Big D Jamboree was an American radio

Radio

Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...

 program broadcast by KRLD-AM in Dallas, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...

. The show consisted of appearances by famous country music

Country music

Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...

ians as well as sketch comedy

Sketch comedy

A sketch comedy consists of a series of short comedy scenes or vignettes, called "sketches," commonly between one and ten minutes long. Such sketches are performed by a group of comic actors or comedians, either on stage or through an audio and/or visual medium such as broadcasting...

 and jokes. It was also carried by KRLD-TV during the 1950s.

History

The Big D Jamboree began in 1947 as The Lone Star Barn Dance, but was renamed October 16, 1948. It was held in the Dallas Sportatorium

Dallas Sportatorium

The Sportatorium, located in downtown Dallas, Texas , was a barn-like arena used primarily for professional wrestling events...

. The show was initially produced by Al Turner and Ed McLemore, and then later by Johnny Hicks and Johnny Harper. The number of musicians who performed regularly rose from 20 to 50 by 1953. Around 1956, the CBS Radio Network

CBS Radio Network

The CBS Radio Network provides news, sports and other programming to more than 1,000 radio stations throughout the United States. The network is owned by CBS Corporation, and operated by CBS Radio ....

 began carrying the Big D Jamboree nationally. A number of later country stars appeared on the program, including Jimmy Lee Fautheree

Jimmy Lee Fautheree

Jimmy Lee Fautheree was an American rockabilly and country singer.Born in Smackover, Arkansas, he began playing guitar at age 12, and was heavily influenced by Merle Travis. In 1946 his family moved to Dallas, where he played on KRLD's Big D Jamboree...

, Webb Pierce

Webb Pierce

Webb Michael Pierce was one of the most popular American honky tonk vocalists of the 1950s, charting more number one hits than any other country artist during the decade. His biggest hit was "In The Jailhouse Now," which charted for 37 weeks in 1955, 21 of them at number one...

, Hank Locklin

Hank Locklin

Lawrence Hankins Locklin , better known as Hank Locklin, was an American country music singer-songwriter...

, Gene O'Quin

Gene O'Quin

Gene O'Quin was a Texas, United States, born honky tonk singer. He was born in Dallas on September 9, 1932He had hits during the 1950s.-External links:*...

 and Billy Walker

Billy Walker (musician)

William Marvin Walker , better known as Billy Walker, was an American country music singer and guitarist best-known for his 1962 hit, " Charlie's Shoes"...

 (who wore a mask and was billed as the Traveling Texan).

For many musicians, the Big D Jamboree was a jumping point to larger shows such as Louisiana Hayride

Louisiana Hayride

Louisiana Hayride was a radio and later television country music show broadcast from the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana, that during its heyday from 1948 to 1960 helped to launch the careers of some of the greatest names in American music...

or The Grand Ole Opry. KRLD-TV also broadcast a live Saturday afternoon preview of the night's show in 1956, and by 1957 it was telecast live from the stage each Saturday night from 10–10:30 p.m. CT.

Since it was the only country music program in the Dallas area, it enjoyed years of great popularity toward the end of the 1950s, but lost listenership in the 1960s.

Performers

(in alphabetical order)

Charline Arthur Billy Jack Hale Benny Belew Bobby Belew Doug Bragg Dick Burnet Paul Buskirk Homer Callahan Ronnie Callahan Walter Callahan Bert Carrol Johnny Carroll Johnny Carroll Johnny Carroll was an American rockabilly musician.-Biography:Born John Lewis Carrell , Carroll began recording for Decca Records in the middle of the 1950s. He released several singles, but none of them saw significant success, though they are now critically acclaimed... Johnny Cash Johnny Cash John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century... Orville Couch Orville Couch Orville Couch was an American country music singer. He recorded one studio album for Vee Jay Records in 1963, in addition to appearing on radio shows. The album produced two singles on the Billboard country music charts: "Hello Trouble" at #5 and "Did I Miss You?" at #25... Riley Crabtree Bobby Crown "Specs" Dickson Werly Fairburn Werly Fairburn Werley Fairburn was an American rockabilly musician.Fairburn listened to the Grand Ole Opry and played guitar as a youngster, learning to play from a local blues musician alongside the hillbilly music he heard on the radio... Jimmy Lee Fautheree Jimmy Lee Fautheree Jimmy Lee Fautheree was an American rockabilly and country singer.Born in Smackover, Arkansas, he began playing guitar at age 12, and was heavily influenced by Merle Travis. In 1946 his family moved to Dallas, where he played on KRLD's Big D Jamboree... Dianne Foster Dianne Foster Dianne Foster is a Canadian actress of Ukrainian descent who began her career at the age of 13 in a stage adaptation of James Barrie's What Every Woman Knows. At fourteen she began a radio career, subsequently moved to Toronto, and became one of Canada's top radio stars... Gus Foster Doreen Freeman Lefty Frizzell Lefty Frizzell Lefty Frizzell , born William Orville Frizzell, was an American country music singer and songwriter of the 1950s, and a proponent of honky tonk music. His relaxed style of singing was an influence on later stars Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, George Jones and John Fogerty... Artie Glenn

Darrell Glenn Darrell Glenn Darrell Glenn made his mark in the music business with his 1953 recording of "Crying In the Chapel", written by his dad, Artie Glenn.... Cousin Herald Goodman Rex Griffin Rex Griffin Alsie "Rex" Griffin was an American country musician and songwriter.-Early years:Griffin was born in Gadsden, Alabama as the second of seven children to Marion and Selma Griffin. He grew up on a farm and received little schooling, eventually finding work in the factory where his father worked as a... Dewey Groom Helen Hall Helen Hall Helen Hall is a rock memorabilia and film memorabilia, an insurance appraiser and auctioneer. A former Vice-President at , Helen now works with private collectors, auction houses, museums and institutions all over the world to research, appraise, authenticate and value iconic objects, manuscripts,... Johnny Harper Johnny Harper Johnny Harper is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., played by Ryan Donowho.-Season 3:Johnny Harper was an upcoming surfer, rival of Kevin Volchok and best friend of Dennis "Chilli" Childress... Johnny Hicks The Hilltop Ramblers Wanda Jackson Wanda Jackson Wanda Lavonne Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist who had success in the mid-1950s and 60s as one of the first popular female rockabilly singers and a pioneering rock and roll artist... Sonny James Sonny James James Loden , known professionally as Sonny James, is an American country music singer and songwriter best known for his 1957 hit, "Young Love". Dubbed the Southern Gentleman, James had 72 country and pop chart hits from 1953 to 1983, including a five-year streak of 16 straight among his 23 No. 1... Jimmy & Johnny Jimmy & Johnny Jimmy & Johnny were an American country music duo composed of Jimmy Lee Fautheree and Johnny "Country" Mathis. They scored several hits on the U.S. country charts in the 1950s.... Okie Jones George Kent Merle Kilgore Merle Kilgore Wyatt Merle Kilgore was an American singer, songwriter, and manager.-Early life:Although born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, Merle Kilgore was raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was the son of Wyatt and Gladys B. Kilgore... Sid King and the Five Strings Patti Lane Hank Locklin Hank Locklin Lawrence Hankins Locklin , better known as Hank Locklin, was an American country music singer-songwriter... Janis Martin and the Marteens Janis Martin Janis Darlene Martin was an American rockabilly and country music singer. She was one of the few women working in the male-dominated rock and roll music field during the 1950s and one of country music's early female innovators... Johnny "Country" Mathis Chuck Mayfield Eddie McDuff Marvin ('Smokey") Montgomery Johnny Moore Johnny Moore Johnny Moore may refer to:*Johnny Moore , basketball player*Johnny Moore , American baseball player*Johnny Moore , American soul singer and songwriter, played with The Drifters... Gene O'Quin Gene O'Quin Gene O'Quin was a Texas, United States, born honky tonk singer. He was born in Dallas on September 9, 1932He had hits during the 1950s.-External links:*...

LeFawn Paul Leon Payne and his Lone Star Buddies Leon Payne Leon Payne , "the Blind Balladeer", was a country music singer and songwriter.-Life:Leon Roger Payne was born in Alba, Texas on June 15, 1917. He was blind in one eye at birth, and lost the sight of the other eye in early childhood. He attended the Texas School for the Blind from 1924 to 1935,... Peach Seed Carl Perkins Carl Perkins Carl Lee Perkins was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954... Webb Pierce Webb Pierce Webb Michael Pierce was one of the most popular American honky tonk vocalists of the 1950s, charting more number one hits than any other country artist during the decade. His biggest hit was "In The Jailhouse Now," which charted for 37 weeks in 1955, 21 of them at number one... Joe Poovey Joe Poovey Arnold Joseph "Joe" Poovey , often credited on record and stage as "Groovey" Joe Poovey , was an American rockabilly and country singer, songwriter, guitarist and radio disc jockey... Elvis Presley Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".... Joe Price Joe Price Joseph Walter Price , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played in the Major Leagues from 1980 to 1990. He played college baseball for Oklahoma State University from 1975 to 1976, and played for the University of Oklahoma in 1977... Ray Price Ray Price (musician) Ray Price is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. His wide-ranging baritone has often been praised as among the best male voices of country music... Wilford Roach Bobby Roy Billy Jack Saucier Billy Jack Saucier Billy Jack Saucier was an acclaimed Grand National Fiddler and a native of Dallas, Texas.-Biography:As a child, Saucier studied classical violin and performed with the Oak Cliff Symphony Orchestra at the age of 15 where his exceptional talent was the starting point of a great career.His passion... Shelton Brothers Shelton Brothers The Shelton Brothers, Bob, Joe and Merle, were pioneer country musicians and renowned recording artists based out of Texas from the mid 1930s through the 1960s...  (early Big D Jamboree stars) Warren Smith Warren Smith (singer) Warren Smith was an American rockabilly and country music singer and guitarist.-Biography:Smith was born in Humphreys County, Mississippi to Iola and Willie Warren Smith, who divorced when he was young... Hank Snow Hank Snow Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow was a Canadian-American country music artist. He charted more than 70 singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980... Sunshine Ruby The Texas Stompers Hank Thompson Mitchell Torok Mitchell Torok Mitchell Torok is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known for his 1953 hit, "Caribbean".-Biography:... Al Turner Gene Vincent Gene Vincent Vincent Eugene Craddock , known as Gene Vincent, was an American musician who pioneered the styles of rock and roll and rockabilly. His 1956 top ten hit with his Blue Caps, "Be-Bop-A-Lula", is considered a significant early example of rockabilly... Jimmy Wakely Jimmy Wakely James Clarence Wakeley , better known as Jimmy Wakely, was an American country-Western singer and actor, one of the last crooning cowpokes following World War II... Billy Walker Billy Walker (musician) William Marvin Walker , better known as Billy Walker, was an American country music singer and guitarist best-known for his 1962 hit, " Charlie's Shoes"... Bobby Williamson Bobby Williamson Robert "Bobby" Williamson is a former association footballer who is currently manager of the Uganda national football team. He previously managed Kilmarnock and Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League and Plymouth Argyle in the Football League Championship.-Playing career:As a player, Williamson... Slim Willet Slim Willet Slim Willet was an American disc jockey, musician, and songwriter....

External links

• Big D Jamboree at the Rockabilly Hall of Fame