Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

NATIONAL BARN DANCE

Country variety show '24-70 aimed at rural audience, one of the first of its kind. Started on WLS in Chicago by popular announcer George D. Hay, who later organised Grand Ole Opry. Among many who passed through the Barn Dance were Red Foley, Gene Autry, Bob Atcher, Rex Allen. WLS is one of the most powerful stations in the Midwest; call letters stood for "world's largest store': originally owned by Sears & Roebuck, from whose mail-order catalogue rural America did its shopping. Went to top 40 format in '50s; when station changed hands again '60 the Barn Dance moved to WGN.