The Hayloft Gang: The Story of the National Barn Dance - American Folk Music History Book | Perfect for Music Lovers, Historians & Country Culture Enthusiasts
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SKU:33127872
Product Description
The National Barn Dance was the nation's most popular country music radio show during the 1930s and 1940s. The pioneering radio program defined country and western entertainment until the Grand Ole Opry and rock 'n' roll supplanted it in the 1950s. Broadcast for more than three decades from Chicago on WLS's powerful 50,000-watt signal, the show reached listeners throughout the Midwest, the East Coast, and South, delivering popular entertainment to both rural and urban areas while celebrating the fading folk traditions of an increasingly urbanized America. The Hayloft Gang draws on the colorful commentary of performers and former listeners to analyze the National Barn Dance, its audience, and its impact. Contributors trace the history of barn dance radio, explore the paradox of a foundational country music program broadcast from a major city, investigate notions of authenticity in the presentation of country music and entertainment, and delve into provocative issues raised by the barn dance phenomenon. Contributors: Chad Berry, Michael T. Bertrand, Lisa Krissoff Boehm, Don Cusic, Wayne W. Daniel, Loyal Jones, Kristine M. McCusker, Stephen Parry, Susan Smulyan, Paul L. Tyler, and Michael Ann Williams.
Customer Reviews
Anyone interested in the history of country music on radio should have this book in their collection. A very fine documentary on the WLS National Barndance by Stephen Parry is shown periodically on the PBS stations, and along with this book will give the viewer/reader an insight as to what went on behind the scenes and on stage to make this radio program last from the 1920's up to the 1950's. How it finally met its demise do to the advent of rock and roll. The book contains lots of photographs of the cast of the NBD, as well as history as to how some of the acts were formed. Strangely enough, the city where the Barndance emanated from was not Nashville, Tennessee,(It pre-dated the Grand Ole Op'ry) Wheeling West Virginia, or any southern state. It was broadcast from downtown Chicago, Illinois, back in the days of Al Capone and Prohibition. A very enjoyable and informative read.
