KDTH Barn Dance
The seeds for the KDTH Barn Dance were planted when the husband / wife duo
of Mack and Sandy Ford arrived on the scene. The souple had been married
in Gary, Indiana earlier in 1943.
Their introduction to listeners of KDTH was their "Farm Family Circle" program
that was heard each day at 11:30am. They were drawing mail from listeners who
enjoyed their efforts. Then came an idea for a game that would begin in early
1944. War stamps would be the prizes; Mack was in charge of the program. Karl (Drop-a-Card)
Anthony told readers to wait for details.
It wasn't long before this couple was drawing the most mail. Sandy herself had a show
that was on four days a week at 6:30am. Since the Christmas season was approaching
at the end of 1943, listeners were sending some hand decorated Christmas wishes
and sometimes just sending requests. The couple was doing the usual personal appearances
around the area. Mack works with huge Australian bull whips. He said he learned
it "...as a kid in Texas, popping off grass hoppers and butterflies." Sandy does an 'intriguing
rope routine.'
On Saturday evening March 11, 1944, the KDTH Barn Dance was on the air for the first
time. An article said the "mail pull proves it now...KDTH has, to say the very least,
a 'tiger by the tail.'"
The show tried to bring local talent to the show and give them exposure to audiences.
In March 1944, the show held talent auditions at KDTH during the week. That brought
many aspiring vocalists and musicians to the station. The process was said
to "...arrange appearance of the best the tri-state area has to offer."
In August 1944, readers learned that a "...bigger and better KDTH Barn Dance series..." was
to take to the airwaves on September 9, from 9pm to 10pm on Saturday nights.
The show would be direct from the Melody Mill facility. It was said that due to the
popularity of the show, and the desire of many to attend in person, the program
was moved from the radio studio. Melody Mill would allow visitors to enjoy the show
in-person.
Articles providing details about the KDTH Barn Dance were found to be scarce. But once in
a while, one is found. A small paragraph titled "Barn Dance Notes" appeared in
a September 22, 1944 newspaper:
"Only one event, and that in the days when gas was plentiful
and rubber was to be had for a fairly reasonable price, has ever come close to
matching the Saturday night KDTH Barn Dance for public interest. That was a five
ring circus some years back, according to the theatrical historians who keep tab
on such matters. Texas Red, Pinto Pete, the Sunshine Sisters, the Barnstormers,
Mack and Sandy Ford , and the rest of the Barn Dance crew are rehearsing for their
third stanza which goes on the air Saturday night at 9 o'clock."
In 1947, there were indications that Mack and Sandy Ford were moving on to other
endeavors. One promotional ad announced the grand opening of the M—S Amusement
Ranch located on County Trunk M, three and a half miles nort of Winneconne, WI, some
190 miles north of Dubuque. Promotional ads were seen touting their first appearance on Wisconsin
radio on a new station, WNAM (1280am) out of Neenah, WI.
This was perhaps the end of the involvement of Mack and Sandy with the KDTH Barn Dance.
They were now the featured act on the WNAM-FM Barn Dance bsed on a May 28, 1948 ad
seen. The show was originating in Waverly Beach and said to have a cast of 20 people.
Mack and Sandy did return to KDTH in October 1949 for a homecoming of sorts.
By 1950, the show had moved to the Nu-Dells Ballroom in Durango, IA
Credits & Sources
- A Biographical and Pictorial Background of the KDTH Barn Dance;
- Radiovue; December 16, 1943; The Dubuque Telegraph-Herald; Dubuque, IA
- Radiovue; December 21, 1943; The Dubuque Telegraph-Herald; Dubuque, IA
- Radiovue; March 15, 1944; The Dubuque Telegraph-Herald; Dubuque, IA
- Radiovue; March 16, 1944; The Dubuque Telegraph-Herald; Dubuque, IA
- Radiovue; August 9, 1944; The Dubuque Telegraph-Herald; Dubuque, IA
- Barn Dance Notes; September 22, 1944; The Dubuque Telegraph-Herald; Dubuque, IA
