Virginia Barn Dance
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| Radio show from Danville, Virginia | |
| publication | 1949 -? |
| production | WDVA |
| Contributors | |
| Moderation | Homer Thomasson |
The Virginia Barn Dance was an American country show broadcast by WDVA of Danville , Virginia .
history
Beginnings
The first Virginia Barn Dance was held in 1949. The shows were held Saturday evenings in an off-town auditorium at the Danville Fair Association Ground . The building was made to look like a barn for the show; at the end of the barn was the stage with the changing rooms. The show was hosted by Homer Thomasson, who disguised himself as a farmer. The show started at 8 p.m. and ended at 9:30 p.m. Then the seating in the hall was cleared to make room for the subsequent square dance .
successes
As the show grew in popularity, the Virginia Barn Dance was fed into the national radio network in 1953 and a half-hour sequence broadcast nationwide. For spectators who did not own a car, bus transport was organized from Danville city center to get to the Fair Ground. Every Saturday evening, the Barn Dance leadership honored a member who was doing his military service at the time ( Serviceman of the week ). Members included Clyde Moody and his Woodchoppers, Shirlee Hunter, Ralph "Grandpa" Camden and Mug & Jug. Occasionally, open-air shows were held when the rush of visitors was too great. Famous guests who made guest appearances at the Virginia Barn Dance included The Blue Sky Boys , Janis Martin, and Don Reno . In addition to traditional country musicians, rockabilly musicians also appeared increasingly at the Virginia Barn Dance from 1955 onwards .
Guests and members
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