"Hello Everybody, this is Eddy Arnold for Social Security..."

This, followed by a few bars of Arnold's signature tune "The Cattle Call", were the familiar lead-in to a series of popular Public Service Announcements.

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Eddy Arnold, "The Tennessee Plowboy", learned music at the feet of his share-cropper parents. As a teenager during the Great Depression he performed on local radio and in night-clubs before finally appearing as a solo act on WSM's Grand Ol' Opry in 1943 and receiving a recording contract with RCA.

In 1945 his "Every Minute Seems a Million Years" hit #5 on the country charts, and was followed by a string of 57 Top Ten hits. He went on to host the Purina sponsored segment of the Opry on Mutual, and the mid-day Checkerboard Jamboree, also on Mutual Broadcasting System. His growing popularity on records and radio took him to TV in the 50's, hosting the Eddy Arnold Show, and as a popular guest and host on several music programs.

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In the fifties Arnold's career was temporarily set back by the growing popularity of Rock and Roll, but he found a resurgence with the Nashville Sound, a less honky-tonk and more studio oriented form of country music.

The Social Security PSAs from the mid-sixties showcase Eddy Arnold's talents, as well as providing valuable information about Social Security Program Benefits. Social Security began in 1935 as a part of FDR's New Deal programs during the Great Depression. The Social Security Act was amended several times, including the Social Security Act of 1965, part of LBJ's Great Society, when Medicare and Medicaid were added to the program. Explaining these changes and helping people to get the greatest benefit from them was the focus of the Eddy Arnold PSAs.

See also Eddy Arnold in Checkerboard Fun Fest and Eddy Arnolds Rare Recordings.