50 years after Jim Nabors cemented it, '(Back Home Again in) Indiana' tradition lives on

Shortly after taking over "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" in 2013, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles hit his first major bump in the road: Jim Nabors, the actor who had anchored one of the Indianapolis 500's most sacred traditions for decades, would no longer be singing "(Back Home Again in) Indiana."

"He reached out to us in March 2014 and said his doctors had told him he needed to quit traveling," Boles recalled. "He said he'd like to announce it would be his last year — that it was the highlight of his year, and he'd like to the fans for celebrating along with him."

"It sort of hit me when he called that this was maybe the biggest decision I'd made up to that point," Boles added.

Retro Indy: '(Back Home Again in) Indiana' is iconic, but not the official state song

It's been 50 years since Nabors first sang the quintessential ode to Hoosierdom. The tradition dates back to the '40s and has had many participants, but Nabors remains top of mind even four years after his death.

"For me, and many of our fans, those 90 seconds are the most important 90 seconds of May," Boles said. "In my case, the most important 90 seconds of the year. You can’t unwind it from the Indy 500 and IMS. It is really that important."

Boles eventually went with another Jim in veteran Chicago-area national anthem singer and IU alum Jim Cornelison, whom he said has carried on the spirit of Nabors' performances with his own distinct flair since taking over in 2017.

He had originally considered Cornelison for the national anthem, as "Dirty Jobs" host Mike Rowe had eagerly volunteered via social media audition to handle "Back Home." But the Speedway pivoted when Rowe said he would not be available.

More: TV host Mike Rowe does amazing audition to sing '(Back Home Again in) Indiana' at the 500

"(Before Nabors), there was never a common theme in the voice," Boles explained. "Some huge stars sang it, like Mel Tormé and Dinah Shore. But Nabors solidified it."

After hearing Cornelison's version at a rehearsal, Boles had found the proper successor.

"Fans have adopted (Cornelison's) as the next version," Boles said.

'A beautiful song'

The origin story of Nabors' "Back Home" version is well-documented.

The actor, who became a household name as Gomer Pyle in "The Andy Griffith Show," was a guest of Las Vegas casino magnate Bill Harrah at the 1972 race when IMS Owner Tony Hulman recognized him and asked Nabors if he'd like to sing.

Nabors had assumed he'd be singing the national anthem. He received about 20 minutes notice that it would actually be "(Back Home Again in) Indiana."

He knew the tune, but had to write a few key words on his hand in order to remember the lyrics.

In 1971, the Speedway had used 1925 winner Peter DePaolo. He had done an admirable job, but he was not a professional singer.

Nabors was, and he locked up the song from 1972 on, missing only a few years due to illness or other engagements.

"It's just a beautiful song," Nabors told IndyStar in 2007. "It'd make anyone nostalgic, no matter where they were raised."

In a 2014 interview, Nabors said of his debut: "I became a Hoosier that day."

Carrying on the tradition

Boles praised Nabors' willingness to participate in the entire weekend — the parade, veterans' events and other gatherings — in the years following his debut.

It's yet another tradition Cornelison has carried on in his five years performing the song.

"The military breakfast on Saturday morning, Indy Lights, the parade — I embrace the values of the weekend, which I think are the warmth and positivity I experience there," Cornelison said.

More: Jim Cornelison will perform '(Back Home Again) in Indiana' for 75th pre-race anniversary

Unlike Nabors, Cornelison had both time to prepare and an established blueprint in place when he was first asked to perform the song.

He spent several months reviewing videos and recordings of the Nabors' versions, watching both Nabors and the crowd. He studied the actor's face, tone, emotion and how he pronounced each word.

"I'm a classical singer, and I thought it needs to be a classical approach like Nabors' was," Cornelison said.

Cornelison said he imagines certain scenarios as he searches for feeling throughout the song.

He pictures a family making a long road trip to the 500 — kids arguing in the backseat, parents losing their patience, but then the car crosses the state line into Indiana.

"That feeling of it's good to be back. Relief. Homecoming. Joy. Warmth. Celebration. I run the words in my head more and more and attach a certain progression of feeling that fits that scenario," Cornelison said.

He takes great care in his annual performance, in part due to the tradition that came before him.

"People know every word. They know the note. It matters to them, and if you screw it up, they feel offended," Cornelison said. "You want to bring humanity to the stage, but you do have to be really precise."

Cornelison performs "Back Home" in the same key, though Nabors eventually changed keys as he grew older. But this is not an impersonation.

"You can’t be like a Beatles or Frank Sinatra impersonator up there, but that doesn’t mean you ignore what’s been there and what people have loved for decades."

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Rory Appleton is the pop culture reporter at IndyStar. Contact him at 317-552-9044 and rappleton@indystar.com, or follow him on Twitter at @RoryDoesPhonics.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Jim Nabors first sang (Back Home Again in) Indiana 50 years ago