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Dairyland Barn Dance
During our research of the KDTH Barn Dance in Dubuque, IA, it led us to more research
on Mack and Sandy Ford. They not only started a barn dance in Neenah, WI broadcast
over WNAM-FM but came back to Wisconsin and tried to start the Dairyland Barn
Dance in Oshkosh.
In early 1956, the local Oshkosh Northwestern newspaper ran several ads trying to
entice local entertainers to audition and become a part of this new barn dance. The
show was to debut on Friday night, May 4, 1956 at the Eagles Ballroom. We found no mention if
this was a radio broadcast. The ads ran as early as February 1956 and as late as
April 18, 1956.
But we did notice that a couple of the promotional ads contained a photo of the 'cast'
as well as the unique barn backgrop with someone perhaps having a swig of someting
in the hayloft. In fact, the pictures are identical except for the name below the
hayloft doors.
The first couple of ads promoting the show to be held on May 4, 1956 listed just a signle performer -
Dodo Ratchman who would be doing the dance music. It was touted as "A big western hillbilly
show of music, song, and comedy. 30 people on the stage. Featuring talent of radio,
television and stage." The ticket office would open at 8:30pm and admission would
cost just 50 cents.
Dodo Ratchman was a fixture in the Oshkosh area. He led his orchestra for 50 years
according to his obituary. He was also a lifetime member of the Eagles, which may
have played a part in where the Barn Dance was held.
In the week prior to the debut of the barn dance, ads told readers who the performers
were. Johnny and Bernice Balke; Ron Fisher; Sandy Olson; Shirley Keller; The Myers Twins,
Frances Lamb, Donald LaPoint and "many others." Dance music was to be "...by the man
who knows dance music, Dodo Ratchman." Readers were invited to "come and have the time
of your life."
However, the show appears to have had a very short run of just two weeks. No further
ads were seen for the show and the Eagles Hall was hosting other entertainers. The
last ad seen was for Friday, May 11, 1956.
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