Old Dominion Barn Dance
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| Richmond, Virginia radio show | |
| publication | 1946–1957/1964 |
| production | WRVA |
| Contributors | |
| Moderation | Sunshine Sue, Carlton Haney |
The Old Dominion Barn Dance was an American country show broadcast on WRVA radio station in Richmond , Virginia .
history
Beginnings
The Old Dominion Barn Dance was first broadcast live from the WRVA Theater in Richmond via WRVA on the evening of September 19, 1946. Sunshine Sue , who had been with WRVA for six years, took over the moderation and brought in Mother Maybelle & the Carter Sisters for the first show . At first the shows were held in the afternoon during the week, but from 1947 the barn dance was shifted to Saturday evenings. At that time, WRVA could be heard all over the east coast of the United States. The show turned out to be a success in its first year; they always played in the sold-out auditorium, which could hold 1,400 spectators, and by December 1947 over 100,000 people had already seen the Old Dominion Barn Dance live.
Ascent
In 1950, the Barn Dances ensemble included over 100 musicians, including nationally known artists such as Grandpa Jones , Joe Maphis and Rose Lee Maphis , Chick Stripling, Toby Stroud and Jackie Phelps. Now the Columbia Broadcasting System took over the broadcast throughout the USA and the Old Dominion Barn Dance rose to become one of the most popular barn dance shows in the country. Sunshine Sue and WRVA head John Tansey had worked hard to get the show firmly established on the national country scene.
Shows were recorded for soldiers overseas and also broadcast in Germany via AFN, alternating weekly with the Old Kentucky Barn Dance , the Big D Jamboree and the Louisiana Hayride . The radio album awarded the Old Dominion Barn Dance an award for Outstanding Contribution To American Folk Music in Radio and Theater Entertainment . At this point the show was at the height of its success. Rockabilly star Janis Martin found her breakthrough in barn dance in 1955 and other country stars such as Lester Flatt , Barbara Allen , Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper , Reno and Smiley , Mac Wiseman and many more could be won over for the shows.
The End
In 1957 the Old Dominion Barn Dance was discontinued and replaced by the New Dominion Barn Dance. Carlton Haney took over the moderation and continued the show through WRVA until 1964.
In 1975 the Old Dominion Barn Dance was revived once again via WTVR and WTVR-TV. Among the guests were Grandpa Jones, Joe Maphis and Sunshine Sue, Jr. In addition, a record label was founded with which they wanted to sign young talents of barn dance.
In the present the Old Dominion Barn Dance Foundation For The Performing Arts was established to remember and preserve tradition .
Guests and members
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Individual evidence
- ^ Billboard of February 8, 1975: "Dominion Debuting on Disc"