John Lair was not only a good man, but a good friend, who would help any body, and not think twice about. I am so honored to have known such a great man, who like myself just liked some things to stay the same. Thank you Mr. Lair for all you gave.
I am 77 years old but I remember my mother listening to the Renfro Valley on an old battery powered radio, if the battery wasn't down, as we didn't have any electricity at that time, just a farming family who live far back on a little farm where we made a living, and I was just a small lad not going to school yet. She loved it Renfro Valley and listened every chance she got. I can listen to those old programs now and it carries me back to a time I wish I could live again. I feel sorry for those who can never know how life was then, they will never know what they missed. Thank you.
You created a masterpiece with this video. Thank you so very much for sharing with the world. I am a 69 year old from northern Minnesota, and the clip brought tears to my eyes. Thanks again !!!
Folks, there is nothing better than a weekend at Renfro Valley. Forget the outside world and enjoy. There is a love on stage and in this small venue that I haven't found anywhere else. The musicianship can't be beat. Even from the back you can see every player and watch the moves. Imagine live , inexpensive, music of the highest caliber. Thanks for putting this video together. I'd wanted something to show my friends. :)
i lived up the road for several years at Berea. When johns daughters decided to sell in late 80's i made some aerial pictures for them.. A real special place. Enjoyed this video from Lapaz, Leyte, Philippines
Kentucky native here, pulaski is a mid-sized town near the Tennessee border line but I remember being 6 and heading up the road, we come from the area outside of burnside. This is about all we had growing up, this is why I think us Appalachians are a different sort of people, what you say 25 years behind the rest of the U.S. crazy it's only been 12 years since then.
I'm only 38 as 2 week ago, but my daddy would bring me and my brothers her as we was kids. His people,some of'em lived on the hill up from the barn, was good folks. The place is magical now that I start to recall the old times. Never a bad moment.
So glad to find this, but disappointed that my father Coy Priddy was not featured more. Dad and mom were married live on WHAS from renfro valley stage on Nov. 27, 1948. Dad remained a member untiil his death in June 1990. Mr. Lair always insisted on introducing dad until he could no longer come to stage. Dad lived in Louisville but commuted back and forth the last 10 yes with Susan Tomes. in early days Claude Sweet and Dad were called bachelor boys.
Very Cool Lefty, I was just there at Renfro Valley playing Sax and Steel guitar with Ronnie Milsap and before we went on I went over to the "Old Barn" and played Yackety Sax" with that group of fine entertainers and musicians!! Too much fun!
My grandfather, Ray Mulkey {Ray & Shug - the Mulkey brothers played there. They also played in the Gloryland Quartette and then the Lonesome Pine Boys. They had a 5 yr contract with John lair but sadly my grandad and some of his brothers had major drinking problems. I have been told by one of his nephews that he messed up his contractor and ended up in Detroit working with a brother in the auto industry in about 1950 or so. It’s interesting to see some of his recordings in here!
Takes me back to my childhood as I would listen to this in the late '30's and '40's. I believe the Barndance started in 1939. Susan Laws performs Take me back to Renfro Valley. Scene at 5:25 min. is beautiful. Reminds me of where I grew up in middle Tenn. , would go there to gather walnuts and hickory nuts for the winter months, In the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains. Place was called Pilot Knob, a dairy farm down below, they had a dairy factory in Cookeville. Pilot Knob is a 1,339 ft. Peak, very steep and rocky. At the top was a sink hole, always was told it had no bottom, very big around and very deep. The place is very different today, understand there is a town or "city" built there today.
A very nice tribute video. I'd like to point out, though, that the "Famous Goofus Act" was actually the Cumberland Ridge Runners with Karl Davis, Harty Taylor, Red Foley, and Slim Miller. That group was a mainstay of the WLS National Barn Dance (also founded by Lair), but never played as part of the Renfro Valley cast. That bit of film was made at the Shriners' Children's Hospital in Chicago. Though Red & Slim made the transition to WLW & Renfro Valley, Karl and Harty remained in Chicago on WLS and later WJJD as part of the Suppertime Frolic.
@leftylaws Thanks Lefty for the information about the Parker Brothers. Do you know if they are performing anywhere right now or recording? When I mentioned them to my sis she told me she had an album by them she bought at Renfro Valley about 20 or so years ago but when she moved it got lost somewhere. I appreciate all you all do for this wonderful entertainment center. - Paula
Homer and Jethro weren't allowed to get more than two haircuts a year. Jethro said the first thing they did after Jethro finished his Army induction physical was get haircuts!
John Lair was not only a good man, but a good friend, who would help any body, and not think twice about. I am so honored to have known such a great man, who like myself just liked some things to stay the same. Thank you Mr. Lair for all you gave.
So happy to find this. John Lair was my great uncle and loved him dearly. Thanks for posting this.
John Lair is my grandfather and I am so happy folks keep him in their memories
I am 77 years old but I remember my mother listening to the Renfro Valley on an old battery powered radio, if the battery wasn't down, as we didn't have any electricity at that time, just a farming family who live far back on a little farm where we made a living, and I was just a small lad not going to school yet. She loved it Renfro Valley and listened every chance she got. I can listen to those old programs now and it carries me back to a time I wish I could live again. I feel sorry for those who can never know how life was then, they will never know what they missed. Thank you.
You created a masterpiece with this video. Thank you so very much for sharing with the world. I am a 69 year old from northern Minnesota, and the clip brought tears to my eyes. Thanks again !!!
Im so proud to be raised in that little community Beautiful and peaceful area.
I found a couple Renfro Valley Gathering vinyl records I inherited from 1972 and 1973 and I'm totally mind blown
Ive played on that stage for its 80th anniversary got a gituar used there was my grandpa's Charlie Napier
Folks, there is nothing better than a weekend at Renfro Valley. Forget the outside world and enjoy.
There is a love on stage and in this small venue that I haven't found anywhere else.
The musicianship can't be beat. Even from the back you can see every player and watch the moves.
Imagine live , inexpensive, music of the highest caliber.
Thanks for putting this video together. I'd wanted something to show my friends. :)
i lived up the road for several years at Berea. When johns daughters decided to sell in late 80's i made some aerial pictures for them..
A real special place.
Enjoyed this video from
Lapaz, Leyte, Philippines
Kentucky native here, pulaski is a mid-sized town near the Tennessee border line but I remember being 6 and heading up the road, we come from the area outside of burnside. This is about all we had growing up, this is why I think us Appalachians are a different sort of people, what you say 25 years behind the rest of the U.S. crazy it's only been 12 years since then.
I'm only 38 as 2 week ago, but my daddy would bring me and my brothers her as we was kids. His people,some of'em lived on the hill up from the barn, was good folks. The place is magical now that I start to recall the old times. Never a bad moment.
I used to love to hear this show on the radio back in the early 90s. The station was broadcasting recorded shows from the 60s.
So glad to find this, but disappointed that my father Coy Priddy was not featured more. Dad and mom were married live on WHAS from renfro valley stage on Nov. 27, 1948. Dad remained a member untiil his death in June 1990. Mr. Lair always insisted on introducing dad until he could no longer come to stage. Dad lived in Louisville but commuted back and forth the last 10 yes with Susan Tomes. in early days Claude Sweet and Dad were called bachelor boys.
I loved you dad! He was my first favorite mandolin player when I was like 7 or 8. I miss my 8 track I had. I sang every song at the top of my lungs!
Very Cool Lefty, I was just there at Renfro Valley playing Sax and Steel guitar with Ronnie Milsap and before we went on I went over to the "Old Barn" and played Yackety Sax" with that group of fine entertainers and musicians!! Too much fun!
+John Heinrich GREAT POST. Good on ya Mate.
Heard this program in Toledo OH in the mid 1950's. I remember that voice!!!!!!!!!
Renfro valley, the people, the music. Timeless. Inseprables. A gift to the world.
My grandfather, Ray Mulkey {Ray & Shug - the Mulkey brothers played there. They also played in the Gloryland Quartette and then the Lonesome Pine Boys.
They had a 5 yr contract with John lair but sadly my grandad and some of his brothers had major drinking problems. I have been told by one of his nephews that he messed up his contractor and ended up in Detroit working with a brother in the auto industry in about 1950 or so. It’s interesting to see some of his recordings in here!
What a BEAUTIFUL song and voices
Takes me back to my childhood as I would listen to this in the late '30's and '40's. I believe the Barndance started in 1939. Susan Laws performs Take me back to Renfro Valley. Scene at 5:25 min. is beautiful. Reminds me of where I grew up in middle Tenn. , would go there to gather walnuts and hickory nuts for the winter months, In the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains. Place was called Pilot Knob, a dairy farm down below, they had a dairy factory in Cookeville. Pilot Knob is a 1,339 ft. Peak, very steep and rocky. At the top was a sink hole, always was told it had no bottom, very big around and very deep. The place is very different today, understand there is a town or "city" built there today.
I love this story. I would be interested in whether anything exists there today of the old stuff. Might have to look it up.
takes me back in time i used to listen when i was young alton ross
A very nice tribute video. I'd like to point out, though, that the "Famous Goofus Act" was actually the Cumberland Ridge Runners with Karl Davis, Harty Taylor, Red Foley, and Slim Miller. That group was a mainstay of the WLS National Barn Dance (also founded by Lair), but never played as part of the Renfro Valley cast. That bit of film was made at the Shriners' Children's Hospital in Chicago. Though Red & Slim made the transition to WLW & Renfro Valley, Karl and Harty remained in Chicago on WLS and later WJJD as part of the Suppertime Frolic.
I remember my father listenting to this when i was a young girl!!
Long time ago when Country was real Country, wonderful.
I still remember one of his aunts lived down the hill from theKOA.
I miss being a kid
My last name is Renfro. Proud of my rich American heritage.
REAL country music
Is the KOA still there?
@leftylaws
Thanks Lefty for the information about the Parker Brothers. Do you know if they are performing anywhere right now or recording? When I mentioned them to my sis she told me she had an album by them she bought at Renfro Valley about 20 or so years ago but when she moved it got lost somewhere. I appreciate all you all do for this wonderful entertainment center. - Paula
this is a helluva video
We Lunsfords
A simple time long past, when morals were far higher. Be better to your neighbors and you will have better neighbors.
W.J. Owen yes sir
Homer and Jethro weren't allowed to get more than two haircuts a year. Jethro said the first thing they did after Jethro finished his Army induction physical was get haircuts!
Back fore the hetful times of these day.
I miss being a kid
Hell yeah