National Barn Dance

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Infobox microphone icon
National Barn Dance
Radio show from Chicago, Illinois
publication 1924-1960
production WLS
Contributors
Moderation George D. Hay (until 1925)
The Monroe Brothers
Cliff Carlisle
The WLS Rangers
Gid Tanner

The National Barn Dance was an American country show broadcast by WLS of Chicago , Illinois . The National Barn Dance was the most successful show of its type in the 1920s and 1930s.

history

Beginnings

The first National Barn Dance took place on the evening of April 19, 1924 in the station's studio. The moderator was George D. Hay , who also organized the show despite the director Edgar Bill, because Bill was initially against such a show. The music then had a far greater backwoods reputation than it does today. The very first show was a great success as the audience was “ atonished and delighted ” to hear the old songs again. Hay left WLS in 1925 to work for WSM , which launched a similar program, the Grand Ole Opry , a year later . The first members of the show included Tommy Dandurand, Tom Owens, Chubby Parker, Pie Plant Pete and Walter Peterson.

Rise and end

Due to its increasing popularity, the National Barn Dance had to move to the Eight Street Theater in 1931 . More and more people wanted to see the shows where the studio looked like an old barn and hillbilly musicians were performing their songs. At the time, there were nationally known musicians who were members of the show, such as Gid Tanner , The Hoosier Hot Shots , The Monroe Brothers , Cliff Carlisle, and Gene Autry . In 1932 the show was selected by the NBC system to be fed into its network so that it could be received throughout the United States. For the next 20 years, the show was constantly sold out and peaked in the 1930s.

From 1949, ABC-TV also broadcast the programs on television. In 1944 Paramount Pictures shot the film of the same name, which dealt with the subject of the show and in which stars like Arkansas Woodchopper , Joe Kelly and the Hoosier Hotshots had guest appearances. The show was successful until the 1950s, but its popularity fell significantly as other successful shows appeared, such as the Louisiana Hayride or the Big D Jamboree , which adapted to musical tastes and rockabilly and rock 'n' roll musicians in singing their shows. In addition, television was conquering America's homes and there was no longer any need to go to the studio because television was now a means of entertainment. The live shows were finally abolished in 1957; until 1960 the show continued on the station WGN. The last program aired on April 30, shortly after the National Barn Dance's 30th anniversary.

Guests and members

  • Four hired hands
  • Uncle Orrie's Village Limits
  • Dorothy Ann Ferguson
  • Uncle Ezra
  • George Goebel
  • Connie & Bonnie
  • Speed ​​Freeman
  • Three Little Maids
  • Dinning Sisters
  • Bill O'Connor
  • Maryann Albach
  • Ted Morse
  • The Range Riders
  • The Wilson Sisters
  • Evelyn Overstake
  • Andy Reynolds and 101 Ranch Boys
  • Hiram & Henry
  • The Prairie Sweethearts
  • The Virginia Hams
  • Betty Ross
  • Cecil & Esther Ward
  • Howard Melaney
  • Grace Wilson
  • Doc Hopkins
  • Pat Buttram
  • Patty Clayton

Web links

Commons : National Barn Dance  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files