GOPTD: Smothers Brothers #1

Tom was impressed by Burl Ives who had a radio show where Ives would play folk songs.

Tom learned the guitar by age nine and was then impressed by George Gobel. George didn't tell jokes. He got on stage with a guitar and made people laugh.

Tom realized before he left high school that he could make people laugh by doing things he wasn't supposed to in a manner that looked like he was trying to do what he was supposed to do.

Tom had a brother named Dick. Tom and Dick argued.

Tom was musical. Dick was not. Tom taught Dick how to play the bass.

Tom and Dick sang and played in bands and of course they argued. The band became a quartet. The quartet became a trio. The trio became The Smothers Brothers. The arguments became scripts and routines.

They gave the act 6 months to catch on. They are still at it over 40 years later.