Sammy Johns Grand Ole Opry 6-20-09 Part 1

Sammy was ask to play the Grand Ole Opry last year! It was his debut performance!!

[@chrissigler5965]

RIP Sammy Johns! I think this is the greatest song from the 70s and it still sounded great 35 years later!

[@Ecosse57]

love this song as much now as the first time i heard it then. thanks sammy... godspeed.

[@tunnelcrawler3875]

Such a simple song but so memorable from the 70's.

[@rdoc]

Not so simple. A song that flows and has such a perfect melody and yet sounds so original and sells as many copies as this song did is very hard to create. Just try and make another one. I'll be looking for you on the Grammys.

[@DoUntoOthersAsUWouldHaveDone2U]

I’m so sad he passed away so young. I hope he understood & realized how valuable & cherished an artist he was. ❤

[@klimber10001]

Still love this song so much.... Makes me wish I was still in the 70's. Thanks Sammy for such a sweet song.

[@TheNana2five]

Im so heartbroken over his death. I never knew him personally, but in my heart I did !!!!! I was about 14 yrs old when Chevy Van first came out and I’ve been in love with Sammy ever since…. RIP Sammy, I Love You..

[@SticksNkicks]

I knew Sammy and can tell you he was a true talent! I was fortunate enough to spend some time with sammy during his last recording sessions and he still had it!

[@masongarrett3066]

@@SticksNkicks You blessed to be apart of the legend of Sammy Johns

[@pattimiranda8679]

This song reminds me of the 1970s . I just heard it on IHeart. Didn’t realize Sammy Johns had passed away in 2011. RIP Sammy.

[@stevepoe3667]

Those were the good ol days. RIP Mr. Johns 👍

[@extruckerhogcaller8274]

This takes me back to when I was 10 yrs old man.. wow

[@blackfender100]

Loved this song when I was a Kid. Great to hear it again.Thanks Sammy

[@StormLaker]

Joe Dov Its a piece of my childhood as well. Every time this song comes up on my iPod, I am instantly taken back 35 years when I was 4-5 years old and I'd sit and play with my hotwheels/matchbox cars on our living room floor while my mom sang along to the songs on the radio while doing chores around the house. The late 70's were a magical time for me growing up:-)

[@TheNana2five]

I love Chevy Van and Sammy Johns, I was 15 yrs old when this song came out, loved it then and just as much now.....wish I could of met him...R.I.P. Sammy..♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️.

[@lindaarnold715]

a Big smile always came on my face when they played this on the radio, loved it and still do

[@billylewis439]

This song brings back so many memories for me ❤J&M always

[@toddbob55]

Wish i could go back to the 70's

[@djlcruze]

I was 17 when this song came out....such memories. RIP Sammy!

[@davidday8417]

I was in 8th grade when this song came out,I was a teenager who’s sex drive had suddenly went on autopilot,I bought it on 45 !! Thank you for the music Sammy !!

[@judymcvey9005]

I'm 83 . This s>long was one of my husband's FAVORITE songs. He died the same day my wonderful husband did. .I hope theyve met and are having fun! RIP you two...love you❤ 4:23 !❤❤❤❤❤

[@kbeyondc]

God Bless YOU Sammy, may you rest in eternal peace...thanks for the trip down memory lane, this song will forever hold a special place in my heart.

[@Songfuse]

Oh Wow... the memories from this great song! Learned how to play it and sing it at 12 yrs. old. Thanks Sammy for the wonderful moments dreaming of singing and playing on the road in a Chevy Van... which is just what I did. RIP Sammy Johns. You were a tremendous influence for me and that gave me much joy in a crazy world. "Chevy Van" is such a simple and genuine song from the heart and very sweet, with an adventurous flspirit. Only in America!

[@JENapier1]

Oh my ! I can still see her walking away in those shorts and bare feet to this very day !! Great song,great memories ! R.I.P.

[@rickilynnwolfe8357]

What a great video I loved this song back in the 70s and 80s and still do today . I was 14 years old and my boyfriend had a 66 Chevy nova and boy the things we did in there on the back roads lol . I married him and got a 67 Chevy nova . Iam a Chevy girl and will always will be and I must say Sammy still looks handsome and his voice is still amazing 💜

[@dalerobinson3184]

Brings back so many good memories. Of my younger days. Playing that song. And As free as could be. If i could only go back.

[@cleansweepapa]

Sammy Reginald Johns, 66, died Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, in Gastonia.NC Sammy was a singer/songwriter and will be remembered by many for his musical talent. Some of his songs include his 1975 hit "Chevy Van," "America," popularized by Waylon Jennings, "Common Man," covered by John Conlee, and "Desperado Love," sung by Conway Twitty. He performed on the Grand Ole Opry Live and Nashville Now.

[@masongarrett3066]

Thank you for that music history...I'm going to google everything you listed about this amazing man

[@TheNana2five]

I love you Sammy, this song always takes me back to 1974, such great memories from that era..♥️♥️♥️

[@The2003roadking]

I was lucky enough to meet him back in the early 90s such a nice guy so much God given talent .

[@masongarrett3066]

You are blessed to meet this legend

[@Luvrobloxx]

Quite a thrill to see him perform live..just great

[@scottfulps2065]

Takes me back...beautiful memories. RIP Sammy Johns.

[@Donran57]

I remember Sammy coming to my house in Rock Hill S.C. to take guitar lessons from my father John Rollie Childers. He was a good guy and never let the fame of the song go to his head like a lot of people did. Was sorry to here he passed he was truly talented.

[@ambriadaniels-dovolis7496]

What an amazing memory to have in your heart!!! thanks for sharing that...didnt know where Sam was from. Anyway lucky you :)

[@masongarrett3066]

Wow! Your father will always be apart of music history for teaching this legend...Sammy Johns!

[@dabneyscholler8495]

I heard this song today for the first time in like 20 yearsyears, while driving down Mt. Gallant Road.

[@bardrock]

Glad to see the oldies are still being sung and played thanks Sammy

[@snoopy6294]

He sounds the exact same, wow! Brilliant song!

[@armandogonzales1365]

What a great song reminds me of grade school 1974 Rio Vista No.Hollywood CA what a great Era to grow up wish I could go back

[@djcapmbell1109]

Sammy, I miss you every day. Even more when I hear any of your amazing songs. I will miss you always.

[@judymcvey9005]

Love this! Love the guitar mans sound...just like it was in 79s!

[@The2003roadking]

Its like a Princess she was laying there.. Not like a Picture she was laying there ..

[@masongarrett3066]

Thank you! You really schooled me on that...I thought it was the latter verse! Lol

[@larrygenedavis]

I also thought he was saying "like a picture" . Thanks for the correction .

[@The2003roadking]

I met Sammy Johns in the early 90s in my tavern he's who corrected me on the picture/ princess word . He told me he wrote the song about the lady he married But at that time had passed . I think he said due to cancer

[@raynestorm5656]

I too always thought it was "picture" until seeing the correct lyrics. Also, thought it was moonlight casting off her hair not "dancing". In any case ot sounds wonderful either way. Just retraining my brain with the correct lyrics now.

[@marilynsnider8183]

God, this brings back a lot memories. I was 14 when "Chevy Van" came out.

[@snoopy6294]

There is not a song in the world I like more than this one! Love ya Sammy!!!

[@masongarrett3066]

I agree with you on that

[@ChrisCurtisFan]

I wonder how many Chevy Vans were sold because of this song! :-)) Thanks for posting this video! I don't get to see the Opry on my cable network. Love this song, and fantastic to see Sammy Johns is still out there performing!

[@mjmiles8661]

I love this song so much sung by Sammy Johns...I would so much like to have a CHEVY van

[@randyseagle3442]

had the pleasure of meeting with him many times. just sitting around drinking beer and picking.

[@masongarrett3066]

You so lucky...he seems very humble

[@jameseubanks379]

Just one of those songs that none of us would ever forget!

[@11UncleBooker22]

Every one who gets involved with the music(entertainment)industry sacrifices something special in their life to do it.It may be missing your children growing up or spouses who feel outside the life. I hope in some way Sammy new he touched a portion of the world in a positive way.

[@tomb4568]

I purchased a Chevy Van partly hoping this song would come to life but it never really did, oh well. Good times anyway! RIP Sammy!

[@cautiouslyoptimistic1962]

I watch this when I am feeling down. I say to myself... Self.. we need some Sammy Johns.. I found a few other of his songs.. he was so under rated. I wish he had a better record company. They let him down so bad.

[@brettkoeshall2325]

This is actually my favorite song from Sammy Johns.

[@yvonnehiggins4299]

Awwwwwwwww what memories that brings back. RIP Sammy you're singing with the Angels now. You will be missed greatly. Luv ya

[@ambriadaniels-dovolis7496]

Thats so true Yvonne he is singing in heaven now ,God give him a big hug:)

[@stevekirksey9293]

Been there done that had one of each Chevy,Ford,Dodge love that song got the pictures too prove it 😆

[@DonBlodgett-e1p]

I drive an 18 wheeler and many moons ago when oz a kid i was going thru Arizona and stopped in a restaurant and in came a young lady probably 18 or 20 years old with an older lady wich i assume was her mother and "MAAAAN" was that girl "SMOKING HOT" she wasn't what you'd call pretty just a plain looking Arizona local town girl but very cute and a "SMOKING HOT BOD" with all the right lady lumps - well now im 59 years old still driving truck and every time i hear this song it takes me back to that small roadside town in Arizona and the memory o that young hippie girl sitting there with her mother ❤

[@cosmic70rock]

Miss you my friend.

[@NNPD0044]

Always a favorite of mine...

[@kellyherms812]

Years back I met Sammy Johns. He was playing in a little dive in South Carolina. I remember him to be a bitter person. All he wanted to talk about on stage was how he was screwed over on alimony. His only claim to fame was this song and he never once let you forget it. I hope he found peace in his life because he had none then.

[@ambriadaniels-dovolis7496]

UGh......DIDNT GET THE MEMO : BE NICE OR BE A JACKA**

[@robertkayler6292]

He played in my nightclub in Gastonia around 95. Sammy was a good dude.

[@drachirzim]

Wrong. Other artists recvorded his songs and the went to number 1!

[@elizabethlong6504]

@@drachirzim you're absolutely right

[@masongarrett3066]

Sir...Sammy Johns has more songs than "Chevy Van" and is wrote songs for legends like John Conlee and Conway Twitty! So, stop all the negative talk...he's passed since you met him!

[@cherylo3520]

Love this song! RIP Sammy!

[@3078Steph]

Hi Uncle Sammy!! This is your great niece!! Rays daughter Stephie!!

[@masongarrett3066]

If you only knew how much this song means to my life! Your uncle is a legend known for great songwriting and songs!

[@brnoamik]

Perfect song!!!

[@jeffpadgett8269]

Sally Johnson....what a set of knockers!!!

[@momo-kq4rv]

Yes yes love this song

[@whyyoulittle4537]

Was this the only time this song was performed live? I can't find any other footage. Did Sammy Johns not ever tour???

[@rickmarusek6297]

Musical masterpiece

[@Jo.885]

Ahhhhhh.... 1974 was a good year😁😁😁😁🌼🌼🌼🌼

[@billdescoteaux]

RIP, Sammy!

[@mikebutlermedia4211]

LMFAO at the subtitles!

[@genedandy]

Great!

[@pandabear1961]

Sounds great

[@sartainja]

Superb.

[@DallasPix]

**Like a princess she was laying there**.. The CC notes the word picture which is incorrect.. ;)

[@rakesfunnyfarm]

RIP!

[@landrykkb]

For those of you who may not know,Sammy Johns wrote John Conlee's "Common Man".

[@Tickbryan]

It's " like a princess she was laying there" not picture.

[@ambriadaniels-dovolis7496]

Thats true too. Great to know someone has an ear for what lyrics are being sung.....

[@mnt180]

You're wrong but, I'm sure that's nothing new

[@masongarrett3066]

@@mnt180 You wrong

[@masongarrett3066]

Thank you for clearing that up

[@Stevejoohee]

Has to be a true story this song.

[@debbiecampbell5264]

Awesome

[@mikescampfire1676]

3 chord beauty at a campfire...

[@duanegoins1220]

RIP SAMMY ..

[@knk4ever83]

Rip Sammy! Mwa!

[@jdhrap]

Like a picture? Thought it was Like a Princess.

[@cautiouslyoptimistic1962]

I love watching this so much... but..the typed replay makes me cringe! not needed and not correct... LOVE this song and Sammy!

[@JL-qm9yk]

is this 2009? looks like 1999

[@bodyandspirit224]

He was my cousin but never got to meet him.

[@masongarrett3066]

Wow! You have music royalty in your family!

[@MrFreightdawg]

The saddest story in all of Rock N Roll!

[@donnaovercash8040]

Sorry to hear of Sammy Johns death 01/04/2013

[@garymccarver5006]

You couldn't have used a Ford van in this song.

[@allangedan7630]

1975 not '74

[@lumpit22]

It does sound off key too bad.

[@masongarrett3066]

Lies! He sounds great to me

[@TMoody]

He would be dead 4 years after this.

[@classic59100]

sounded horrible I thought...stick with the original

[@masongarrett3066]

Well, he was probably sick when he performed it but it was good to me

[@francescoavila598]

This performance was horrible,voice is gone.Now so is Sammy.RIP

[@kenperk9854]

Fluck you, flag

[@Andrea1542]

And so is your personality.

[@raynestorm5656]

What person is that disrespectful? Wow, I guess Francesco Avila is that's who! Why would you comment at all if you have nothing kind to say? Do you see anyone jumping on your comment to agree? I won't stoop to your level, but I truly hope you find some happiness before your time on earth is done, because only the utmost miserable people would find time to watch this video, and take the time to criticize a man who not only created, and sang this iconic song, but has left this earth. I don't like to take time from my life for critical people, but what a disgrace you are for leaving such a comment. Sadly, Sammy Johns is gone, but this song will live on. I'm sure being the talented guy he was; he most certainly had better grammatical skills than you Francesco! Do you feel better now that you wrote something terrible publicly? SMH I do!🤯