100 years of country music in Chicago

People involved in Chicago’s ‘Barn Dance’ — Lawrence Peters, Jefferey Thomas, and Paul Durica stand outside Reset’s studios. They are all involved in an event celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the “Barn Dance” radio show in Chicago.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

Chicago’s ‘Barn Dance’ celebrates 100 years since first country broadcast

The National Barn Dance radio show broadcast out of Chicago predates the Grand Ole Opry.

Lawrence Peters, Jefferey Thomas, and Paul Durica stand outside Reset’s studios. They are all involved in an event celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the “Barn Dance” radio show in Chicago.

Max Lubbers

By Lynnea Domienik

The first episode of the variety show Barn Dance aired on WLS on April 19, 1924. An event honoring this anniversary imagines what an episode of the show would sound like in 2024, with musicians, historical context and performances. It will be broadcast live on WFMT.

Reset learns about the history of country music in Chicago, how the scene has evolved and what characterizes the sound today.

GUEST: Paul Durica, Chicago historian, event producer

Jefferey Thomas, musical director for Hey, Hey, the Gang’s All Here: A Chicago Barn Dance

Lawrence Peters, musician, founder Lawrence Peters Outfit

Francesca Royster, author of Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions

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