They called them down to the station and told them that in order for them to play on the TV show, they would have to join the Musician's and Actor's Unions which was going to cost each one of the band members about four hundred dollars.

They went to work on getting the money together and joining the unions, got it done, and did the first show. Pete had also brought Don Stover in from Beckley, West Virginia to play five-string banjo because Donnie Bryant had gone back to school and could not do the show.

The Hayloft Hoedown show was a big hit; something a lot of those people had never seen before … a real Hillbilly show. Acts included a lot of the same type comedy as sweeping up after the mule train and a lot of trick camera work. Pete and Buzz formed a comedy act called Ham and Scram.

The Ham and Scram act required frequent changing of clothes, which was accomplished in about twenty seconds and the audience could not figure out who they were. Pete and Buzz had a great time including a comedy act in the show.

In the last couple months of the show they performed a verse and chorus whatever was on the Billboard Top Ten every Friday.

The Hayloft Hoedown was a fast-paced job. They were required to be at the station at 10am to rehearse the show for three hours, and then run through the show. After that they did the live broadcast from 2:00pm until 2:30pm.

Pete and Buzz worked together off and on until 1963 and finally went separate ways due to Buzz's problems with substance abuse and would not work together until 1976 and in again 1985.

Pete enjoyed helping Buzz record his records and considers Buzz to be one of his best friends. To this day, Pete considers him to be one of the best musicians that ever picked up a mandolin.

Washington DC was the Hillbilly Capitol City and Pete and Buzz did an awful lot to further 'hillbilly bluegrass' music that was so poplular. They had some of the best bluegrass pickers in the country playing with us at times.

Bill Emerson, as Pete recalls one night in a small club, played with them and did a Bill Monroe song, I hear a Sweet Voice Calling, and when they finished the song, Bill turned to Pete and said, "I have never heard anyone sing that song that good before." He said, "I've got chill bumps." Bill was singing the baritone with Pete and they performed in perfect pitch.

Charlie Waller would also come and sit in with them on nights off and sing some Hank Snow songs. He frequently would work together with Pete from time to time.

Scotty Stoneman was another great musician that graced the stage with them. "He's just one of the best", says Pete. "Listen to him play on the record Lonesome Wind Blues, and you will agree."

Scotty helped Pete on most of his records. Some of the other artists in the area in the 50's were Jimmy Dean, Smitty Irvin, and Billy Grammar.

Buzz Busby, Pete Pike,
Donnie Bryant, Lee Cole

WGAY Radio - Wheaton, MD 1947