WPFB Jamboree
National Hillbilly News told readers of a show originating from Middletown, Ohio
in the summer of 1949. The WPFB Jamboree started off as a show held on Friday
and Saturday nights. It was held initially under a tent that held close to 800
people. The station wanted to build a barn and stage the jamboree from there.
The plans called for the 'barn' to be modern in that it would include
air conditioning.
The cast included such names as Chuck Swain, Shorty HObbs, Ross Hendricks,
Tex and Irene Williams, Juel and Bob Holida. Guest acts would also do appearances.
Nicola and Rose Fantetti told readers they had seen the studios and noted the carpentry
adding benches to accommodate the audiences showing up.
But apparently, the idea for building a barn was delayed. The show was staged
at a barn that had been built in 1816 and was said to be one of the oldest structures
in that part of the state. The barn was 35 feet by 70 feet. The only new construction
in the barn was the refurnished exterior and flooring. The remodeling of the barn
had been completed in October 1949.
Wayne Tilford (Midkiff) was a fiddler who had played at several other radio stations.
He married a yodeler named Little Jo (Josephine) DePew on July 1, 1950.
A promotional ad announced that the opening night for the WPFB Barn
was Saturday, October 22, 1949. The 'genial emcee' was Ranny Daly and Shorty Hobbs.
Admission was 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for children.
However, the barn was completely destroyed by a fire of ounknmown origin on January 6, 1950. The corner
of the barn where the fire started had no electrical wiring of any kind and the master
switch for the heat had been turned off on Wednesday, January 4, 1950. The damage
was estimated to be about $20,000. The barn was located on Rte 25 at Coles Road in Middletown.
Credits & Sources
- Behind The Scenes; Nicola and Rose Fantetti; July/August 1949; National Hillbilly News; Mr. and Mrs. Orville Via; Huntington, WV
- Show Barn Burns To Ground; January 6, 1950; Dayton Daily News; Dayton, OH