' one from time to time,
But I hope it's not its regular route.
It was the biggest whatever that anybody ever saw.
It was covered with fur and come a-rollin' in from Arkansas.
It was 40 feet high, a gleam in its eye,
And a picturfull patch on its craw.
It was the biggest whatever that anybody ever saw.
The Dillards' "The Biggest Whatever" narrates the story of Old Joe Wiggins, who went missing while checking out Bessiemae Hootin pa's place on the West Plains Road. When the police investigated, they found only his teeth. The family and friends of Old Joe speculate that it must have been the biggest creature ever seen that took him. It was said to come from Arkansas, had fur, was 40 feet high, had a colorful patch on its craw, and a gleam in its eye. The song narrates the disbelief and awe of those who heard about it, including old man Huntsel, who remembers a time before the war when there were more of these creatures, but they never came this far south.
The Dillards' "The Biggest Whatever" is a comical story song that takes the listener on a journey of imagination and disbelief. It plays with the idea of urban myths and legends and the exaggeration that can occur when stories are passed down. The song is a commentary on the human condition of not quite believing what one hears but being fascinated nonetheless. It also shows how stories and myths are a part of human culture and how they can make one feel a part of something bigger.
Line by Line Meaning
It got Old Joe Wiggins while returnin' a glance
Old Joe Wiggins was taken captive while he was looking back
Out to Bessiemae Hootin pa's place.
Old Joe Wiggins got taken near Bessiemae Hootin's father's property
About a mile out of town on the West Plains Road,
The place where Old Joe Wiggins disappeared was about a mile outside of town on the West Plains Road
He disappeared without a trace.
Old Joe Wiggins vanished mysteriously without leaving any trace behind
They discovered his teeth, when the County Police
The only thing found by the County Police were Old Joe Wiggins teeth
Made an investigation of the case,
The County Police carried out an investigation about Old Joe Wiggins disappearance
And Cousin Belle Simmons said that Sheriff Cartwright
According to Cousin Belle Simmons, Sheriff Cartwright had a strange look on his face
Had the strangest look on his face.
Sheriff Cartwright was looking very odd and strange which was noted by his appearance
It was the biggest whatever that anybody ever saw.
The mysterious creature was the largest thing that anybody ever saw, and nobody understands what it is
It was covered with fur and come a-rollin' in from Arkansas.
The creature was covered in fur and came rolling in from Arkansas
It was 40 feet high, a gleam in its eye,
The creature was about 40 feet high and had a bright shine in its eye
And a picturfull patch on its craw.
The creature's craw had a picturesque patch on it
I saw old man Huntsel, who's a hundred and four,
The person narrating saw an old man named Huntsel, who is a hundred and four years old
Yesterday at Ida Jaffet's house.
The singer met old man Huntsel at Ida Jaffet's house yesterday
He said it's much bigger now than when it carried off my cow,
According to Huntsel, the creature is now much larger than the time when it took away his cow
But it's not enough to worry about.
Huntsel doesn't find it troublesome enough to worry about the creature
He said, "Back before the war there were a whole lot more,
According to Huntsel, there were plenty of these creatures before the war
But they never came this far south.
However, these creatures never came this far south
He said, "I don't mind seein' one from time to time,
Huntsel doesn't mind seeing one of these creatures from time to time
But I hope it's not its regular route.
He hopes that the creature doesn't follow a regular route that passes through their area
It was the biggest whatever that anybody ever saw.
Yet again, the creature was the largest thing that anybody ever saw, and nobody has an idea of what it is or where it comes from
It was covered with fur and come a-rollin' in from Arkansas.
Once again, the creature was covered in fur and came rolling in from Arkansas
It was 40 feet high, a gleam in its eye,
Once again, the creature was about 40 feet high and had a bright shine in its eye
And a picturfull patch on its craw.
Once again, the creature's craw had a picturesque patch on it
Contributed by Tyler O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.