The Wheeling Jamboree, part 1 of 2

This story looks at the history and significance of the Wheeling Jamboree. The show ended late 2005 after 72 years, but now a new group has formed to revive the Jamboree. This story first aired Dec. 16, 2004, on the program "Outlook,: and was rebroadcast Jan. 31, 2008. Russ Barbour and Steve Chapman produced the story.

[@dreadnought45]

I listened to WWVA and the Jamboree from the middle fifties into the early sixties from Toronto when growing up as a kid as I had a radio in my room. If I was out with my friends or on a date on a Saturday night I would always tune into WWVA when I came home. I also listened during the week in the evening to DJ Lee Sutton and later on during the night to "The Coffee-Drinkin' Nighthawk", Lee Moore. I learned to play "The Cat Came Back" on the guitar by listening to Lee Moore play and sing that song. I lost lots of sleep when getting up for high school in those days. I met Wilma Lee in June of 1956 when she, Stoney Cooper, and their daughter, Carol Lee appeared at the local hockey arena in Scarborough, a suburb of Toronto. She was standing at the concession stand ordering coffee when I and my two buddies walked in. I walked up to her and she talked to us for fifteen minutes. I was fourteen at the time and it was the biggest thrill of my life to meet her. She was so gracious to us. - Ken, Toronto

[@LarryKrause]

Listened for years while driving my Big Rig all night here in Canada. Could hear it most nights but some nights it didn't come in. Thank You for all those wonderful years helping me pass the night on the highway!

[@fredsullivan2777]

Same here. Started trucking in 1957 and listened to 1170 AM WWVA every night after midnight and the jamborie on Saturday. Doc Williams was my favorite.

[@fredsullivan2777]

I started trucking in 1957. Tuned in to 1170 every night at midnight. That's when all the little stations went off the air and WWVAs 50,000 Watts came through loud and clear!

[@arnoldsmith5754]

i grew up listening to wwva and even heard rebroadcasts in vietnam on really sensitive military radios in 78-79

[@kimberlyphillipssmith7956]

I'm from right across the river in Martins Ferry. My Grandma and Pap went to the Jamboree every week from the 60s and 70s..GREAT review of the Jamboree! Thanks for sharing..

[@cmchop]

How well I remember this. I still have my WWVA Jamboree cow bell.

[@LoneWolf-dv7ul]

I remember my parents going to Jamboree In The Hills when I was a kid.

[@cariboubill]

What a great video. Brings tears to my eyes, remembering growing up with the Jamboree! ...Bill

[@dreadnought45]

Used to listen to the WWVA Jamboree through the 50's and early 60's from Toronto. The lineup was: Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Mac Wiseman, Osborne Bros.,Cowboy Slim. Genial Gene Hooper, Lee Moore, Jim & Jesse McReynalds, Dusty Owens with Donna Darleen, Doc & Chickie Williams, Crazy Elmer, Wayne Raney, Skeeter Bonne, and Hylo Brown. That's all I can remember. Ken, Toronto

[@neilkinney6600]

The "Friendly Voice"!!! WWVA Wheeling west Virginia 1170 on your radio dial

[@donaldewert2332]

Some of my favorites from W.W.V.A. were Penny DeHaven, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Ethel Delaney and Doc & Chickie Williams.

[@radioman5615]

This is the best of then best Music. I love it.

[@dreadnought45]

Wilma Lee and Stoney-my all-time favourites. I and My two buddies met Wilma Lee at the Birchmount Arena in 1956 when I was 14 years old. She was ordering coffee at the concession stand for her and Stoney, She talked to me for about 20 minutes answering all my questions.What a gracious and beautiful lady. Cute, too! I still miss announcer Lee Sutton and that "coffee drinkin' 'nighthawk, Lee Moore on WWVA radio. Missed a lot of sleep getting up for school in those days. Ken, Toronto

[@JamboreeUSA]

Wheeling Jamboree 77th Anniversary Show is scheduled April 3 2010 to be broadcast from the stage of the Capitol. Shows are back on the air since 2008.

[@n8vzl]

My best good buddy "Headcheese" got me working for the IATSE local 64 Wheeling, WV first operating motion picture machines at the Glen Dale Drive-In then off to Jamboree In The HIlls and then as a regular with Jamboree USA. Boy those were some good days.

[@JamboreeUSA]

This story has several comments that are not quite correct and the show did not end in 2005. Staff of WWVA actually continues studio shows and aired archives on WWVA until the new company could transition from its former stage producers. The Jamboree continues and fans can see recent videos here on The Wheeling Jamboree KZbin Channel.

[@Rhymezilla1]

@TheWheelingJamboree do you have any video on Bonnie Baldwin

[@Rhymezilla1]

@dreadnought45 also bonnie baldwin she was my grandmother