Tradition and Nostalgia Also Take the Checkered Flag at the Indy 500
Tradition and Nostalgia Also Take the Checkered Flag at the Indy 500
by Alice Jane-Marie Massa
NOTE: At the end of this post, you will find a link for the song “Back Home Again in Indiana.”
Listening to the pre-race ceremonies of the Indianapolis 500 each May on the Indy Car Radio Network and on the television broadcast does bring forth a few nostalgic tears and does “make me long for my Indiana home,” as the lyrics of “Back Home Again in Indiana” conclude. Over 101 years ago, James Frederick Hanley (born in Rensselaer, Indiana, in 1892)composed the music while Ballard MacDonald (born in Portland, Oregon, in 1882) wrote the lyrics for the 1918 hit song “Back Home Again in Indiana,” which was first published in January of 1917.
Although this 1918 hit was first performed at the Indianapolis 500 by a trackside brass band in 1919, the first time “Back Home Again in Indiana” was sung during pre-race festivities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was in 1946 for the first race after Anton (“Tony”) Hulman, Jr., purchased the track. (Nine years later, I, at age five, went to the Speedway for the first of many enjoyable and thrilling times.)
Of course, the track record for singing “Back Home Again in Indiana” the most times at pre-race ceremonies is held by Jim Nabors, who sang the song thirty-six times between 1972 and 2014. On November 30, 2017, Mr. Nabors passed away at age 87.
After Mr. Nabors’ planned final singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana” in 2014, I thought no one else could ever sing the nostalgic song as superbly and as with as much feeling as Mr. Nabors. Nevertheless, I wondered who might be selected for this highlight of the pre-race events.
During the pre-race festivities of the 101st Indy 500 last year, I heard Jim Cornelison sing the famous song and was delighted that this graduate of Indiana University and singer of “The Star-Spangled Banner” for the Chicago Blackhawks home games was following excellently in the footsteps and melodic notes of Jim Nabors. Happily, Mr. Cornelison will have the honor of singing the traditional song again at the 102nd running of the Indy 500 this Sunday, May 27.
To set you in an Indiana mood and to make you eager to listen to the pre-race ceremonies on Sunday morning, you may listen to the following link. While you will first hear the rendition of “Back Home Again in Indiana” by Mr. Cornelison, you can, at the same site, easily find the links to play multiple versions sung by Mr. Nabors through the years.
With all the excitement for the Indy 500 and other happenings of this holiday weekend,
may we always fondly, gratefully, and respectfully remember those who are eternally honored
on Memorial Day,
Alice and Leader Dog Willow
May 23, 2018, Wednesday
Tradition and Nostalgia Also Take the Checkered Flag at the Indy 500
by Alice Jane-Marie Massa
NOTE: At the end of this post, you will find a link for the song “Back Home Again in Indiana.”
Listening to the pre-race ceremonies of the Indianapolis 500 each May on the Indy Car Radio Network and on the television broadcast does bring forth a few nostalgic tears and does “make me long for my Indiana home,” as the lyrics of “Back Home Again in Indiana” conclude. Over 101 years ago, James Frederick Hanley (born in Rensselaer, Indiana, in 1892)composed the music while Ballard MacDonald (born in Portland, Oregon, in 1882) wrote the lyrics for the 1918 hit song “Back Home Again in Indiana,” which was first published in January of 1917.
Although this 1918 hit was first performed at the Indianapolis 500 by a trackside brass band in 1919, the first time “Back Home Again in Indiana” was sung during pre-race festivities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was in 1946 for the first race after Anton (“Tony”) Hulman, Jr., purchased the track. (Nine years later, I, at age five, went to the Speedway for the first of many enjoyable and thrilling times.)
Of course, the track record for singing “Back Home Again in Indiana” the most times at pre-race ceremonies is held by Jim Nabors, who sang the song thirty-six times between 1972 and 2014. On November 30, 2017, Mr. Nabors passed away at age 87.
After Mr. Nabors’ planned final singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana” in 2014, I thought no one else could ever sing the nostalgic song as superbly and as with as much feeling as Mr. Nabors. Nevertheless, I wondered who might be selected for this highlight of the pre-race events.
During the pre-race festivities of the 101st Indy 500 last year, I heard Jim Cornelison sing the famous song and was delighted that this graduate of Indiana University and singer of “The Star-Spangled Banner” for the Chicago Blackhawks home games was following excellently in the footsteps and melodic notes of Jim Nabors. Happily, Mr. Cornelison will have the honor of singing the traditional song again at the 102nd running of the Indy 500 this Sunday, May 27.
To set you in an Indiana mood and to make you eager to listen to the pre-race ceremonies on Sunday morning, you may listen to the following link. While you will first hear the rendition of “Back Home Again in Indiana” by Mr. Cornelison, you can, at the same site, easily find the links to play multiple versions sung by Mr. Nabors through the years.
With all the excitement for the Indy 500 and other happenings of this holiday weekend,
may we always fondly, gratefully, and respectfully remember those who are eternally honored
on Memorial Day,
Alice and Leader Dog Willow
May 23, 2018, Wednesday
Tradition and Nostalgia Also Take the Checkered Flag at the Indy 500
by Alice Jane-Marie Massa
NOTE: At the end of this post, you will find a link for the song “Back Home Again in Indiana.”
Listening to the pre-race ceremonies of the Indianapolis 500 each May on the Indy Car Radio Network and on the television broadcast does bring forth a few nostalgic tears and does “make me long for my Indiana home,” as the lyrics of “Back Home Again in Indiana” conclude. Over 101 years ago, James Frederick Hanley (born in Rensselaer, Indiana, in 1892)composed the music while Ballard MacDonald (born in Portland, Oregon, in 1882) wrote the lyrics for the 1918 hit song “Back Home Again in Indiana,” which was first published in January of 1917.
Although this 1918 hit was first performed at the Indianapolis 500 by a trackside brass band in 1919, the first time “Back Home Again in Indiana” was sung during pre-race festivities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was in 1946 for the first race after Anton (“Tony”) Hulman, Jr., purchased the track. (Nine years later, I, at age five, went to the Speedway for the first of many enjoyable and thrilling times.)
Of course, the track record for singing “Back Home Again in Indiana” the most times at pre-race ceremonies is held by Jim Nabors, who sang the song thirty-six times between 1972 and 2014. On November 30, 2017, Mr. Nabors passed away at age 87.
After Mr. Nabors’ planned final singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana” in 2014, I thought no one else could ever sing the nostalgic song as superbly and as with as much feeling as Mr. Nabors. Nevertheless, I wondered who might be selected for this highlight of the pre-race events.
During the pre-race festivities of the 101st Indy 500 last year, I heard Jim Cornelison sing the famous song and was delighted that this graduate of Indiana University and singer of “The Star-Spangled Banner” for the Chicago Blackhawks home games was following excellently in the footsteps and melodic notes of Jim Nabors. Happily, Mr. Cornelison will have the honor of singing the traditional song again at the 102nd running of the Indy 500 this Sunday, May 27.
To set you in an Indiana mood and to make you eager to listen to the pre-race ceremonies on Sunday morning, you may listen to the following link. While you will first hear the rendition of “Back Home Again in Indiana” by Mr. Cornelison, you can, at the same site, easily find the links to play multiple versions sung by Mr. Nabors through the years.
With all the excitement for the Indy 500 and other happenings of this holiday weekend,
may we always fondly, gratefully, and respectfully remember those who are eternally honored
on Memorial Day,
Alice and Leader Dog Willow
May 23, 2018, Wednesday
alice13wordwalk 
Alice, I share a little of your excitement, having watched the Indy 500 since I was a small sprite. May the white flag come out quickly, and may your Memorial weekend be a memorable one. dp
Sent from my Windows 10 Desktop machine
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Deon–Thanks for your interesting comment! How nice to know that we have something else in common! I cannot think of an Indy car driver who was/is from Maine.
With my relatively new “Alexa,” I have enjoyed radio broadcasts of “Trackside” and “Talk from Gasoline Alley,” both of which I have not heard for over 25 years. Tomorrow, I will listen to the Carb Day events on NBCSN; on Saturday, I will listen to the Indy 500 Parade on NBCSN. Then, on Sunday, I will listen to the race on the Indy Car Radio Network. Walks with Willow will be planned around these events.
Enjoy the long weekend! Alice and Willow
Reblogged this on Abbie's Corner of the World and commented:
I’m doing something a little different today instead of a book feature. If you’re a fan of car racing, or if you’re from Indiana, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this post in which Alice discusses the Indianapolis 500 and provides links to several renditions of “Back Home Again in Indiana.” I’ll definitely be back next Thursday with a review of a collection of essays that provide audio insight, so stay tuned.
Dear Alice,
Although I have lived in Colorado for more than forty years, hearing that song never fails to bring tears to my eyes and a true longing for my Indiana home! I also enjoyed many visits to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway through the years to experience the excitement of the Time Trials as well as the 500 Race. However, my most memorable visit was during the summer a few years ago when you, Zoe, and I visited the track and the Museum. I snapped many photos of Zoe beside the famous racing cars, and all of us had a great van ride around the track! Once again we will be listening to the 500 festivities and watching the race from our Colorado home keeping all those who gave their lives for our country close to our hearts.
Love to you and Willow,
Mary
Hi, Mary–I recall that one of the photos you took at the Indianapolis 500 Hall of Fame Museum was of Zoe, my third Leader Dog, posing perfectly in front of Danica Patrick’s pink racing car. Of course, for her final race this year, Danica’s number 13 car is green–not pink. Watching the movie concerning the history of the Indy 500 at the theatre inside the museum was another treat on that sunny, very warm day in 2015. Thanks for your comment!
Also, I am grateful to fellow writer and blogger Abbie Johnson Taylor, a resident of Wyoming, for re-blogging this post about “Back Home Again in Indiana.”
Happy Memorial Day! Alice and Willow
Thanks for the memories, Alice, and adding the link for Mr. Cornelison’s magnificent performance. I think my early “tailgate meal” experiences with fried chicken and pimento cheese sandwiches initiated at the qualifications decades ago. In addition to the race itself, the flyover during the pre-race activities was always exciting, too. Viewing the oval track as we descend to the airport will always serve as a “Welcome Home” to Indiana.