Bacchus III, Jim Nabors
Tall, spade jawed, Alabama native James Thurston Nabors (1930-2017) reigned over Bacchus’s third parade, a 20-float parade, saluting Mardi Gras on a drizzling windy Sunday night. Having broken many Carnival traditions, Bacchus now saluted the traditional krewes such as Rex as well as newer krewes with the theme, Bacchus Salutes Mardi Gras. The floats were again designed by Joe Barth. Lynne Brennan recalled an incident in the parade that year: “I remember one year the theme was to honor all the other krewes and they got involved in (researching) it. The Zulu float was really doing the most research, and they found out that the thing they threw from the floats, years and years ago, were live chickens. I am deathly afraid of chickens. We were standing (at Gallier Hall) and they were coming down the street and all of a sudden, I saw something flying in the air and it was a chicken and it hit me right in the chest, and it fell down on the ground. It was the most frightening thing I have ever had happen to me.”
It was on the Jim Nabors Hour that the nation was told Nabors would be Bacchus. A guest told Nabors, “I have a surprise for you. On behalf of the city of New Orleans and the Bacchus Carnival organization, I would like to crown you king of the 1971 Carnival season for Bacchus.” Nabors gave his thanks and told his audience, “How many of you have seen a King before?” and then sang “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans.” Ella Martin was a good friend of John and Mary Mecom, whose son was the owner of the New Orleans Saints. John Mecom Jr. brought Jim Nabors with his friends over to the restaurant for a dinner party. “We got to know Jim and every time he came to New Orleans, which was quite frequently, he came to the restaurant. When he came, all the people would know him. Everybody would be standing up and clapping and all that stuff and he would sit down and I would say, ‘Jim sing a song! Sing a song!’ And he would stand up and sing a song. He had a beautiful voice and would sing a couple of songs, and then he would sit down and have whatever meal there was.”
It was on the Jim Nabors Hour that the nation was told Nabors would be Bacchus. A guest told Nabors, “I have a surprise for you. On behalf of the city of New Orleans and the Bacchus Carnival organization, I would like to crown you king of the 1971 Carnival season for Bacchus.” Nabors gave his thanks and told his audience, “How many of you have seen a King before?” and then sang “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans.” Ella Martin was a good friend of John and Mary Mecom, whose son was the owner of the New Orleans Saints. John Mecom Jr. brought Jim Nabors with his friends over to the restaurant for a dinner party. “We got to know Jim and every time he came to New Orleans, which was quite frequently, he came to the restaurant. When he came, all the people would know him. Everybody would be standing up and clapping and all that stuff and he would sit down and I would say, ‘Jim sing a song! Sing a song!’ And he would stand up and sing a song. He had a beautiful voice and would sing a couple of songs, and then he would sit down and have whatever meal there was.”
A Royal Invitation to
Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
Bacchus III’s reign was forced short when parts of St. Charles Avenue and Royal Street were eliminated from the route due to rain, high winds, and a Bourbon Street fire. As Nabors reached Gallier Hall for his traditional toast, a small fire erupted on his float, which was quickly put out. For his official toast, Mayor Moon Landrieu said, “King Bacchus, welcome to the gates of your city. As you can see, thousands of your subjects have turned out to greet you. Never before have been amassed on the streets so many people, so many of your citizens of your realm and we welcome you.” Nabors quickly replied, “Goll-ly! Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! To the wonderful citizens of New Orleans, God bless you and have a happy Mardi Gras.” Nabors had so much fun he would return for years to ride in the Bacchus parade. Nabors told a Times-Picayune reporter that he had never had such a good time in all his life, and no matter what ever happens to him it could never top his experience. The Times-Picayune observed that the crowds were enthusiastic and Howard Jacobs in his “Remoulade” column wrote, “With its animated floats and heroic concept, the Bacchus parade seemed far and away the best 1971 Carnival presentation.”
Of Nabors, Co-Captain Pip Brennan said, “Every chance he gets, anytime he’s in the vicinity, Jim makes a point of making it to New Orleans to partake of her uniqueness. He’s one of our city’s best salesmen.” When asked how Nabors prepared to be Bacchus, Nabors responded, “I really don’t know how to act like a king. In all the high school shows I was ever in, I was never so much as a prince.”
Bacchus III’s reign was forced short when parts of St. Charles Avenue and Royal Street were eliminated from the route due to rain, high winds, and a Bourbon Street fire. As Nabors reached Gallier Hall for his traditional toast, a small fire erupted on his float, which was quickly put out. For his official toast, Mayor Moon Landrieu said, “King Bacchus, welcome to the gates of your city. As you can see, thousands of your subjects have turned out to greet you. Never before have been amassed on the streets so many people, so many of your citizens of your realm and we welcome you.” Nabors quickly replied, “Goll-ly! Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! To the wonderful citizens of New Orleans, God bless you and have a happy Mardi Gras.” Nabors had so much fun he would return for years to ride in the Bacchus parade. Nabors told a Times-Picayune reporter that he had never had such a good time in all his life, and no matter what ever happens to him it could never top his experience. The Times-Picayune observed that the crowds were enthusiastic and Howard Jacobs in his “Remoulade” column wrote, “With its animated floats and heroic concept, the Bacchus parade seemed far and away the best 1971 Carnival presentation.”
Of Nabors, Co-Captain Pip Brennan said, “Every chance he gets, anytime he’s in the vicinity, Jim makes a point of making it to New Orleans to partake of her uniqueness. He’s one of our city’s best salesmen.” When asked how Nabors prepared to be Bacchus, Nabors responded, “I really don’t know how to act like a king. In all the high school shows I was ever in, I was never so much as a prince.”
As a college student, Nabors visited New Orleans but had never seen a Carnival parade until he viewed the Endymion parade the night before his reign as Bacchus. Nabors told a reporter, “Before long I found myself diving for those doubloons and beads like everyone else.” Nabors continued, “Someone asked me last night what I was going to think about while perched up on top of that float. I thought for a while and then answered her by saying that I will just be their King. How lucky I am to be up here.”
Commenting on the Carnival’s festivities, Nabors said, “There’s more people than I was expecting, and they all seem to be having such a good time. You know it’s a shame that you can’t in some way bottle this spirit and use it later whenever you want.” With reference to his costume, Nabors stated, “I’ve tried it on, and I hate to say it, but I kind of feel like a stripper in it. It’s skin tight and all gold. Really wild.” Costume designer Larry Youngblood recalled that Nabors was very polite and spoke like a professor. Youngblood made a special crown of grape leaves for his head. Nabors commented during his costume fitting, “Goll-ly, you want me to wear that? You gonna give me skinny legs.”
Nabors was seen by actor Andy Griffith while working at a Santa Monica nightclub, The Horn. Nabors’s act included a character similar to the Gomer Pyle character he would later perfect. Griffith hired Nabors to play the colorful gas station attendant Gomer Pyle in his Andy Griffith Show from 1962 to 1964. The character was so popular it created a spin off show, Gomer Pyle: USMC (1964-1969). From 1969 to 1971, Nabors hosted a variety show, the Jim Nabors Hour, and another one, the Jim Nabors Show, in 1978. In 2013 Nabors married his partner of 38 years, Stan Cadwallade. Nabors passed away in 2017.
In addition to Nabors, baseball great and local high school Jesuit alumnus Rusty Staub also rode in the parade. Staub would again ride many times.
For its third Rendezvous, the Krewe selected Count Basie and His Band with its jump-big band-beat to entertain its Rendezvous guests. Among Basie’s hits were “One O’clock Jump” (1937) and “April in Paris” (1956).
As a college student, Nabors visited New Orleans but had never seen a Carnival parade until he viewed the Endymion parade the night before his reign as Bacchus. Nabors told a reporter, “Before long I found myself diving for those doubloons and beads like everyone else.” Nabors continued, “Someone asked me last night what I was going to think about while perched up on top of that float. I thought for a while and then answered her by saying that I will just be their King. How lucky I am to be up here.”
Commenting on the Carnival’s festivities, Nabors said, “There’s more people than I was expecting, and they all seem to be having such a good time. You know it’s a shame that you can’t in some way bottle this spirit and use it later whenever you want.” With reference to his costume, Nabors stated, “I’ve tried it on, and I hate to say it, but I kind of feel like a stripper in it. It’s skin tight and all gold. Really wild.” Costume designer Larry Youngblood recalled that Nabors was very polite and spoke like a professor. Youngblood made a special crown of grape leaves for his head. Nabors commented during his costume fitting, “Goll-ly, you want me to wear that? You gonna give me skinny legs.”
Nabors was seen by actor Andy Griffith while working at a Santa Monica nightclub, The Horn. Nabors’s act included a character similar to the Gomer Pyle character he would later perfect. Griffith hired Nabors to play the colorful gas station attendant Gomer Pyle in his Andy Griffith Show from 1962 to 1964. The character was so popular it created a spin off show, Gomer Pyle: USMC (1964-1969). From 1969 to 1971, Nabors hosted a variety show, the Jim Nabors Hour, and another one, the Jim Nabors Show, in 1978. In 2013 Nabors married his partner of 38 years, Stan Cadwallade. Nabors passed away in 2017.
In addition to Nabors, baseball great and local high school Jesuit alumnus Rusty Staub also rode in the parade. Staub would again ride many times.
For its third Rendezvous, the Krewe selected Count Basie and His Band with its jump-big band-beat to entertain its Rendezvous guests. Among Basie’s hits were “One O’clock Jump” (1937) and “April in Paris” (1956).