Jim Nabors - Back Home in Indiana Again

Jim Nabors Sings "Back Home in Indiana" Before the 93rd Running of the Indianapolis 500

Although actor Jim Nabors is best known for performing "Back Home Again in Indiana" every year at the Indianapolis 500, Nabors first sauntered into American pop culture in the 1960s playing Mayberry's lovable mechanic, Gomer Pyle. Before that Nabors had been performing in The Horn, a Santa Monica, California nightclub. Someone told Andy Griffith he should check out Nabors' act, so Griffith went to see the young comedian. When Andy Griffth saw Jim Nabors, he knew he had found Mayberry's mechanic.

Jim Nabors was born June 12, 1930, in Sylacauga, Alabama. Growing up, he sang at church and at school. Nabors attended the University of Alabama, which is where he began acting. Nabors suffered from asthma, so he moved to California for the climate where he got a job as a film cutter for NBC. Andy Griffith discovered him soon after that, and Jim became a star, first on "The Andy Griffith Show" and then on his own sitcom "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C."

Both shows featured not only the comedic style of Jim Nabors, but also allowed him to showcase his singing voice. His dual talent made Jim Nabors a popular guest on variety shows, and he hosted a couple of his own shows, including a variety TV show, "The Jim Nabors Hour" which he hosted from 1969 to 1971. During this time, Jim also pursued a successful career as a singer, cutting an impressive twenty-eight record albums as well as touring in a popular theatrical production of "Man of La Mancha" where he made the song "The Impossible Dream' popular.

Jim Nabors has continued performing since then. Today Jim Nabors is best known for performing his version of "Back Home Again in Indiana" during opening ceremonies for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, which he has done for over 30 years. He continues the tradition this year after being forced to miss the 2007 race due to heart problems, one of only a handful of times since 1972 Jim Nabors couldn't make the race.

Let's hope Jim Nabors will be back home in Indiana for many years to come.

Sources

Jim Nabors - Actor, Singer, Comedian, Transplant Survivor, American Icon

Jim Nabors 2006 Speech in Tuscaloosa