Circle Jamboree WERE Cleveland, OH Year Started:  1953 Date Started:  November 7, 1953

Circle Jamboree We learned about the Circle Jamboree or as we have also seen, the Circle Theatre Jamboree, which was a country show that was held every night in Clevelnad, Ohio. It was unclear as to whether it was ever aired over a radio station or at least in its early stages. The Circle Jamboree was held at the Circle Theatre, which was then located at E. 105 Eculid Avenue in Cleveland. The initial emcee for the show was a disc jockey by the name of Tom Edwards, who worked as a disc jockey at radio station WERE in Cleveland. He was later replaced by Jack Gale, who worked at WSRC in Cleveland. In mid-1954, Glen Campbell (no, not the later popular star Glen Campbell) and Tex Clark reported in their "Letter To the Home Folks" column that a new star on the show was a 19-year old singer by the name of Louie Brazil. Jimmie Skinner was reported to have entertained a standing room only audience back then as well. We learned through Glen and Tex's regular updates on the show that a fellow by the name of Shorty Barnes was doing the comedy routines on the show in mid-1954. Other artists who were regulars on the Circle (Theatre) Jamboree were: Pat Haymons Lloyd Daniels J. W. Collins Jimmy Holt Marge Lund The Jones Twins The Circle Jamboree or Hillbilly Jamboree also had its share of guest stars. Some the folks who appeared onstage at the Circle Theatre were: Big Slim, The Lone Cowboy Merv Shiner Roy Scott and his Country Harmony Boys Hal Lone Pine and Betty Cody Hawkshaw Hawkins The fellows that wrote the column in Cowboy Songs magazine, Glen Campbell and Tex Clark also appeared to be a part of the show and perhaps part of a group called the Rainbow Valley Gang or was their backup band. You can contact us at countrymusichistory@hillbilly-music.com. Pat Haymons Tex Ann Jimmie Holt Dotty Jean Fillmore Tex Clarke and the Rainbow Valley Boys Margie Lund Jack Gale   Credits & Sources Cowboy Songs; No. 33; May 1954; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT Cowboy Songs; No. 34; June 1954; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT Cowboy Songs; No. 35; July 1954; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT Cowboy Songs; No. 36; August 1954; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT Cowboy Songs; No. 37; September-October 1954; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT