Renfro Valley Barn Dance

The Renfro Valley Barn Dance is an American country music broadcast that is sent from WLW from Renfro Valley, Kentucky.

History

The folk musician and organizer John Lair began in 1937 with the planning of a new Barn Dance show. On October 9, 1937, the first shipment of the so-called Renfro Valley Barn Dances held in the Cincinnati Music Hall. Even there, the show was very successful, however, was in 1938 moved to Dayton from Memorial Auditorium. However Lair was still not entirely happy with the design of the program. In his opinion, had a Barn Dance Show will be held in a "real" barn. So pulled the show in 1939 at the eponymous place in the Renfro Valley in Kentucky. There, the mission took place in a purpose-built barn. In the first show came on, among other things Homer " Slim" Miller, a good friend lairs.

Rise

Quick won the Renfro Valley Barn Dance in popularity and was broadcast nationwide. The area around the barn was built similar to a modern leisure park, so there were, among others, a restaurant where you can enjoy Southern cuisine and a souvenir shop, were sold in the song folios, autograph cards or records. The park was expanded in the following years.

1939 also, two other well-known country musician to the show, Red Foley and " The Duke of Paducah " Whitey Ford The two were to become two of the most popular members of the Renfro Valley Barn Dances. Other well-known members of the show were, among others, Jean Chapel, Jerry Byrd, Martha Carson, Homer & Jethro, and Don Wilburn. Later, guest stars like Waylon Jennings completed appearances in the show. The popularity of the Renfro Valley Barn Dances rose in the 1940s and on. Spectators came from 15 different countries in order to see the show. The line often had to hold three shows on a Saturday to give all viewers entertainment. With 5,000 spectators per evening this exceeded the capacity of the barn with 1,000 seats completely.

John Lair took in the show many features. He was, besides Dwight Butcher and Gene Cobb, host of the show, wrote scenes that produced the mission and dedication to the artist. Also known as Lair died in 1985, the show was on. In the second half of the 20th century the popularity took off, yet still were great figures of country music on the show. Today, the mission is not transmitted by the radio, but will continue to take place regularly.

Guests and members

  • Granny Harper
  • The Randolph Sisters
  • The Crusaders
  • Lily May Ledford
  • The Coon Creek Girls
  • Homer and Jethro
  • Jean Chapel
  • The Mountain Rangers
  • The Duke of Paducah ( Whitey Ford)
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