Nip It in the Bud | Episode 4: "The Guitar Player"
Grab a front porch chair and tune up—this week, Paul and Tim are diving into the classic Season 1 favorite, "The Guitar Player" (Original air date: October 17, 1960).
When local boy Jim Lindsey (guest star James Best) keeps landing himself in Andy’s jail cell just to pick his guitar in peace, Andy sees a raw musical talent waiting to break out of Mayberry. But turning down-home picking into a big-time career isn't as simple as hopping on a tour bus.
In this episode, we break down:

• James Best's breakout guest spot: Long before he was chasing the Duke boys as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, Best brought genuine heart and vulnerability to the troubled young picker.
• The real sound behind the fretboard: The brilliant musicianship of legendary studio guitarist Herb Ellis, who provided Jim Lindsey’s blistering guitar tracks.
• Andy the master psychologist: How Sheriff Taylor schemes, finagles, and pushes big-band leader Bobby Fleet (Henry Slate) into giving Mayberry's hometown boy a legitimate audition.

Did Andy do the right thing by pushing Jim toward the bright lights of the road, or was Jim better off playing on the streets of Mayberry? Paul and Tim share their favorite bits of trivia, behind-the-scenes production notes, and episode ratings.
Pull up a rocker, kick off your boots, and enjoy the jam!
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