KMPC Country Carnival Barn Dance
They ran an article back in 1948 announcing the debut of this show on
November 6, 1948. It was supposed to be "...California's answer to the
ever popular WSM Folks Show...". It was to air over 50,000 watt station,
KMPC (710 on the am dial) on Saturday nights.
It was supposed to be the biggest show on the west coast in terms of the
number of cast members, which was to initially be about 40 "Hillbilly
and Western Stars" from the then 48 states.
At the outset, KMPC was said to be ready to air two hours of the four-hour
show. If the audience interest was there, they were ready to air all four hours
of the show.
Smilin' Ed McConnell was quoted as stating the Country Carnival Barn Dance
was ready to take its place next to the other famed shows such as The Grand
Ole Opry, Renfro Valley Barn Dance, Plantation Party and others.
The show was to initially be broadcast from 9:00pm to 11:00pm. The show itself
would run from 8:00pm to 12:00midnight.
The master of ceremonies for the broadcast portions of the
shows were scheduled to be as follows:
- Cottonseed Clark, from 9:00pm to 10:00pm
- Billy Starr, from 10:00pm to 10:30pm
- Jimmy Walker, from 10:30pm to 11:00pm
Credits & Sources
- Jamboree Magazine; November 1948; Western Song Club; Ventura, California
