Five years after this episode Hoyt Axton would write what would become the #1 hit song for Three Dog Night, "Joy To The World".
The first of three episodes featuring Steve Ihnat, who would die seven years later just one day before series star Dan Blocker, the two passing away on May 12 and 13, 1972, at the early ages of 37 and 43, respectively. Episode co-star Susanne Cramer would predecease them, passing away on January 7, 1969 at the young age of 32. Both Ihnat and Cramer had previously worked together in an episode of another TV western, Temple Houston (1963), whose star Jeffrey Hunter would also die young the same year as Cramer, on May 27, 1969, at age 42.
As this was Pernell Roberts last episode on "Bonanza", there are a few very poignant moments in the script. First, when Michael Landon meets Roberts in town, Landon asks him to have one last beer with him in the saloon. And then, the last word Pernell speaks in the series, is "goodbye," to the actress Susanne Cramer, as she gets on the stage. Then finally, Roberts rides out of town, past a group of little girls, skipping rope, singing about a man who won't be forgotten. (much like Roberts will be remembered.)
"Dead And Gone" is the song that Howard Mead (Hoyt Axton) plays while he is in jail at the beginning of the show, and accompanied by Adam (Pernell Roberts) on guitar, on The Ponderosa.
The song Early One Morning was sung in this episode and in "The Wooing of Abigail Jones" from the third season.