An Interview With Entertainer and Hawaii Resident Jim Nabors
Jim Nabors is well known for his notable career on television, music recordings, theater, revues and movies. His character, Gomer Pyle from the “Andy Griffith Show” and “Gomer Pyle USMC” airing in the 1960′s are still in syndication today.
He is also remembered in Hawaii for his “Friends & Nabors” holiday shows at the Hawaiian Theater with a cast of over 100. December 2009 was the last call for this production as Jim Nabors has officially retired.
Originally born in Alabama, after spending over half his life living in Hawaii, the islands have become home for Jim. According to his official website, Jim has a home in Honolulu as well as a macadamia nut and tropical flower farm in Hana, Maui.
I recently interviewed long time Hawaii resident Jim Nabors Star of stage, screen, theater and song, www.jimnabors.com via email.
- April M. Williams: First, happy 80th birthday, Mr. Nabors!
- Jim Nabors: Thank you.
- AMW: You were born on the mainland and lived in various cities around the country. What is it about Hawaii that drew you to the islands?
- JN: The weather, beauty and the people.
- AMW: Since the 70′s, you often sang at the Indy 500 race Memorial Day weekends in Indianapolis. What changes have you seen in racing and racing fans through the years?
- JN: All the technical advances of course and the fans and drivers who I started with are grandparents of the next generation.
- AMW: You are an accomplished television and movie actor and your records went gold and platinum. Do fans recognize you most often for your acting or your music?
- JN: Both – thank goodness.
- AMW: I heard you were good friends with Doris Duke. What was she like?
- JN: Great lady with incredible talent and taste.
- AMW: Would you like to comment on the upcoming holiday season and future appearances?
- JN: I have retired.
- AMW: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
- JN: How blessed I have been with my life and career.
(Feature Photo Credit: JimNabors.com)
About this guest blogger:
April M. Williams is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and a great friend of 808Talk. She is also the author of the book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career”, available in paperback and on the Kindle.
Learn more about April by visiting her at the websites below.
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams
Twitter http://twitter.com/AprilMWilliams
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AprilMWilliams
CyberLife Tutors Blog http://www.cyberlifetutors.com/blog/
Travel Blog http://www.aprilmwilliams.com
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Posted Mar 14th, 2011 at 8:21 am
Mr.Jim Nabors,you are sort of like my Hero,as I tuned in to Gomer Pyle on the Andy Griffith Show,and Gomer Pyle USMC,every week,and still enjoy the re-runs. When I entered the US Navy in 1968,you were Idolized by soldiers&sailors alike,and I honestly believe,we were better because of that. As June will be approaching soon ,I want to wish you a Happy Birthday{you share June w/my late father-June-2nd-1919}and I feel honored by that. Thank you Mr. Nabors for the many,many laughs,but yet teaching us to accept everybody as individuals,andw/respect. May you continue to have a Blessed Life! Sincerely,Ben Doty-Michigan.
Posted May 23rd, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Mr. Nabors,
How did the tradition of singing at the Indy 500 get started? Personally, I think you lend a lot of class to the opening ceremonies and I can’t believe you still have that voice at 80!
Posted Jun 21st, 2011 at 3:12 am
MR. NABORS…I AM HAPPY TO HEAR YOU ARE STILL GOING STRONG. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR ALL MY FOND MEMORIES OF MY YOUTH WITH GOMER PYLE AND THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW. MY DAD WAS A MARINE FOR 22 YEARS AND WE WERE ALL VERY PROUD OF HIM. YOU ALWAYS SHOWED US WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO BE AT WORK WITH MY DAD…WHO WAS A DRILL INSTRUCTOR. GOD BLESS AND KEEP UP THE SINGING!!!
Posted Nov 10th, 2011 at 6:50 am
Your voice is so amazing! It is truly a gift from God.
Don’t stop singing! You have so much to give to the world.
I would love to hear you sing, “I Believe In Angels”. It is an
old song, but the time may be right to bring it back.
Posted Dec 14th, 2011 at 11:08 pm
Greetings Jim, from the Far North — Anchorage, Alaska!
This is a long over-due greetings from one of your long time fan’s from the days of Burbank, NBC Studios and Smoke House Restaurant and “The Horn”.
This is Bob Tellez sending belated greeting of many years and extending Best Wishes for the coming Holidays and New Years of the future.
“CONGRATULATIONS FOR ALL OF YOUR SUCCESES”!!!
Bob
Posted Feb 25th, 2012 at 12:10 am
Please check out my website we met at the Kaylor Hotel in Rochester Mn You were very kind and w a HOT show on tv I have played piano and sang for 4+ yrs. and still going strong My wife Lori is Ex Dir of Hospice on Kauai We also have a miracle boy weighing 1 lb 14 ozs at Kapiolani Hospital July 4th. He is now 10 yrs.old Jordan Monroe Miller. I have a wonderfil Christmas Song Christms Tears for Baritone. I own the copyright and w BMI ALOHA IVO
Posted May 7th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Dear Jim, thank you so much for the joy and happiness you have given to people. My late husband and I had enjoyed your shows in Reno, Nevada. I send my best wishes and prayers to you and your family.
You are so wonderful, Jim.
Posted May 8th, 2012 at 9:28 am
Hi Jim Nabors:
Could we be related? My mom (Mary Frances Nabors Williams) always said that you were a cousin of mine…and you DO look alot like her. Mom’s kin come from GA (Atlanta and East point/College Park area). Her dad–my granddad…was also called James Nabors. He ran cotten mills in Alabama and Georgia. You probably won’t write, but it would be nice to hear from you…I’m active in Science Fiction fandom.
Best…Patricia Williams King
Posted Jun 11th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
Jim Nabors; I seen you back in St.Louis Mo. when you where haveing rehearsel at the Muny. I asked you to sign tow records for my grandfather,and me. I loved your show’s on T.V. and all of your record’s of song’s. You have a voice that is so great that I wish I could have had a voice like that to sing in Church Choir. I wander if you would make a song for me of four EAGLE verse’s from out of the bible. I love EAGLES for that is what I would like to hear at my funeral. I waited to help you when you had liver problem’s; for I waited to give you mine if your blood matched mine which is Neg O. I am one of your number one fan’s. Please write back to me at #6 Maple Drive Caseyville, Il. 62232 sign Michael Ahlvers
Posted Dec 20th, 2012 at 6:55 pm
Jim I haven’t heard from you for afew months now. You mean alot to me Jim that you are my number one singer besides Dolly Parton. I love your songs for church, love songs, and others you sing. It would be nice if you would write back by sending a letter personally by you Jim. I like getting letters in the mail than email. I am a church person that believes in God and Jesus since I has five years old. I ask of thee for I love you and Eagles for God says in ISAIAH,40;31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew mount up with wings as eagles. For that is why I would like for you to come up with a sing of Eagles. Have a Marry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Sign Michael Ahlvers #6 Maple Drive Caseyville IL. 62232 I Love You Jim Nabors as a Brother,Friend,Number One Fan.
Posted Dec 26th, 2012 at 9:31 am
Dear Jim Nabors;I sent you email and a letter on a song I would like for you to make for me of eagles. In Isaiiah 40;31, But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles. And some others in the Bible. I love eagles as much as I love Lord God Almighty he self. I even love you and your songs like a brother,friend,and number one fan for years. Please write a letter back to me or email me. I did send you my email and my home address. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and that you even have a nice Happy New Year Jim. Sign; Michael Ahlvers P.S. I wish I had the money to take the trip to see you in person again for thing are hard around here with a 16 year old son going to be 17 in January 25. See ya some time. BYE
May 24th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
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